Search

Cardio-genic disruptions of in utero exposure of a non-fluoridated Cypermethrin (CP) and a fluoridated λ-Cyhalothrin (LC) type 2 pyrethroid insecticide were explored in albino mice. Pregnant dams were divided into three groups (n=10); 1) Vehicle Control Group (VCG) (intra-gastric treatment of 0.1mL corn oil); 2) Cypermethrin Group (CPG) and; 3) λ-Cyhalothrin Group (LPG) (intra-gastric treatment of 5mg/kg Cypermethrin (CP) and λ-Cyhalothrin respectively in corn oil). These treatments were applied on 7--10th days of pregnancy. Embryos were removed from the gravid uteri of the euthanized dams on 18th day of pregnancy and fixed in formyl ethanol for 24hrs to finally remove their hearts for histological and histometric analyses. Both insecticides were found to cause micro-anatomical derangements like decreased ventricular wall thickness, rudimentary appearance or complete absence of inter-ventricular (AV) septa, abnormalities of the cardiac valves, and decreased thickness of the muscular layer of the aortic trunk. However, these disruptions were much more pronounced in LCG. Morphometric results revealed a significant decrease (P>0.05) in the thickness of left ventricular wall in CPG (295.90±12.3µ) and LCG (104.27±5.6µ) as compared to VCG (346.68±9.5µ). The mean thickness of interventricular septum was significantly decreased in CPG (440.03±20.4µ) and LCG (214.3±10.2µ) groups than the VCG (2641.75±186.2µ). The thickness of the aortic intima also showed a significant (P>0.05) decrease in CPG (12.70±0.25µ) and LCG (11.03±0.3µ) than the VCG (18.44±0.37µ). Similarly, the thickness of aortic adventitia remained significantly (P>0.05) lower in CPG (26.96±1.1µ) and LCG (23.97±1.5µ) than the VCG (41.09±2.1µ). The relative abundance of myocardiocytes and cardio-myoblasts (per 5000µ2) also showed significant decrease in both CPG (8.98 ±0.45, 2.50±0.24 respectively) and LCG (4.7 ±0.48, 6.26±0.79) to the VCG (18.19±0.56, 1.02±0.13). The results show that type-2 pyrethroid insecticides inflict a highly toxic impact on the developing heart in mammals and the fluoridated LC is more toxic than the CP in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calotropis procera has been used in the traditional medicinal system for treating various diseases because of its phytochemical composition. In the present study, the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera was investigated for its immunomodulatory potential in vitro using T-lymphocytes. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) st https://researcherslinks.com/journals imulated T-lymphocytes were treated with extract of C. procera (1, 2, and 4 μg/mL) for 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-8) were measured after 8, 12, and 24 h while levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-10) were measured after 4 and 48-h via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). C. procera treatment exhibited a significant decline in pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in antiinflammatory cytokines on PHA stimulated T-cells in time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. These findings are suggesting the immunomodulatory potential of methanolic leaf extract obtained from C. procera that together with its other therapeutic properties can be used towards modulating the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave technology has been widely used in different fields of life including cooking. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of feed directly exposed to microwaves or in different containers on the histology of the liver and kidney of mice. Forty adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups each of 10: Control group was given normal untreated feed, Direct group was fed on food pellets exposed to microwaves in oven tray directly, Glass group was given feed processed in the microwave oven within a glass container and Plastic group was given feed exposed to microwaves in a plastic container. The microwaves exposed feed of all treated groups was heated at 250◦C, 2450 MHz frequency for 15 min and was provided for 4 weeks. Intake of microwave exposed feed caused a highly significant increase (P<0.001) in mean body and liver weight of mice of all treated groups as compared to control. Histopathological alterations were observed in sections of liver and kidney of mice that were given microwave processed feed. Statistical analysis revealed that the average cross-sectional area (ACSA) of Bowman’s capsule was significantly (P<0.05) increased in mice raised on feed that is directly exposed to microwaves radiations while other groups showed no significant change in Bowman’s capsule as compared to control. ACSA of glomeruli and renal tubules significantly increased in direct (P<0.001) and in the plastic (P<0.01) group as compared to the control group. A significant decrease in the mean number of mononuclear hepatocytes was observed in all treated groups as compared to control. While, ACSA of mononuclear hepatocytes increased significantly (P<0.001) in the direct and glass container group as compared to control. Relative nucleo-cytoplasmic index of hepatocytes and mean number of oval and kupffer cells per unit area was significantly decreased in all treated groups as compared to control. Our findings indicated that the severity of degenerative changes was highest in the glass container group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead oral exposure related pathological changes in kidneys and their ameliorations through Jambul Fruit Pulp Extract (JFPE) treatment were investigated in Albino Laboratory Mice. Adult male animals (n=30) weighing an average of 30 g were equally distributed into three groups, control (no treatment), lead (Pb) group (50 ppm Pb ions from lead acetate were given in drinking water 15 days+Pb ions free water 5 days) and Pb-J (lead+Jambul) group (50 ppm Pb ions as in Pb group+Jambul pulp extract 0.2 mL from 16-20 days). All animals were euthanized to recover kidneys for histopathological study on day 21. Results showed Pb exposure related significant decline in kidney and animal body weights. Histopathological findings were shrinkage of glomeruli and the proximal tubules, whereas the micrometric data indicated significant decline in glomerular size (2233.91±47.9 µm²) CSA (cross sectional area) of tubule size (561.0±23.4 µm²), caliber (97.9±7.2 µ²), wall thickness (462.0±22.8 µ²) and number of glomeruli per unit area (1.56±0.2) in Pb group. All these weight parameters, histopathological signs and micrometric observations indicate very good signs of recovery from such pathological changes in Pb-J group. These findings clearly show the importance of JFPE towards rehabilitation of the functional micro-architecture of the kidneys after Pb ion exposure related damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]