The responses by gut-associated and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues of buffalo calves following oral exposure to Pasteurella multocida B:2

This report describes the mucosal immune response in the gastro-intestinal and respiratory tracts of buffalo calves following oral exposure to live wild-type Pasteurella multocida B:2. Nine buffalo calves of approximately 8 months old were treated with intramuscular injections of dexamethasone for 3 consecutive days before they were divided into 3 groups. Calves of group 1 were exposed orally to 50 ml inoculums containing 109 colony forming units (CFU)/ml of live wild-type P. multocida B:2. Calves of group 2 were exposed intratrachea with 5ml of the same inocula while calves of group 3 were given 50ml of PBS orally. At the end of day 7 post-exposure, all surviving calves were killed and organs of gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts were processed for histology examination. The presence of lymphoid nodules, the size of the nodules and the number of lymphocytes were noted. Both oral and intra-trachea exposures elicited mucosal responses in both gastro-intestinal and respiratory tracts. Oral exposure stimulated significantly (p <0.05) superior mucosalresponse in the gastrointestinal tract, while intratracheal exposure stimulated significantly (p<0.05) superior mucosal response in the respiratory tract. Overall, oral exposure was ableto stimulate the distance mucosal sites such as the respiratory tract and provides potential use for oral administration of live vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia

Germinated brown rice and its bioactives modulate the activity of uterine cells in oophorectomised rats as evidenced by gross cytohistological and immunohistochemical changes

BACKGROUND: Germinated brown rice (GBR) is gaining momentum in the area of biomedical research due to its increased use as a nutraceutical for the management of diseases. The effect of GBR on the reproductive organs of oophorectomised rats was studied using the gross, cytological, histological and immunohistochemical changes, with the aim of reducing atrophy and dryness of the genital organs in menopause. METHODS: Experimental rats were divided into eight groups of six rats per group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 (sham-operated (SH), oophorectomised without treatment (OVX) and oophorectomised treated with 0.2 mg/kg oestrogen, respectively) served as the controls. The groups 4,5,6,7 and 8 were treated with 20 mg/kg Remifemin, 200 mg/kg of GBR, ASG, oryzanol and GABA, respectively. All treatments were administered orally, once daily for 8 weeks. Vaginal smear cytology was done at the 7th week on all the rats. The weight and dimensions of the uterus and vagina were determined after sacrifice of the rats. Uterine and vaginal tissues were taken for histology and Immunohistochemical examinations. RESULTS: GBR and its bioactives treated groups significantly increased the weight and length of both the uterus and the vagina when compared to Oophorectomised non-treated group (OVX-non-treated) (p < 0.05). Significant changes were observed in the ratio of cornified epithelial cells and number of leucocytes in the vaginal cytology between the oophorectomised non-treated and treated groups. There was also an increase in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells activity in the treated compared with the untreated groups histologically. Immunohistochemical staining showed specific proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the treated groups, which was absent in the OVX-non-treated group. GBR improved the length and weight of the uterus and also increased the number of glandular and luminal cells epithelia of the vagina. CONCLUSION: GBR and its bioactives could be a potential alternative in improving reproductive system atrophy, dryness and discomfort during menopause

Development of cockleshell (Anadara granosa) derived CaCO3 nanoparticle for doxorubicin delivery

Despite the progress made in cancer treatment, difficulties are encountered with tumour targeting due to cancer structural complexity. The synthesis of homogenous calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles could be a carrier for doxorubicin in the management of bone cancer due to its osteoconductive and physicochemical properties with simple synthesis method to produce large scale. Among the nanocarriers, CaCO3 nanoparticles have exhibited promising potential as targeting drug nanocarrier. The aim of this study is to synthesised and characterised doxorubicin-conjugated CaCO3 nanoparticle (CS-CaCO3NP-DOX), using a simple precipitation and mechanical approach to synthesise homogeneous CaCO3NP from cockleshell. The oven-dried nanoparticles were further characterised for its physicochemical properties before and after conjugating with doxorubicin. A homogenous aragonite, spherical, porous nanocarrier was obtained with a mean diameter of 24.9 nm and zeta potential of –21 mV. The energy dispersion X-ray analysis revealed high proportion of calcium as a major element in the nanoparticle. The spectrum peak suggests little alteration upon incorporation of doxorubicin. Higher loading content and encapsulation efficiency were recorded with CS-CaCO3NP. These properties underscore the potential of CS-CaCO3NP in the delivery of doxorubicin, thus giving it a high potential for application in the delivery of the anticancer in the management of cancers

Fabrication, characterization and cytotoxicity of spherical-shaped conjugated gold-cockle shell derived calcium carbonate nanoparticles for biomedical applications

The evolution of nanomaterial in science has brought about a growing increase in nanotechnology, biomedicine, and engineering fields. This study was aimed at fabrication and characterization of conjugated gold-cockle shell-derived calcium carbonate nanoparticles (Au-CSCaCO3NPs) for biomedical application. The synthetic technique employed used gold nanoparticle citrate reduction method and a simple precipitation method coupled with mechanical use of a Programmable roller-ball mill. The synthesized conjugated nanomaterial was characterized for its physicochemical properties using transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). However, the intricacy of cellular mechanisms can prove challenging for nanomaterial like Au-CSCaCO3NPs and thus, the need for cytotoxicity assessment. The obtained spherical-shaped nanoparticles (light-green purplish) have an average diameter size of 35 ± 16 nm, high carbon and oxygen composition. The conjugated nanomaterial, also possesses a unique spectra for aragonite polymorph and carboxylic bond significantly supporting interactions between conjugated nanoparticles. The negative surface charge and spectra absorbance highlighted their stability. The resultant spherical shaped conjugated Au-CSCaCO3NPs could be a great nanomaterial for biomedical applications

Immunohistochemical evaluation of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves orally exposed to Pasteurella multocida B:2

The gastrointestinal lesions and bacterial distribution of buffalo calves were evaluated histologically using immunoperoxidase, following oral exposure to wild-type Pasteurella multocida B:2 at 109cfu/mL in phosphate buffered saline. The lesions were basically of mild to severe mucohaemorrhagic abomasitis and enteritis.The lesions were confirmed to be associated with the inoculated P. multocida B:2, using the immunoperoxidase technique. P. multocida B:2 antigen was detected not only in the bacterial clusters in the gastric pits, intestinal epithelia and capillaries, Brünner’s glands and Crypt of Lieberkühn but was also seen interacting with infiltrating neutrophils and macrophages intracellularly and on the surface of erythrocyte in congested vessels and haemorrhages. We observed higher localization and distribution of the immunoperoxidase reaction with increased severity of lesions along the gastrointestinal tract. This suggest intensity increases with increased amount of P. multocida B:2 or antigen in the tissue, which possibly leads to increase tissue damage

Curcumin-loaded cockle shell-derived calcium carbonate nanoparticles: a novel strategy for the treatment of lead-induced hepato-renal toxicity in rats

Lead (Pb) toxicity affects the hepatic and renal systems resulting to homeostasis imbalance. Curcumin is a strong antioxidant but has restrained clinical applications due to its poor bioavailability. Nanomedicine showed promising potentials in drug delivery and has brought forth the use of cockle shell-derived aragonite calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CSCaCO3NP) to enhance the effectiveness and targeted delivery of curcumin (Cur). Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effect of curcumin-loaded CSCaCO3NP (Cur- CSCaCO3NP) on lead-induced hepato-renal toxicity in rats. Thirty-six male adults Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups. All groups contained six rats each except for group A, which contained 12 rats. All rats apart from the rats in group A (control) were orally administered a flat dose of 50 mg/kg of lead for four weeks. Six rats from group A and B were euthanized after four weeks of lead induction. Oral administration of curcumin (100 mg/kg) for group C and Cur-CSCaCO3NP (50 and 100 mg/kg) for groups D and E respectively, commenced immediately after 4 weeks of lead induction which lasted for 4 weeks. All rats were euthanized at the 8th week of the experiment. Further, biochemical, histological and hematological analysis were performed. The findings revealed a biochemical, hematological and histological changes in lead-induced rats. However, treatments with the Cur-CSCaCO3NP and free curcumin reversed the aforementioned changes. Although, Cur-CSCaCO3NP presented better therapeutic effects on lead-induced toxicity in rats when compared to free curcumin as there was significant improvements in hematological, biochemical and histological changes which is parallel with attenuation of oxidative stress. The findings of the current study hold great prospects for Cur-CSCaCO3NP as a novel approach for effective oral treatment of lead-induced hepato-renal impairments

Cockle shell-derived calcium carbonate (aragonite) nanoparticles: a dynamite to nanomedicine

Cockle shell is an external covering of small, salt water edible clams (Anadara granosa) that dwells in coastal area. This abundant biomaterial is hard, cheap and readily available with high content of calcium carbonate in aragonite polymorphic form. At present, cockle shell-derived calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CSCaCO3NPs) with dual applications has remarkably drawn significant attention of researchers in nanotechnology as a nanocarrier for delivery of different categories of drugs and as bone scaffold due to its beneficial potentials such as biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, pH sensitivity, slow biodegradation, hydrophilic nature and a wide safety margin. In addition, CSCaCO3NP possesses structural porosity, a large surface area and functional group endings for electrostatic ion bonds with high loading capacity. Thus, it maintains great potential in the drug delivery system and a large number of biomedical utilisations. The pioneering researchers adopted a non-hazardous top-down method for the synthesis of CSCaCO3NP with subsequent improvements that led to the better spherical diameter size obtained recently which is suitable for drug delivery. The method is therefore a simple, low cost and environmentally friendly, which involves little procedural steps without stringent temperature management and expensive hazardous chemicals or any carbonation methods. This paper presents a review on a few different types of nanoparticles with emphasis on the versatile most recent advancements and achievements on the synthesis and developments of CSCaCO3NP aragonite with its applications as a nanocarrier for drug delivery in nanomedicine

Effects of EBN on embryo implantation, plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones, and uterine expressions of genes of PCNA, steroids, growth factors and their receptors in rats

This study was conducted to determine the effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on uterine function and embryo-implantation rate. A total of 24 adult female rats, divided equally into four groups, were treated with different doses of EBN for 8 weeks. In the last week of treatment, intact fertile male rats were introduced into each group (three per group) for overnight for mating. On day 7 post-mating (post-implantation), blood samples were collected from the hearts of anaesthetised rats that were later sacrificed. The uteri were removed for assessment of embryo implantation rate, histological and electron microscopic examination, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results showed that as the concentration of EBN supplemented increased, the pregnancy and embryo implantation rates were also increased in the treated groups; significantly at G3 and G4. Although histological evaluation did not show much difference among the groups, scanning electron microscopic examination showed enhanced development of elongated microvilli and pinopods in G4. Results also revealed up-regulated expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nulear antigen (PCNA), and progesterone and estrogen receptors (P4R, E2R) in the uteri of treated groups. Moreover, plasma E2, P4, growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (P) levels were higher (p < 0.05) in G3 and G4. The EBN increased the antioxidant (AO) and total AO capacities (TAC) and reduced oxidative stress (OS) levels in pregnant rats. In conclusion, findings of this study revealed that EBN enhances fertility and embryo implantation rate via promoting proliferation and differentiation of uterine structures as evidenced by the upregulation of the expressions of steroid receptors, EGF, EGFR, VEGF, and PCNA in the uterus. Furthermore, observations of improved growth of ultrastructural pinopods that assist in embryo attachment with uterine epithelium, increased concentrations of E2, P4, GH and P levels, as well as increased AO capacities with reduced OS levels in the treated groups might reflect additional possible mechanisms by which EBN enhances embryo implantation rate and pregnancy success

Curcumin Attenuates Lead-Induced Cerebellar Toxicity in Rats via Chelating Activity and Inhibition of Oxidative Stress

Lead (Pb) is a toxic, environmental heavy metal that induces serious clinical defects in all organs, with the nervous system being its primary target. Curcumin is the main active constituent of turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potentials of curcumin on Pb-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups with 12 rats in the control (normal saline) and 6 rats in each of groups, i.e., the lead-treated group (LTG) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks), recovery group (RC) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks), treatment group 1 (Cur100) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks, followed by 100 mg/kg curcumin for four weeks) and treatment group 2 (Cur200) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks, followed by 200 mg/kg curcumin for four weeks). All experimental groups received oral treatment via orogastric tube on alternate days. Motor function was assessed using a horizontal bar method. The cerebellar concentration of Pb was evaluated using ICP-MS technique. Pb-administered rats showed a significant decrease in motor scores and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity with increased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, a marked increase in cerebellar Pb concentration and alterations in the histological architecture of the cerebellar cortex layers were recorded. However, treatment with curcumin improved the motor score, reduced Pb concentration in the cerebellum, and ameliorated the markers of oxidative stress, as well as restored the histological architecture of the cerebellum. The results of this study suggest that curcumin attenuates Pb-induced neurotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress and chelating activity

Ameliorative effect of curcumin on lead-induced hematological and hepatorenal toxicity in a rat model

Introduction: Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous toxic heavy metal that inflicts numerous clinical consequences on humans. Curcumin is the principal component of turmeric, which is reported to have antioxidative properties. This study aimed at evaluating the ameliorative effects of curcumin on Pb-induced hepatorenal toxicity in a rat model. Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups with 12 rats in the control (normal saline) and six rats each for the lead-treated group (LTG) (50 mg/kg lead acetate [Pb acetate] for 4 weeks), recovery group (50 mg/kg Pb acetate for 4 weeks and left with no treatment for another 4 weeks), treatment group 1 (Cur100) (50 mg/kg Pb acetate for 4 weeks, followed by 100 mg/kg curcumin for 4 weeks), and treatment group 2 (Cur200) (50 mg/kg Pb acetate for 4 weeks, followed by 200 mg/kg curcumin for 4 weeks). All the experimental groups received oral treatments via orogastric-tube on alternate days. Pb concentration in the liver and kidney of the rats were evaluated using inductive-coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques. Results: Pb-administered rats revealed significant alteration in oxidative status and increased Pb concentration in their liver and kidney with obvious reduction of hemogram and increased in leukogram as well as aberration in histological architecture of the liver and kidney. However, treatment with curcumin reduces the tissue Pb concentrations and ameliorates the above mention alterations. Conclusions: The results in this study suggested that curcumin attenuates Pb-induced hepatorenal toxicity via chelating activity and inhibition of oxidative stress