Sublethal haematological effects of zinc on the freshwater fish, Heteroclarias sp. (Osteichthyes: Clariidae)

Laboratory study was undertaken to evaluate some haematological changes resulting from the exposure of a freshwater fish, Heteroclarias sp. to sublethal concentrations (5.0 and 10.0 mg L-1) of zincin water for a period of fifteen (15) days. Three groups of ten fish were subjected to serial dilutions of the stock solution of zinc of 0 (control), 5.0 and 10.0 mg L-1 in three large plastic bowls of 60 litrescapacity by the semistatic (renewal) method. At the end of the 15 days exposure period, blood samples were taken from the control and experimental fish. Blood was assayed for selected haematologicalparameters (haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, differential white blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total plasma protein and plasma glucoseconcentration). The derived haematological indices of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated. Sublethal concentrations (5.0 and 10.0 mg L-1) of zinc caused a dose dependent decrease in haemoglobin values, coupled with a decrease in haematocrit values and red blood cell counts are obvious indication of anemia of the norm chronic type. The total white blood cell counts and the differential white blood cell counts were decreased except for the lymphocytes in which there was a slight increase. Plasma level of protein and glucose were also lower in the exposed fish when comparedto the control. The haematological indices MCHC, MCH and MCV were also lowered. In conclusion, the changes observed indicate that haematological parameters can be used as an indicator of zinc relatedstress in fish on exposed to elevated zinc levels

Positive correlation of serum leptin with blood lymphocytes in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective: The objective of this study was to find the association of serum leptin with blood lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear (PMN) percentages as the markers of immune system function as well as nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Design: In a group of maintenance hemodialysis patients, serum leptin, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and white blood cell counts consisting of lymphocytes and PMN cells were measured. Results: A significant positive correlation of serum leptin with body mass index, a significant positive correlation of serum leptin with lymphocyte percentage, and a significant inverse correlation of serum leptin with PMN percentage were seen. Near significant inverse correlations of white blood cell counts with duration and dosage of dialysis, a near significant inverse correlation of white blood cell counts with hemodialysis adequacy, and a significant inverse correlation of white blood cell counts with serum albumin were seen. Conclusion: Generally, increased neutrophil counts and reduced lymphocyte counts are independent predictors of increased mortality risk in hemodialysis patients. Although this study and others showed positive association of serum leptin with lymphocytes and an inverse correlation of serum leptin with PMNs, the authors conclude a protective role for leptin in decreasing mortality in hemodialysis patients; therefore, serum leptin in hemodialysis has a reverse epidemiology role for maintaining immune system function in hemodialysis

Accelerated epigenetic aging in Werner syndrome.

Individuals suffering from Werner syndrome (WS) exhibit many clinical signs of accelerated aging. While the underlying constitutional mutation leads to accelerated rates of DNA damage, it is not yet known whether WS is also associated with an increased epigenetic age according to a DNA methylation based biomarker of aging (the "Epigenetic Clock"). Using whole blood methylation data from 18 WS cases and 18 age matched controls, we find that WS is associated with increased extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (p=0.0072) and intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (p=0.04), the latter of which is independent of age-related changes in the composition of peripheral blood cells. A multivariate model analysis reveals that WS is associated with an increase in DNA methylation age (on average 6.4 years, p=0.011) even after adjusting for chronological age, gender, and blood cell counts. Further, WS might be associated with a reduction in naïve CD8+ T cells (p=0.025) according to imputed measures of blood cell counts. Overall, this study shows that WS is associated with an increased epigenetic age of blood cells which is independent of changes in blood cell composition. The extent to which this alteration is a cause or effect of WS disease phenotypes remains unknown

A seasonal study of the haematology of carp (Cyprinus carpio) from a locality in the Transvaal, South Africa

Various haematological parameters of carp blood were examined on a monthly basis from February to November. Seasonal variations were observed in red and white blood cell counts, in haemoglobin and plasma protein concentrations and in mean corpuscular fragilities. Sexual differences were evident in red blood cell counts, haematocrit values and haemoglobin concentrations. Plasma protein electrophoresis showed marked conformational changes during the study period. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings and also in relation to the use of blood as a possible indicator of breeding season in carp

Effects of Lactobacillus casei on Hematology and Blood Chemistry in Normal and Burned Mice

Effects of the bacterial immunostimulant, Lactobacillus casei YIT 0003 (viable), on hematology and blood chemistry in normal and full thickness burned mice were studied. The white blood cell counts in normal and burned mice pretreated with L. casei cells at an early period after the intraperitoneal or subcutaneous administration of the cells were higher than in untreated animals. Significant increases in the population of neutrophils occurred in both groups of mice, at this period. On the other hand, L. casei cells did not affect red blood cell counts, platelet counts, plasma components, enzyme activities and electrolytes

Relations of Plasma High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein to Various Cardiovascular Risk Factors

This study was performed to evaluate the relation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with several cardiovascular risk factors such as age, blood pressure, smoking habit and serum lipids, body mass index, blood glucose, regular exercise, alcohol drinking, white blood cell counts in a cross-sectional survey. Plasma hsCRP was measured by immunoturbidimetry in 202 subjects, aged over 50 yr, who participated in health-check survey in a rural area of Jeollanamdo, Korea. Plasma hsCRP level was 1.9±3.0 mg/dL. There were significant associations between hsCRP levels and age, white blood cell counts, blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, body mass index and smoking status. In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, white blood cell counts, age, blood glucose, smoking status and body mass index were independent correlates of hsCRP levels. In conclusion, plasma hsCRP levels were associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, and these data are compatible with the hypothesis that CRP levels may be a marker for preclinical cardiovascular disease. Further what we need now are prospective studies to evaluate the association of C-reactive protein concentrations with subsequent cardiac events

Comparative study of fasting blood glucose and haematological parameters of Wistar rat, Rattus norvegicus and the common African toad, Bufo regularis

Haematological parameters are good indicators of the physiological status of animals and useful in understanding the relationship of blood to the environment. This study was carried out to compare the fasting levels of blood glucose and haematological parameters (Red blood cell count, Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin concentration, White blood cell count, Platelet count, and differential White blood cell counts) in Wistar rats, Rattus norvegicus and the common African toad, Bufo regularis. Ten rats and ten toads were used in the study. The animals were divided into two groups. Group I consists of 10 rats while Group II consists of 10 toads. The animals were fasted overnight before blood samples were collected for the determination of blood glucose and blood parameters. The blood glucose was determined using modified glucose oxidase method while the blood parameters were determined using standard laboratory techniques. The results of the study showed that the fasting blood glucose level in rats was significantly higher than that of toad. The fasting levels of blood parameters, packed cell volume, red blood cell counts, haemoglobin concentration in the toad were significantly lower than those of rats while the white blood cell counts of the toads were significantly higher compared with the rats. There were no significant differences in neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts of rats when compared with those of the toad