Prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis in sheep in Northwest of Iran

AbstractThis survey was carried out to determine the infection rate of Coenurus cerebralis in Urmiaabattoir, West Azerbaijan, Iran. A total of 402 sheep heads were examined and the number ofC. cerebralis cysts per each head was recorded. Thirty three sheep heads were examined eachmonth during 12 months from 2006 to 2007. Of 402 heads, a number of 75 heads (18.65%)were infected with C. cerebralis. The cysts located in the left and right hemispheres andcerebellum were 54.63%, 40.20% and 5.15%, respectively. The infected heads contained 1-4cysts. The highest and lowest prevalence were detected in sheep in March (42.42%) and in July(2.94%), respectively. The infection rates according to age of sheep were 42.02% in 0.5 to 2years, 22.50% in 2 to 4 years and 8.92% in older than 4 years. The age specific infection ratesamong age groups were significantly differed (P < 0.05). Infection rate in Haraki breed(27.77%) was higher comparing to the rate in the Ghezel breed (21.13%) and Makoie breed(23.91%). However differences between sheep breeds were not statistically significant (P > 0.05)

PCR-RFLP detection of Haemoproteus spp. (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) in pigeon blood samples from Iran

This study was carried out to determine Haemoproteus spp. infection in pigeons in Iran. Blood sam-ples collected from pigeons were examined for Haemoproteus spp. using stained blood smears and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For PCR, DNA was extracted from blood samples and a fragment of 617 bp in size subjected to PCR using HAEMF and HAEMR2 derived from cytochrome b gene of the parasite mitochondrial genome. A total number of 93 blood samples from pigeons were examined for Haemoproteus spp. of which 13 (13.97%) samples were positive in stained blood smears for Haemoproteus spp. and 27 (24.73%) were positive in PCR. Digestion of PCR product with AluI re-striction endonuclease generated only one distinct pattern for all positive samples, which is indicative of identical Haemoproteus spp. presence in infected pigeons. The results also revealed that PCR had higher sensitivity in detecting Haemoproteus spp. in pigeons

Protective effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Quercus brantii against lead-induced oxidative stress in the reproductive system of male mice

Objective: Exposure to heavy metals such as lead (Pb) results in oxidative stress induction in the male reproductive system. Herbal medicine can be utilized as antioxidant agents against oxidative stress. Quercus brantii (QB) has shown antioxidant activity in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of QB hydro-alcoholic extract against Pb-induced oxidative stress in the male mice reproductive system. Materials and Methods: Forty-two NMRI adult male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups of 6 animals each. Group I was the control group that received no treatment. Group II was the sham group and received 0.2 ml distilled water. Groups III and IV received QB hydro-alcoholic extract 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw, respectively. Group V received Pb 1000 ppm/kg bw. Group VI and VII received Pb 1000 ppm/kg bw and QB extract 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw, respectively. All groups received treatment via oral gavage. After 35 days, sperm parameters (i.e. sperm motility, count and morphology) were evaluated. Levels of sex hormones including LH, FSH, and testosterone, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in animals’ serum.  Results: Exposure to Pb negatively affected sperm parameters (i.e. sperm motility, count and morphology), decreased serum concentrations of sex hormones (i.e. LH, FSH, and testosterone), TAC and SOD activity but increased MDA levels. However, co-administration of 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw QB hydro-alcoholic extract and Pb considerably improved sperm parameters (i.e. sperm motility, count and morphology), increased sex hormones (i.e.LH, FSH, and testosterone), TAC, and SOD activity while decreased MDA levels in animals’ serum. Conclusion: Administration of QB extracts (Low dose and high dose) is able to protect the male reproductive system of mice against Pb-induced oxidative stress

In vitro assessment of the anthelmintic activity of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on egg and adult stages of Fasciola hepatica: evidence on oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA damage

Abstract Objectives Fasciolosis is of significant economic and public health importance worldwide. The lack of a successful vaccine and emerging resistance in flukes to the drug of choice, triclabendazole, has initiated the search for alternative approaches. In recent years, metallic nanoparticles have been extensively investigated for their anthelmintic effects. This study investigates the in vitro anthelmintic activity of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles against Fasciola hepatica. Methods The in vitro study was based on egg hatchability test (EHA), adult motility inhibition tests, DNA damage, ROS levels, as well as several biomarkers of oxidative stress, including glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). For this purpose, different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) (1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 ppm) were used to evaluate the anthelmintic effect on different life stages, including egg and adults of Fasciola hepatica, over 24 h. Results In vitro treatment of F. hepatica worms with both CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs could significantly increase ROS production and oxidative stress induction (decreased SOD, GST and GSH and increased MDA) compared to control group. Conclusions Based on the results, it seems that CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs may be effective in the control and treatment of F. hepatica infection. Further research is needed to investigate their potential for in vivo use in the treatment of parasitic infections

Anthelmintic effects of some medicinal plants on different life stages of Fasciola hepatica: Evidence on oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA damage.

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica is a major public health and economic problem worldwide. Due to the lack of a successful vaccine and emerging resistance to the drug triclabendazole, alternative phytotherapeutic approaches are being investigated. This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) essential oils (EOs) against F. hepatica. The in vitro study was based on an egg hatch assay (EHA), adult motility inhibition assays, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level along with several oxidative stress biomarkers including glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). To this end, different concentrations of L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs (1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/mL) were used to assess anthelmintic effects on different life stages including egg, and adults of F. hepatica for 24 hrs. The results indicated that these EOs play a significant role as anthelminthics, and the effect was dependent on time and concentration. The in vitro treatment of F. hepatica worms with both L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs increased DNA damage, ROS production and induction of oxidative stress (decreased SOD, GST and GSH, and increased MDA), significantly compared to control. Therefore, it can be concluded that L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs have the potential to be used as novel agents for the control and treatment of F. hepatica infections. Further studies are required to investigate their pharmacological potential and effectiveness in vivo for the treatment of parasitic infections

Investigating the Effects of All-trans Retinoic Acid on Histopathology of Pancreas of streptozotocin -Induced Diabetes in C57BL/6 mice

Backgrounds & Objectives: Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and caused by insufficient insulin production by the body. All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) is an antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of ATRA on histopathology of pancreas in diabetic mice. Material & Methods: Diabetes was induced by multiple low-dose of streptozotocin injection (40 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) in male C57BL/6 mice. After induction of diabetes, mice were treated with ATRA (20 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 21 days. On the last day, pancreases were isolated and stained with hematoxylin &eosin (H&E) and Gomeri aldehyde fuchsin (GAF) for histological analyses (the number of islets and β cells, diameter of islets) of pancreas. Results: ATRA treatment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice was increased the mean diameter of islets and the number of islets and beta cells compared to the diabetic group. (p<0/05). Conclusion: The administration of ATRA improved pancreas tissue during destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetes in mice