BEHAVIOR AND GLUTAMATE TRANSAMINASE CHANGES IN RAT EXPOSED TO LEAD AND TREATED BY WORMWOOD EXTRACT

Objective: Lead poisoning induced severe behavioral abnormalities and impaired cognitive functions in experimental animals. The aim of the present study is to investigate the detrimental effects of lead exposure on the behavior of rats and its association with altered neurochemistry.Methods: Twenty-four young male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: G1: a control group receiving drinking water. G2: intoxicated group (Pb) exposed to lead acetate (1000 ppm in drinking water). G3: receives Wormwood aqueous (A. Ab) extract at a dose of 300 mg/l in drinking water. G4: rats are receiving Pb+A. Ab mixture for 4 additional weeks after intoxication for 8 w. In the present study, locomotors activity in rats was assessed by open field test (OFT) while anxiety and depressive behavior were monitored by elevated plus maze (EPM) and the forced swim test (FST), the evaluation of glutamate metabolizing enzymes in whole brain and lipid peroxidation was carried out in all groups.Results: our results showed that lead acetate intoxication increased the level of lipid peroxidation in brain, decreased brain glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activities and increased glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Also, lead (pb) exposure resulted in increased anxiety and fear-related behavior in both elevated plus maze and light dark box tests, showed hyperactivity in open field test presented by increased horizontal locomotion. However, A. Ab extract reduced the TBARS level by preventing oxidative stress induced by lead and increased glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity.Conclusion: The wormwood extract administration reduced anxiety, fear and locomotion and improved learning ability and memories. Therefore, these results indicated that wormwood is ameliorating the deleterious effects of lead and it appeared to be a protective agent against lead-induced toxicity.Â

Effect of Aluminium and Aqueous extract of Rosmarinus officinalis on rat Brain: Impact on Neurobehavioral and Histological study

'Rosmarinus officilnalis' is a plant used in Mediterranean diet and traditional medicine, possessing various antioxidant and cytoprotective bioactivities. In this study, we investigated the potential neuroprotective efficacy of aqueous Rosemary extract (AER) against neurotoxicity induced by Aluminum (Al), in terms of behavioral, biochemical and histological aspects in young rats. an intraperitoneal injection of Al, at the weekly dose of 60mg/Kg was given to the animals. A treatment of 150mg/Kg/day of AER was administered by gavage over periods of 6 or 12weeks. Al caused intense changes over time in body and brain weight, increase in neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and deficiency in memory skills. Results show also disturbances in locomotors activity, with a significant inhibition of AchE and increase LDH activity compared to control. Additionally, Al induced structural damages in the cerebral cortex, and the CA1 region of hippocampus. However, treatment with AER resulted in improved depression and anxiety state, locomotors activity and restored memory skills. Results show that AER increase the AchE activity and decreased neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex and the CA1 region of hippocampus with the 6weeks treatment but induced disruption and structural modification of brain tissue after the 12 weeks treatment. The Aqueous extract of Rosemary possess a neuroprotector and corrective effect against neurological alterations induced by Aluminum, but when administered over a long period of time, the extract can cause a no beneficial effect and morphologic modifications in cerebral tissue and behavior test. Keywords: Rosmarinus officinalis, Aluminum, neuro-behavior, brain structure

Prognosis of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Without Heart Failure Symptoms.

BACKGROUND Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is increasingly recognized as a treatable cause of heart failure (HF). Advances in diagnosis and therapy have increased the number of patients diagnosed at early stages, but prognostic data on patients without HF symptoms are lacking. Moreover, it is unknown whether asymptomatic patients benefit from early initiation of transthyretin (TTR) stabilizers. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe the natural history and prognosis of ATTR-CM in patients without HF symptoms. METHODS Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with ATTR-CM without HF symptoms were retrospectively collected at 6 international amyloidosis centers. RESULTS A total of 118 patients (78.8% men, median age 66 years [IQR: 53.8-75 years], 68 [57.6%] with variant transthyretin amyloidosis, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 60.5% ± 9.9%, mean left ventricular wall thickness 15.4 ± 3.1 mm, and 53 [45%] treated with TTR stabilizers at baseline or during follow-up) were included. During a median follow-up period of 3.7 years (IQR: 1-6 years), 38 patients developed HF symptoms (23 New York Heart Association functional class II and 14 functional class III or IV), 32 died, and 2 required cardiac transplantation. Additionally, 20 patients received pacemakers, 13 developed AF, and 1 had a stroke. Overall survival was 96.5% (95% CI: 91%-99%), 90.4% (95% CI: 82%-95%), and 82% (95% CI: 71%-89%) at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Treatment with TTR stabilizers was associated with improved survival (HR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12-0.82; P = 0.019) and remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, ATTR-CM type, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.06-0.55; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS After a median follow-up period of 3.7 years, 1 in 3 patients with asymptomatic ATTR-CM developed HF symptoms, and nearly as many died or required cardiac transplantation. Treatment with TTR stabilizers was associated with improved prognosis.This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI18/0765 and PI20/01379). Dr Gonzalez-Lopez has received speaker fees from Pfizer and Alnylam; has received consulting fees from Pfizer and Proclara; and has received research and educational support to her institution from Pfizer, BridgeBio, and Alnylam. Dr Obici has received speaker and consulting fees from Pfizer, Alnylam, and Akcea. Dr AbouEzzeddine has received research grant support from Pfizer. Dr Mussinelli has received speaker fees from Pfizer and Akcea. Dr Dispenzieri has received consulting fees from Janssen and Akcea; and has received research support from Pfizer, Alnylam, Celgene, and Takeda. Dr Perlini has received speaker and consulting fees from Pfizer, Alnylam, and Akcea. Dr Palladini has received speaker fees from Janssen-Cilag, Pfizer, and Siemens; and has participated on an advisory board for Janssen Cilag. Dr Damy has received research grants or consulting fees from Alnylam, Akcea, Pfizer, and Prothena. Dr Grogan has received research grant support and consulting fees to her institution from Alnylam, Eidos, Pfizer, and Prothena. Dr Maurer has received grant support from National Institutes of Health (R01HL139671-01, R21AG058348, and K24AG036778); has received consulting income from Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Eidos, Prothena, Akcea, and Alnylam; and has received clinical trial funding to his institution from Pfizer, Prothena, Eidos, and Alnylam. Dr Garcia-Pavia has received speaker fees from Pfizer, BridgeBio, Alnylam, and Ionis; has received consulting fees from Pfizer, BridgeBio, AstraZeneca, NovoNordisk, Neuroimmune, Alnylam, Alexion, and Attralus; and has received research and educational support to his institution from Pfizer, BridgeBio, and Alnylam. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.S

Phytochemical analysis and antiproliferative properties of Pistacia atlantica leaves

The medicinal plants may serve as potential sources for the development of new drugs and more effective anticancer agents for future therapy. Pistacia atlantica (Vahl.) Masters (Anacardiaceae) is an important plant used in traditional medicine practice in Algeria, and North Africa countries. The present study has the objective to estimate the in vitro antiproliferative (on the RD and Hep2 human tumor cell lines using the3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay) properties of the aqueous extracts of P. atlantica leaves, offering a phytochemical characterization of its aqueous extracts, by spectrophotometry methods. evealed by HPLC, phenolic compounds present among the five different flavonoids identified such as: ((epi)catechin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol glycoside derivatives). The MTT assay revealed that the tested extract had a good activity against Hep2 and RD cell lines with median inhibitory concentration (GI50)> 1000 μg/mL against Hep2 and (IC50) = 825,079 μg/mL against RD, (GI 50). The results showed a great bioactive potential for this species with a significant contribution of phenolic compounds, specially the flavonoids which makes it an interesting matrix in the development of novel pharmaceutical formulations. Planned future studies will involve the identification of different extract other than aqueous extract, determination of the mechanisms of action and the bioactive molecule of plant extracts. Keywords: Pistacia atlantica; aqueous extract; antiproliferative; MTT, HPLC

Oxidative Stress Induction by Lead in Leaves of Radish (Raphanus sativus) Seedlings

Oxidative stress was induced by lead acetate (Pb) in Raphanus sativus seedlings grown in a hydroponic system using sand as substrate. Thirty day old acclimated seeds were treated for 7 days with five Pb levels (0 as control, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg l-1). Parameters such as growth, oxidative damage markers (lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and hydrogen peroxide contents) and enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were investigated. Lead concentration in plant tissues increased with increasing of Pb levels. Shoot fresh weight, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration were significantly decreased at 100 mg l-1 Pb. Lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and H2O2 levels were increased at 500 and 1000 mg l-1 Pb compared to control treatment, in shoots. Peroxidase activity showed a straight correlation with H2O2 concentration, whereas CAT activity decreased only in shoots. These changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants showed that the Pb exposition had a significant disturbance on Raphanus sativus plantlets and affect the biochemical and physiological processes

The Protective Effect of Vitamin E Against Genotoxicity of Lead Acetate Intraperitoneal Administration in Male Rat

Lead is industrial pollutant that may have toxic effects on the male. The aim of this study was to further investigate the protective effects of vitamin E on lead acetate (Pb) induced reproductive toxicities and genotoxicity effects in male rat. Sexually mature male Wistar rats (weighing 120-160 g) were given Pb (20 mg/Kg) and vitamin E (600 mg/kg/rat) orally for 20 days. The sperm counts, sperm motility, sperm morphology, chromosomal aberrations, FSH, LH and testosterone levels, and histopathological changes in the testes of these rats, were investigated at the end of 20 days. Result revealed a statistically significant (

Role of Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) Extract on Oxidative Stress in Ameliorating Lead Induced Haematotoxicity

Effects of ROS generation have been postulated to be major contributors to lead-exposure related disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) on oxidative stress in rats protractedly exposed to lead. Aqueous extract of wormwood plant was administered orally (200 mg.kg−1 body weight). Plasma vitamin C, E and non-protein thiol concentrations, red blood cells (RBC) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione levels and haemolysis test were evaluated. In addition, RBC antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase were also estimated. After 11-weeks, significant decreases of plasma vitamin C, E, non protein-thiol (NP-SH) and RBC-reduced glutathione levels were observed in Pb compared to control group (−32.9%, −57.1%, −53.1%, −33.9%, respectively); superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, uric aminolevulinic acid and haemolysis test significantly increased in Pb compared to control group (+64.3%, +40.3%, +145%, +44.3%, respectively). In our investigation, after 4-weeks of treatment all treated groups did not show any difference compared to the control group, except for glutathione peroxidase and RBC-superoxide dismutase activity (−15.7% and +16.4%, respectively). The findings of this study suggest that wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract restored the enzymes activities perturbed by exposure to lead, and had a protective role against lipid peroxidatio

Toxicity of mercury on the brain: ability of extract of Pistacia atlantica regulated effect

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of 150 mg / kg extract of the plant Pistacia atlantica against mercury-induced oxidative stress Methods: Hg was administered intraperitoneally (2,5 mg/kg body weight, one time a week), and P. atlantica and were given orally by gavage at a daily dose (150 mg/kg body weight) to rats for 32 days. 24 male adult Albinos Wistar rats were divided into four groups: group 1 Control, group 2 (HgCl2) group 3 (Hg + P. atlantica) and group 4 (P. atlantica). Paramatrical tests of oxidative stress and histological sections of the cerebral parenchyma. Results: Our results showed that the intraperitoneal injection of mercury chloride HgCl2 causes deleterious effects in the brain resulting in: a failure of redox status by disrupting the antioxidant defense system by a significant decrease in the activity of catalase glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase and superoxide dismutase acetylcholinesterase and increase of the activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of lipid peroxidation markers were high in TBARS intoxicated rats with protein oxidation increased in the brain intoxicated by. The continuous use of mercury is also at the origin, in brain tissue However, supplementation of P. atlantica extract with mercury-treated rats attenuated some of the harmful and toxic effects of this metal. This clearly demonstrates the protective roles of this plant Keywords: mercury, Pistacia atlantica, Wistar rat, brain, antioxidant, neurotoxicity

The protective effect of vitamin E against genotoxicity of lead acetate intraperitoneal administration in male rat

Lead is an industrial pollutant that may exert specific toxic effects on male mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate further the protective effects of vitamin E on lead acetate (Pb)-induced reproductive toxicities and genotoxic effects on male rats. Sexually mature male Wistar rats (weighing 120-160 g) were given Pb (20 mg/Kg) and vitamin E (600 mg/kg/rat) orally for 20 days. The sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, chromosomal aberrations, FSH, LH and testosterone levels, and histopathological changes in the testes of the rats were investigated after 20 days. Results revealed a statistically significant (p<0.01) increase in the number of abnormal sperm in treated animals. Lead acetate increased the percentage of chromosomal abnormalities. A significant decrease in LH, FSH and testosterone were observed in the treated group compared to the control. Pathological examination of testicular tissues showed degenerative changes of spermatogonia and spermatocytes to advanced degeneration and vacuolation. Lead acetate can be considered to have an environmental genotoxic and cytotoxic effect in the male rat and may contribute to a reduction of fertility. Vitamin E administration could reduce the genotoxic effect of lead in somatic and germ cells