Protective Effects of Selenium and Zinc Against Nickel Chloride-Induced Hormonal Changes and Oxidative Damage in Thyroid of Pregnant Rats.

Nickel chloride (NiCl2) is a heavy metal that may affect the function of the thyroid. Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements involved in thyroid hormone metabolism. However, little is reported about thyrotoxicity during gestation. The current study aimed to investigate the protective effects of selenium and zinc against NiCl2-induced thyrotoxicity in pregnant Wistar rats. Female rats were treated subcutaneously (s.c.) on the 3rd day of pregnancy, with NaCl 0.9% and served as control, NiCl2 (100 mg/kg body weight (BW)) alone, or in association with Se (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.), ZnCl2 (20 mg/kg, s.c.), or both of them simultaneously. Oxidative stress parameters, thyroid biomarkers, and histopathological examination were evaluated. Results showed that NiCl2 exposure caused a significant decrease in maternal body weight and an increase in absolute and relative thyroid weight compared to the controls. NiCl2 administration also led to decreased plasma triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) with a concomitant significant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels when compared to that of control. In addition, an overall pro-oxidant effect was associated with a decrease in the reduced glutathione (GSH) and nonprotein thiol (NPSH) contents and the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA). These biochemical disturbances were confirmed by histological changes. However, the co-treatment of Se and/or ZnCl2 attenuates NiCl2-induced changes. Our findings suggested that Se and ZnCl2 ameliorated NiCl2-induced thyrotoxicity in pregnant Wistar rats by exhibiting antioxidant effects.

Agro-Fruit-Forest Systems Based on Argan Tree in Morocco: A Review of Recent Results.

The argan tree, Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, is a horticultural forestry species characterized by its endemicity and adaptation to arid and semi-arid zones in the southwest of Morocco. Despite its limited geographical distribution, argan tree presents large genetic diversity, suggesting that improvement of argan is possible. This species plays important ecological, and socioeconomic roles in the sustainable development of the country. The integration of arganiculture into Moroccan agricultural policy has been implemented through a sector strategy, which is fully aligned with the conservation and regeneration of argan forest. A. spinosa is suitable for incorporation into different agroforestry productive systems under agro-fruit-forest model and its domestication will provide a powerful means of socio-economic and environmental management. Here, we provide an overview of the argan tree literature and highlight the specific aspects of argan stands, as agro-forest systems, with the aim of developing an adequate strategy of conservation and domestication of this species. We introduce promising programs and projects for argan plantations and arganiculture, which have been adopted to relieve anthropogenic pressure on the natural argan forest.