The effects of 1st and 2nd generation biodiesel exhaust exposure on hematological and biochemical blood indices of Fisher344 male rats - The FuelHealth project.

Diesel exhaust emissions (DEE), being one of the main causes of ambient air pollution, exert a detrimental effect on human health and increase morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate potential adverse effects of exhausts emissions from B7 fuel, the first-generation biofuel containing 7% of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), and SHB20 fuel, the second-generation biofuel containing 20% FAME/hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), after a whole-body exposure with and without diesel particle filter (DPF). The experiment was performed on 95 male Fischer 344 rats, divided into 10 groups (8 experimental, 2 control). Animals were exposed to DEE (diluted with charcoal-filtered room air to 2.1-2.2% (v/v)) for 7 or 28 days (6 h/day, 5 days/week) in an inhalation chamber. DEE originated from Euro 5 engine with or without DPF treatment, run on B7 or SHB20 fuel. Animals in the control groups were exposed to clean air. Our results showed that the majority of haematological and biochemical parameters examined in blood were at a similar level in the exposed and control animals. However, exposure to DEE from the SHB20 fuel caused an increase in the number of red blood cells (RBC) and haemoglobin concentration. Moreover, 7 days exposure to DEE from SHB20 fuel induced genotoxic effects manifested by increased levels of DNA single-strand breaks in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Furthermore, inhalation of both types of DEE induced oxidative stress and caused imbalance of anti-oxidant defence enzymes. In conclusion, exposure to DEE from B7, which was associated with higher exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, resulted in decreased number of T and NK lymphocytes, while DEE from SHB20 induced a higher level of DNA single-strand breaks, oxidative stress and increased red blood cells parameters. Additionally, DPF technology generated increased number of smaller PM and made the DEE more reactive and more harmful, manifested as deregulation of redox balance.

Silver ions are responsible for memory impairment induced by oral administration of silver nanoparticles.

Increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) results in increased human exposure. AgNPs are able to cross brain-blood barrier and are a risk factor for the brain. Thus, we hypothesized that AgNPs exposure might affect hippocampal dependent memory, which required cognitive coordination processes. To verify the assumption, in this study we evaluated the effects of orally administered bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated AgNPs on spatial memory, which engage cognitive coordination processes for on-going stimuli segregation. Rats following 28 days of oral administration with 1 mg/kg (n = 10) or 30 mg/kg (n = 10) BSA-AgNPs or saline, a control groups (n = 10, n = 8), were tested with an active place avoidance task in the Carousel Maze test. The study revealed significant impairment of long- and short-term memory, irrespectively of dose of AgNPs, whereas non-cognitive activity was on a similar level. We found significantly higher content of silver in the hippocampus in comparison to the lateral cortex. No silver was found in the cerebellum and the frontal cortex. The nanoSIMS analysis reveal a weak signal of silver in the hippocampus of AgNPs treated animals that should be attributed to the presence of silver in ionic form rather than AgNPs. Our findings indicate that oral exposure to a low dose AgNPs induces detrimental effect on memory and cognitive coordination processes. The presence of silver ions rather than AgNPs in different brain regions, in particular the hippocampus, suggests crucial role of silver ions in AgNPs-induced impairment of the higher brain functions.

Progressive effects of silver nanoparticles on hormonal regulation of reproduction in male rats.

The growing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various applications, including consumer, agriculture and medicine products, has raised many concerns about the potential risks of nanoparticles (NPs) to human health and the environment. An increasing body of evidence suggests that AgNPs may have adverse effects of humans, thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AgNPs on the male reproductive system. Silver particles (20nm AgNPs (groups Ag I and Ag II) and 200nm Ag sub-micron particles (SPs) (group Ag III)) were administered intravenously to male Wistar rats at a dose of 5 (groups Ag I and Ag III) or 10 (group Ag II) mg/kg of body weight. The biological material was sampled 24h, 7days and 28days after injection. The obtained results revealed that the AgNPs had altered the luteinising hormone concentration in the plasma and the sex hormone concentration in the plasma and testes. Plasma and intratesticular levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were significantly decreased both 7 and 28days after treatment. No change in the prolactin and sex hormone-binding globulin concentration was observed. Exposure of the animals to AgNPs resulted in a considerable decrease in 5α-reductase type 1 and the aromatase protein level in the testis. Additionally, expression analysis of genes involved in steroidogenesis and the steroids metabolism revealed significant down-regulation of Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Hsd17b3 and Srd5a1 mRNAs in AgNPs/AgSPs-exposed animals. The present study demonstrates the potential adverse effect on the hormonal regulation of the male reproductive function following AgNP/AgSP administration, in particular alterations of the sex steroid balance and expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis and the steroids metabolism.

Time-dependent supplementation of vitamin E influences leptin expression in the aortic layers of rats fed atherogenic diet.

An excessive consumption of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids is a key factor in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases which are strictly connected with leptin imbalance in the vessels. However, whether vitamin E supplementation would influence leptin expression in aortic layers is still unknown. For 3 or 6 weeks male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat (20% w/w) diet with lard as dietary fat source with or without vitamin E supplementation (50 mg/100 g of diet). The 6-week intake of an atherogenic diet increased total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) plasma levels simultaneously lowering TC/HDL ratio (ANOVA p≤0.0001 for all three parameters). After longer period of feeding it was stated that leptin expression in all three aortic layers was enhanced (ANOVA p≤0.0001 for endothelium, tunica media and adventitia, respectively) with decreased leptin plasma concentration (ANOVA p≤0.0001). After both periods of feeding vitamin E supplementation caused an increase in plasma HDL content and a decrease of TC/HDL ratio. In the 3-week experiment vitamin E addition caused a decrease in leptin plasma levels (Fisher's test, 3L versus 3LE: p≤0.002) and an increase in leptin expression in all three aortic layers (Fisher's test, 3L versus 3LE p≤0.005, p≤0.01 and p≤0.05 respectively for endothelium, tunica media and adventitia). The contradictory results were observed in the 6-week experiment in which vitamin supplementation decreased leptin expression in the aortic endothelium (Fisher's test, 6L versus 6LE: p≤0.001) with lack of changes in the other two layers of the aorta and plasma. The study showed that vitamin E supplementation influenced leptin expression in aortic layers in rats fed atherogenic diet differently depending on the length of feeding period. It may suggest that vitamin E consumption plays an important role in the control of leptin status in the endothelium.

Time-dependent biodistribution and excretion of silver nanoparticles in male Wistar rats.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most commonly used nanoparticles owing to their antimicrobial properties. The motivation of the present study was (1) to analyze the effect of silver particle size on rat tissue distribution at different time points, (2) to determine the accumulation of AgNPs in potential rat target organs, (3) to analyze the intracellular distribution of AgNPs and (4) to examine the excretion of AgNPs by urine and feces. AgNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, BET surface area measurements, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. AgNPs (20 and 200 nm) were administered intravenously (i.v.) to male Wistar rats at a dose of 5 mg kg(-1) of body weight. Biological material was sampled 24 h, 7 and 28 days after injection. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) it was observed that AgNPs translocated from the blood to the main organs and the concentration of silver in tissues was significantly higher in rats treated with 20 nm AgNPs as compared with 200 nm AgNPs. The highest concentration of silver was found in the liver after 24 h. After 7 days, a high level of silver was observed in the lungs and spleen. The silver concentration in the kidneys and brain increased during the experiment and reached the highest concentration after 28 days. Moreover, the highest concentration of AgNPs was observed in the urine 1 day after the injection, maintained high for 14 days and then decreased. The fecal level of silver in rats was the highest within 2 days after AgNPs administration and then decreased.

Local variation in helminth burdens of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from ecologically similar sites: temporal stability and relationships with hormone concentrations and social behaviour.

Populations of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in a fragmented forest habitat in north-east Poland showed local differences in helminth infection intensity, morphometric measures and organ weights that were consistent with differences at the same locations two years previously. Although overall intensities of infection were lower than previously, and there were some differences in the relative intensities of individual helminth species, site differences remained significant and were consistent across replicated subsites. In keeping with site differences in helminth infection and adrenal gland weight and asymmetry, voles at site 1 (high intensity infection) had higher circulating concentrations of corticosterone than those at site 2 (low intensity infection). Since males were sampled outside the breeding season, and thus non-scrotal, testosterone levels were low and did not differ between sites. As previously, voles at site 1 also showed greater hind foot asymmetry. Dyadic interactions between males from the same and different sites in the laboratory showed that males from site 1 were significantly less aggressive, especially when confronted with intruder males from site 2. There was no relationship between aggressiveness and intensity of infection overall or at site 1, but a significant negative relationship emerged at site 2. Aggression thus appeared to be downregulated at the higher intensity site independently of individual levels of infection. Terminal corticosterone concentrations were greater at site 1 and lower among residents that initiated more aggression. While corticosterone concentrations rose over the period of testing, they did not correlate with the amount of aggression initiated or received.

Haematological and blood biochemical studies in female domesticated Indian elephants (Elaphas maximus L.).

1. Some haematological and biochemical blood parameters in female Indian elephants were investigated. 2. Haematological data were as follows: Ht = 39.2 +/- 2.36%, Hb = 10.1 +/- 0.54 g%, RBC = 2.66 +/- 0.32 x 10(6)/mm3, WBC = 5.43 +/- 0.48 x 10(3)/mm3. Lymphocytes, determined on blood smears were mainly leucocytes from (67.0 +/- 1.59%). Data for MCV, MCH and MCHC are also given. 3. Blood plasma was separated into 5 main fractions, total plasma protein concentration was 6.98 +/- 0.53 g%, A/G ratio was 0.69 +/- 0.1. 4. Plasma minerals concentration was as follows: Na, 3044 +/- 194 micrograms/ml; K, 529 +/- 38.5 micrograms/ml; Mg, 33.0 +/- 3.43 micrograms/ml; Ca, 181.0 +/- 17.8 micrograms/ml; InP, 44.6 +/- 6.1 micrograms/ml. Ca: P ratio was 3.25 +/- 0.34. 5. Some seasonal differences in investigated parameters were observed. Ht values, WBC and neutrophils number as well as Ca, and Mg concentrations were higher during winter, whereas RBC and Na and InP concentrations were lower in winter.

Changes in nonspecific immunity factor in some Equidae, Camelidae and Capridae species.

Plasma lysozyme activity changed during the 2 years of the investigation period. In some species (e.g. ponies and goats) there are only seasonal fluctuations with the highest levels during summer and autumn in ponies and during winter in goats. In two Camelidae species, guanacos and llamas, only, downward trends were found, whereas in donkeys, both types of changes: seasonal variations with the maximal level during autumn and an upward long-term trend were found.

Peripheral plasma levels of certain mineral elements in primitive African goats.

Changes in blood plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, sodium and potassium concentrations over a 3-year period were investigated in primitive goats. Blood plasma mineral concentrations were determined by atomic absorption and a colorimetric method. Changes in Zn and Ca concentrations are season dependent, potassium levels show only a long-term change tendency, and magnesium and inorganic phosphorus had constant levels throughout the investigation period. Iron, copper and sodium showed both long-term change tendencies and more or less marked season related changes.

Seasonal fluctuations in plasma protein fraction levels of chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger, M.).

Seasonal changes in blood plasma protein fractions in chinchilla females and males were found. Plasma albumin levels in both sexes vary according to season, generally low in winter and spring and high in summer and autumn. The levels of alpha 1-globulin and gamma-globulin increase markedly in spring (1.5 times higher than in winter and autumn). In chinchilla females, the levels of alpha 2-globulin and beta 2-globulin varied biphasically, being higher in winter and summer. In males, clear seasonal trends in the levels of both fractions were not observed. The beta 1-globulin fraction levels vary throughout the year. In females as well as males, globulin decreases during winter to minimal values in late spring, and then increases again during the summer to remain at the same level till autumn.

Three-year study on trace mineral concentration in the blood plasma of Shetland pony mares.

Changes in some trace minerals concentrations (calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, sodium and potassium) in blood plasma were investigated during a three-year period in Shetland pony mares. Blood plasma mineral concentrations were determined by the atomic absorption method and colorimetric method. The three-year averages were in micrograms/ml; Na 4630 +/- 168; K 277 +/- 3.8; Ca 171 +/- 3.8; P 31.5 +/- 0.74; Fe 1.92 +/- 0.14; Zn 1.07 +/- 0.04 and Cu 1.06 +/- 0.02. Two trace minerals (magnesium in inorganic phosphorus) showed only long-term tendency changes--upward or downward trends were not connected with the season. Most of the investigated minerals showed both a long-term change tendency and more or less marked seasonally related concentration changes, being higher during autumn or winter (zinc, sodium), or during spring and summer (calcium, copper, iron and potassium). Some interrelationships between particular trace mineral concentrations in blood plasma were also observed.

Peripheral plasma progesterone concentration and haematological indices during normal pregnancy of chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger, M.).

Peripheral plasma progesterone concentration and some haematological indices in pregnant chinchillas were studied. As pregnancy advanced progesterone concentration showed a marked change from high values in early pregnancy (days 9-29), to undetectable values by days 40-60, and from high values in the latter states of pregnancy (days 70-80), to very low values during the 30 days before parturition. Haematocrit value and mean erythrocyte volume change inversely to progesterone concentration fluctuations. White blood cell parameters increased during the first half of pregnancy, then decreased to the lowest level before parturition.

Peripheral plasma prolactin concentrations during oestrous cycles in different types of primitive gilt.

Plasma prolactin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay during oestrous cycles and around the time of oestrus in different types of primitive gilts: Vietnamese, Zlotnicka and wild-boar X domestic pig hybrids. The animals were bled without stress from an indwelling arterial catheter. The following results were obtained: (1) in all gilts the main prolactin peak was observed at Day 15 or 16 of the oestrous cycle; (2) Vietnamese and hybrid gilts showed a second smaller prolactin surge after (Day 2) or before (Day 17) oestrus; (3) base levels of prolactin during the oestrous cycle were 14.8 +/- 0.93 ng/ml (Vietnamese gilts), 13.2 +/- 1.05 ng/ml (Zlotnicka gilts) and 15.6 +/- 2.01 ng/ml (hybrid gilts). The 15-16-day prolactin peaks reached maximum values of 36.4, 43.4 and 56.5 ng/ml respectively.

Age and androgen-related changes in morphological parameters, haematological indices and serum protein fraction in common vole (Microtus arvalis Pall.) growing in different photoperiods.

In male voles raised under different light conditions (L:D = 24:0, L:D = 18:6, L:D = 6:18) the following results were obtained. In the young males erythropoiesis seemed to be greatest in voles growing in "winter" photoperiod. In this light condition RBC count showed a tendency to decrease with age while in other illuminations erythrocyte numbers increased. The age related changes in RBC count were very similar to those observed in common voles aging in the different natural seasonal generations. The androgen level was higher after birth and then decreased. After reaching sexual maturity (13-15 weeks of vole life) it showed a peak and then decreased progressively. The age related changes in alpha 2-globulins (considered to be a potential binding proteins for steroid hormones) and in androgen level suggested a regulating mechanism based on a balance of hormones--blood proteins. The correlations stated between androgens and the parameters studied indicated more steroid than age-related metabolic changes. The more androgens, the less beta-globulin and fibrinogen while the greater rate of body and testes weight, as well as of albumin level and of RBC count were observed. All those might affect the transmission of lipoproteins from blood to adipose tissue and less predisposition to fighting with potentially lower blood coagulation capacity and more effective anabolic (erythropoietic) processes in the more "androgenic", reproductively active male voles. A higher protein metabolism in constant light, i.e. the higher level of the majority of plasma protein fraction and small weight was suggested. The high level of androgens in "winter" photoperiod might condition the aggressiveness and prevent hibernation in natural winter conditions.

Seasonal changes in the haematological indices in peripheral blood of chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger L.).

Changes in nine haematological indices in adult female and male chinchilla were investigated over a period of 18 months. All haematological values were in the same range both for females and males, although seasonal fluctuations were more evident in the females. High levels of the red blood cells count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) during the winter months and low levels of these parameters during the summer months were found. The white blood cells count (WBC) and lymphocyte number (L) also decreased in summer, their values increasing during autumn and spring. The haematocrit values (Ht) and mean cell volumes (MCV) are high during the summer and low during the winter.

Influence of photoperiod on morphological parameters, androgen concentration, haematological indices and serum protein fractions in common vole (Microtus arvalis, pall.).

1. In male voles developed under three different photoperiods (L:D = 24:0, L:D = 18:6, L:D = 6:18) the following results were obtained. 2. Higher variability of most of the parameters (except testes weight and protein fraction levels) was observed in young males. Hormonal synchronization of parameters studied in adult voles was discussed. 3. Sexual activity measured by morphological symptoms was related to increase of body and testes weights, RBC count, alpha 2- and gamma-globulin levels. There was no parallelism between testes weight and androgen concentration. 4. The increasing photoperiod synchronized groups as far as testes weight, WBC count and androgen concentration was concerned. Constant illumination inhibited sexual maturity and probably haemopoesis and androgen secretion. 5. A long "summer" photoperiod was optimal for male vole reproductive form which was related to high body and testes weight as well as value of red blood cell indices. 6. In the shortest "winter" photoperiod puberty was attained more slowly and blood cell counts showed high values. The high level of androgens might play a role in winter reproduction and aggressive behaviour observed in natural vole population. 7. The lowest values of total protein, albumin and alpha 2-globulin levels were observed in the "summer" photoperiod. Constant light and a long photoperiod did not suppress alpha 1- and beta-globulin fractions which showed the lowest level in short photoperiod ("winter"). It was suggested that light was not the most important factor acting on gamma-globulin (immunoglobulin) level in animals developed in laboratory conditions but can act on their heterogeneity in occurrence of the fraction.