Role of zinc as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to relieve cadmium oxidative stress induced testicular damage in rats

Objective To investigate the role of zinc in reducing the deleterious effects of cadmium on male gonads. Methods Rats were injected subcutaneously with CdCl

Piroxicam-induced hepatic and renal histopathological changes in mice

Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used in rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate Piroxicam-induced histopathological changes in livers and kidneys of male albino mice. Animals were classified into a control group and 4 treated groups. Piroxicam was injected intraperitoneally using 0.3 mg/kg every day for four weeks. Each week a group of mice was sacrificed. Liver and kidneys were obtained for histological and histochemical examination. Animals were classified into a control group and 4 treated groups. Piroxicam was injected intraperitoneally using 0.3 mg/kg every day for four weeks. Each week a group of mice was sacrificed. Liver and kidneys were obtained for histological and histochemical examination. Liver sections appeared with inflammatory cellular infiltration, vacuolated hepatocytes, dilated sinusoids, and increased number of Kupffer cells. Kidney sections appeared with some cellular inflammations. The glomeruli were shrunk resulting in widening of the urinary space. Oedema and vacuolations were noticed in the tubular cells. There was a positive correlation between these pathological changes and the increased treatment periods. Histochemical staining revealed that glycogen and protein contents had decreased in the hepatocytes. This depletion worsened gradually in liver cells after two, three, and four weeks. Similar depletion of the glycogen content was observed in kidney tissue. However, protein content appeared to be slightly decreased in the kidney tubules and glomeruli. Incensement of coarse chromatin in the nuclei of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and most inflammatory cells were detected by Fuelgen method. Kidney tissues appeared with a severe decrease in coarse chromatin in the nuclei. Liver sections appeared with inflammatory cellular infiltration, vacuolated hepatocytes, dilated sinusoids, and increased number of Kupffer cells. Kidney sections appeared with some cellular inflammations. The glomeruli were shrunk resulting in widening of the urinary space. Oedema and vacuolations were noticed in the tubular cells. There was a positive correlation between these pathological changes and the increased treatment periods. Histochemical staining revealed that glycogen and protein contents had decreased in the hepatocytes. This depletion worsened gradually in liver cells after two, three, and four weeks. Similar depletion of the glycogen content was observed in kidney tissue. However, protein content appeared to be slightly decreased in the kidney tubules and glomeruli. Incensement of coarse chromatin in the nuclei of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and most inflammatory cells were detected by Fuelgen method. Kidney tissues appeared with a severe decrease in coarse chromatin in the nuclei. Piroxicam has a time-dependent toxic effect on both liver and kidney tissues

Inositol hexaphosphate enhances the immune response against aeromonas hydrophila in male albino mice

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if inositol hexaphosphate [IP6] enhances the immune response and disease resistance against infections due to opportunistic pathogens Aeromonas hydrophila in male albino mice

Martial and Methods: Mice were classified into three groups: first group remained as a control group. The second group was injected [i.p.] with A. hydrophia once a week for four weeks at a dose of 0.2 ml of A. hydrophia suspension [2 x 10[6] bacteria]. The third group was injected with A. hydrophia suspension in the same way as the second one and synergistically IP6 was administrated three times a week for four weeks at a total dose of 40 mg/ kg mice. Phagocytic activity, electrophoretic pattern of proteins and immunoglobulin levels were investigated. Also, activities of the respiratory burst enzymes and nitric acid synthesis were estimated

Results: Results of the second group revealed a marked increase in phagocytic activities, nitric oxide synthesis and a decrease in hepatocyte catalase, total peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. On the other hand, in the third group, administration of IP6 enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities. At the same time, nitric oxide synthesis was shown to be in a similar rate to that of the control mice. Furthermore, IP6 increased the total blood leukocyte counts and the proportion of lymphocytes, but it had a non-significant decrease of the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes

Conclusion: The toxicity of free radicals produced by the bacteria was strongly reduced by IP6 administration