Effect of azithromycin "Zithromax[R]" on the chromosomal pattern of bone marrow and liver cells in albino rats

Three groups of adult albino rats of both sexes were dosed in the following way. Group-I, distilled water-vehicle [n=8], Group-II, 45 mg/kg azithromycin [n=10]; and Group-III, 90 mg/kg azithromycin [n=10] Doses were given once daily orally for 3 successive day. The dose given for Group-II animals was equivalent to the human therapeutic dose. On day 11, all animals were sacrificed, and both the liver and bone narrow were taken for subsequent cytogenetic studies. Azithromycin induced a significant increase in the total structural as well as numerical chromosomal aberrations in both groups-II and III-when compared to the control group-I. However, there was no significant difference between group-II and group-III as regards polyploidy in the liver cells when compared with the control group-I. Furthermore, azithromycin induced a significant increase in the total structural chromosomal aberrations among females, except in the bone marrow cells of group-III animals. On the other hand, the mean percentage of the numerical chromosomal aberrations, in bone marrow cells, showed a significant increase only in females of group-II but not in group-III animals. However, in liver cells, the mean percentage of the numerical chromosomal aberrations showed a significant increase only in males of group-II but not in group-III animals. All results obtained may indicate the unfavorable influence of azithromycin on the chromosomal pattern of albino rats. Therefore, the genotoxicity of this reparation should be considered during its development as an antimicrobial agent

use of spectrophotometer in indentification of bloodstains: abnormal haemoglobins

The present work was designed to apply an easy as well as low- cost method forboth identification and aging of human blood stains with abnormal hemoglobins. This study was conducted on 68 blood stains. Hemoglobin as well as hemoglobinelectrophoresis were done for the whole blood samples. The remaining of eachblood sample was then spread, in equal amounts, on cotton fabrics, dried atroom temperature, and stored in filter paper envelops. Blood hemoglobincurves were drawn and the alpha ratio was calculated for all the specimens atintervals of 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. There was a significant differencein the mean alpha ratio between subjects with abnormal hemoglobins whencompared with the control group. There was as well a significant negativecorrelation between the mean alpha ratio and time in all the studied groups. The present work showed that an absorption spectrum of a minute speck of bloodcan prove that the substance under examination is blood. Furthermore, therate at which the alpha ratio decreases might be of more value in aging ofblood stains than the alpha ratio itself

study of placental distribution and transfer of lead and cadmium in urban and rural inhabitants

Distribution of lead and cadmium was studied in 10 placentas. Samples were taken from 3 different lobules [central, paracentral and peripheral] and lead and cadmium concentrations were determined. Our results revealed that both metals were distributed uniformly in the placenta as there were no significant differences between the tested samples [P > 0.05].Lead and cadmium concentrations were also determined in homogenized placental samples, maternal blood and umbilical cord blood from urban areas [n = 25] and rural areas [n = 25] in Cairo and Giza. Our results showed that the levels of lead and cadmium in the maternal and umbilical cord blood were significantly higher in urban population than in rural ones. Moreover, the mean lead concentration in the placenta was 1.5 and 2.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood, while placental cadmium concentration was 1.6 and 1.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the placenta is a suitable material for monitoring environmental lead and cadmium exposure and its placating effect is unable to totally prevent the foetus from exposure to these metals, thus we suggest that the pregnant women should avoid occupations where exposure to these elements is possible especially for urban population which is considered to be high risk group especially for lead exposure

Adverse health effects of gasoline in service station workers

In the present study, the possible relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline and renal, hepatic as well as immunological alterations were investigated. 42 gasoline station workers were compared to 20 administrative workers [controls] regarding their renal functions [urea, creatinine and urinary microalbumin], hepatic functions [total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase -ALT-, aspartate aminotransferase -AST- and serum albumin] and immunological assessment [serum immunoglobulin levels, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and lymphocyte blastogenesis]. The results obtained show a significant increase of urinary microalbumin in the exposed workers, compared to matched unexposed controls. However, no significant changes were recorded in the serum urea or creatinine levels in the exposed group. Serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in exposed in relation to non-exposed workers, meanwhile, no significant differences were observed as regards the serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase between the comparable groups. Moreover, our results show that gasoline exposed workers exhibited significant decrease in the tested immunological parameters as compared to the control group. These data point to significant impairment in renal, hepatic and immunological functions by gasoline exposure

role of Nigella sativa [L] oil in cadmium - induced toxicity in albino rats

Four groups of adult albino rats of both sexes were dosed in the following way: Group-I, distilled water-vehicle [n=8]; Group-II, 0.3 ml Nigella oil orally [n=10]; Group-III, 3 mg/kg cadmium chloride ip [n=10] and Group-IV, 0.3 ml Nigella oil orally + 3 mg/kg cadmium chloride ip [n=10]. Doses were given once daily 5 days/week for 4 consecutive weeks. All animals were sacrificed and blood [2ml] was collected for the assessment of kidney and liver functions. Kidneys, livers and testis were taken for the histological examination. While, the bone marrow of femur bones was taken for subsequent cytogenetic studies. Cadmium treatment [Group-III] induced a significant renal, hepatic as well as testicular injury as proved by the chemical alterations in kidney and liver functions as well as the histological changes occurred in the kidney, liver and testis. Furthermore, it induced a significant increase in the total structural as well as numerical chromosomal aberrations. On the other hand, rats treated simultaneously with Nigella oil and cadmium [Group-IV] showed a significant improvement of renal, hepatic and genetic damages induced by cadmium. However, Nigella provides no satisfactory protection against the cadmium-induced testicular damage. Therefore, Nigella sativa [L.] oil effective against cadmium-induced toxicity in albino rats