Dual mode of action of Talaromyces purpureogenus CFRM02 pigment to ameliorate alcohol induced liver toxicity in rats

Talaromyces purpureogenus CFRM02 pigment exhibited antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals. The alcohol feeding lead to free radical generation causing pathophysiological processes of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and alcoholic hepatitis. The T. purpureogenus CFRM02 pigment administered to rats ameliorated the ALD by scavenging ROS. The haematological analysis revealed the increased neutrophil circulation. The neutrophil infiltration was observed in the hepatocytes of the rats fed with pigment (600 mg/kg body weight). The increase in number of neutrophils help in the liver regeneration caused by alcoholic hepatitis. The dual mechanism of action of pigment, antioxidant and liver regeneration through neutrophil production is attributed to alleviate the ALD. These results suggested T. purpureogenus CFRM02 pigment represents a novel protective and therapeutic strategy against ALD.

Concomitant Congenital Diaphagmatic Hernia (CDH) and bilateral bacterial glomerulonephritis in a pet chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

Background The domestic chinchilla has been descended from Chinchilla lanigera (long-tailed Chinchilla) or Chinchilla chinchilla (short-tailed Chinchilla). Both species of chinchilla are currently listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Over the past 20 years, they have spread as pets and overall knowledge about their care is improving. The present case report describes a congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a Chinchilla lanigera. Case presentation A 1-year-old, 420 g female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) was presented for clinical examination due to 2 days haematuria episodes and anorexia. A complete haematological analysis was performed, showing a moderate neutrophilia and severe renal involvement. X-rays showed severe intestinal meteorism affecting mostly the cecum, and a soft tissue density mass with translucent areas located in the caudal thorax, making it hard to distinguish the cardiac silhouette. A barium swallow (barium sulfate) was performed and after 20 min, radiograms were performed again, showing part of the stomach dislocated in thorax. Ultrasound was also carried out, confirming the partial stomach herniation into the thoracic cavity and a severe nephropathy. The patient was euthanized according to the owner’s wish and a complete necropsy was performed. The diagnosis was congenital diaphragmatic hernia concomitant to a severe bilateral bacterial glomerulonephritis. Discussion and conclusions Diaphragmatic hernias can be either congenital or acquired. About CDHs in pet chinchillas, literature is still lacking. In this patient there was no history of previous traumas. No scar tissue or thickening involved margins of the pathological diaphragm window at the necropsy, supporting the hypothesis of a congenital defect. Glomerulonephritis most often results from immune-mediated mechanisms, generally after the deposition of soluble immune complexes within the glomeruli. This mechanism is favoured by a prolonged antigenemia that could occur during specific viral infections, chronic bacterial infections, chronic parasitism, autoimmune diseases and neoplasia. Few cases of nephritis are described in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), mostly related to bacterial sepsis or less commonly involving fungi. The evidence of bacterial aggregates in kidneys at the histopathology, confirmed the infective aetiology. No relationship between the diaphragmatic hernia and glomerulonephritis was found in this report.

Haematological, Oxidative Stress and Trace Elements Variations Associated with Emaciation in Pre-Slaughter White Fulani Cows

Pre-slaughter White Fulani cows were purposively sampled on the basis of body condition: emaciated (n=37) and non-emaciated (n=37), with the objective of understanding the intricate interplay of oxidative stress, trace elements and haematological variations during emaciation. Blood was drawn from the jugular vein for haematological analysis and accruing serum was used for the evaluation of malondialdehyde (oxidative stress marker), antioxidant enzymes and compounds, serum protein, electrolytes as well as trace elements. Significant (p < 0.05) differences between the emaciated and non-emaciated cows were established only in the values of copper and reduced glutathione (GSH), which were lower in emaciated cows (EC). None of the animals had packed cell volume (PCV) below the normal reference range, however values above the normal (> 46%) were seen, suggesting dehydration. The PCV in emaciated cattle was slightly lower than in non-emaciated cows. The mean malondialdehyde concentration in non-emaciated cattle was higher than that in emaciated ones, however antioxidants SOD, catalase, Vitamin C and zinc were slightly higher in non-emaciated cows (NEC). Overall, the results indicate that emaciation in studied White Fulani cows (WFC) displayed a variable redox homeostasis confounded by dehydration and depletion of antioxidants.

Combretum dolichopentalum extract normalized biochemical and haematological parameters in carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) intoxicated rats

Background: The ethanol extract of Combretum dolichopentalum (EECD) is employed in Nigeria to stabilize the uterus after parturition. The ability of EECD to confer protection on rats destabilized by moderate concentrations of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was evaluated. Methods: Fifty rats were assigned to 5 groups of 10 rats each. The experimental animals after acclimatization were handled accordingly: Groups 1 and 2 respectively were maintained on food and water only throughout the study. Group 3, 4, and group 5 were pre-treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of EECD and 50 mg/kg of silymarin for 28 respectively. All groups except group 1 were intoxicated to 0.2 ml/kg body weight of CCl4, administered via an intraperitoneal route on day 29. Serum pipetted from the blood of the rats after cardiac puncture was assayed for antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation product and serum iron, zinc and biocarbonate. Haematological analysis was also conducted. Results: Administration of CCl4 at 0.2 ml/kg b.w slightly increased the oxidizing species as indicated in the concentration of malondialdehyde in the rats while reducing the antioxidant enzymes; it increased the Iron and zinc concentrations and also the haematological parameters except for the white blood cells. However, this was corrected by pre-treatment with the EECD dosedependently. Conclusion: These characteristics portends that the crude ethanol extract of C. dolichopentalum could be employed to correct minor oxidative perturbation induced by CCl4 intoxication

Biochemical and haematological indices of rats fed with different processed fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seeds

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) seed is a perennial plant that belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. Several nutritional values of the seeds have been reported. In this present study, thirty rats (average weight= 133 g ± 1.25 g) were randomly allocated to 5 groups of 6 rats each and placed on a conventional diet supplemented with groundnut meal (control), unprocessed fluted pumpkin seed flour (UF_Diet), boiled fluted pumpkin seed flour (BF_Diet), germinated fluted pumpkin seed flour (GF_Diet), and soaked fluted pumpkin feed flour (SF_Diet) for 28 days after which animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for biochemical and haematological analysis. Results revealed that processing improved the protein content of the seed flours. The aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) range from 210.70±2.14 to 517.5±5.39 U/L, 60.6±0.30 to 386.3±3.53 U/L, and 221.7±1.21 to 328.4±3.31 U/L respectively. Processing significantly decreased (p< 0.05) the creatinine content of rats fed supplemented fluted pumpkin seed flours when compare with the control and unprocessed groups. The hematological parameters were also significantly (p<0.05) improved by the dietary treatments. The result of this study revealed that germination, soaking, and boiling were effective processing methods for improving the nutritive values of fluted pumpkin seed meals

​Erythrocyte Parameters as a Diagnostic Tool in Canine Medicine: A Review

The haematological analysis is one of the essential diagnostic and prognostic tools for the health practitioner. Routine hematology consists of erythrocyte, leucocyte and platelet parameters estimation. Erythrocyte parameters (RBC, RDW, haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC) estimation plays a crucial role in identifying anemia and several other acute and chronic conditions. Accurate and precise haematology results depend on correct blood collection procedures, suitable anticoagulants, proper storage and effective blood transport. The individual reference value variance can be due to age, sex, stress, diet, body condition, hydration status and reproductive status. Automatic haeamtology analyzer can yield quick and accurate results provided the sample is free from any artifacts. In conclusion, the accuracy of the result of automatic haematology analyzer in canine medicine is impeded by the lack of precise and rapid comparison procedure, instability and complexity of blood cells. Therefore the findings of the automatic haemotolyzer should always be corroborated with the clinical findings and another laboratory test.

Durational exposure dependent effect of carbamate treated net on haematological indices in wistar rat

The present study was undertaken to investigate the duration of exposure dependent effect of carbamate treated net on haematological indices in Wistar rats. Eighteen (18) Wistar rats were used in this study and designated into three (3) study groups of six rats each. Group 1 was the control group while groups 2 and 3 constituted the experimental groups containing rats exposed to carbamate treated net for 30 and 60 days respectively. At the end of the exposure period, the animals were sacrificed and blood sample were removed for haematological analysis. The result of the study shows that there was a significant increase in the body weight of exposed rats compared to rats in the control group at (P<0.05). Relative organ weight of the exposed rats increased significantly (p<0.05) when compared to rats in the control group. The PCV, Hb, RBC’s, PLT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels all increased insignificantly in the exposed rats when compared to rats in the control group at (p<0.05). The study also revealed that the total White Blood Cell (WBC) counts in the exposed groups was significantly elevated when compared to the control group at (P<0.05). Finally, the result of the study shows a significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of neutrophil of the exposed rats when compared with the control group, while the level of lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes increased insignificantly (p>0.05) in rats exposed for 30 days but increased significantly (p<0.05) in rats exposed for 60 days when compared to rats in their control group. Therefore, the observation from this study suggests that long-term exposure to carbamate treated net may alter the haematological indices and hence lead to various health problem. Keywords: Body Weight, Carbamate, Organs Weight and Heamatological Indices

Novel Dipeptides Bearing Sulfonamide as Antimalarial and Antitrypanosomal agents: Synthesis and Molecular Docking

Objective: Currently, there is a problem of ineffective chemotherapy to trypanosomiasis and the increasing emergence of malarial drug-resistant parasites. This research aimed to develop new dipeptide-sulfonamides as antiprotozoal agents. Background: Protozoan parasites cause severe diseases, with human African trypanosomaisis (HAT) and malaria leading the list. The noted deficiencies of existing antitrypanosomal drugs and the worldwide resurgence of malaria, accompanied by the springing up of widespread drug-resistant protozoan parasites, represent a huge challenge in infectious disease treatment in tropical regions. Methods: In order to discover new antiprotozoal agents, ten novel p-nitrobenzenesulphonamide derivatives incorporating dipeptide moiety were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 3-methyl-2-(4-nitrophenylsulphonamido)pentanoic acid (6) with substituted acetamides (4a-j) using peptide coupling reagents, characterized using 1H and 13C NMR, FTIR, HRMS, and investigated for their antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities in vivo employing standard methods. Results: At 100 mg/kg body weight, N-(2-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-3-methyl-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonamido)pentanamide showed the highest activity by inhibiting P. berghei parasite by 79.89%, which was comparable with the standard drug (artemether-lumefantrine 79.77%). In the antitrypanosomal study, N-(2-(4-chlorophenylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-3-methyl-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonamido)pentanamide, N-(2-(4-fluorophenylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-3-methyl-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonamido)pentanamide, and N-(2-(3-chlorophenylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-3-methyl-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonamido)pentanamide were most potent in clearing Trypanosome brucei in mice. However, they were less active than the standard drug (diminazene aceturate). Molecular docking results demonstrated good binding affinity among the reported derivatives and target proteins in the active place of the protein. The outcome of haematological analysis and liver and kidney function tests showed that the new compounds had no adverse effect on the blood and organs. Conclusions: The results of this research showed that the new compounds demonstrated interesting antitrypanosomal and antimalarial potentials. However, further research should be carried out on the synthesized derivatives as promising drug candidates for trypanosomiasis and malaria.

Improving the Condition of European Hare Through Nutrition

The objective of the article is to evaluate the effects of a newly designed granulated mixture enriched with Bohemian knotweed (Reynoutria x bohemica) on European hare (Lepus europaeus) kept at closed farms. The positive influence of knotweed on the microbiome in the digestive system and better usage of the fodder were proven based on biochemical and haematological analysis of blood. Lower manifestation of pathogenic organisms is also expected. Finally, the positive influence on higher weight gains in baby hares was proven, which improves their condition. The results can be used in practice at closed farms breeding European hare focused on releasing bred young hares into open hunting grounds where it is possible to obtain a monetary contribution for the releasing of hares from a grant of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic in the field of hunting. Furthermore, the results can be used for feeding hares in open hunting grounds.