Genotoxic and histotoxic effects of air pollutants at a benzene station on albino rats

Background: This study was designed to explore the hazardous effects of occupational exposure to air pollutants arising from benzene stations.Methods: A total of 48 albino rats were divided into three groups each of sixteen animals. Groups-I and II were kept at a benzene station for 60 and 120 days, respectively; while group-III was kept as a control under normal laboratory conditions. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and bone marrow samples were taken to investigate the effect of air pollutants at a benzene station on chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei formation. Tissue samples were also picked out to evaluate histotoxic effects of these air pollutants.Results: Results indicated pronounced time-dependent effects because of the work place pollutants. Genetic examination revealed higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations and elevated mitotic index after exposure to air pollutants. Micronuclei formation also increased either in polychromatic or normochromatic erythrocyte due to air pollutants. Histopathological examination revealed congestion of the pulmonary blood vessels with pulmonary edema. Bronchial hyperplasia and metaplasia were also seen in late stage of exposure. The liver showed degenerative changes or even necrosis of hepatocytes, while the kidneys showed congestion of the renal blood vessels and glomerular tufts. Hyalinization of the glomeruli was also detected. The heart showed various mononuclear infiltration and the testes showed degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules. Spleen showed hemosiderosis while testes showed degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules.Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicated that benzene exposure may lead to toxic effects including, genotoxicities and histotoxicities. In order to minimize the predicted toxic effect of occupational exposure to benzene the strict protective measures should be put in consideration

Effects of amoxicillin repeated administration on the hemogram and biogram of sheep

Background: The object of the present study was to investigate the possible alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters of sheep that may occur following intramuscular injection of amoxicillin.Methods: Amoxicillin was injected to 10 sheep at a dosage regimen of 7 mg/kg of body weight for 5 successive days. Two types of blood samples (with and without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as an anticoagulant) were collected from the jugular vein before and after the antibiotic course.Results: Amoxicillin significantly (p<0.001) increased total leukocyte count and (p<0.05) absolute eosinophilic count when compared with those of the control samples. Aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol, were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the corresponding control values. In addition, amoxicillin significantly (p<0.05) increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine but decreased phosphorus level when compared with those of prior-administration samples.Conclusions: These data may suggest that although the side changes caused by amoxicillin are minor in sheep, yet the liver and kidney functions should be monitored during its usage in therapy and it should be used with care for treatment of sheep with renal and/or hepatic impairments; its dosage regimen should be adjusted to avoid its hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects

Qualitative identification of the active principles in Citrullus colocynthis and evaluation of its teratogenic effects in albino rats

Background: This study was designed to identify the active contents of Citrullus colocynthis plant and to examine their teratogenicity in rats. The fruit pulp of the poisonous plant was collected randomly from Suq-Alkhamis district, Tripoli, Libya. Methods: The glucoside colocynthin was isolated by lead acetate method while the alkaloids and saponins were isolated by maceration method. These active principles were then identified by chemical tests, color reactions and thin layer chromatography. Possible teratogenic effects of the fruit pulp extract was investigated by its administration to twelve pregnant rats on the 7th day of gestation at a dose of 40.6 mg/kg body weight that is equivalent to one fourth of the LD50 of the extract.Results: Gross anatomical observation on the 20th day of gestation revealed a high percentage of resorbed fetuses, smaller size and weight fetuses as well as absence of coccygeal vertebrae, metacarpal and metatarsal bones, and carpal and tarsal bones.Conclusions: It could be concluded that the extract of fruit pulp of Citrullus colocynthis, obtained from Libya, contain glucosidal as well as other principles that may cause teratogenic effects if given during at the early stage of pregnancy

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, 13736 Moshtohor

Background: To shed some light on full characterization and utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in veterinary medicine, this study, therefore, was designed to clarify the pharmacological effects of two NSAIDs (one selective, that is meloxicam, and the other is non-selective, that is piroxicam) on intestinal contractility of rabbit as a farm animal species.Methods: Rabbits were humanely slaughtered, and segments from different parts of intestinal tracts were dissected out and an intestinal segment of about 2 cm long was fixed in an organ bath containing warm oxygenated Tyrode’s solution at 37°C. The tissue was subjected to a resting tension of 2 g and allowed to equilibrate for 30 min and then the effects of graded increased concentrations of piroxicam and meloxicam were demonstrated on the normal rhythmic motility of the isolated intestinal segments. The sites of action of piroxicam and meloxicam were tried.Results: Piroxicam and meloxicam exhibited concentration-dependent relaxations of intestinal smooth muscle segments with minimal and maximal effects of more potency by prioxicam than meloxicam. Calculated inhibitory concentration 50% were 15.45 and 23.10 μg/ml bath for piroxicam and meloxicam, respectively. Effects of either piroxicam or meloxicam did not involve cholinergic, adrenergic, histaminergic, nitrergic, or purinergic pathways as the application of the corresponding agonists/antagonists did not affect the inhibitory response of piroxicam and meloxicam. It was assumed that the effects of the drugs were attributed to the direct effects of the drugs on the intestines in addition to inhibiting endogenous prostaglandin synthesis activity via their cyclo-oxygenase inhibiting properties.Conclusions: Data of the present study may indicate that piroxicam and meloxicam could be used effectively and safely in rabbits for their anti-inflammatory actions in small therapeutic doses. However, in large doses, they (particularly, piroxicam) may produce depressant effects on gastrointestinal tract motility that should be taken in consideration in the case of introducing these drugs in therapy with larger doses