Methidathion-induced hematological, biochemical and hepatohistological alterations in rat: Ameliorative effects of selenium and zinc

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a sub-acute 4-week exposure to methidathion (MD) on the hematological system and hepatic integrity of rats. We also assessed whether co-administration of micronutrients such as selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) prevented MD-induced hepatic damage. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of six each: the first group served as a control which received standard diet, the second group received both Se (0.5mg/kg of diet) and Zn (0.227 g/l drinking water), the third group received only MD (5 mg/kg b.w. by gavage using corn oil as a vehicle), and the fourth group received MD and combined selenium and zinc. After four weeks, exposure to MD induced a significant increase in plasmatic activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and liver malondialdehyde level. In contrast, reduced glutathione level (GSH), and the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) content of hepatic tissue decreased significantly. Moreover, treatment with Se and Zn in MD-treated rats maintained all the biochemical parameters cited above. In conclusion, the obtained results indicate the ability of Se and Zn to attenuate the MD-induced liver and erythrocytes oxidative damage.Key words: Biochemical studies, liver, methidathion, oxidative stress, rat, selenium, zinc

Extracted tetrodotoxin from puffer fish Lagocephalus lagocephalus induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity to Wistar rats

This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of raw and boiled tissue extracts of Lagocephalus lagocephalus flesh or liver. Five groups of six male Wistar rats each were used. Four groups received a daily intraperitoneal injection of raw or boiled tissue extracts of L. lagocephalus flesh and liver at a dose of 1 ml/100 g (v/w). The fifth group served as a sham and received a daily intraperitoneal injection of saline solution (1 ml/100 g of 0.9% NaCl, v/w). During the experiment, there was a slight decrease in body weight in all treated groups. Our results revealed that the activities of various enzymes like transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) decreased in serum and increased in liver and kidney tissues, producing hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in the treated rats. These observations on the toxicity of this Tunisian puffer fish revealing toxicity especially in the flesh, the edible part of fish, clearly indicate the danger of using this fish as food.Key words: Hepatotoxicity, Lagocephalus lagocephalus, nephrotoxicity