Cobalt chloride toxicity elicited hypertension and cardiac complication via induction of oxidative stress and upregulation of COX-2/Bax signaling pathway.

Cobalt is a ferromagnetic metal with extensive industrial and biological applications. To assess the toxic effects of, and mechanisms involved in cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced cardio-renal dysfunctions. Male Wistar rats were exposed orally, daily through drinking water to 0 ppm (control), 150 ppm, 300 ppm, and 600 ppm of CoCl2, respectively. Following exposure, results revealed significant ( p < 0.05) rise in markers of oxidative stress, but decreased activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and reduced glutathione content in cardiac and renal tissues. There were significant increases in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure at the 300- and 600-ppm level of CoCl2-exposed rats relative to the control. Prolongation of QT and QTc intervals was observed in CoCl2 alone treated rats. Also, there were significant increases in the heart rates, and reduction in P wave, and PR duration of rats administered CoCl2. Histopathology of the kidney revealed peritubular and periglomerular inflammation, focal glomerular necrosis following CoCl2 exposure. Further, cyclooxygenase-2 and B-cell associated protein X expressions were upregulated in the cardiac and renal tissues of CoCl2-exposed rats relative to the control. Combining all, results from this study implicated oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis as pathologic mechanisms in CoCl2-induced hypertension and cardiovascular complications of rats.

Primary pelvic hydatid cyst: an unusual cause of sciatica and foot drop.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of primary pelvic hydatid cyst causing sciatica and foot drop. OBJECTIVE: To document the occurrence of primary pelvic hydatid cyst as one of the hidden causes of lower limb weakness and foot drop, and to recommend inclusion of the pelvic cavity when assessing sciatica and foot drop. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It is common to see foot drop caused by peripheral lesions around the knee or disc herniation in the lumbar spine, but if these sites were excluded, the pelvic cavity must be examined for hidden disease that may explain the cause of foot drop and sciatica. METHODS: The authors involved in the care and management of this patient were interviewed and all medical records, radiologic investigations, and related literature were reviewed. RESULTS: After exclusion of spinal and peripheral causes of foot drop, computed tomography of the pelvis showed a well-localized cystic swelling in the right side of the pelvis over the lumbosacral plexus roots. Surgical excision of the cyst resulted in partial recovery of the foot drop at 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Primary pelvic hydatid cyst rarely causes pressure on the lumbosacral plexus. This was a case of hydatid cyst in the pelvis causing sciatica and foot drop, and it indicates the pelvis as a hidden source of sciatica and foot drop. After surgical excision followed by 4 months' mebendazole therapy, there was no evidence of recurrence on long-term follow-up.