TRACKING LEAD (Pb) IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF JAKARA, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Lead is considered a toxic substance that is already available in environment and has health impacts. The objective of the present study is to track the availability of lead in the environment of Jakara, Kano State, Nigeria. Lead was tracked in water, soil, and vegetables including lettuce, spinach, and onion. Study methodology involved taking random samples from water, soil, and vegetables at Jakara. Samples were prepared and assayed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Study findings showed that the mean concentration of lead in water was 0.115±0.023 mg/l, while it was in soil 2.46 ±0.95 μg/g. The mean concentration of lead in both lettuce and spinach was the same (22.95+ 3.28 mg/kg), and in onion was 19.67 ±3.28 mg/kg . Conclusions: the present study showed that there is a lead contamination of Jakara region by heavy metal (lead). This contamination is evident in water, soil, and vegetables

Toxic Effect of Aflatoxins in Dogs Fed Contaminated Commercial Dry Feed: A Review

Since its first patent (1897), commercial dry feed (CDF) for dogs has diversified its formulation to meet the nutritional needs of different breeds, age, or special conditions and establish a foundation for integration of these pets into urban lifestyles. The risk of aflatoxicosis in dogs has increased because the ingredients used to formulate CDF have also proliferated, making it difficult to ensure the quality required of each to achieve the safety of the entire CDF. This review contains a description of the fungi and aflatoxins detected in CDF and the ingredients commonly used for their formulation. The mechanisms of action and pathogenic effects of aflatoxins are outlined; as well as the clinical findings, and macroscopic and microscopic lesions found in aflatoxicosis in dogs. In addition, alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and control of aflatoxins (AF) in CDF are analyzed, such as biomarkers of effect, improvement of blood coagulation, rate of elimination of AF, control of secondary infection, protection of gastric mucosa, reduction of oxidative stress, use of chemo-protectors, sequestrants, grain-free CDF, biocontrol, and maximum permitted limits, are also included

F-Actin Distribution Changes Provoked by Acetaminophen in the Proximal Tubule in Kidney of Adult Male Rat

Abstract Acetaminophen is a drug used to treat many conditions as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothache, and fever between others, but collateral effects of this drug are not well known yet. Here is tested its effect on proximal tubule epithelium. Acetaminophen (APAP) at doses of 200, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/Kg i.p. caused cell damage and changes in F-actin distribution in the proximal tubule of male Wistar rats. After 48 hours of treatment, the proximal tubule epithelium showed tumefaction and necrosis. Dose of 200 mg/kg decreased the F-actin and was observed a structure in patches in the basal cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the proximal tubule. This effect was increased depending on the administered dose. Dose of 1000 mg/kg produced the highest histological damage and changes in the actin cytoskeleton. Results of this study suggested that nephrotoxic damage produced by high doses of APAP included breakdown of cytoskeleton in proximal tubule epithelium