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Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of acute alcohol in sepsis-related liver damages using a Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP) model. Rats were divided into 7 groups (5 rats/group): control (saline-injected), sham-operated, CLP, ethanol (1.0 and 2.0g/kg b.w) and CLP+ethanol. The CLP+ethanol group received a single dose of ethanol following sepsis induction. Sepsis induction caused early changes in lipid peroxidation products in liver, whereas ethanol alone (2.0g/kg b.w) resulted in a significant increase (∼21%) in lipid peroxidation, which was further increased (∼57%) in CLP rats treated with alcohol. CLP operation and alcohol treatment exhibited additive effects on plasma catalase, liver glutathione and glutathione S-transferase (GST), which were primarily suppressed due to ethanol. Hepatic cytochrome P4501A1, which was elevated in CLP rats, was reversed in the CLP+ethanol group. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-α was markedly elevated (∼85%) in septic rats, but was unaffected in septic rats having received ethanol. Histopathological observations revealed that inflammatory reactions in liver in response to CLP operation are not intensified by ethanol administration. On the basis of biochemical and histopathological results, it can be concluded that acute ethanol treatment is responsible for early changes in oxidative stress, which may lead to polymicrobial sepsis-related organ damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic drug that can suppress both humoral and cellular immunity. Combining traditional medicinal herbs and chemotherapy drugs are used to improve immunity and quality of life performance status. In this paper, the effects of plant extracts, active components and their derivatives on immunosuppression of CP are discussed. Appropriate keywords were used to search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Sciverse. All relevant results published from 1990 to date were chosen for final review. Over 50 references were found in which plant extracts, active components and their derivatives have been tested for their immune protective effects against CP-induced immune toxicity. Although there are several plants shown to be effective in animal models, no study was carried out on human subjects. According to the results; we can claim that plants and their active ingredients are good candidates for alternative adjuvant chemotherapy in reducing the immunotoxicity of CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently carbon nanotubes (CNTs) showed promising potentials in different biomedical applications but their safe use in humans and probable toxicities are still challenging. The aim of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). In this project, PEGylated and Tween functionalized SWCNTs were prepared. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into nine groups, including PEGylated SWCNTs (75,150μg/mouse) and PEG, Tween80 suspended SWCNTs, Tween 80 and a control group (intact mice). One or 7 days after intravenous injection, the mice were killed and serum and livers were collected. The oxidative stress markers, biochemical and histopathological changes were studied. Subsequently, proteomics approach was used to investigate the alterations of protein expression profiles in the liver. Results showed that there were not any significant differences in malondealdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) levels and biochemical enzymes (ALT and AST) between groups, while the histopathological observations of livers showed some injuries. The results of proteomics analysis revealed indolethylamine N-Methyltransferase (INMT), glycine N-Methyltransferase (GNMT), selenium binding protein (Selenbp), thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx), TNF receptor associated protein 1(Trap1), peroxiredoxin-6 (Prdx6), electron transport flavoprotein (Etf-α), regucalcin (Rgn) and ATP5b proteins were differentially expressed in functionalized SWCNTs groups. Western blot analyses confirmed that the changes in Prdx6 were consistent with 2-DE gel analysis. In summary, acute toxicological study on two functionalized SWCNTs did not show any significant toxicity at selected doses. Proteomics analysis also showed that following exposure to functionalized SWCNTs, the expression of some proteins with antioxidant activity and detoxifying properties were increased in liver tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]