RESUMO
Electronic-cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices designed to become an alternative to classic cigarettes. Vaping of e-cigarettes and their recharge liquid have become extremely popular among the adolescents; however, its safety is not well established. Evaluation of the components of e-cigarette liquid and their potential effects on testis of adult male mice. This aim will be fulfilled by histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical analysis of mice testis biopsies. Twenty mice were allocated into two groups of equal size. The control group was given regular saline, whereas the treated group was given e-liquid (contains 3 mg of nicotine/kg of body weight) both groups daily intraperitoneally injected for 3 weeks. Analysis of e-liquid by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric GC/MS demonstrated nicotine, phenol, vanillin, aldehydes, and pyrethroid insecticide. Evaluation of oxidative stress parameters revealed significant reduction of SOD and GPx. Histological results revealed a significant reduction in the height of seminiferous tubules, sloughing of spermatogenic cells, most cells being dark and pyknotic, and thickening of the interstitium with accumulation of PAS positive exudate. Most spermatogenic cells showed degenerative changes as rarefied cytoplasm, ill-defined electron-dense nuclei, and elongated spermatid showed deformity of ectoplasmic specialization. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a significant increase in caspase-3 positive cells and a significant reduction of area % of E-cadherin. The analysis of an available E-liquid demonstrated potentially harmful chemicals that are not shown in the labeling of the product. E-liquid appears to impair anti-oxidant defense and cause degenerative changes in the body and disruption of blood testes barrier BTB. So, e-cigarettes cannot be regarded as a non-harmful smoking replacement.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pregabalin (PGB) was approved as new anti-epileptic drugs with little information about its teratogenic effect. AIM OF THE WORK: to evaluate the developmental toxicity of PGB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 pregnant albino rats were divided into three groups. PGB (500 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to group II, PGB (1250 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to Group III and no medications were given to group I. The pups were normally delivered. Liver, kidney and heart specimens were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies. RESULTS: A dose of 500 mg of PGB had minimal toxic effects in the form of mild collagen deposition and moderate positive caspase-3 immunoexpression. PGB dose of 1250 mg/kg induced gross toxic effects in form of degenerated cardiac myofibres, ruptured blood vessels, vacuolations in the renal cortex, fibrosis and strong positive caspase-3 immunoexpression. CONCLUSION: PGB at dose of 500 mg/kg revealed minimal toxic changes. PGB cause embryotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, as the higher dose induced more degenerative changes.
