Sunset Yellow and Allura Red modulate Bcl2 and COX2 expression levels and confer oxidative stress-mediated renal and hepatic toxicity in male rats

Studies on the adverse health effects caused by azo dyes are insufficient and quite contradictory. This work aims to investigate the possible toxic effect of two types of widely used food additives, Sunset Yellow and Allura Red, by assessing the physiological, histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the liver and kidney. Also, we investigated the genotoxic effect of both dyes on white blood cells. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three groups of 10 animals each: control (received water), Sunset Yellow-treated (2.5 mg/kg body weight) and Allura Red-treated (seven mg/kg body weight). The doses were orally applied for 4 weeks. Our results indicated an increase in the biochemical markers of hepatic and renal function (Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, uric acid and creatinine) in animals administered with the azo dyes. We also observed a noticeable increase in MDA and a marked decrease in total antioxidant levels in azo dye-treated animals compared to controls. Conversely, both dyes adversely affected the liver and kidney of albino rats and altered their histological and fine structure, with downregulation of Bcl2 and upregulation of COX2 expression. Our comet assay results showed a significant elevation in the fold change of tail moment in response to application of Sunset Yellow but not Allura Red. Collectively, we show that Sunset Yellow and Allura Red cause histopathological and physiological aberrations in the liver and kidney of male Wistar albino rats. Moreover, Sunset Yellow but not Allura Red induces a potential genotoxic effect

Histological, Ultrastructural and Physiological Studies on the Effect of Different Kinds Of Energy Drinks on the Liver Of Wistar Albino Rat

Three kinds of energy drinks (Power horse, Red bull and Code red) were used to study their histological, ultrastructural and physiological effects on Wistar albino rat liver. Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was the control, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 were each orally administered with a type of the energy drinks daily for 4 weeks. After two and four weeks of treatment, five animals from each group were killed and dissected. The liver was removed, cut and fixed quickly to carry out light and electron microscopic preparations. Blood samples were collected from each rat via Cardiac puncture method for enzyme determination. The histopathological and ultrastructural results indicated mild hepatotoxicity of Power horse, Red bull and Code red. The alterations in liver ultrastructure were almost similar to each other; however the necrotic areas and the pyknotic nuclei were more obvious in Power horse and Red bull than that of Code red. Moreover, the present study showed that the energy drinks induced an elevation of liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP after two and four weeks of treatment. The data illustrated that power horse was more effective in its action on liver enzymes, followed by red bull and to less extend code red. The different action of the energy drinks on liver function could be attributed to the different mixture of their ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protects the Testis and Blood from the Toxicity of Paracetamol (Overdose) in Adult Male Rats

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is important in people’s daily diets. Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of EVOO against hematotoxicity and testicular toxicity induced by paracetamol overdose in rats. Forty rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 rats were given water (control), Group 2 rats were given oral EVOO daily (2 mL/kg b.wt.), Group 3 rats were given oral paracetamol daily (650 mg/kg b.wt.), and Group 4 rats were given paracetamol and EVOO daily. After 15 days, blood and testis samples were collected for biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural studies. The results show that paracetamol decreased the PCV, Hb, and RBC counts relative to the control, and significantly increased the WBC counts and stab cells in Group 3. A significant decrease in blood testosterone was found in Group 3 compared to the control, while a significant increase in testosterone levels was observed in Group 4 compared to Group 3. Light and electron microscopy showed disorganized seminiferous tubules in Group 3. The testis in Group 4 appeared in normal shape. In conclusion, the results indicate that EVOO protects the testis and blood from paracetamol toxicity and may also increase fertility in male rats

Tartrazine induces structural and functional aberrations and genotoxic effects in vivo

Tartrazine is a synthetic organic azo dye widely used in food and pharmaceutical products. The current study aimed to evaluate the possible adverse effect of this coloring food additive on renal and hepatic structures and functions. Also, the genotoxic potential of tartrazine on white blood cells was investigated using comet assay. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were grouped into two groups of 10 each, control- and tartrazine-treated groups. The control group was administered orally with water alone. The experimental group was administered orally with tartrazine (7.5 mg/kg, b.wt.). Our results showed a marked increase in the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, urea, uric acid, creatinine, MDA and NO, and a decreased level of total antioxidants in the serum of rats dosed with tartrazine compared to controls. On the other hand, administration of tartrazine was associated with severe histopathological and cellular alterations of rat liver and kidney tissues and induced DNA damage in leucocytes as detected by comet assay. Taken together, the results showed that tartrazine intake may lead to adverse health effects

Žafran (Crocus sativus L.) kot zaščita pred poškodbami organov in hematološkimi spremembami pri podganah zaradi aflatoksina B1

Saffron is well-known for its anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Saffron\u27s nutritional and medicinal properties support its numerous uses as a flavouring and herbal remedy. This study investigated the protective efficacy of saffron administration against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced toxicity in adult male Wistar albino rats during an experimental period of 21 days. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common mycotoxin of soils and foodstuffs. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups (Control group, AFB1 group, Saffron group, and AFB1+ Saffron group), and their body weights were measured on days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Blood samples were collected on the 21st day for haematological and biochemical studies (testosterone, kidney and liver function tests, and oxidative stress markers). Tissue samples from testes, liver, and kidney were subjected to histological examinations. The results depicted a significant decrease in the body weights after 7, 14, and 21 days of Saffron, AFB1, and AFB1+ Saffron treatments in comparison to control. Haematological investigations showed that basophils, platelets, monocytes, lymphocytes, and eosinophils greatly increased compared to the control group, whereas neutrophils and eosinophils dramatically decreased. There was a significant rise in the serum levels of uric acid, creatinine, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde. Contrarily, testosterone levels notably reduced in AFB1-administered rats as compared to controls. AFB1 group exhibited several histological modifications in testes, liver, and kidney tissues. Oxidative stress biomarkers, testosterone, kidney and liver functions, and haematological parameters of the AFB1+ Saffron group remained similar to the control group. Kidney and liver tissues of Saffron-treated rats also displayed normal structure similar to the control group, which confirmed its protective efficacy against AFB1-induced toxicity. Saffron\u27s bioactive components and antioxidant and pharmacological properties might have contributed to its promising anti-AFB1-toxicity potential.Žafran je znan po svojih anti-apoptotičnih, protivnetnih in antioksidativnih lastnostih. Prehranske in zdravilne lastnosti žafrana podpirajo njegovo številno uporabo kot začimbe in zeliščnega zdravila. V tej študiji je bila raziskana zaščitna učinkovitost žafrana pred delovanjem aflatoksina B1 (AFB1), pri odraslih samcih podgan Wistar albino v poskusnem obdobju 21 dni. Aflatoksin B1 (AFB1) je pogost mikotoksin v tleh in živilih. V poskusu smo 32 podgan razdelili v štiri skupine (kontrolna skupina, skupina z AFB1, skupina z žafranom in skupina z AFB1 + žafran). Njihovo rast smo spremljali preko telesne teže 1., 7., 14. in 21. dan. Ob zaključku poskus smo 21. dan odvzeli vzorce za hematološke in biokemične analize (testosteron, testi delovanja ledvic in jeter ter markerji oksidativnega stresa). Vzorci tkiva semenčic, jeter in ledvic so bili predmet histoloških preiskav. Rezultati so pokazali znatno zmanjšanje telesne teže po 7, 14 in 21 dneh zdravljenja z žafranom, AFB1 in AFB1+ žafranom v primerjavi s kontrolo. Hematološke preiskave so pokazale, da so se bazofili, trombociti, monociti, limfociti in eozinofili močno povečali v primerjavi s kontrolno skupino, medtem ko so se nevtrofilci in eozinofilci močno zmanjšali. V serumu so se znatno povečale vrednosti sečne kisline, kreatinina, aspartatne transaminaze, alkalne fosfataze, dušikovega oksida in malondialdehida. Nasprotno pa se je raven testosterona pri podganah, ki so prejemale AFB1, v primerjavi s kontrolami opazno zmanjšala. Pri skupini z AFB1 so se pokazale številne histološke spremembe v testisih, jetrih in ledvicah. Biomarkerji oksidativnega stresa, testosteron, delovanje ledvic in jeter ter hematološki parametri skupine z AFB1+ žafranom so ostali podobni kontrolni skupini. Tudi ledvična in jetrna tkiva podgan, zdravljenih z žafranom, so imela normalno strukturo, podobno kontrolni skupini, kar je potrdilo njegovo zaščitno učinkovitost pred toksičnostjo, povzročeno z AFB1. Bioaktivne sestavine žafrana ter njegove antioksidativne in farmakološke lastnosti so morda prispevale k njegovemu obetavnemu potencialu proti toksičnosti AFB1