scholarly journals TOXINS AND ANTITOXINS--SNAKE VENOMS AND ANTIVENINS

1907 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Th. Madsen ◽  
H. Noguchi

A specific antivenin against crotalus venom can be prepared bv the immunization of goats. A specific antivenin against water moccasin venom can be produced by the immunization of goats with this venom, modified by hydrochloric acid. Immunization with the unmodified venom is very difficult. The toxicity of crotalus venom is diminished more than fifty percent. by passage through a Chamberland filter. There is a simple relation between the toxicity and the body weight for guinea-pigs weighing from 250 to 500 grams. Smaller guinea-pigs (125 grams) are comparatively less resistant. The toxicity is smaller by subcutaneous than by intraperitoneal injection (guinea-pigs), or by intravenous injection (rabbits). White rats are very resistant. The toxicity of cobra venom is not measurably diminished by filtration through a Chamberland filter. The relation between the amount of venom and the corresponding time of death is very regular, and can be expressed by a curve of asymptotic nature. Lecithin does not increase the toxicity. The tracings representing toxin-antitoxin neutralization for the three venoms (crotalus, cobra and moccasin) show deviation from the straight line. This deviation is most pronounced for the toxic quota of the venoms. The tracing representing crotalus venomantivenin neutralization, determined on guinea-pigs, can, within errors of experiment, be expressed by the equation: Free toxin · Free antitoxin = K · toxin-antitoxin. The corresponding tracing determined on rabbits is somewhat different, but both tracings are much more markedly curved than that for cobra venom-antivenin. The neutralization tracing of water moccasin venom shows the peculiarity, that small amounts of antivenin decrease the toxicity to a minimum, but the toxicity is again increased by further addition of antitoxin. The tracing representing neutralization of the haemolysins of the three venoms are different from the tracings of neutralization of the toxins, and approach very closely to a straight line. Still, in all instances, the determinations with great concentrations of antilysin show pronounced deviation, perhaps due to some dissociation of the toxin-antitoxin combination.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-40
Author(s):  
A. Levitsky ◽  
A. Lapinska ◽  
I. Selivanskaya

The article analyzes the role of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially omega-3 series in humans and animals. The biosynthesis of essential PUFA in humans and animals is very limited, so they must be consumed with food (feed). Тhe ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA is very important. Biomembranes of animal cells contain about 30% PUFA with a ratio of ω-6/ ω-3 1-2. As this ratio increases, the physicochemical properties of biomembranes and the functional activity of their receptors change. The regulatory function of essential PUFA is that in the body under the action of oxygenase enzymes (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase) are formed extremely active hormone-like substances (eicosanoids and docosanoids), which affect a number of physiological processes: inflammation, immunity, metabolism. Moreover, ω-6 PUFA form eicosanoids, which have pro-inflammatory, immunosuppressive properties, and ω-3 PUFAs form eicosanoids and docosanoids, which have anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory properties. Deficiency of essential PUFA, and especially ω-3 PUFA, leads to impaired development of the body and its state of health, which are manifestations of avitaminosis F. Prevention and treatment of avitaminosis F is carried out with drugs that contain PUFA. To create new, more effective vitamin F preparations, it is necessary to reproduce the model of vitamin F deficiency. An experimental model of vitamin F deficiency in white rats kept on a fat –free diet with the addition of coconut oil, which is almost completely free of unsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids make up almost 99 % of all fatty acids was developed. The total content of ω-6 PUFA (sum of linoleic and arachidonic acids), the content of ω-3 PUFA (α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) in neutral lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol esters) defined. Тhe content of ω-6 PUFA under the influence of coconut oil decreased by 3.3 times, and the content of ω-3 PUFA - by 7.5 times. Тhe influence of coconut oil, the content of ω-6 PUFA decreased by 2.1 times, and the content of ω-3 PUFA - by 2.8 times. The most strongly reduces the content of ω-3 PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic, coconut oil, starting from 5 %. Consumption of FFD with a content of 15 % coconut oil reduces the content of eicosapentaenoic acid to zero, ie we have an absolute deficiency of one of the most important essential PUFAs, which determined the presence of vitamin F deficiency.


1978 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-359
Author(s):  
Philip L. Quinn

Suppose that a person P1 dies some time during 1978. Many years later, the resurrection world, a perennial object of Christian concern, begins on the morning of the day of judgment. On its first morning there are in that world distinct persons, P2 and P3, each of whom is related in remarkably intimate ways to P1. You are to imagine that each of them satisfies each of the criteria or conditions necessary for identity with P1 to some extent, that both of them satisfy these conditions to exactly the same extent, and that every other denizen of the resurrection world satisfies each of these conditions to a lesser extent than P2 and P3 do. Thus, for example, philosophers often claim that bodily continuity is a necessary condition for personal identity. If it is, you might assume that the body P2 has on the morning of the day of judgment contains some of the same atoms the body of P11 contained when P1 died, and that P2's body on that day contains exactly n atoms from P1's body at the time of death just in case P3's body on that day contains exactly n atoms from P1's body at the time of death. Or, again, some philosophers hold that connectedness of memory is necessary for personal identity. If so, you are to suppose that on the morning of the day of judgment P3 seems to remember some of the events in the life of P1 having happened to him, and that P3 seems to remember a certain event in the life of P1 having happened to him just in case P2 seems to remember that very event in the life of P1 having happened to him. You are to fill in the details by adding complete parity between P2 and P3 with respect to similarity of DNA molecules, character traits and whatever else you deem relevant to personal identity. And, finally, you are to complete the story by imagining that P2 and P3 live very different sorts of lives in the resurrection world. To heighten the poignancy of the story, you might imagine that P2 enjoys forever after the beatitude promised to the blessed while P3 suffers the everlasting torments reserved for the damned.


In many ways immunological tolerance is an ideal subject for discussion at the present time. Experimental work has gone far enough to allow us to claim that the principle of immunological tolerance is soundly established and that we can see more or less clearly some of its implications. But obviously very much remains to be learnt of the part played by tolerance in the various fields that have been discussed. It is by no means certain that we are dealing with a single topic when we compare tolerance to homografts with inhibition of antibody production against soluble protein in a rabbit. Such a situation provides much for discussion but does not make it easy to condense or interpret that discussion. One might begin by reiterating that immunology is concerned with much more than the production and properties of typical circulating antibody. There are at least four different types of immunological reaction and there are hints of many minor differences within the main types. Pappenheimer’s recent work on the variety of responses given by a single species, man, to a single purified antigen, diphtheria toxoid, offers a characteristic example of the current trend. Chase’s experiments on the response of guinea pigs to simple allergens like picryl chloride, have been only incidentally mentioned in today’s discussion, but their importance is obvious. A form of tolerance very similar to that produced by prenatal treatment of mice can be produced by administering the allergen to adult guinea-pigs by mouth. The animals are resistant to sensitization by skin treatment and the inhibition is general and unrelated to any persistence of allergen in the body. The question immediately arises whether all forms of tolerance are basically similar or whether for each of the qualitatively distinct types of positive immunological reaction, a correspondingly distinct type of inhibition or tolerance must be sought.


Author(s):  
L. L. Zakharova ◽  
◽  
G. A. Zhorov ◽  
V. N. Obryvin ◽  
◽  
...  

The article presents the results of laboratory studies of the effect of sorption-detoxifying means on the accumulation of 90Sr in the body of white rats. The efficiency of a number of selective and polyfunctional sorbents, detoxicants and other biologically active substances and the developed on their basis sorption-detoxifying complexes as means of efferent therapy and detoxification of the animal body at the combined intake of xenobiotics of radiation and chemical nature was evaluated. It was found that 90Sr cumulation in bones (at the level of 53,3–60,8%) was reduced to the greatest extent with the combined use of substances of different mechanisms of action and origin. The effectiveness of separate use of detoxifying drugs did not exceed 29,1%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-78

The article presents the results of laboratory studies to assess the toxicological parameters of montmorillonite clay from the Pogadaevskoye deposit in the West Kazakhstan region in order to use them as an aluminosilicate sorbent in the composition of feeds that reduce the negative effects of mycotoxins on the body of animals and birds. The relevance of research is associated with the cultivation of healthy and highly productive animals and poultry in order to ensure the food security of the Republic of Kazakhstan.The studies carried out to assess the toxicological parameters of montmorillonite clay in order to use them as an aluminosilicate sorbent in experimental animals (rabbits and white rats) allowed the following results to be obtained: Visual study of the intensity of erythema when exposed to the test substance on the skin of rabbits showed their absence (0 points). The study of the intensity of edema (an increase in the thickness of the skin clutch of rabbits) when exposed to the test substance on the skin of rabbits showed no reaction (0 points). Studies evaluating the irritating effect of the test substances on the mucous membranes of the eyes of rabbits by symptoms of damage showed the absence of hyperemia (0 points). Weak eyelid edema (1 point), the minimum amount of discharge in the corner of the eye (1 point). The results of studies on the classification assessment of the test substance for the severity of the irritant effect on the eyes of rabbits showed that the average total score of the severity of the irritative effect corresponds to 1 point. A comprehensive analysis of the results obtained on the basis of scientific and experimental studies to assess the toxicological indicators of montmorillonite clay from the Pogadaevskoye deposit in relation to irritating effects on the skin and mucous membranes of experimental animals (rabbits) showed their harmlessness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-508
Author(s):  
N. A. Martynova ◽  
Larisa G. Gorokhova ◽  
V. A. Shtaiger

Introduction. The toxicity of indomethacin was studied for its hygienic regulation. Material and methods. The toxic properties of indomethacin in the experiments on out-bred and linear mice, rats, Guinea pigs and rabbits contained in standard vivarium conditions and quarantined have been studied. In the experiments, various modes (single, repeated, chronic) and ways of exposure (intragastric, inhalation, epicutaneous) were modeled. The average lethal dose (LD50) of Indomethacin and the threshold of a single acute action (Limac) were determined; irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes, cumulative and allergenic activity were revealed. In subacute and chronic intake to the body, the main target organs were determined on the based of the results of biochemical and hematological studies. Results. DL50 for male rats, females and male mice, when introduced into the stomach, were have been established to be 20, 15 and 25.6 mg/kg respectively. It refers to the substances of hazard class 2. DL50 in the intraperitoneal introduction for the rats accounted for 13.8 mg/kg, for Guinea pigs - 500 mg/kg. The clinical picture of acute poisoning in mice and rats was characterized by low mobility, decreasing breathing, ataxia, muscle relaxation, anorexia, diarrhea, ulceration with the perforation of the intestines, and the death on the 2-4th days after the poisoning. In the experiments on Guinea pigs, the ulcerogenic effect was not detected. Local irritant effect on the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes was not revealed. It has a marked skin-resorptive action causing ulcerogenic effect and the death of the animals after 6 applications. The introduction of verospiron to the rats in a dose of 25 mg/kg simultaneously with the application of indomethacin ointment on the skin prevented the ulcer development in the gastrointestinal tract and the death of the animals. No sensitizing effect was detected. It has an average cumulative ability: the cumulation coefficient amounted to 2.6. In a subacute experiment, there was a decrease in the body temperature and summation-threshold index, an increase in the vertical motor activity and a threshold of pain sensitivity. During the study of blood serum an increase in AcAt activity, a rise of chlorides in the blood serum and their decrease in the urine, and an increase in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in peripheral blood were revealed. In the pathomorphological study, there was an increase in the coefficients of liver mass and ulceration of the stomach and intestines. The threshold of acute inhalation action accounted for 0.52 mg/m3 (by the reduction of the summation-threshold index and the content of sodium and chlorides in the urine). Conclusion. The maximum permissible concentration of indomethacin in the air of the working area was of 0.05 mg/m3 with the mark “special protection of the skin and eyes”, hazard class 1, aerosol.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (11) ◽  
pp. 1276-1279
Author(s):  
Valery N. Rakitskii ◽  
Tatiana M. Epishina ◽  
Elena G. Chkhvirkiya

Introduction. Historically, pesticides are evaluated more strictly from a medical point of view than other chemicals. Since their features, such as deliberate introduction into the environment, the possibility of contact with them by large masses of the population, and the high biological activity determine their potential danger to humans. Purpose of research - study of the biological effect of a technical product derived from triazoles when it is repeatedly ingested orally in mammals (rats), establishment of inactive and active doses, justification of the permissible daily dose (DSD) for humans. Material and methods. In acute experiments, white rats were used, including 6 animals in the group. Tested dose: 500-4000 mg/kg of body weight. A chronic (12 months) experiment was performed on 80 male rats with a bodyweight of 180-190 g at the beginning of the study. Tested doses: 5.0; 16.0 and 55.0 mg/kg of body weight (1 control and 3 experimental animals, 20 individuals each). In the dynamics of the experiment, we observed the condition and behavior of animals, water, and food consumption, recorded the timing of death, changes in body weight, physiological, biochemical, and hematological indices. Results. Indices of the acute oral toxicity on the studied product LD50 male rats were 2250 ± 483 mg/kg body weight. The dose of 5.0 mg / kg of body weight was not found to cause significant changes in all studied indices. The doses of 16.0 and 55.0 mg/kg of body weight had a polytropic effect on the body in experimental animals. Discussion. The studied product for the acute oral toxicity refers to low-hazard compounds, the doses of 16.0 and 55.0 mg/kg of body weight has a polytropic effect on the mammalian body, causing changes in carbohydrate, lipid, and lipoprotein metabolism in the body of rats - was accepted as acting. The dose of 5.0 mg / kg of body weight, when administered in rats, there are no changes in all the studied parameters throughout the experiment, is accepted as invalid. Based on the inactive dose-5.0 mg/kg of body weight and taking into account the reserve factor of 100, we have scientifically justified DSD for a person at the level of 0.05 mg/kg. Summary. The conducted sanitary and Toxicological studies indicate the need to assess the toxicity of new technical products to the mammalian body, to increase the reliability of the developed hygiene standards in environmental objects and food products.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (103) ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
L.-M. Kostyshyn ◽  
R. Sachuk ◽  
Ye. Kostyshyn ◽  
O. Katsaraba

Suspension for injection “Amoxidev 15” is prescribed to fur-bearing animals (mink, fox), dogs and cats for the treatment of respiratory diseases (tonsillitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchopneumonia), digestive (gastritis, enteritis, enteritis). genitourinary systems (nephritis, urethritis, urocystitis, mastitis, metritis, agalactia), musculoskeletal system (arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint injuries, tendonitis, hoof lesions), skin and soft tissues (eczema, dermatitis) caused by sensitive drug by microorganisms, including colibacillosis, streptococcus, bronchopneumonia, etc. Toxicological evaluation of the veterinary drug “Amoxidev 15” under the conditions of acute and subacute toxicological experiments on a model of white rats. According to the results of an acute toxicological experiment with intragastric administration of the drug “Amoxidev 15” white rats DL50 could not be calculated because the death of laboratory animals was not detected within 14 days after administration. The maximum administered dose (in absolute weight of the drug) was 20000.0 mg/kg body weight, which allows to refer the drug to class VI toxicity of relatively harmless substances (DL50 > 15000 mg/kg body weight), and the degree of safety to class IV – low-hazard substances (DL50 > 5000 mg/kg). According to the results of an acute toxicological experiment with subcutaneous administration of the drug “Amoxidev 15” white rats DL50 could not be calculated because the death of laboratory animals was not detected within 14 days after administration, the maximum dose was 5000.0 mg/kg body weight, therefore, the drug “Amoxidev 15” when administered subcutaneously by toxicity can be classified as class VI substances relatively harmless (DL50 Subcut > 4500.0 mg/kg). When administered subcutaneously to white rats, the drug “Amoxidev 15” under conditions of subacute toxicological experiment in doses of 0.1–1.0 ml/kg does not cause hemo-, hepato- and nephrotoxic effects on the body of laboratory animals, although 3-day administration of the drug in a dose 1.0 ml/kg body weight caused an increase in the activity of hepatospecific enzymes ALT and AST by 12.5 and 11.1 % (P < 0.05), respectively, relative to the control, which was restored to the control level 7 days after cessation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-72
Author(s):  
Nadège Motchewo Djuissi ◽  
Ferdinand Ngoula ◽  
Justin Kouamo ◽  
Narcisse Bertin Vemo ◽  
Mathieu Fambo Stive Nono ◽  
...  

Dichrostachys glomerata (D. glomerata) is an aromatic plant which is used as a spice in cooking and Cameroonian traditional medicine to treat infertility in men. This work was designed to highlight the effects of the ethanolic extract of D. glomerata on oxidative status, serum metabolites and reproductive characteristics in female guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). A total of 48 primiparous female guinea pigs, aged 4 months old with the body weight of 400 ± 10 g, were divided into four groups with two replications per group (6 guinea pigs each). During 90 days of trial, Group 1 (control group) orally received 1 ml/kg b.w. of distilled water daily, and groups 2, 3, and 4 received D. glomerata ethanolic extract once a day at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w. using the same method of administration, respectively, for 90 days, including 60 days of gestation. After the first 30 days of treatment, mating was done by placing one non-treated male into cages containing six treated females. At the end of the treatment, data were collected on reproductive characteristics, serum metabolites, and oxidative stress markers. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of D. glomerata induced a significant decrease in the number of post-implantation resorption and ovaries weight. Groups 3 and 4 showed a significant increase in the number of fetuses per dam and viable fetuses as well as placenta weight, compared to the control group. The serum level of progesterone significantly decreased in the group treated with 200 mg/kg D. Glomerata, compared to the other treated groups. The extract at 100 mg/kg body weight showed a significant increase in fetuses weight and fetuses crown-rump length, compared to the control group. Catalase activity significantly increased in the control group than D. glomerata treated groups. In conclusion, ethanolic extract of D. glomerata minimized reproductive stress and subsequently improved the reproductive performance of guinea pigs.


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