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Cannabichromene (CBC) is one of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa and the second most abundant after cannabidiol. CBC has been shown to produce antinociception and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents; it is a major non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid that inhibits endocannabinoid inactivation and activates the transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA1). The use of non-psychoactive cannabinoids as protective, ameliorative, and preventive agents in diverse disease pathophysiology is increasingly gaining global significance. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been extensively studied in this regard; however, CBC may also possess undiscovered intriguing and appreciable therapeutic properties. Therefore, the effects of 7 days of oral daily administration of 5 mg/kg,10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg body weight doses of CBC on antioxidant enzyme system, hepatic, and renal function biomarkers were investigated in this study. Twenty-four (24) male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 6 animals each (1 control and 3 test groups). Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the animals were anaesthetized using ketamine/xylazine and then euthanized via cervical dislocation. The liver and kidney were excised, while plasma and red blood cells were processed from the whole blood and used for biochemical analysis. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Tukey's test of homogeneity where appropriate; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes (catalase, CAT; superoxide dismutase, SOD; and glutathione peroxidase, GPx) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the liver, kidney, red blood cell, and plasma at all doses, especially at the 10 mg/kg body weight dose. The levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, GSH; and nitric oxide, NO) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different at all exposed CBC doses. However, the malondialdehyde level (MDA) was increased notably in the kidney and plasma in the 10 mg/kg group. Hepatic function enzymes: aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were significantly decreased at the 10-mg/kg dose, although renal function markers seemed consistent at all the doses investigated. Histological evaluations of the kidney and liver revealed severe multifocal necrotizing tubule, interstitial nephritis, and degeneration of renal tubules and periportal hepatocellular necrosis with inflammation of the hepatocytes. Our study revealed modulation of the hepato-renal system via CBC exposure, and despite few reports of beneficial applications, we recommend caution in its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: A significant cause of arsenic poisoning is polluted groundwater. Arsenic poisoning results in the suppression of spermatogenesis and the liver and kidneys are vulnerable to the toxic effects as well. Mucuna pruriens has been identified to have fertility-enhancing and anti-lipid peroxidation properties. Based on these properties of M. pruriens, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of M. pruriens seed extract in reducing sodium arsenite-induced testicular impairment and hepato-renal histopathology in rats. Materials and Methods: The study was divided into two groups; short-term (45 days) and long-term (90 days) treatment groups and each group was divided into nine subgroups. Subgroups 1 and 2 served as normal and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) controls, respectively. Subgroups 3–9 received sodium arsenite in the drinking water (50 mg/L). Subgroup-4 received NAC (210 mg/kg body weight [BW]) orally once daily. Subgroups 5–7 received aqueous seed extract of M. pruriens (350, 530, and 700 mg/kg BW, respectively) orally once daily. Subgroups 8 and 9 received a combination of NAC and aqueous seed extract (350 and 530 mg/kg BW, respectively) orally once daily. Following the treatment, animals were sacrificed and sperm parameters and DNA damage were evaluated. Testis, liver, and kidneys were analyzed for histopathology. Results: Sodium arsenite-induced a significant reduction in sperm parameters and increase in the abnormal architecture of spermatozoa. Histology revealed tissue necrosis. The M. pruriens seed extract ameliorated the damaging effects of sodium arsenite with respect to tissue architecture and sperm parameters when coadministered. Conclusion: Mucuna pruriens has beneficial effects against the deleterious effects of sodium arsenite on various tissues. Thus, M. pruriens (530 and 700 mg/kg BW) supplementation would reduce the adverse changes observed with sodium arsenite exposure.

The toxic metalloid arsenic is known to cause liver and kidney injury in many humans and animals. The goal of this paper was to exemplify the antagonism of ginger against arsenic (As)-induced hepato-renal toxicity. In addition, the pathways Nrf2/Keap1 and NF/κB were studied to reveal the molecular mechanism of the stress. One hundred twenty 7-day-old White Pekin ducks were randomly allocated into five groups, having 24 birds in each. Each group contained three replicates having 8 birds in each replicate and maintained for 90 days. The groups were as follows: T-1 [control-basal diet with normal water], T-2 [T1 + As at 28 ppm/L of water], T-3 [T2 + ginger powder at 100 mg/kg feed], T-4 [T2 + ginger powder at 300 mg/kg feed], and T-5 [T2 + ginger powder at 1 g/kg feed]. It was observed that there was a significant increase in oxidative parameters whereas a significant decrease in antioxidant parameters in hepato-renal tissues in T-2. The exposure to As not only decreased the mRNA expression of antioxidant parameters like Nrf2, SOD-1, CAT, GPX, and HO-1and anti-inflammatory markers like IL-4 and IL-10 but also increased the m-RNA expression of NF-κB, Keap-1 and pro-inflammatory markers like IL-2, Il-6, IL-18, IL-1β, and TNF-α. There was also an accumulation of As in hepatic and renal tissue, confirmed by residual analysis of these tissues. By correlating the above parameters, As at 28 ppm showed significant toxic effects, and ginger powder at 1 g/kg feed effectively counteracted the toxic effects of As in ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of methanol extract of tiger nut on haematobiochemical parameters during experimental lead poisoning in Red Sokoto goats were investigated. The seeds of tiger nuts were extracted with 90% methanol. Phytochemical analyses were carried out using standard procedures. A total of twenty-four adult Red Sokoto goats of both sexes were separated randomly into four groups for acute and chronic studies. Three goats in both acute and chronic studies were housed per group. In the acute and chronic studies DW groups was administered an equivalent amount of distilled water (400 and 200 ml/kg). Group II was only administered lead acetate (400 and 200 mg/kg). Group III was administered with methanol extract of tiger nuts (400 and 200 mg/kg) combined with lead acetate (400 and 200 mg/kg) respectively. Group IV was administered with tiger nuts (400 and 200 mg/kg) only for a period of 2 and then 20 weeks for acute and chronic phases respectively. Haematobiochemical parameters were determined. The lead acetate and lead acetate combined with methanol extract of tiger nut in acute and chronic groups showed microcytic normocytic and microcytic hypochromic anaemia respectively with the latter suggestive that with chronicity, an enzymatic inhibition of haemoglobin synthesis led to iron deficiency. Alterations in serum biochemical enzymes and other parameters indicative of hepato-renal injury were observed and ameliorated by methanol extract from tiger nuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Medicinal plants are natural sources of antioxidants effective in the treatment of oxidative stress-mediated diseases. This study aims to evaluate the hepato-renal protective efficacy of Andrographis paniculata leaves methanolic extract in arsenic-induced oxidative stress. Animals were divided into four groups of six animals per group. The rats in groups 1 and 2 received normal saline, while rats in groups 3 and 4 received 200 mg/kg body weight of A. paniculata or ascorbic acid per day, respectively, for 7 days orally. The rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 received a single dose of arsenic at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally on day 7, and 24 h later, rats in all the groups were killed and the blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected for biochemical/histological studies. Results Administration of arsenic to rats induced a significant increase in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides in the plasma, while it decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activities in the liver and kidney. It also significantly reduced the levels of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), and lymphocytes (LYM) in the blood. However, the levels of AST, ALT, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides in the plasma of groups of rats that received A. paniculata extract before administration of arsenic were decreased, while their SOD, GSH, and CAT levels were elevated in the liver and kidney. The values of their WBC, RBC, PLT, and LYM were also significantly increased when compared to the arsenic group rats. Histological observations showed varying degrees of liver damage in the arsenic group rats, while the histoarchitecture of the liver of rats that received A. paniculata extract were significantly improved. Conclusions This study demonstrated that A. paniculata extract ameliorates arsenic-induced hepato-renal toxicity and could be exploited in the management of toxicity effects associated with the arsenic.

Objective: The effect of L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol on parabenzoquinone(p-BQ)-induced hemato-biochemical and histological alterations in the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats was investigated. Material and methods: Animals (n = 40) were divided into eight groups, all receiving p-BQ(1.5 mg Kg−1, i.p) for 21 days except the control group I which received equal amount of double-distilled water only. Group II served as positive control group, while all other groups received either L-ascorbic acid or α-tocopherol or combination of both L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol for 21 consecutive days. Results: p-BQ significantly (P < 0.05) increased the neutrophil and platelet counts while reducing (P < 0.05) the total count of RBC, WBC, Hb, Hct, and lymphocyte. Animals administered p-BQ were found to have higher levels of hepatic (ALP, SGOT, and SGPT) and renal (creatinine, urea, and BUN) biomarker activity. Additionally, p-BQ treatment also significantly reduces HDL with concurrent elevation in the serum level of (P < 0.05), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. In the liver and kidney, p-BQ treatment caused significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity (SOD, CAT, GST& GSH) and also increases the level of MDA, marker of lipid peroxidation. The normal histoarchitecture of the liver and kidney tissues was disrupted indicating severe pathological changes after treatment with p-BQ. However, co-treatment with L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, either alone or in combination, was effective in alleviating p-BQ-induced hemato-biochemical, antioxidant enzymes, and histopathological alterations in the treated animals. Conclusion: To summarize, it appears that combined treatment with L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol was much more effective in ameliorating p-BQ-induced hematological and hepato-renal toxicity compared to only single vitamin treatment in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Liver and kidney diseases are becoming order of the day in both developed and developing countries as a result of environmental pollutants such as lead. Restorative activities of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts (MPR and MAPR, respectively) of the N. latifolia fruit (NLF) on lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged were assessed in Wistar rats. The antioxidant activities of both phenolic-rich extracts of NLF were also carried out using standard methods. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each were used for the study and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of lead acetate solution was administered orally to the 6 groups of animals to induce liver and kidney damage. The high and low dosages of 300 and of 150 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both MPR and MAPR were administered orally to four groups for 14 days along positive (100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin), negative (treated with the placebo) and naïve control (non-induced). The percentage DPPH radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power and percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation show high antioxidants activities dose-dependently. Furthermore, administration of lead acetate significantly (p > 0.05) reduces the weight gain and elevates the liver and kidney relative weight as well as their respective damage biomarkers with distortions in their histologies. However, treatment with MPR and MAPR resulted in significant (p

Background: Medicinal plants are natural sources of antioxidants effective in the treatment of oxidative stress-mediated diseases. This study aims to evaluate the hepato-renal protective efficacy of Andrographis paniculata leaves methanolic extract in arsenic-induced oxidative stress. Animals were divided into four groups of six animals per group. The rats in groups 1 and 2 received normal saline, while rats in groups 3 and 4 received 200 mg/kg body weight of A. paniculata or ascorbic acid per day, respectively, for 7 days orally. The rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 received a single dose of arsenic at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally on day 7, and 24 h later, rats in all the groups were killed and the blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected for biochemical/histological studies. Results: Administration of arsenic to rats induced a significant increase in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides in the plasma, while it decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activities in the liver and kidney. It also significantly reduced the levels of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), and lymphocytes (LYM) in the blood. However, the levels of AST, ALT, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides in the plasma of groups of rats that received A. paniculata extract before administration of arsenic were decreased, while their SOD, GSH, and CAT levels were elevated in the liver and kidney. The values of their WBC, RBC, PLT, and LYM were also significantly increased when compared to the arsenic group rats. Histological observations showed varying degrees of liver damage in the arsenic group rats, while the histoarchitecture of the liver of rats that received A. paniculata extract were significantly improved. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that A. paniculata extract ameliorates arsenic-induced hepato-renal toxicity and could be exploited in the management of toxicity effects associated with the arsenic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aim to explore the beneficial therapeutic impacts of dapagliflozin (Dapa), a highly potent, reversible, and selective sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, and liraglutide (Lira), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, as hypoglycaemic agents for the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), as well as their combination against DM-induced complications, including hepato-renal injury. Indeed, the progression of DM was found to be associated with significant hepatic and renal injury, as confirmed by the elevated biochemical indices of hepatic and renal functions, as well as histopathological examination. Dapa, Lira, and their combination effectively attenuated DM-induced hepatic and renal injury, as confirmed by the recovery of hepatic and renal functional biomarkers. The administration of both drugs significantly reduced the tissue contents of MDA and restored the contents of GSH and catalase activity. Moreover, NF-κB and TNF-α expression at the protein and gene levels was significantly reduced in the liver and the kidney. This was in parallel with the significant reduction in the caspase-3 content in the liver and the kidney, as well as suppressed cleaved caspase-3 expression in the hepatic and renal specimens, as confirmed by immune–histochemical analysis. Notably, the combined Dapa/Lira treatment demonstrated an additive superior hepato-renal protective impact compared with the use of either drug alone. Thus, it appears that Dapa and Lira, through the coordinated modulation of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic signalling, confer a significant hepato-renal protective impact against DM-induced complications and tissue injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver and kidney diseases are becoming order of the day in both developed and developing countries as a result of environmental pollutants such as lead. Restorative activities of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts (MPR and MAPR, respectively) of the N. latifolia fruit (NLF) on lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged were assessed in Wistar rats. The antioxidant activities of both phenolic-rich extracts of NLF were also carried out using standard methods. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each were used for the study and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of lead acetate solution was administered orally to the 6 groups of animals to induce liver and kidney damage. The high and low dosages of 300 and of 150 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both MPR and MAPR were administered orally to four groups for 14 days along positive (100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin), negative (treated with the placebo) and naïve control (non-induced). The percentage DPPH radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power and percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation show high antioxidants activities dose-dependently. Furthermore, administration of lead acetate significantly (p > 0.05) reduces the weight gain and elevates the liver and kidney relative weight as well as their respective damage biomarkers with distortions in their histologies. However, treatment with MPR and MAPR resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improve in the percentage body weight gain, relative liver and kidney weight as well as restoration of the activities of the liver and kidney functions biomarkers of the treated animals. Likewise, lesser hepatic and renal cells injury were also observed in the treated groups with MAPR being more active at high dosage which significantly (p < 0.05) compared well with normal group. Hence, the phenolics content of the N. latifolia fruit can be exploited further for drug development for the management kidney and liver damage arise from lead-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Obesity results in detrimental effects on different body organs. Metformin (Met) has described to decrease the body weight of obese patient and to control the glucose level. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Met treatment for long period on the functionality of liver and kidney organs of obese rats. Forty rats were used in this study and divided into four groups as the following: group 1 (Gp1) was served as a negative control that administered orally with 200 µL of H2O. Gp2 of rats was administered with Met (200 mg/kg) daily for a month. Gp3 was obese rats, and Gp4 was obese rats administered with Met as in Gp2. All rats were sacrificed to analyze hematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes. The results showed that Met decreased the body weight of both naïve and obese rats, however, it caused hepato-renal dysfunctions in obese rats as evidenced by increased the levels of ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, and MDA and decrease in the antioxidants biomarkers (SOD, Cat and GSH). Collectively, Met causes liver and kidneys dysfunctions of obese rats and is not recommended to described for obese persons.

Aim: We have reported earlier that a high salt intake triggered an aestivation‐like natriuretic‐ureotelic body water conservation response that lowered muscle mass and increased blood pressure. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a similar adaptive water conservation response occurs in experimental chronic renal failure. Methods: In four subsequent experiments in Sprague Dawley rats, we used surgical 5/6 renal mass reduction (5/6 Nx) to induce chronic renal failure. We studied solute and water excretion in 24‐hour metabolic cage experiments, chronic blood pressure by radiotelemetry, chronic metabolic adjustment in liver and skeletal muscle by metabolomics and selected enzyme activity measurements, body Na+, K+ and water by dry ashing, and acute transepidermal water loss in conjunction with skin blood flow and intra‐arterial blood pressure. Results: 5/6 Nx rats were polyuric, because their kidneys could not sufficiently concentrate the urine. Physiological adaptation to this renal water loss included mobilization of nitrogen and energy from muscle for organic osmolyte production, elevated norepinephrine and copeptin levels with reduced skin blood flow, which by means of compensation reduced their transepidermal water loss. This complex physiologic‐metabolic adjustment across multiple organs allowed the rats to stabilize their body water content despite persisting renal water loss, albeit at the expense of hypertension and catabolic mobilization of muscle protein. Conclusion: Physiological adaptation to body water loss, termed aestivation, is an evolutionary conserved survival strategy and an under‐studied research area in medical physiology, which besides hypertension and muscle mass loss in chronic renal failure may explain many otherwise unexplainable phenomena in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to estimate the possible adverse effects of Berberine on biochemical, hematological, reproductive parameters in male rats. Thirty mature rats were divided into 2 groups. The first group (control) consists of 5 rats were administered Polyethyleneglycol 20% (PEG) at a dose level of 2ml/kg. B.wt. I/M. daily for 2 weeks. The second group consists of 25 rats were administered with Berberine 46mg/kg. B.wt. I/M. dissolved in PEG 20% daily for 2 weeks. The results showed that administration of Berberine induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDLcholesterol. While, it induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in glutathione-s-transferase (GST), bilirubin level. While it induced a non-significant change in alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), red blood corpuscles count (R.B.Cs), white blood corpuscle count (W.B.Cs), packed cell volume (PCV%), urea and creatinine. It showed an androgenic activity as it induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in sperm count, testosterone level. It could be concluded that Berberine is safe and consider a hepato-renal protective drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxidative stress induced tissue damage might be the major cause for diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. The management of such oxidative stress is the biggest challenge over the decade. The main objective was to analyze the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Senna alata L leaves on enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems of hepatic and renal tissues in Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Methods: The use of streptozotocin diabetes was induced in the experimental rats and the subsequent therapeutic effects of standard drug glibenclamide and Senna alata L were compared. The levels of plasma insulin, glucose, urea, uric acid, creatinine, vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-s-tranferase were assayed in control and experimental groups of rats. Results: These alterations were detected throughout the study duration after the treatment with Senna alata L and glibenclamide. A significant raise followed by the treatment with Senna alata leaves in vitamin E, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-tranferase was observed. It has been found that notable decline in the levels of vitamin C, reduced glutathione were observed in diabetic rats. The liver and kidney based antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly responsive to the treatment in diabetic rats. Apart from these antioxidant system, some vital changes were detected in the typical biochemical parameters such as level of protein, urea, uric acid, and creatinine from abnormal into normal in both the control and induced rats. Conclusion: From the above said observations, it was very clear that, Senna alata has helped to manage the oxidative tension in diabetic rats, which in turn may greatly support the hypoglycaemic potency of Senna alata L.

Background Portal hypertension, which occurs as a consequence of liver cirrhosis, leads to splenic vasodilatation and alterations in the systemic circulation. Arterial vasodilatation in the splanchnic circulation appears to play a central role in hemodynamic changes and in the decline in renal function in cirrhosis. Peripheral vasodilatation, which occurs as a part of alterations in the systemic circulation, may decrease the renal blood flow and subsequently raise plasma renin activity. Midodrine is a α agonist and acts as a peripheral vasoconstrictor; therefore, it may reduce plasma renin activity and improve renal function. Aim of the work The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between renal resistive indices (RIs) in cirrhotic patients before and after oral administration of 7.5 mg midodrine three times daily for 3 days. Patients and methods The study was conducted on 40 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites and on 40 healthy controls from October 2014 to March 2015 at Al-Azhar University Hospital, Assiut, where all patients were subjected to history and clinical examination as well as to routine investigations such as total bilirubin, albumin, international normalized ratio, and serum creatinine. Patients underwent an abdominal ultrasound with duplex Doppler examination of the kidneys, and RI was calculated before and 3 days after oral intake of midodrine. Results Patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites had significantly higher RI in the right kidney (0.69 ± 0.101 vs. 0.57 ± 0.055,P < 0.001) and in the left kidney (0.69 ± 0.097 vs. 0.59 ± 0.047,P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. After oral administration of midodrine for 3 days, RI showed significant improvement (RI = 0.928,P < 0.001) in the right kidney and in the left kidney (R = 0.993,P < 0.001). RI had significant positive correlation with Child–Pugh score (R = 0.75,P < 0.001, in the right kidney and R = 0.75,P < 0.001, in the left kidney) and significant positive correlation with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (R = 0.536,P < 0.008, in the right kidney and R = 0.487,P < 0.005, in the left kidney). Conclusion Oral midodrine improved renal hemodynamics as assessed by RI in cirrhotic patients. RI is correlated with severity of liver disease as assessed by Child–Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores.

Abstract The effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on cadmium-induced liver and kidney damage was studied in Sprague Dawley rats. The study employed three animal groups: Group 1 served as control animals; Group 2 rats were dosed intra-peritoneally with 2 mg of cadmium chloride per kg body weight, and Group 3 rats were again dosed with a single intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg of cadmium chloride per kg body weight two doses of 106 cells each intravenously. Finally, the animals were killed using halothane inhalation anesthesia. Semen analysis (total sperm count, viability, motility, and % of normal sperm), biochemical estimations (serum total protein, uric acid, creatinine, levels of enzymes ALT, AST, and ALP, and levels of hormones LH, FSH, Inhibin, and testosterone), and histopathological analysis of liver and kidney tissue sections (using hematoxylene and eosin stains) were conducted. The results showed that when compared to controls, cadmium exposure drastically decreased total sperm count, viability, motility, and % of normal sperm, decreased serum total protein, increased serum uric acid and creatinine levels, increased levels of ALT, AST, and ALP enzymes, decreased levels of testosterone and inhibin, increased levels of LH and FSH, and caused significant histopathological abnormalities in both kidney and liver tissues. Treatment with stem cells ameliorated the effects of cadmium-induced toxicity significantly (p < 0.05) of the histopathological and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, the study reinforces previous findings that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can ameliorate the toxic effects of cadmium chloride and may be used as a potential therapeutic strategy for cadmium-induced adverse effects. Highlights • Exposure to Cd damages the testis and tubule, causing necrosis and complications. • Rats exposed to Cd experience reduced testicular damage when treated with BM-MSCs. • BM-MSCs have the capacity to repair Cd-caused testicular anomalies in mice and rats. • Tests should be conducted in animals and then humans to avoid possible poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergence of new virus and their heterogeneity are growing at an alarming rate. COVID-19 officially called SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging human infectious disease caused by the coronavirus that led to global pandemic. Most of the studies have highlighted that COVID-19 damages the lungs as the main target organ, while few studies have described that SARS-CoV-2 is also involved in liver and kidneys impairment. Several studies had reported that liver and kidney disease is a global burden and was responsible for about 2millions of death annually, with 50% of these associated with complications due to liver cirrhosis and the other half linked to hepatocellular carcinoma and viral hepatitis. According to the studies it was noted that hepatic abnormalities significantly increases after infection with COVID-19 and during the course of the disease. In addition to liver injuries, few studies have also reported a greater occurrence of acute renal injury following COVID-19, which could be due to the manifestation of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, it was noted that patients with acute renal injury have a greater mortality rate compared to other patients. According to the reports, biomarkers of liver injuries increases in patients with COVID-19, though, no virus was found in the liver tissue of patients who died from the disease. This is to be expected, as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor, a vital performer in the “docking” and replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is not expressed in hepatocytes. However, ACE2 expression has been reported in cholangiocytes, leading to the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the epithelial cells of the biliary tree may cause biliary dysfunction. Various studies also suggest that transient liver injuries observed in COVID-19 patients may be concomitant with cytokine storm or hypoxia and drug toxicity. It was also reported that the ACE2 receptor is overexpressed in the tubular cells of patients with CKD. Alteration in kidney functions, characterised by increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen, was also testified in patients with COVID-19. Hence, frequent and careful monitoring of liver and kidney functions in patients with COVID-19 can lead to early diagnosis of liver and kidney disorders, and also help in achieving the optimal therapeutic concentrations and reducing the risk of adverse drug reactions. Traditional medicine continues to be practised for healing the hepato-renal dysfunctions, but the effective cost of treatments, several side effects and resistance development of currently used drugs in the treatment have led to increasing emphasis on the use of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) mediated bacteriotherapy, herbal plant materials, herbal gold nanomedicines as a non-conventional alternative management for the prevention of hepatorenal dysfunctions. Hence, further investigations are required to find out the potential beneficial effects of these protective agents to fight against COVID-19 associated hepato-renal dysfunctions.

This study evaluated the hepato-renal toxicological indices following 21 days administration of ethyl acetate leaf extract of Vitex simplicifolia in Wistar rats. Acute toxicity studies with very high concentrations of the crude extract was carried out followed by sub chronic toxicities studies involving administration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight of the ethyl acetate extract to the experimental animals for 21 days. Liver and Kidney toxicological indices were evaluated from the sera as well as e tissues of the experimental animals after the 21 days period of administration. The results of acute toxicity studies indicate that this extract is well tolerated at doses as high as 5000mg/kg body weight. The results of sub-chronic toxicity studies indicate that there was a significant increase in the activities of ALP, while AST activities was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the control. There was no significant changes in (P<0.05) ALT and Unconjugated bilirubin levels in the test groups compared to the control. Similarly, the result of kidney toxicological indices showed that the levels of urea, Na+, HCO32- and Ct were significantly higher in the test animals compared to the control while K+ and creatine levels showed no significant change in the extract administered groups compared to the control (p<0.05). Histopathology examination of the liver and kidneys showed mild hepatic damage at the highest dose (1000mg/kg body weight). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Oxytetracycline (OTC) is a broad spectrum antibiotic widely used for treatment of a wide range of infections. However, its improper human and animal use leads to toxic effects, including hepatonephrotoxicity. Our objective was to evaluate protective effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and/or ascorbic acid (AA), against OTC-induced hepatonephrotoxicity in rabbits. Materials and Methods: Forty male white New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups of eight each. The 1st group (control) was given saline. The 2nd group was given OTC (200 mg/kg, orally). The 3rd and 4th groups were orally administered NSO and AA (2 ml/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively) 1 hr before OTC administration at the same dose regimen used for the 2nd group. Both NSO and AA were given in combination for the 5th group along with OTC administration. Serum biochemical parameters related to liver and kidney injury were evaluated, and lipid peroxidation as well as antioxidant markers in hepatic and renal tissues were examined. Results: OTC-treated animals revealed significant alterations in serum biochemical hepato-renal injury markers, and showed a markedly increase in hepato-renal lipid peroxidation and inhibition in tissue antioxidant biomarkers. NSO and AA protect against OTC-induced serum and tissue biochemical alterations when each of them is used alone or in combination along with OTC treatment. Furthermore, both NSO and AA produced synergetic hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. Conclusion: The present study revealed the preventive role of NSO and/or AA against the toxic effects of OTC through their free radical-scavenging and potent antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]