scholarly journals Cytogenetic and testicular histological alterations induced by sulphur dioxide in dried apricot leather

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-75
Author(s):  
Eiman I. Zaki ◽  
Ahmed R. EL-Mahdy ◽  
Hanan M. EL-Gamal ◽  
Ayman S. El-Seedy
Keyword(s):  
Sulphur Dioxide ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Histological Alterations ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Sperm Abnormalities ◽  
Excessive Consumption ◽  
Growth Of Bacteria ◽  
Positive Controls

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is used as a preservative in food to prevent its discolouration, and to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Little data is available concerning its in vivo hazardous impact.The present study is therefore designed to examine the cyto-genotoxic potential and the testicular histological alterations in adult mice, induced by SO2 present in the dried apricot leather used to prepare the oriental drink Qamar Al-Deen. Two different forms of drinks were tested; cold and boiled drinks. Animals were placed into 4 groups. The first group received distilled water as a negative control.The second and third groups received orally the drink for 28 days in the form of a cold and a boiled drink, respectively. Animals of the fourth group received cyclophosphamide, they were used as a positive control for cyto-genotoxic tests. The chromosomal aberrations, as well as sperm abnormalities, were significantly elevated in animals that received the two different drink preparations. The mitotic index significantly decreased in comparison with negative and positive controls. Furthermore, histological examination showed different degrees of alterations in the testis. Our results suggest that the presence of SO2 inside the apricot leather might be responsible for these changes. Thus, these remarkable hazardous effects of SO2 on male albino mice could be used as a potential guide for the prediction of its human health impact. Furthermore, consumers could be advised to prevent excessive consumption of the drink (Qamar Al-Deen) prepared from dried apricot leather.

In Vitro and In Vivo Neutralizing Activity of Uvaria chamae Leaves Fractions on the Venom of Naja nigricollis in Albino Rat and Bovine Blood

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-311
Author(s):  
Ada Gabriel ◽  
Mamman Mohammed ◽  
Mohammed G. Magaji ◽  
Yusuf P. Ofemile ◽  
Ameh P. Matthew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethyl Acetate ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Haemolytic Activity ◽  
Cytotoxic Activities ◽  
Albino Rat ◽  
Aqueous Residue

Background: Snakebite envenomation is a global priority ranked top among other neglected tropical diseases. There is a folkloric claim that Uvaria chamae is beneficial for the management of snakebite and wounds in African ethnobotanical surveys. Besides, there are many registered patents asserting the health benefits of U. chamae. Objective: This study aimed to investigate U. chamae’s potentials and identify candidates for the development of tools for the treatment and management of N. nigricollis envenomation. Methods: Freshly collected U. chamae leaves were air-dried, powdered, and extracted in methanol. The median lethal dose of the extract was determined and further fractionated with n-hexane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate. Each fraction was tested for neutralizing effect against venom-induced haemolytic, fibrinolytic, hemorrhagic, and cytotoxic activities. Results: U. chamae fractions significantly (p<0.05) neutralized the haemolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom in n-butanol; 31.40%, n-hexane; 33%, aqueous residue; 39.60% and ethyl acetate; 40.70% at the concentration of 100mg/ml of each fraction against 10mg/ml of the snake venom when compared to the positive control. The fibrinolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom was significantly (p<0.05) neutralized in n-hexane at 73.88%, n-butanol; 72.22% and aqueous residue; 72.22% by the fractions of U. chamae. In addition, haemorrhagic activity of N. nigricollis venom was significantly (p<0.05) neutralized by U. chamae fractions at the concentrations of 100mg/ml, 200mg/ml and 400mg/ml except for n-butanol and aqueous residues at 400 mg/ml. Conclusion: U. chamae leaves fractions possess a high level of protection against N. nigricollis venoms-induced lethality and thus validate the pharmacological rationale for its usage in the management of N. nigricollis envenomation.

scholarly journals Therapeutic effects of sesamolin on leukemia induced by WEHI-3B in model mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Senthil Nagarajan ◽  
Jae Kwon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cell ◽  
Neoplastic Cell ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Cytolytic Activity ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Control Drug ◽  
Lysis Activity

AbstractSesamolin is one of the lignans derived from sesame oil. It has demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-mutagenic properties. It also reportedly augments natural killer (NK) cell lysis activity. We previously reported that sesamolin also exerts anticancer effects in vitro and induces enhanced NK cell cytolytic activity against tumor cells. Herein, we aimed to determine the mechanism by which sesamolin prevents and retards tumorigenesis in BALB/c mouse models of leukemia induced by murine (BALB/c) myelomonocytic leukemia WEHI-3B cells. Banded neutrophils, myeloblasts, and monocytic leukemic cells were more abundant in the leukemia model than in normal mice. Sesamolin decreased the number of leukemic cells by almost 60% in the leukemia model mice in vivo; additionally, sesamolin and the positive control drug, vinblastine, similarly hindered neoplastic cell proliferation. Spleen samples were ~ 4.5-fold heavier in leukemic mice than those obtained from normal mice, whereas spleen samples obtained from leukemic mice treated with sesamolin had a similar weight to those of normal mice. Moreover, sesamolin induced a twofold increase in the cytotoxic activity of leukemic mouse NK cells against WEHI-3B cells. These results indicated that sesamolin exerts anti-leukemic effects in vivo.

scholarly journals Newly Emerging Airborne Pollutants: Current Knowledge of Health Impact of Micro and Nanoplastics

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2997
Author(s):  
Alessio Facciolà ◽  
Giuseppa Visalli ◽  
Marianna Pruiti Ciarello ◽  
Angela Di Pietro
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Oxidative Degradation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Outdoor Exposure ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Bodily Fluids

Plastics are ubiquitous persistent pollutants, forming the most representative material of the Anthropocene. In the environment, they undergo wear and tear (i.e., mechanical fragmentation, and slow photo and thermo-oxidative degradation) forming secondary microplastics (MPs). Further fragmentation of primary and secondary MPs results in nanoplastics (NPs). To assess potential health damage due to human exposure to airborne MPs and NPs, we summarize the evidence collected to date that, however, has almost completely focused on monitoring and the effects of airborne MPs. Only in vivo and in vitro studies have assessed the toxicity of NPs, and a standardized method for their analysis in environmental matrices is still missing. The main sources of indoor and outdoor exposure to these pollutants include synthetic textile fibers, rubber tires, upholstery and household furniture, and landfills. Although both MPs and NPs can reach the alveolar surface, the latter can pass into the bloodstream, overcoming the pulmonary epithelial barrier. Despite the low reactivity, the number of surface area atoms per unit mass is high in MPs and NPs, greatly enhancing the surface area for chemical reactions with bodily fluids and tissue in direct contact. This is proven in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and flock workers, who are prone to persistent inflammatory stimulation, leading to pulmonary fibrosis or even carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Ovarian Accumulation of Nanoemulsions: Impact of Mice Age and Particle Size

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8283
Author(s):  
Eike Folker Busmann ◽  
Julia Kollan ◽  
Karsten Mäder ◽  
Henrike Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Reticuloendothelial System ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Measured Signal ◽  
Reproductive Aging ◽  
Sex Steroid Hormone ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Radiant Efficiency

Nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery comes with great benefits due to the unique physicochemical properties of newly developed nanocarriers. However, they may come as well with severe toxicological side effects because of unwanted accumulation in organs outside of their targeted site of actions. Several studies showed an unintended accumulation of various nanocarriers in female sex organs, especially in the ovaries. Some led to inflammation, fibrosis, or decreasing follicle numbers. However, none of these studies investigated ovarian accumulation in context to both reproductive aging and particle size. Besides the influences of particle size, the biodistribution profile may be altered as well by reproductive aging because of reduced capacities of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), changes in sex steroid hormone levels as well as altering ovarian stromal blood flow. This systematic investigation of the biodistribution of intravenously (i.v) injected nanoemulsions revealed significant dependencies on the two parameters particle size and age starting from juvenile prepubescent to senescent mice. Using fluorescent in vivo and ex vivo imaging, prepubescent mice showed nearly no accumulation of nanoemulsion in their uteri and ovaries, but high accumulations in the organs of the RES liver and spleen independently of the particle size. In fertile adult mice, the accumulation increased significantly in the ovaries with an increased particle size of the nanoemulsions by nearly doubling the portion of the average radiant efficiency (PARE) to ~10% of the total measured signal of all excised organs. With reproductive aging and hence loss of fertility in senescent mice, the accumulation decreased again to moderate levels, again independently of the particle size. In conclusion, the ovarian accumulation of these nanocarriers depended on both the age plus the particle size during maturity.

scholarly journals Curcumin and Its Potential Impact on Microbiota

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2004
Author(s):  
Marzena Jabczyk ◽  
Justyna Nowak ◽  
Bartosz Hudzik ◽  
Barbara Zubelewicz-Szkodzińska
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profile ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Poor Solubility ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Bidirectional Interactions

Curcumin is one of the most frequently researched herbal substances; however, it has been reported to have a poor bioavailability and fast metabolism, which has led to doubts about its effectiveness. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and has demonstrated favorable health effects. Nevertheless, well-reported in vivo pharmacological activities of curcumin are limited by its poor solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic profile. The bidirectional interactions between curcumin and gut microbiota play key roles in understanding the ambiguity between the bioavailability and biological activity of curcumin, including its wider health impact.

scholarly journals Lack of WWC2 Protein Leads to Aberrant Angiogenesis in Postnatal Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5321
Author(s):  
Viktoria Constanze Brücher ◽  
Charlotte Egbring ◽  
Tanja Plagemann ◽  
Pavel I. Nedvetsky ◽  
Verena Höffken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Ocular Angiogenesis ◽  
Sprouting Angiogenesis ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Upstream Regulator ◽  
Knock Out Mice ◽  
Hippo Signalling

The WWC protein family is an upstream regulator of the Hippo signalling pathway that is involved in many cellular processes. We examined the effect of an endothelium-specific WWC1 and/or WWC2 knock-out on ocular angiogenesis. Knock-outs were induced in C57BL/6 mice at the age of one day (P1) and evaluated at P6 (postnatal mice) or induced at the age of five weeks and evaluated at three months of age (adult mice). We analysed morphology of retinal vasculature in retinal flat mounts. In addition, in vivo imaging and functional testing by electroretinography were performed in adult mice. Adult WWC1/2 double knock-out mice differed neither functionally nor morphologically from the control group. In contrast, the retinas of the postnatal WWC knock-out mice showed a hyperproliferative phenotype with significantly enlarged areas of sprouting angiogenesis and a higher number of tip cells. The branching and end points in the peripheral plexus were significantly increased compared to the control group. The deletion of the WWC2 gene was decisive for these effects; while knocking out WWC1 showed no significant differences. The results hint strongly that WWC2 is an essential regulator of ocular angiogenesis in mice. As an activator of the Hippo signalling pathway, it prevents excessive proliferation during physiological angiogenesis. In adult animals, WWC proteins do not seem to be important for the maintenance of the mature vascular plexus.

scholarly journals Identification of the MuRF1 skeletal muscle ubiquitylome through quantitative proteomics

Function ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie M Baehr ◽  
David C Hughes ◽  
Sarah A Lynch ◽  
Delphi Van Haver ◽  
Teresa Mendes Maia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
In Vivo Electroporation ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Regulation Of Metabolism ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome

Abstract MuRF1 (TRIM63) is a muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase and component of the ubiquitin proteasome system. MuRF1 is transcriptionally upregulated under conditions that cause muscle loss, in both rodents and humans, and is a recognized marker of muscle atrophy. In this study, we used in vivo electroporation to determine if MuRF1 overexpression alone can cause muscle atrophy and, in combination with ubiquitin proteomics, identify the endogenous MuRF1 substrates in skeletal muscle. Overexpression of MuRF1 in adult mice increases ubiquitination of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins, increases expression of genes associated with neuromuscular junction instability, and causes muscle atrophy. A total of 169 ubiquitination sites on 56 proteins were found to be regulated by MuRF1. MuRF1-mediated ubiquitination targeted both thick and thin filament contractile proteins, as well as, glycolytic enzymes, deubiquitinases, p62, and VCP. These data reveal a potential role for MuRF1 in not only the breakdown of the sarcomere, but also the regulation of metabolism and other proteolytic pathways in skeletal muscle.

scholarly journals The SH2-Containing Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase, Ship, Is Expressed During Hematopoiesis and Spermatogenesis

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 2753-2759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiurong Liu ◽  
Fouad Shalaby ◽  
Jamie Jones ◽  
Denis Bouchard ◽  
Daniel J. Dumont
Keyword(s):  
Primitive Streak ◽  
Inositol Polyphosphate ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Cell Culture Systems ◽  
Physiologic Function ◽  
T Cell Maturation

Ship is a recently identified SH2-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase that has been implicated as an important signaling molecule in cell-culture systems. To understand the physiologic function of Ship in vivo, we performed expression studies of Ship during mouse development. Results of this study demonstrate the expression of ship to be in late primitive-streak stage embryos (7.5 days postcoitus [dpc]), when hematopoiesis is thought to begin, and the expression is restricted to the hematopoietic lineage in mouse embryo. In adult mice, Ship expression continues to be in the majority of cells from hematopoietic origin, including granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes, and is also found in the spermatids of the testis. Furthermore, the level of Ship expression is developmentally regulated during T-cell maturation. These results suggest a possible role for Ship in the differentiation and maintenance of the hematopoietic lineages and in spermatogenesis.

scholarly journals CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling is essential for NK-cell development in adult mice

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamiko Noda ◽  
Yoshiki Omatsu ◽  
Tatsuki Sugiyama ◽  
Shinya Oishi ◽  
Nobutaka Fujii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Cell Development ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Multipotent Progenitors ◽  
Chemokine Signaling ◽  
Chemokine Ligand

Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are granular lymphocytes that are generated from hematopoietic stem cells and play vital roles in the innate immune response against tumors and viral infection. Generation of NK cells is known to require several cytokines, including interleukin-15 (IL-15) and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, but not IL-2 or IL-7. Here we investigated the in vivo role of CXC chemokine ligand-12 (CXCL12) and its primary receptor CXCR4 in NK-cell development. The numbers of NK cells appeared normal in embryos lacking CXCL12 or CXCR4; however, the numbers of functional NK cells were severely reduced in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood from adult CXCR4 conditionally deficient mice compared with control animals, probably resulting from cell-intrinsic CXCR4 deficiency. In culture, CXCL12 enhanced the generation of NK cells from lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors and immature NK cells. In the bone marrow, expression of IL-15 mRNA was considerably higher in CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells than in other marrow cells, and most NK cells were in contact with the processes of CAR cells. Thus, CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling is essential for NK-cell development in adults, and CAR cells might function as a niche for NK cells in bone marrow.

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