The association of amniotic fluid cadmium levels with the risk of preeclampsia, prematurity and low birth weight

Background: Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal with ubiquitous environmental distribution. Cadmium is a potent reproductive and developmental toxic agent, and intensive environmental exposure to this substance has been reported among the residents of Tehran. In this study, we investigated the correlation between amniotic fluid cadmium levels and the risk of preeclampsia, prematurity and low birth weight. Methods: This study was conducted on 341 hospitalized pregnant women. Amniotic fluid samples were obtained during childbirth, prepared by acid digestion, and cadmium concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace. Results: In this study, the mean amniotic fluid cadmium concentration in non-smokers was significantly lower (780± 0.231 μg/l) compared to smokers (13.4±0.91 μg/l). Increased amniotic fluid cadmium levels were associated with the reduction of birth weight, and birth weight was below 2500 g in all the cases with amniotic fluid cadmium levels of >15μg/l. Moreover, preeclampsia was more prevalent among smoking mothers compared to non-smokers. The total incidence rate of preeclampsia (12.6) was significantly higher in this study compared to similar studies. In addition, no correlation was found between amniotic fluid cadmium levels and the rate of prematurity. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, cadmium levels of amniotic fluid could be used as sensitive and reliable biomarkers to monitor the reproductive and developmental toxicity of cadmium

FTIR microspectroscopy reveals chemical changes in mice fetus following Phenobarbital administration

Phenobarbital is a phenobarbiturate used as a sedative, anticonvulsant or hypnotic with the doses prescribed and can cause teratogenic effects. The goal of this study was to examine an alternative method for the recognition of the mechanism or the bimolecular potential changes in mice fetus caused by Phenobarbital using FTIR micro spectroscopy. The mice were injected with Phenobarbital (120 mg/Kg) on gestation day 9. Fetuses were dissected on day 15 of gestation and morphological and histological studies on the fetus were carried out. Sections (10 μm) of normal and Phenobarbital treated fetus brains and livers were used for FTIR measurement in the wave number region of 400- 4000 cm. The results were shown by 2 derivatization of spectra and also subtracting from control spectra. In liver, the intensity at 1054 cm, 1155 cm, 1353 cm, 1453cm,1645 cm, 1622 cm, 2944 cm, 2913 cm and 2845 cm were shifted and increased. In the brain, the intensity at 879 cm, 911 cm, 955 cm, 1223 cm, 1256 cm, 1304 cm, 1360 cm, 1453 cm, 1529 cm, 1636 cm, 2845 cm, 2915 cm and 2950 cm were increased and shifted. The most important changes of the fetus brain tissue are on the β structure of proteins due to the amide I bands at 1636 cm, while extensive effects on the DNA structure were obvious for the Phenobarbital treated liver tissues. As a conclusion, FTIR spectroscopy might well be assumed as a potentially powerful teratogenic measurement instrument with a unique ability to identify the modified bimolecular structures. © 2015 by School of Pharmacy Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Data on the effect of lead concomitant noise on oxidative stress in rats

Exposure to chemical and physical factors occur in many occupations. Exposure to ambient pollutants such as noise, heavy metals, drugs enhance free radicals and can cause oxidative stress. The aim of the present project was to investigate noise and lead as two workplace stressors in rats. 20 male rats were assigned into 4 groups randomly. Rats in control group was not exposed to any stressor agent, while the first group was exposed to noise (105 dB, 4 kHz), the second group was exposed to lead acetate (gavage,4 mg/kg), and the last group was exposed to both lead and noise. In order to assess oxidative stress, the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as a product of lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid and also total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by using ELISA kits. Our research showed significant enhancement in levels of malondialdehyde in exposed groups compare to control group. Also our results showed considerable decrease in levels of TAC in exposed groups compared to control group. Lead and noise exposure for 30 days caused a statistically significant enhancement in MDA level and significant decrease in the serum TAC level. On the other hand, statistically no significant difference was observed between the MDA and TAC levels between exposed groups. Moreover, body weight between exposed groups have decreased compared to control group. The outcomes of this study confirms the effect of noise and lead on lipid peroxidation. However, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of oxidative stress through lead and noise exposure. © 201

Data on the effect of lead concomitant noise on oxidative stress in rats

Exposure to chemical and physical factors occur in many occupations. Exposure to ambient pollutants such as noise, heavy metals, drugs enhance free radicals and can cause oxidative stress. The aim of the present project was to investigate noise and lead as two workplace stressors in rats. 20 male rats were assigned into 4 groups randomly. Rats in control group was not exposed to any stressor agent, while the first group was exposed to noise (105 dB, 4 kHz), the second group was exposed to lead acetate (gavage,4 mg/kg), and the last group was exposed to both lead and noise. In order to assess oxidative stress, the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as a product of lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid and also total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by using ELISA kits. Our research showed significant enhancement in levels of malondialdehyde in exposed groups compare to control group. Also our results showed considerable decrease in levels of TAC in exposed groups compared to control group. Lead and noise exposure for 30 days caused a statistically significant enhancement in MDA level and significant decrease in the serum TAC level. On the other hand, statistically no significant difference was observed between the MDA and TAC levels between exposed groups. Moreover, body weight between exposed groups have decreased compared to control group. The outcomes of this study confirms the effect of noise and lead on lipid peroxidation. However, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of oxidative stress through lead and noise exposure. © 201

Human lung carcinoma reaction against metabolic serum deficiency stress

Cancer treatment is still of the greatest challenges that health care providers and patients are facing. One of the unsolved problems in cancer treatment is cells� reaction to metabolic stress caused by harsh nutritional conditions around tumor. In order to be able to treat this disease properly, it is important to understand the true nature of the disease. In fact, the cells inside the central part of the tumor lack sufficient access to blood vessels, nutrients, and growth signals. After tumor shrinkage, the cells are exposed to favorable environmental conditions and might regrow and cause tumor recurrence. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of serum starvation, as a type of metabolic stress, on human lung cancer cell line, A549. These cells were treated with 10 (control), 0.5 and 0.25 serum for 1 to 5 days. At 24 h intervals, the cells were released with 10 serum supplemented media. Starved or released cells were studied for their cycle and morphology. The results showed that the cells were actually arrested at G1 phase and following exposure to optimal conditions, the cells could be back to their cycle again. Furthermore, sub-G1 apoptotic cells population was not increased within the starvation period, while control cells had significant increase in sub-G1 cells. Morphological studies also showed that starved cells could make denser colonies while control cells were entering death phase. These observations provide some evidence for the generation of some effective resistance phenomena in cancer cells against harsh metabolic conditions © 2016 by School of Pharmacy

FTIR determination of miconazole effects on mice fetus brain tissue

Miconazole is an imidazole antifungal agent, commonly applied topically to the skin or mucous membranes. The aim of this study was to examine the alternative method for gaining mechanism or the bimolecular changes caused by the possible teratogenic effects of Miconazole on mice fetus brain tissue using FTIR-Microspectroscopy. The mice were injected with Miconazole (60 mg/Kg) on gestation day 9. Fetuses were dissected on day 15 of gestation and morphological and histological studies on the fetus were carried out. Sections (10 μm) of control and Miconazole treated fetus brain tissue were used for FTIR measurement in the mid- infrared region. The results were shown by spectra 2nd derivative and also subtracting from control spectra. A lower intensity in the lipid (2800–3000 cm-1) and amid I (1600–1800 cm-1) regions of Miconazole treated mice fetus brain tissue was observed compared to the control mice fetus brain tissue. No major spectral shifting was observed at amide I band, amide II band and nucleic acid regions. As a conclusion, FTIR-Microspectroscopy can be a useful tool for teratogenic measurement with a unique ability to identify the modified bimolecular structures in mice fetus tissues. © 2014, Iranian Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. All rights reserved

The effects of radiofrequency radiation on mice fetus weight, length and tissues

The public concern of harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation exposure, especially with rapid increase in the use of wireless and telecommunication devices, is increasing. Some studies show fetal and developmental abnormalities as the result of radiofrequency radiation exposure. We aimed to investigate possible teratogenic effects of radiofrequency in 915 MHz on mice fetus and protective role of vitamin C. 21 pregnant mice were divided into 3 groups. Control group was in normal condition without any stressor agent. Exposure group was exposed to 915 MHz RFR (8 h/day for 10 days) and 0.045 µw/cm2 power density. The exposure plus vitamin C group received 200 mg/kg vitamin C by gavage and was exposed to 915 MHz RFR (8 h/day for 10 days) and 0.045 µw/cm2 power density. The fetus weight, C-R length were measured by digital balance and caliper. Tissues were assessed after staining with H & E. Our results showed significant increase in fetus weight and C-R length and also enlarged liver, tail deformation in mice fetus in exposure group. Although usage of vitamin C caused significant decrease in mentioned parameters. The outcome of this study confirms the effects of radiofrequency radiation on growth parameters such as body weight, length and some tissues in mice fetuses and protective effect of vitamin C. However more studies on non-ionization radiation in different frequencies and severity, during pregnancy are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms of these changes and better protection. © 201

Parabens effects on estrogenic receptors of C13 cell line

Ovarian cancer is one of the major causes of death in women. Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, they mimic estrogens, which are known to play a role in the development of different cancers in women. The Aim of this study was to investigate the proliferative effects of Methyl Paraben (MP) and Propyl Paraben (PP) on human ovarian adenocarcinoma C13 cell line.C13 cell line grown in phenol red-free RPMI 1640, supplemented with 10 NCS, were exposed to either 0-100 μM of estradiol (E)or tamoxifen (T). After 5 days, the number of live cells in each well (12 well plate) was counted using trypan blue assay to obtain the EC50 or LC50 of E and T using the regression fitness analysis on GraphPad Prism© software. The acquired EC50 for E was used for MP and PP exposure, alone or in a co-treatment with LC50 of T to investigate their effects on C13 growth curve.LC50 and EC50 of T and E were 3.125 μg/ml and 12.5 μg/ml, respectively. In a co- administration of these two, T showed to be a good cell growth inhibitor for the first 9 days, when the proliferative effect of estrogenic compounds lead to cell mitosis. Parabens showed estradiol pattern boost in cell growth for the first 8 days, but had more sustained and powerful proliferative effect compared to estradiol with a 300 increase in cell number on day 10. In co-administration with T, MP and E reversed T inhibitory effects from the beginning with MP boosting cell proliferation up to 500 on day 10.Both MP and PP showed delayed proliferative effects much stronger than E on C13 cells. MP was the most potent growth stimulating paraben on C13 cells with a rank order of MP>PP>E. It is concluded that parabens are much toxic in human than thought before, but with a delayed toxicity pattern. More investigation on chronic uses of paraben containing products is required for the safety measurement of these compounds

Teratogenic study of phenobarbital and levamisole on mouse fetus liver tissue using biospectroscopy

Biospectroscopic investigations have attracted attention of both the clinicians and basic sciences researchers in recent years. Scientists are discovering new areas for FTIR biospectroscopy applications in medicine. The aim of this study was to measure the possibility of FTIR-MSP application for the recognition and detection of fetus abnormalities after exposure of pregnant mouse to phenobarbital (PB) and levamisole (LEV) alone or in combination. PB is one of the most widely used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with sedative and hypnotic effects. When used by pregnant women, it is known to be a teratogenic agent. LEV is an antihelminthic drug with some applications in immune-deficiency as well as colon cancer therapy. Four groups of ten pregnant mice were selected for the experiments as follows: one control group received only standard diet, one group was injected with 120 mg/kg of BP, one group was injected with 10 mg/kg of LEV, and the last group was treated simultaneously with both BP and LEV at the above mentioned doses. Drugs administration was performed on gestation day 9 and fetuses were dissected on pregnancy day 15. Each dissected fetus was fixed, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Sections of liver (10 μm) were prepared from control and treated groups by microtome and deparaffinized with xylene. The spectra were taken by FTIR-MSP in the region of 4000�400 cm�1. All the spectra were normalized based on amide II band (1545 cm�1) after baseline correction of the entire spectrum, followed by classification using PCA, ANN and SVM. Both morphological and spectral changes were shown in the treated fetuses as compared to the fetuses in the control group. While cleft palate and C-R elongation were seen in PB injected fetuses, developmental retardation was mostly seen in the LEV injected group. Biospectroscopy revealed that both drugs mainly affected the cellular lipids and proteins, with LEV causing more changes in amide I and lipid regions than PB. Application of PCA, ANN and SVM methods were able to successfully classify these FTIR spectroscopic data and discriminate between control and treated groups of fetuses, making it a new potential tool for drugs teratogenic investigations. © 2016 Elsevier B.V

Learning and memory disorders related to hippocampal inflammation following exposure to air pollution

It has been demonstrated that sub-chronic exposure to air pollution containing nanoscale (�100 nm) diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) may lead to excessive oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation in adult male mice. Hereby, we investigated the effects of DEPs on hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and neuro-inflammation and memory-related gene expression in male mice. In this study, we divided 48 adult NMRI male mice into control group VS. three exposure groups. Mice were exposed to 300-350 μg/m3 DEPs for 2, 5, and 7 h daily for 12 weeks. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Elevated Plus Maze device were used to examine anxiety, spatial memory and learning, respectively. The mRNAs expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits, and glutaminase were studied in hippocampus (HI) by real-time RT-PCR. Besides, malondialdehyde (MDA) tests were used to determine the state of oxidative stress. After 5 and 7 h. of DEPs exposure, mRNA expression of NR2A and NR3B IL1α, IL1β, TNFα, NMDA receptor subunits and MDA levels increased significantly (P < 0.05). Also, DEPs exposed mice for 2, 5, and 7 h. showed diminished entrance into open arms with short time spent there. Indeed, 5 and 7 h/day exposed mice required a longer time to reach the hidden platform. Sub-chronic exposure to DEPs increased oxidative stress markers, neuroinflammation, anxiety, impaired spatial learning and memory. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG