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Objective: Curcuma longa Rhizome (CLR), due to its potent antioxidant phytochemical constituents, was investigated for its effects on bisphenol A (BPA)-induced cardiovascular and renal damage. Materials and Methods: Sixty rats were randomly selected, and grouped as control, BPA (100 mg/kg), BPA and CLR 100 mg/kg, BPA and CLR 200 mg/kg, CLR 100 mg/kg, and CLR 200 mg/kg for 21 days. Oxidative stress indices, antioxidant status, blood pressure parameters, genotoxicity, and immunohistochemistry were determined. Results: Rats exposed to the toxic effects of BPA had heightened blood pressure, lowered frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes compared with rats treated with CLR. Moreover, administration of CLR significantly (p<0.05) lowered malondialdehyde content and reduced the serum myeloperoxidase activity. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed significantly (p<0.05) increased expressions of cardiac troponin and Caspase 3 in the BPA group compared with the CLR-treated groups. Conclusion: C. longa ameliorated cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic actions of bisphenol-A via mitigation of oxidative stress, hypertension, and genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the tongue (glossus) is an essential organ, involved in prehension, grooming and digestion in animals. The increase in awareness of the economic importance of the greater cane rat as a viable source of protein in some climes, makes it imperative to study its anatomy. This study assessed glossal gross morphometry and histology of nine captive-reared adult male GCR. Materials and methods: the mean body weight was 1.969±0.37kg, mean age 16.56±5.13 months, mean head weight 252±36.89g, while weight and relative tongue weight were 2.88±0.53g and 0.15±0.03% respectively. The tongues were removed and gross linear measurements were carried out. Tongues were also processed for histology using hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson's trichrome stains. Results: in animals above 2kg, measured morphometric parameters were found to proportionately increase with the animal weights. Examination of the oral cavity showed that the number of the hard palate ridges had no relationship with the age or size of the animal. Histologically, the tongue was covered with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium on both surfaces, studded with four basic papillae types and few submucosa glands similar to what obtains in ruminants. On the dorsal surface of the tongue, groups of stratified squamous epithelium formed whorls round a central connective tissue. Lingual salivary glands were observed. Conclusion: these results may find application in improving the nutritional efficiency that will enhance the domestication/commercialization of this economically viable rodent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlighted the effect of Carbendazim on the testicular micro and intermediate filaments adult male African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Previous studies related to carbendazim toxicity in fish have been limited to mortality patterns and degree of sensitivity across species. Literature on actual pathology in fish  is scanty. The fish were exposed to a pre-determined sub-lethal concentration (1.4 mg/L) of Carbendazim for seven and fourteen days, 10 fish were  sedated by cold shock, and sacrificed on days seven and 14. Another untreated group (control) were sacrificed at the same periods. The testes were harvested and weighed.  Testicular actin microfilament, cytokeratin, desmin and vimentin intermediate filaments were determined using standard immunohistochemistry protocols. Variations in the intensity and pattern of immuno-expression of the testicular actin, cytokeratin, desmin and vimentin were significant in a phase dependent manner with day 14 being more pronounced. Immunohistochemical features of degenerated and necrotic germinal and Sertoli cells in the treated group, with loss of wire-mesh network which supported the mature germinal cells in the testicular lumen were also observed.   A sub-lethal dose of carbendazim exposure for either seven or 14 days, induced deliterous  changes in the testicular micro- and intermediate filaments, of the African catfish. This portends a reduction in the male reproductive potentials of the exposed species and resultant negative impact on production.