Sub-Chronic Toxicity Evaluation of Tannery Waste Water to Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

This paper was conducted to investigate the sub-chronic toxicity of tannery effluents sourced from Challawa industrial estate Kano, Nigeria using Clarias gariepinus. The study covered physicochemical parameters, haematological, and biochemical stress enzymes assessments. The water quality results revealed mean value of Temperature (29.92±1.93oC), pH (8.14±0.85), DO (1.60±0.38mg/l), BOD (0.77±0.16mg/l), Salinity (7.75±0.60mg/l), Nitrate (1.19 ± 0.05mg/l) and Phosphate (16.48±0.85mg/l). After termination of 21 days sub-chronic test, haematological and biochemical changes analysed were generally considered significantly different (P<0.05) within the treatments. The haematological indices revealed a decrease and sudden increase in concentration of estimated values of PCV, Hb, RBC, MCHC and MCH, while WBC and MCV fluctuated. These may be attributed to stress, the duration of exposure and levels of pollutants in the effluent. Furthermore, oxidative stress enzymes followed an order of SOD > CAT > GSH. This could be due to level of pollutants in the effluent. The results of the data indicated tannery effluent to have a toxic effect on the experimented organism. The information calls for a more enrich toxicity testing that should involve wide range of organisms. It should entail reproductive aspects of the species, detail relationship and enhanced methodological procedures.

Female patients with androgenetic alopecia: immunohistochemical picture of scalp biopsies

The aim of the research. To expand the knowledge about immunohistochemical changes in female patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) focusing on non-androgenic co-factors of pathogenesis of the disease, as this may serve as a basis for improving therapeutic regimens. Materials and methods. Scalp biopsies of female patients with androgenetic alopecia were examined by immunohistochemical method. The study included two groups: the main group of 30 female patients aged 22 to 40 years, average age 32,13±5,03 years, and the control group that included 20 skin samples from women aged 25–40 years (average age 34,75±4,19 years) who underwent autopsies. Results. It was found that AGA in women is characterized by a number of immunomorphological manifestations: the inflammatory infiltrate that consists of immunocompetent T-lymphocytes CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+, macrophages (CD68+); imbalance of growth polypeptides VEGF, TGF-β1, EGFR; accumulation of oxidative stress enzymes eNOS and iNOS; accumulation of pathological fraction of Collagen IV. Conclusions. The data obtained by this study helps to improve the concept of morphogenesis of AGA, and also can become a base to improve the standards of treatment of the disease. The pathological triade “oxidative stress-microinflammation- fibrosis” should be considered as a possible treatment target, as well as the imbalance of growth peptides.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Enzymes of Spawn and Fry of Clarias batrachus (Linn. 1758) Exposed to Artificial UV-B Radiation: A Biomarker Analysis

The present study investigated the impact of the artificial exposure of UV-B radiation, based on different time span and intervals, on spawn and fry of Clarias batrachus at the level of oxidative stress enzymes. The spawn and fry of C. batrachus were exposed for time span of 5 and 10 days at a duration of 5, 10 and 15 min per day. The specific growth rate (SGR%), weight gain (%WG) and oxidative stress enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl (CP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and trypsin were analysed. The specific growth rate and the per cent weight gain of spawn and fry of C. batrachus were decreased as compared to control. The results of the oxidative stress enzymes, viz., SOD, CAT, GSH and NOS were decreased in both spawn and fry of C. batrachus in comparison to control. CP values were increased for both the spawn and fry as compared to control. Trypsin in spawn and fry decreased gradually. This study has been able to explore the impact of UV -B exposure on spawn and fry of C. batrachus in regard to these oxidative stress enzymes, which can be established as biomarkers in monitoring the UV-B radiation pollution. Finally, it infers that the harmful radiations may cause deterioration in fish health as well as yield, so, UV-B radiation becomes a major concern to the aquaculture industry, especially, with regard to sustainable fish production.

Potential Role of Red Palm Oil Supplemented Diet on Oxidative Stress Enzymes in Plasmodium Berghei Induced Malaria

BackgroundMalaria parasites are very vulnerable to oxidative stress during the part of their life cycle when they inhabit the erythrocytes. Studies have shown that dietary intake of antioxidant plays a role in stabilizing oxidative stress.MethodsThe objective of this research work was to examine the antioxidative effect of red palm oil on Plasmodium berghei malaria induced oxidative stress. Sixty (60) mice were distributed into five groups. Group A served as the negative control (healthy mice with normal feed); group B as positive control (healthy mice fed with red palm oil without malaria parasite.while the other groups (C to E) served as the test groups. Group C served as group of healthy mice fed with red palm oil (pelletized), infected with malaria parasite without antimalaria drug. Group D served as group of healthy mice fed with red palm oil (pelletized), infected with malaria parasite and treated with amodiaquine. Group E served as group of healthy mice fed with normal feed, infected with malaria parasite and treated with amodiaquine. The parasitemia levels were estimated on days 1,4 and 5. The activity of oxidative stress enzymes biomarkers were determined spectrophotometrically.ResultGroup A showed a statistically significant increase in the activity of SOD (1.90 ± 0.16 units/mg protein), GST (1.68 ± 0.086 units/L) compared to group C, SOD (3.54 ± 0.83 units/mg protein), GST (2.12 ± 0.20 units/L). Group B showed a statistical significant decrease in the activities of SOD (3.22 ± 0.33 units/mg protein), Catalase (49.11 ± 2.35 µmol/min), GSH-R (31.50 ± 2.48 units/L) compared to group E, SOD (2.18 ± 0.39 units/mg protein), Catalase (44.07 ± 3.88 µmol/min), GSH-R (27.75 ± 1.64 units/L).ConclusionThe dietary intake of red palm oil helps to reduce free radical mediated injury to the tissue thus preventing oxidative stress induced by malaria or any other factors.