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Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of the most commonly used perfluorinated compounds. Being a persistent environmental pollutant, it can accumulate in human tissues via various exposure routes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective role of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) against PFOA-induced toxicity at the genetic and protein levels in Nile tilapia using the biochemistry analysis, SDS–PAGE electrophoresis, comet assay and RFLP–PCR methods. The results indicated that exposure to PFOA in water (30 mg/L) for 30 days resulted in a significant increase in ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine accompanied with a significant decrease in total protein and albumin. PFOA also increased DNA damage in electrophoresis condition and induced DNA and protein polymorphic band in comparison to control fish. CMC alone at 1% and 2% (W/W) in fish diets did not induce any alterations in the biochemical parameters, DNA or protein levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, CMC succeeded to decrease the toxicity of PFOA in a dose dependent manner. It could be concluded that PFOA induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in fish similar to those reported in mammals. CMC is a promising candidate and has a protective effect against-PFOA induced in vivo DNA damage and protein alteration in Nile tilapia. This effect might be attributable to its ability to decrease intracellular ROS and its antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element required for the function of the immune system. However, Zn fortification of food has faced some challenges, although excess Zn may be induced obesity and other related. This study aimed to use Zn-loaded whey protein nanoparticles (Zn-WPNPs) to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of Zn in rats treated with CCl 4. Zn was loaded to WPNPs at a level of 14 mg/g. Four experimental groups of male albino Wistar rats were treated for 30 days including the control group, CCl 4 -treated group (0.5 ml/100 g b.w), Zn plus CCl 4 -treated group (50 mg/kg b.w), and CCl 4 plus Zn-WPNPs-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w). Blood and tissue samples were collected for different assays and histological examinations. The results revealed that CCl 4 disturbs the serum biochemical, hematological, and immune indicators in different organs besides the liver as a target organ. Animals that received CCl 4 showed a significant increase in oxidative stress markers, cytokines, and the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators in the lung and spleen accompanied by a significant decrease in the hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes along with histological changes in the liver, kidney, spleen, and lung. Zn or Zn-WPNPs could improve these parameters and the histological picture of the tested organs and Zn-WPNPs were more effective than Zn alone. WPNPs induced synergistic immune-modulating effects which may control Zn release and may be a suitable candidate to enhance the immune system during any pandemic or the exposure to any chemicals that affect the immune system. • Zn (14.5 mg/g) was loaded to whey protein nanoparticles (Zn-WPNPs). • Zn-WPNPs enhanced the immunomodulatory activity of Zn. • Zn-WPNPs improved the oxidant/antioxidant markers. • Zn-WPNPs increase serum cytokines, and modulate the inflammatory gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 -NPs) are widely utilized in medicine and industry; however, their safety in biological organisms is still unclear. In this study, we determined the bioactive constitutes of thyme essential oil (TEO) and utilized the nanoemulsion technique to improve its protective efficiency against oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and DNA damage of biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 -NPs). TEO nanoemulsion (TEON) was prepared using whey protein isolate (WPI). Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups and treated orally for 21 days including the control group, TEO, or TEON- treated groups (5 mg/kg b.w), TiO 2 -NPs-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w) and the groups received TiO 2 -NPs plus TEO or TEON. Blood and tissues samples were collected for different assays. The GC-MS analysis identified 17 bioactive compounds in TEO and thymol and carvacrol were the major compounds. TEON was irregular with average particles size of 230 ± 3.7 nm and ζ-potential of −24.17 mV. However, TiO2-NPs showed a polygonal shape with an average size of 50 ± 2.4 nm and ζ-potential of −30.44 mV. Animals that received TiO2-NPs showed severe disturbances in liver and kidney indices, lipid profile, oxidant/antioxidant indices, inflammatory cytokines, gene expressions, increased DNA damage, and pathological changes in hepatic tissue. Both TEO and TEON showed potential protection against these hazards and TEON was more effective than TEO. The nanoemulsion of TEO enhances the oil bioactivity, improves its antioxidant characteristics, and protects against oxidative damage and genotoxicity of TiO2-NPs. • Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 -NPs) induced oxidative stress and DNA damage • TiO 2 -NPs induced disturbances in the RNA gene expression • Seventeen bioactive compounds were identified in thyme essential oil (TEO) • TEO nanoemulsion (TEON) improved its antioxidant activity of the oil • TEON showed a potent protection against TiO 2 -NPs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver is known for its antimicrobial effects and silver nanoparticles are gaining their importance due to their antimicrobial activities. The aims of the current study were to use plant extract for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and to evaluate their antibacterial and antioxidant activity in vitro . The results indicated that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be synthesized in a simple method using Chenopodium murale leaf extract. The TEM analysis showed that the sizes of the synthesized AgNps ranged from 30 to 50 nm. The essential oil of C. murale leaf extract was formed mainly of α-Terpinene, ( Z )-Ascaridole and cis -Ascaridole. The total phenolic compounds and total flavonides were higher in AgNPs-containing plant extract compared to the plant extract. AgNPs-containing leaf extract showed a higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activity compared to C. murale leaf extract alone or silver nitrate. It could be concluded that C. murale leaf extract can be used effectively in the production of potential antioxidant and antimicrobial AgNPs for commercial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Liver diseases are amongst the most serious health problems in the world today and hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the world''s deadliest cancers. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effect of sider honey and/or Korean ginseng extract (KGE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rat. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were allocated into different groups and over a 4-week period, they orally received honey and/or KGE or were treated either with CCl4 alone (100mg/kg b.w) or with CCl4 after a pretreatment period with honey, KGE or a combination of both. Clinical, clinico-pathological and histopathological evaluations were done and CCl4-treated groups were compared with rats receiving no treatment and with rats given honey, KGE or a combination of these substances. The results indicated that oral administration of CCl4 induced severe hepatic and kidney injury associated with oxidative stress. The combined treatment with CCl4 plus honey and/or KGE resulted in a significant improvement in all evaluated parameters. This improvement was prominent in the group receiving CCl4 after combined pretreatment with honey and KGE. Animals receiving honey and/or KGE (without CCl4-treatment) were comparable to the control untreated group. It could be concluded that honey and KGE protect SD rats against the severe CCl4-induced hepatic and renal toxic effects. Our results suggest that the protective activity of honey and KGE may have been related to their antioxidant properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spirulina (SPN) and Whey protein (WPC) are being touted as functional foods with a number of health benefits. SPN is blue green algae while WPC is a protein complex derived from milk and both have strong antioxidant activity and provoke a free radical scavenging enzyme system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of SPN and WPC to regulate the alteration of genes'' expression and counteract oxidative stress in rats during aflatoxecosis. Eighty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into eight groups, which included the control group, the group fed with aflatoxins (AFs)-contaminated diet (2.5mg/kg diet) for 30 day, the group treated orally with WPC (300mg/kg b.w.), the group treated orally with SPN (50mg/kg b.w), the group treated orally with WPC plus SPN and the groups fed with AFs-contaminated diet and treated orally with WPC, SPN and/or WPC. Oxidative stress markers and gene expression were assayed in liver and testis and the damage of DNA was evaluated by DNA fragmentation and micronucleus tests. The results demonstrated that supplementation of SPN and/or WPC reduced the oxidative stress induced by AFs as indicated by decreased lipid peroxidation level, increased glutathione content and up-regulated PHGPx gene expression. Both agents succeed to inhibit DNA damage as indicated by the down-regulation of Fas gene expression, and decreased the percentage of DNA fragmentation and micronucleated erythrocytes. Moreover, WPC was found to be effective than SPN and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that both SPN and WPC induced a protective action and regulated the alteration of genes expression induced by AFs; however, the combined treatment may be useful than the single treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element and is a widespread environmental pollutant. Exposure to cadmium can result in cytotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the protective effect of Aquilegia vulgaris extract against the oxidative stress and the genotoxicity induced by Cd using the chromosomal aberrations in somatic and germ cells assay and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD-PCR) analysis. Forty male Balb/c mice were divided into four groups including the control group, Cd-treated group and the groups treated with the extract alone or plus Cd. The results indicated that Cd increased serum ALT, AST, urea, LDH, CK, lipid peroxidation in liver tissue accompanied with a significant decrease in GPX and SOD. Cd also increased the number of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and spermatocytes including structural and numerical aberrations. Animals treated with the extract alone were comparable to the control regarding all the tested parameters. The extract succeeded in preventing or diminishing the oxidative stress and the clastogenic effects of Cd. It could be concluded that Aquilegia vulgaris extract is a promising protective agent against oxidative stress and genotoxicity during the exposure to Cd. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]