Effects of royal jelly on genotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by valproic acid in albino mice

AbstractEpilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting at least 50 million people worldwide. Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic medication for both generalized and partial seizures of epilepsy. The objective of the study was to investigate the anti-mutagenic and anti-histopathologic effects of royal jelly (RJ) on VPA-induced genotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male albino mice (Mus musculus). 80 Mice were used for 21 days; they were divided into eight groups, (G1) served as normal control group, G2 received VPA (100 mg/kg) and (G3–G5) received RJ at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively. While (G6–G8) were administrated RJ simultaneously with VPA. In RJ treated mice at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, the kidney sections showed normal histological structure with non significant changes in chromosomal aberrations (CA) and mitotic index (MI), while RJ at dose of 200 mg/kg showed mild inflammatory cells infiltration and hyperemic glomeruli but not highly significant changes in CA and MI. The cortex of VPA treated mice revealed congested glomeruli with inflammatory cells infiltration, and marked degeneration of almost structures of the glomeruli including some vacuoles in mesangial cells with dark mesangial substances on the ultrastructure level. Some proximal tubules showed degeneration of microvilli on the apical parts of some cells. Cells of the distal tubules attained obliterated lumen and vacuolated lining epithelium. The results also revealed that valproic acid induced a high frequency of CA in bone marrow cells of mice and MI was significantly decreased indicating bone marrow cytotoxicity. The treatment of mice with RJ at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 21 days simultaneously with VPA resulted in abating the histological alterations in renal tissues with significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations, for doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, and elevation in mitotic index (P < 0.05). RJ at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg appeared more potent in exerting the ameliorative effect

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Protective role of vitamin E against valproic acid-induced cytogenotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in mice

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic medication and has teratogenic effects in both animals and humans. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E (Vit-E) on VPA induced cytogenotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in male albino mice (Mus musculus). Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated by bone marrow chromosomal aberration assay and mitotic index respectively, while hepatic dysfunctions were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. 80 mice were used, they were divided into eight groups, group one (G1) served as negative control group and the other seven groups were administered VPA and Vit-E as follows: G2 received VPA (100 mg/kg) and G3–G5 received Vit-E at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively for 21 days. While the treated groups (G6–G8) were administrated with Vit-E in concomitant with VPA for 21 days. The positive control animals administered VPA alone showed toxic histological and genetical manifestations (at P < 0.05). All the histological alterations in liver were greatly abated using Vit-E with significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations and elevation in mitotic index (P < 0.05). On the basis of the present results, Vit-E at dose 100 mg/kg appeared more potent in exerting the ameliorative effect

BROWN SEAWEEDS AMELIORATE RENAL ALTERATIONS IN MICE TREATED WITH THE CARCINOGEN AZOXYMETHANE

Objectives: The current study was conducted to evaluate the possible protective effects of the brown seaweeds, Turbinaria ornata and Padina pavonia, against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Methods: The experimental mice were allocated randomly into 4 groups as follows; Group I (Normal): mice received two consecutive doses of saline, Group II (AOM): mice received intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg AOM once a week for two consecutive weeks, Group III (AOM + T. ornata): mice received AOM once a week for two consecutive weeks + 100 mg/kg T. ornata extract, and Group IV (AOM + P. pavonia): mice received AOM once a week for two consecutive weeks + 100 mg/kg P. pavonia extract. Both extracts were supplemented orally for 3 weeks starting at the end of 10th week. Results: AOM administration to mice induced renal damage evidenced by the histological alterations, including blood vessel dilatation, degenerated tubules, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltrations, mildly congested blood vessels, degenerated glomeruli, thickened blood vessel wall and other histologic manifestations. In addition, AOM-administered mice showed significantly increased serum creatinine, urea and uric acid as well as elevated renal lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels. Consequently, renal glutathione content and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly declined. Supplementation of either T. ornata or P. pavonia markedly alleviated the AOM-induced alterations. Conclusion: The current findings provide the first evidence that T. ornata and P. pavonia could protect mice against AOM-induced renal damage via abolishment of oxidative stress and potentiation of the antioxidant defense system

Whole spectrum of Aeromonas hydrophila virulence determinants and the identification of novel SNPs using comparative pathogenomics

Abstract Aeromonas hydrophila is a ubiquitous fish pathogen and an opportunistic human pathogen. It is mostly found in aquatic habitats, but it has also been isolated from food and bottled mineral waters. It causes hemorrhagic septicemia, ulcerative disease, and motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) in fish and other aquatic animals. Moreover, it might cause gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia in humans. Different variables influence A. hydrophila virulence, including the virulence genes expressed, host susceptibility, and environmental stresses. The identification of virulence factors for a bacterial pathogen will help in the development of preventive and control measures. 95 Aeromonas spp. genomes were examined in the current study, and 53 strains were determined to be valid A. hydrophila. These genomes were examined for pan- and core-genomes using a comparative genomics technique. A. hydrophila has an open pan-genome with 18,306 total genes and 1620 genes in its core-genome. In the pan-genome, 312 virulence genes have been detected. The effector delivery system category had the largest number of virulence genes (87), followed by immunological modulation and motility genes (69 and 46, respectively). This provides new insight into the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila. In the pan-genome, a few distinctive single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in four genes, namely: d-glycero-beta-d-manno-heptose-1,7-bisphosphate 7-phosphatase, chemoreceptor glutamine deamidase, Spermidine N (1)-acetyltransferase, and maleylpyruvate isomerase, which are present in all A. hydrophila genomes, which make them molecular marker candidates for precise identification of A. hydrophila. Therefore, for precise diagnostic and discrimination results, we suggest these genes be considered when designing primers and probes for sequencing, multiplex-PCR, or real-time PCR