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This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of chitosan nanoparticles (COS-NPs) singly or plus quercetin (Q) against OTA-induced oxidative stress and renal genotoxicity. Twelve groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated orally for 3 weeks included the control group, animals fed OTA-contaminated diet (3 mg/kg diet); COS-NPs-treated groups at low (140 mg/kg b.w.) or high (280 mg/kg b.w.) dose, Q-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w.), Q plus low or high dose of COS-NPs-treated groups and OTA plus Q and/or COS-NPs at the two tested doses-treated groups. The results indicated that COS-NPs were roughly rod in shape with average particle size of 200 nm and zeta potential 31.4 ± 2.8 mV. Animals fed OTA-contaminated diet showed significant changes in serum biochemical parameters, increase kidney MDA and DNA fragmentation and decreased GPx and SOD gene expression accompanied with severe histological changes. Q and/or COS-NPs at the two tested doses induced significant improvements in all tested parameters and succeeded to overcome these effects especially in the animals treated with Q plus the high dose of COS-NPs. It could be concluded that COS-NPs are promise candidate to enhance the antioxidant effect of Q and protect against the nephrotoxicity of OTA in high endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to evaluate the protective role of curcumin nanoparticles loaded hydrogels (Cur-NPs-Hgs) against AFB 1 -induced genotoxicity in rat liver. Animals were divided into 7 treatment groups and treated orally for 3 weeks as follow: the control group, the group treated with Hgs alone (0.5 ml/rat), the groups treated with low or high dose of Cur-NPs-Hgs (100 or 200 mg/kg b.w), the group treated with AFB 1 (0.125 mg/kg b.w) and the groups treated with AFB 1 plus the low or high dose of Cur-NPs-Hgs. Blood ant liver samples were collected for different biochemical, genetical, histological and histochemical analysis. The results revealed that the prepared Cur-NPs have nearly spherical shape with average size of 140 ± 20 nm and negative zeta potential value of 30.7 ± 2.57 mV. The in vivo results showed that treatment with AFB 1 decreased the body weight accompanied biochemical, genotoxicity and histological disturbances. The combined treatment with AFB 1 and Cur-Nps-Hgs at the two tested doses succeeded to induce a significant protection against AFB 1 . It could be concluded that Cur-NPs-Hgs is a promise candidate to protect against AFB 1 -induce liver damage in the high incidence area. Moreover, Hgs are excellent candidates as drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to prepare and characterize activated carbon (AC) and to evaluate its protective effect against deoxynivalenol (DON) toxicity in rats compared to Egyptian montmorillonite (EM). AC was prepared using a single-step chemical activation with phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ). The resulted AC has a high surface area and a high total pore volume. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 10) and treated for 3 weeks as follow: the control group, the groups fed AC or EM-supplemented diet (0.5% w/w), the group treated orally with DON (5 mg/kg b.w.) and the groups fed AC or EM-supplemented diet and treated with DON. Blood and liver samples were collected for different analyses. Treatment with DON increased liver function enzymes, lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor α, DNA fragmentation, decreased hepatic glutathione content, up regulating mRNA Fas and TNF-α genes expression and increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow. Co-treatment of DON plus AC or EM succeeded to normalize the levels of the biochemical parameters, reduced the cytotoxicity of bone marrow and ameliorated the hepatic genotoxicity. Moreover, AC was more effective than EM and has a high affinity to adsorb DON and to reduce its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The current study was conducted to evaluate the chemoprevention effects of ginseng extract (GE) against pre-cancerous lesions in female Sprague–Dawley rats treated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin (FB). Six experimental groups treated for 12weeks and included: the control group; the GE alone-treated group (150mg/kg b.w); the group treated orally with AFB1 (17μg/kg b.w) during the first 2weeks and fed FB-contaminated diet (250mg/kg diet) during the 6th to 8th weeks; the group treated with GE during the mycotoxin protocol and continued till week 10; the group treated with GE 2weeks before AFB1 administration and continued till the end of FB treatment and the group treated with GE for 4weeks after the toxin protocol stopped. The sequential mycotoxins treatment induced significant changes in serum biochemical parameters accompanied by severe histological and histochemical changes of the liver tissue. Treatment with GE during, before or after the treatment with the mycotoxins improved all biochemical parameters and histological picture of the liver. Moreover, treatment with GE after the administration of the mycotoxins was found to be more effective. It could be concluded that GE has a protective effects as pre-cancerous lesions and therapeutic effects as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds of Bacillus sp. MERNA97 extract and to evaluate their efficacy against the oxidative damage, genotoxicity, chromosomal aberration and DNA fragmentation in rats treated with AFB 1. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups and treated for 6 weeks and included the control group, AFB 1 -treated group (80 μg/kg b. w), the groups treated with Bacillus extract (BE) at low (2 mg/kg b.w) or high (4 mg/kg b.w) dose and the groups treated with AFB 1 plus BE at the two doses. Blood and tissues samples were collected for different assays. The GC-MS results revealed the isolation of 44 compounds belong to different classes. The in vivo results showed that AFB 1 disturbs all the biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, cytokines gene expression chromosomal aberration and DNA fragmentation along with the histological changes in the liver tissue. BE at the two tested doses induced a significant improvement in all parameters tested and the histological picture in a dose dependent manner. It could be concluded that the extract of Bacillus sp. MERNA97 isolated from the marine environment in the Red Sea is a promise as a source of novel compounds with therapeutically benefits. • AFB1 in food and feed is well known hepato carcinogens to human and animals. • Bacillus species are able to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. • We identified 44 compounds from the ethyl acetate extract of Bacillus. • Bacillus extract showed a potential hepato protective role against AFB1. • This protection was dose dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercially hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and the Egyptian montmorillonite (EM) had an excellent capability of adsorbing AFB1 and FB1 in an aqueous solution at different tested levels. The adsorption ratio of HSCAS ranged from 95.3% to 99.1% and 84.7% to 92.4% of the available AFB1 and FB1 respectively. EM showed an adsorption ratio ranged from 95.4% to 99.2% and 78.2% to 92.2% for AFB1 and FB1 respectively. Both adsorbents were effective at 0.5% level. Results of the ability of these adsorbents at level of 0.5% (w/v) to adsorb AFB1 and FB1 in malt extract spiked with 50, 100 and 200 ppb indicated that the capability of adsorbing of HSCAS ranged from 98.5% to 98.9% and 88.2% to 91.9% for AFB1 and FB1 respectively. Whereas, the capability of adsorbing of EM ranged from 98.1% to 98.7% and 88.2% to 92.5% for AFB1 and FB1 respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of whey protein nanoparticles (WP-NPs) coated Zinc citrate (Zn) against oxidative stress complications and disturbances in gene expression in rats treated with CCl 4. WP-NPs were used to coat Zn at three levels and amino acids content was determined in WP-NPs and the fabrications. Seven groups of male albino rats included the control group, CCl 4 -treated group (0.5 ml/100 g b.w) and the groups treated with CCl 4 plus WP-NPs, Zn and the three Zn-WP-NPs fabrications. Blood and liver samples were collected for different analysis. Particles sizes were 95, 142, 196 and 228 nm and zeta potential values were −95, −114, −85 and −79 for WP-NPs and the three Zn-WP-NPs fabrications, respectively. Twelve amino acids were found in WP-NPs and this number was decreased by increasing Zn content. WP-NPs, Zn and the Zn coated WP-NPs counteracted the disturbances in biochemical, parameters, gene expression and histological changes in CCl 4 -treated rats and Zn-WP-NPs was more effective at the low dose. It could be concluded that WP-NPs enhance the effect of Zn and can be used for coating Zn in the preparation of Zn supplementation to enhance its effect and counteract the side effect of excess Zn. Highlights • Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element affects several vital biological processes. • Encapsulation of Zn increases its efficiency and prevents any side effects. • Zn loaded whey protein nanoparticles (WP-NPs) improves their antioxidant efficiency. • Low dose of Zn loaded WP-NPs was more effective than Zn alone, medium or high level. • Zn loaded WP-NPs modulate gene expression and counteract the hazards of excess Zn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds of actinomyces (ACT) isolated from the Egyptian environment (D-EGY) and to evaluate their protective activity against AFB 1 in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Six groups of animals were treated orally for 3 weeks included: C, the control group, T1, AFB 1 -treated group (80 μg/kg b.w), T2 and T3, the groups received ACT extract at low (25 mg/kg b.w) or high (50 mg/kg b.w) doses, T4 and T5, the groups received AFB 1 plus the low or high dose of ACT extract. Blood, bone marrow and tissue samples were collected for different analyses and histological examination. The results revealed the identification of 40 components, representing 99.98%. Treatment with AFB 1 disturbs liver function parameters, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant gene expressions, DNA fragmentation and induced severe histological changes. ACT extract at the low or high doses did not induce significant changes in all the tested parameters or histological picture of the liver. Moreover, ACT extract succeeded to induce a significant protection against the toxicity of AFB 1 . It could be concluded that the bioactive compounds in ACT are promise candidate for the development of food additive or drugs for the protection and treatment of liver disorders in the endemic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Oxidative stress has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity. The current study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Aquilegia vulgaris (L.) against lead acetate (LA)-induced oxidative stress in male rats. Tested animals were treated orally with A. vulgaris extract (100ppm) in combination with, before, or after LA treatment (20ppm). The results indicated that the extract alone did not induce any significant changes in body weight gain, food intake, serum biochemical chemistry or the histological picture of the liver and kidney. However, it increased significantly the level of Glutathione (GSH). On the other hand, LA decreased food intake, body weight gain and induced oxidative stress as indicated by the significant changes in serum biochemical parameters and histological picture of liver and kidney and increased lipid peroxide and reduces GSH levels in liver tissues. The extract succeeded to improve the histological pictures of liver and kidney and the biochemical parameters towards the normal values of the control. Moreover, this improvement was pronounced in the animals treated with the extract after LA intoxication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aflatoxins are a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and thus understanding the pattern of aflatoxin exposure in different regions is important in order to develop targeted intervention strategies. Given the early onset of HCC in many countries early life exposures may be important. This study investigated aflatoxin exposure in Egyptian children (n =50, aged 1–2.5 years) by assessing urinary aflatoxin metabolite (AFM1, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) levels. Samples from Guinean children (n =50, aged 2–4 years) were analyzed in parallel providing a comparison to a region of established frequent aflatoxin exposure. Aflatoxins were isolated from urine using C18-cartridges followed by immunoaffinity clean-up, and quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Overall aflatoxins were less frequently present in Egyptian (38%) than Guinean urine samples (86%) (p <0.001), which was particularly related to differences in detection rates of AFM1 (8% compared to 64%, respectively, (p <0.001)). For AFM1 the geometric mean level in Guinea (16.3pg/ml; 95% CI: 10.1, 26.6pg/ml) was 6-fold higher (p <0.001) than in Egypt (2.7pg/ml; 95% CI: 2.5, 2.8pg/ml). Urinary aflatoxins from healthy children in these two regions have not previously been reported, and exposure appears modest in Egypt compared to Guinea. These data suggest that measures to reduce aflatoxin exposure in both regions are important, though particularly in Guinea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]