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Fusarium equiseti, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine alga Padina pavonica, displayed in vitro potent cytotoxicity and selectivity against liver cancer (HEP-G2) cells. This endophyte was therefore submitted to large-scale liquid fermentation to isolate 11 bioactive constituents. The cytotoxic effect of the extract against in vivo hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was evaluated in rats with HCC induced by single intraperitoneal injection of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) followed by subcutaneous injections of CCl4. After the injection of carcinogen, the fungal extract was orally administered in 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg doses once a day for 10 weeks. The high levels of liver injury and liver cancer markers after NDEA administration were significantly decreased by this treatment with the total fungal metabolites. Histological observations of the liver tissues of rats treated with NDEA and fungal extract co-administered at 100 mg/kg are correlated with the biochemical observations. These findings confirm that F. equiseti total metabolites could restore the activity of hepatic marker enzymes of NDEA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver injury is involved in both the pathogenesis and complications of diabetes. Androctonus Amoreuxi scorpion tea was previously reported to modulate physiological responses in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This study attempts to evaluate liver protective effects of scorpion tea (Androctonus Amoreuxi) and sit agliptinin streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty rats were divided into four groups (n=10). Diabetes were induced in male albino rat by intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg STZ. Three days later, the animals randomly divided to 3 groups: diabetic group, diabetic+ S.Tea(300 mg/kg )and diabetic+ ST (10 mg/kg ) besides control group received intraperitoneal injection of saline. Liver histological and biochemical markers, were monitored at the end of experimental peroid. Results of our study revealed that treatment with scorpion tea or sitagliptin produced significant liver protection manifested by a significant decrease in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).Histologically, liver of diabetic rats showed severe liver injury. Histopathological changes were significantly attenuated in diabetic animals treated with scorpion tea or sitagliptin. Results of this study suggest that A. amoreuxi scorpion extract and sitagliptin have protective effects against hepatic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: clarithromycin is a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic, exhibits broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes. Macrolides are bacteriostatic antibiotics that inhibit protein biosynthesis via reversible binding to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. Macrolides are able to cross placenta and reach the fetus. Aim of the work: the present study is focused on evaluating the effects of antimicrobial drug, clarithromycin on the kidneys of pregnant rats. Material and methods: clarithromycin is orally given to the treated groups of the pregnant rats once daily at different periods of gestation by gastric tube at a dose of 45 mg/kg/day. The excised kidneys were dissected, processed and stained with H & E, PAS, Masson's trichrome, Feulgen reaction and anti-CD68 immunohistochemical stain then followed by morphometric measurements and statistical analysis. The kidneys were also preserved for DNA fragmentation assay. Results: this study revealed that clarithromycin administration especially to pregnant rats showed different histopathological and histochemical changes in kidney tissues and cellular DNA. Also immunohistochemical anti-inflammatory marker CD68 showed positive reactivity in all treated groups. Conclusion: The presence of histopathological and histochemical changes revealed nephrotoxicity in the pregnant rats after administration of the antimicrobial drug, clarithromycin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of capsaicin (the active principle of hot red pepper and a sensory excitotoxin) on oxidative stress after systemic administration of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (100 μg/kg, i.p.) in rats. Capsaicin (15, 150 or 1,500 μg/kg; 10, 100 or 400 μg/mL) was given via intragastric (i.g.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes at time of endotoxin administration. Rats were killed 4 h later. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in brain, liver, and lungs. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), nitric oxide, and glucose were measured in serum. In addition, histopathological examination of liver tissue was performed. In LPS-treated rats, hepatic GSH increased significantly by 40.8% after i.p. capsaicin at 1,500 μg/kg. Liver MDA increased significantly by 32.9% after the administration of i.g. capsaicin at 1,500 μg/kg and by 27.8 and 37.6% after the administration of i.p. capsaicin at 150 and 1,500 μg/kg, respectively. In lung tissue, both MDA and GSH were decreased by capsaicin administration. MDA decreased by 19-20.8% after i.g. capsaicin and by 17.5-23.2% after i.p. capsaicin (150-1,500 μg/kg), respectively. GSH decreased by 39.3-64.3% and by 35.7-41.1% after i.g. or i.p. capsaicin (150-1,500 μg/kg), respectively. Brain GSH increased significantly after the highest dose of i.g. or i.p. capsaicin (by 20.6 and 15.9%, respectively). The increase in serum ALT and ALP after endotoxin administration was decreased by oral or i.p. capsaicin. Serum nitric oxide showed marked increase after LPS injection, but was markedly decreased after capsaicin (1,500 μg/kg, i.p.). Serum glucose increased markedly after the administration of LPS, and was normalized by capsaicin treatment. It is suggested that in the presence of mild systemic inflammation, acute capsaicin administration might alter oxidative status in some tissues and exert an anti-inflammatory effect. Capsaicin exerted protective effects in the liver and lung against the LPS-induced tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented study investigates the protective role of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in attenuating benzene-induced toxicity in rats. Male Sprague—Dawley rats were injected with benzene (0.5 mL/kg body weight ip) and received a diet supplement containing Zn and Se. Several hematological and biochemical parameters (representing antioxidant status) were estimated. Histopathological examinations were performed. Results showed that food intake and body weight gain of benzene-injected rats were significantly lower than that of the control rats. Benzene-injected rats showed increased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased activity of: glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) when compared to the control group. Histopathological investigations revealed structural changes in benzene-injected rats’ liver. Supplementation with Zn and Se resulted in a significant decrease in MDA, elevation in GSH, GSH-Px, SOD and catalase levels. This study shows that Zn and Se supplementation can improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats and decrease the histological anomalies induced by benzene toxicity as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It gives rise to the production of oxygen radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are the means of the metabolic activation of benzene and are the source of its toxicity. This study was conducted to assess the ability of some food stuffs such as carrot and wheat germ oil to protect against benzene toxicity. Experiments were carried out on albino rats injected with benzene (0.5 mL/kg body weight ip) and given diet supplemented with carrot and wheat germ oil. The dietary consumption and growth rate were measured. Several biochemical parameters representing antioxidant status were followed. The results showed that food intake and body weight gain of rats injected with benzene were significantly lower than these of control rats. Plasma malondialdehyde was increased and the levels of vitamins A & E and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes were decreased in rats injected with benzene. Supplementation with carrot and wheat germ oil caused a significant decrease in plasma malondialdehyde and a significant increase in the level of vitamins and the antioxidant enzymes. The histopathological examination of the liver tissues of animals injected with benzene showed different lesions but supplementation with carrot and wheat germ oil caused an improvement in liver as compared with the benzene group. This study indicates that the toxic effect of benzene exposure can be partially corrected by food ingredients such as carrot and wheat germ oil. It is recommended to be given to individuals who are exposed to environments polluted with benzene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of Egyptian artichoke against the hepatorenal toxicity or lead in male albino rats. Twenty three compounds were identified as volatile compounds of artichoke with benzaldehyde and selinene as major constituents. 19.97% and 16.80%, respectively. Four groups of rats were used, group 1 to serve as control, group 2 intraperitoneal injected with lead acetate (20 mg/kg b.w.), group 3 lead-injected rats given artichoke head extract with drinking water (1 g/L) and group 4 lead-injected rats given artichoke leaves extract. The experiment was continued for 30 days. The plasma total protein, cholesterol, urea and creatinine were determined. Activities of each of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ- glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) were determined. The level of plasma oxidation products of malondialdehyde was estimated. The histopathological changes were examined. Artichoke (leaves or head) co-treatment to the lead-administered rats attenuated the increase of ALT, AST, γ-GT activities. Also the change in cholesterol, urea, creatinine and protein levels was less marked. The values reported were near to normal. In addition, the morphological damage in the liver and kidney was reduced and the tissues appeared like those of controls. The present study suggests that, due to the presence of volatile constituents with antioxidative properties, artichoke may be useful in combating the damaging effect of lead toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: macrolide antibiotics are a class of potent and well established antimicrobials that also possess anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory properties. Because of their size, lower levels of macrolides are able to reach the developing fetuses. Materials and method: the pregnant rats were orally administered with clarithromycin at early and late gestational periods. The 20 day-old fetuses were dissected for excision of the kidney. Half of the kidney was processed and stained with H & E, PAS, Masson's trichrome and Feulgen techniques then followed by morphometric measurements and statistical study. The other half of the kidney was preserved for DNA fragmentation assay.Results: This study revealed that clarithromycin administration to pregnant rats showed different histopathological, histochemical and DNA changes in the kidneys of their fetuses. Conclusion: Administration of the antimicrobial agent; clarithromycin at early and late gestational periods exhibits nephrotoxicity in the developing fetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]