Toxic cardiac effect of cobalt chloride excessive chronic consumption in male Wistar rats

Cobalt is widespread in the natural environment and can be formed as an effect of anthropogenic activity. The ionic cobalt can be transported by blood in the body, causing adverse effects by the generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this research was to describe the changes of myocardial cells during experimental cobalt induced cardiomyopathy. Summarizing the in vivo experiments, it can be stated that severe histotoxic cardiomyopathy occurred in male rats treated with cobalt chloride. Long-term oral administration of cobalt resulted in diminished dietary intake and growth inhibition in the exposed rats compared to the control group. The primary morphological alteration of cardiomyocytes is mitochondrial damage that possibly reflects an enzymatic block of oxidative decarboxylation. Due to that myofibrils of the myocardial cells were affected highlighting that the main cause of myofibril reduction could be a lower oxygen intake in the perinuclear area. The reduction of the contractile support of myocardial cells can explain the possible myocardial dysfunction. Knowing structural changes in cardiomyocytes could explain the pathophysiology of the disease and allow a correct therapeutic approach

The analysis of biological diversity of coronaviruses contributes in the early awareness of their zoonotic spreading

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 rose a new wave of interest to coronaviruses though the first coronaviruses were discovered in the first half of the 20th century. That time coronaviruses were considered as a quite serious veterinary problem but they were not believed to become highly dangerous for humans. However, such ideas were revised in 2002 when SARS-CoV was transferred to human population in the Southeast Asia assumably from the bats, and later in 2012 when natural focus of the MERS-CoV was discovered in the Arabian countries. Using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google scholar, the authors searched for various research and review articles using the combination of terms “coronavirus, Coronaviridae, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, taxonomy”. Due to the increased interest a large number of new Coronaviridae family members was revealed in the first decades of the XXI century. Since then taxonomic structures of coronaviruses underwent significant changes. This review is focused on the need for continued monitoring of the biological diversity of coronaviruses. The structural studies of coronaviruses regardless of the host species may allow us to identify early changes that can affect the evolutionary drift process of a particular HCoV species involved in viral transmission from bats or birds to humans. Taking into account the migratory abilities of bats and especially birds, it is necessary to not only to include coronaviruses in the ecological monitoring programs, but also to expand the scope and depth of environmental and virological monitoring

Еffect of the essential oil of <i>Satureja montana</i> L. on the growth of cultures of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms

Introduction. Essential oils contain antimicrobial components that are highly active against a wide range of microorganisms. Essential oils are natural, environmentally safe, low-toxic substances with a minimal list of side effects; no antimicrobial resistance is formed to them. The aim of the research was to study the influence of the essential oil of Satureja montana L., growing in the Crimea, on the growth of cultures of opportunistic microorganisms. Materials and methods. The short-term effect of savory oil on the growth of referenсе strains of microorganisms was studied in accordance with the European Standard for determining the rate of inactivation of microorganisms by the test substance (1997). To study the long-term effect of savory oil on clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, we used the method of dilutions in a liquid medium, followed by measurement of the optical density of growth of the suspension culture biomass. The effect of savory oil on the formation of biofilms by clinical isolates of S. aureus was also studied. Results. Whole savory oil and its dilutions of 1 : 10 and 1 : 100 with short-term action (1060 min) completely suppressed the growth of referenсе strains of bacteria; growth of the referenсе strain Candida albicans CCM 885 was inhibited only by whole oil and a 1 : 10 dilution, while a 1 : 100 dilution had a bacteriostatic effect. Dilutions of essential oil 1 : 100 and 1 : 1000 had a pronounced antibacterial effect on the suspension culture of clinical isolates of S. aureus. Savory oil also inhibited biofilm formation by 11 isolates S. aureus. Conclusion. The essential oil of Satureja montana L. exhibits a pronounced antimicrobial effect against referenсе strains of S. aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and fungi C. albicans CCM 885. The antibacterial effect of this essential oil on clinical isolates of S. aureus allows us to offer it as a component of combined preparations for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of staphylococcus

Experimental ‏review ‏of ‏cobalt ‏induced cardiomyopathy

The heart is a target of injury for many chemical compounds, both medically prescribed and not. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying development of chemical-induced cardiomyopathies vary depending on the inciting agent, and can include: direct toxic effects, neurohormonal activation, altered calcium homeostasis, and oxidative stress. The fact that drug-induced heart disease, and in particular cobalt-induced cardiomyopathy, does not occur more often, as would be expected from the diversity of various mechanisms, is perhaps surprising. In spite of this, cardiotoxicity remains a major problem of hundreds of pharmaceutical agents, industrial chemicals and naturally occurring products and is often a limiting factor in treatment of certain diseases. Hence, it must be taken in account in the process of clinical decision making and treatment as well as in the process of drug research and development. The primary morphological alteration is mitochondrial damage that possibly reflects an enzymatic block of oxidative decarboxylation at pyruvate and ketogluterate levels. Due to that myofibrils of the myocardial cells were affected highlighting that the main cause of myofibril reduction could be a lower oxygen intake in the perinuclear area. The reduction of the contractile support of myocardial cells can explain the possible myocardial dysfunction. Nuclear changes were consistent with sarcoplasmic alterations, our study showing deformed, twisted, hyperchromatic nuclei with heterogeneous chromatin and even disintegrating nuclei. Changes of the interstitial connective tissue were sometimes extensive and sometimes barely noticeable. The most common alteration of this structure was the onset and development of a mainly perivascular collagen fibrillogenetic process

Protective effect of grapes polyphenol concentrate “Fenokor” in terms of hypoxic myocardial injury

Polyphenols of grapes and their beneficial effects on human health have been known for a long time and still attract more and more research interest.The aim of the research was to reveal cardioprotective properties of polyphenols contained in grape concentrate “Fenokor” in terms of experimental histotoxic hypoxia.Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 21 adult male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups, 2 of which were administered CoCl2 aqueous solution in a dose of 60 mg/kg for 7 days intragastrically. The control group consisted of 5 intact animals. The rats of the second group (n = 8) after the introduction of the cobalt did not receive any treatment, the animals of the third group (n = 8) after the administration of cobalt chloride intragastrically, were given Fenokor aqueous solution at a dose of 2,5 ml/kg along with 0,05 ml of water orally. Morphological study was performed using light and electron microscopy. During the experiment the following biochemical parameters such as contents of malondialdehyde, oxidative modification of proteins were estimated.The results. The result of the influence of cobalt on the heart of animals in experiments is the development of severe cardiomyopathy that requires cardio-protection. Histological structure of myocardium observed in the second group of male rats after cobalt intoxication on the background of grape polyphenol concentrate generally reflected a tendency to minimize the damage extent which was manifested in the form of normalization of cell structures and muscle fibers.Application of Fenokor has demonstrated its antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, which contributed to myocardial structure preservation in rats exposed to histotoxic hypoxia

Grape polyphenols concentrate demonstrates cardioprotection in terms of hypoxic myocardial injury

Objective — Beneficial effects of natural grape polyphenols on human health have been known for a long time and still attract more and more interest of many researchers. The aim of research was to reveal cardioprotective properties of polyphenols contained in grape concentrate "Fenocor" in rats exposed experimental histotoxic hypoxia. Material and Methods — The study was conducted on 21 adult male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups, 2 of which were administered CoCl2 water solution in 60 mg/kg dose for 7 days. The control group consisted of 5 non-exposed animals. The rats of the second group (n=8) after the administration of cobalt chloride did not receive any treatment, the animals of the third group (n=8) after administration of cobalt chloride were additionally given Fenocor – a grape polyphelols water solution at a dose of 2.5 ml/kg diluted in 0.05 ml of water. Morphological study was performed using light and electron microscopy. During the experiment the following biochemical parameters such as contents of malondialdehyde, oxidative modification of proteins were estimated. Results — The outcome of the cobalt toxic exposure on the heart of animals in experiments resulted in the development of severe cardiomyopathy which lead to the need for timely cardioprotection. Histological structure of myocardium observed in the second group of male rats after cobalt intoxication on the background of grape polyphenol concentrate generally reflected a tendency to minimize of the damage extent which was manifested in the form of normalization of cell structures and muscle fibers. Conclusion — Administration of Fenocor has demonstrated its antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, promoted myocardial structure preservation in rats exposed to histotoxic hypoxia