Short-term zinc deficiency in diet induces increased oxidative stress in testes and epididymis of rats.

In order to determine the effects of Zinc deficient diet on oxidative stress in testis and epididymis, various parameters viz: total proteins, lipid peroxidation, hydroperoxides, antioxidant capacity and enzymatic activities are evaluated in rats fed on zinc deficient diet for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Total proteins, water and lipid solouble antioxidant capacity decreased while lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and hydroperoxides concentration increased in testes, caput and cauda epididymis except in 2ZD (testes) where hydroperoxides revealed a significant decrease. GSH decreased in testes and caput and cauda epididymis. GPx and gamma-GT activities increased in testes and caput and cauda epididymis of zinc deficient rats. Further, GST increased in testes but exhibited decreases after 2 and 4 weeks and an increase after 6 weeks in caput and cauda epididymis of zinc deficient rats. GR activities decreased in testes but it increased in caput and cauda epididymis of zinc deficient rats. Thus, zinc deprivation results in increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. All these may have been as a consequence of increased ROS generation and/or decreased zinc dependent antioxidant processes.

Mentha piperita (Linn) leaf extract provides protection against radiation induced alterations in intestinal mucosa of Swiss albino mice.

Intestinal protection in mice against radiation injury by M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) was studied from day 1 to day 20 after whole body gamma irradiation (8 Gy). Villus height, goblet cells/villus section, total cells, mitotic cells and dead cells/crypt section in the jejunum are good parameters for the assessment of radiation damage. There was significant decrease in the villus height, number of total cells and mitotic cells/crypt section, whereas goblet cells and dead cells showed significant increase after irradiation. Mentha pretreatment resulted in a significant increase in villus height, total cells and mitotic cells, whereas goblet cells and dead cells showed a significant decrease from respective irradiated controls at each autopsy day. The results suggest that Mentha pretreatment provides protection against radiation induced alterations in intestinal mucosa of Swiss albino mice.

Embryonic/fetal mortality after exposure to tritiated water in pregnant Swiss albino mice during different gestation periods.

Pregnant Swiss albino mice were given a priming injection(im) of tritiated water (HTO) at the dose rate of 2.3 and 5 microCi/ml body water (74, 111 or 185 KBq/ml body water) at 0, 6 and 14 day post conception (d.p.c.) and were subsequently maintained on tritiated drinking water ad libitum during preimplantation (0-5 d.p.c.), organogenetic (6-12 d.p.c.) or fetal (14-18 d.p.c.) period, respectively. On day 18 of gestation the females were sacrificed by cervical dislocation to record the implant sites per dam and embryonic/fetal mortality. Significant reduction was observed in average implant sites per dam when the females were exposed to any of the three doses during the preimplantation period due to embryonic resorption before implantation. However, the same was found to be within the normal range when mothers were exposed during the organogenetic or fetal period. Prenatal mortality (embryonic resorption/fetal death) was higher after in utero exposure to different doses during preimplantation period as compared to organogenetic period, but mortality did not occur after exposure to any of the doses during the fetal period. Occurrence of mortality was found to be dose dependent.