11-Keto-ß-Boswellic Acids Prevent Development of Autoimmune Reactions, Insulitis and Reduce Hyperglycemia During Induction of Multiple Low-Dose Streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) Diabetes in Mice.

The aim of the work was to study whether or not 11-keto-ß-boswellic acids prevent induction of autoimmune reactions, insulitis, and hyperglycemia in the model of multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) diabetes. Using male mice (n = 6) diabetes was induced by daily i.p. injections of 40 mg/kg STZ for 5 days. In a second series together with STZ, daily i. p. injections of 11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (KBA) and O-acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (AKBA) (7.5 and 15.0 mg/kg) were applied for 10 days. Thereafter, pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the blood, histochemistry of pancreatic islets, and blood glucose levels were assayed. Five days after the last injection of STZ, a significant burst of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the blood, infiltration of lymphocytes (CD3) into pancreatic islets, and appearance of peri-insular apoptotic cells were observed. Plasma glucose increased significantly (124.4 ± 6.65 vs. 240.2 ± 27.36 mg/dl, p <0.05). Simultaneous treatment with KBA and AKBA significantly reduced pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ p < 0.01, p < 0.01; IL-1A p < 0.001, p < 0.001; IL-1B p < 0.001, p < 0.001; IL-2 p < 0.001, p < 0.001; IL-6 p < 0.01, p < 0.001; TNF-α p < 0.05, p < 0.001; IL-4 p < 0.01, p < 0.001; IL-10 p < 0.001, p < 0.001) in the blood. No infiltration of lymphocytes into pancreatic islets and appearance of peri-insular cells were detected. Moreover, KBA and AKBA reduced STZ-mediated increase of blood glucose on day 10 to 163.25 ± 16.6 (p < 0.05) and 187.6 ± 19.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05), respectively. In the model of MLD-STZ induced diabetes KBA and AKBA prevent cytokine burst, development of insulitis and reduce increase of blood glucose through "silencing" a forced-up immune reaction.

Removal of lead ions from industrial waste water by different types of natural materials.

The adsorption capacity of some natural materials for lead such as animal bone powder, active carbon, Nile rose plant powder, commercial carbon and ceramics was studied. The V/m ratio has been chosen to be 500 ml/g. The adsorption process was affected by various parameters such as contact time, pH and concentration of lead solution. The lead uptake percent reaches equilibrium state after 15, 30, 45 and 120 min for bone powder, active carbon, plant powder and commercial carbon, respectively. The uptake percent of lead increased by increasing pH value. The sequence of lead uptake percent (% adsorption) at constant pH from certain concentration of lead nitrate solution by the different natural materials is in the order: bone powder > active carbon > plant powder > commercial carbon. The uptake percent of lead is increased by decreasing the concentration of lead at constant pH. The capacity of lead adsorbed from nitrate solution by the different natural materials increased by increasing pH value. The synthetic and industrial waste-water samples were treated by using the different natural materials (contact time 3h, pH = 4). The percent removal of lead was 100% by bone powder, 90% by active carbon, 80% by plant powder and 50% by commercial carbon. There was no removal of lead by ceramics. This may be due to the presence of high percent of lead in the constituent of ceramics (372 mg/g).

Fate and residues of 14C-chloramphenicol in laying chickens.

Studies were conducted to determine the metabolic fate of chloramphenicol (CAP) in White Leghorn using the 14C-labelled compound. In one experiment birds were administered orally via intra-crop, a single dose of 100 mg (equivalent to 66 mg kg-1 body weight) of CAP containing 14 microCi 14C-CAP, and its absorption, elimination and distribution in plasma were recorded. Orally dosed 14C-compound was rapidly absorbed, efficiently distributed in plasma and eliminated in excreta (> 70% in 5 hr). After 5 h, CAP equivalent residues in issues were lower than 15 micrograms g-1 for this treatment. In a second experiment birds were given intra-crop dose of either 0.5 or 5 mg of CAP (each dose contained 2.5 microCi 14C-CAP) daily for five consecutive days followed by a seven day withdrawal period and elimination of 14C in excreta and eggs was monitored. More than 95% of the administered 14C was eliminated within the first 24 h after dosing. Radiocarbon (14C) was deposited preferentially in yolks compared to albumen or other tissues. Residues declined when feeding was stopped. Various metabolites were isolated and identified by a combination of TLC, LC, and LC-MS. The main metabolic route of CAP in laying hens appears to be the glucuronidation. Cleavage of the dichloroacetate moiety was only a minor route.

Occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in selected marine invertebrates, sediment, and seawater around Alexandria, Egypt.

Samples of seawater, sediment, and the following invertebrates were collected from the Mediterranean Sea in the neighborhood of Alexandria, Egypt: sea urchins (Echinus spp.), clams (Tapes spp.), and wedge shells (Donax trunculus). A total of 165 samples were collected from November 1979 to July 1980. Average counts (per 100 mL or 100 g) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus content were as follows: seawater, 36; sea urchins, 349; sediment, 436; wedge shells, 534; clams, 1872. Samples collected in the summer months contained higher levels of V. parahaemolyticus than winter samples.