Polychromatic Erythrocytes Research Articles

Withaferin A, a steroidal lactone, selectively protects normal lymphocytes against ionizing radiation induced apoptosis and genotoxicity via activation of ERK/Nrf-2/HO-1 axis

Increasing use of ionizing radiation (IR) in medicine, industry, agriculture and research ensues potential health hazards if not used properly or contained effectively. However, radioprotectors which are effective in clinical and/or accidental radiation exposures are still elusive. In this direction, we have explored the radioprotective potential of Withaferin A, a plant withanolide, which was recently shown to be safe and well tolerated in cancer patients in a clinical trial and is also known to be a radio-sensitizer in cancer cells. Our results show that, Withaferin A (WA) protected only normal lymphocytes, but not cancer cells, against IR-induced apoptosis and offered radioprotection even when added post-radiation exposure. WA treatment led to significant inhibition of IR-induced caspase-3 activation and decreased IR-induced DNA damage to lymphocytes and bone-marrow cells. WA reduced intracellular ROS and GSH levels and only thiol based anti-oxidants could abrogate the radio-protective effects of WA, indicating a crucial role of cellular/protein thiols in its biological activity. The inability of WA-glutathione adduct to offer radioprotection further underscored the role of cellular thiols. WA induced pro-survival transcription factor, Nrf-2, and expression of cytoprotective genes HO-1, catalase, SOD, peroxiredoxin-2 via ERK. Further, WA administration could rescue mice against radiation induced mortality, DNA damage, increase in micro-nucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mn-PCEs) and increased ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) to Normochromatic Erythrocytes (NCEs) in bone-marrow, demonstrating its potent in vivo the radio-protective efficacy. In conclusion, WA selectively protects normal cells against IR-induced apoptosis via activation of cytoprotective Nrf-2 pathway.

Supplementation with sesame oil suppresses genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and enterotoxicity induced by sodium arsenite in rats

BackgroundSesame oil, an edible essential oil, is known to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and lignans with several reported health-promoting benefits. Acute arsenic poisoning produces toxic hepatitis, bone marrow depression and adverse gastrointestinal responses. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of sesame seed oil (SSO) against genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and colonic toxicity induced by sodium arsenite (SA) in Wistar rats.MethodsTwenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control, SA only (2.5 mg/kg), SA + SSO (4 ml/kg) and SSO alone for eight consecutive days. Liver function and morphology, bone marrow micronuclei induction, colonic histopathology, mucus production and immune expression of Bcl-2, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), MUC1 and cytokeratins AE1/AE3 were evaluated.ResultsSA provoked increased serum activities of liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and caused severely altered morphology of hepatic and colonic tissues with increased frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs/1000PCE) in the bone marrow. In addition, SA triggered increased expression of colonic CEA and MUC1 but weak Bcl-2 immunoexpression. However, cotreatment with SSO demonstrated protective activities against SA-induced damage, as indicated by significantly reduced serum ALT and AST, fewer micronucleated bone marrow erythrocytes and well-preserved hepatic and colonic morphologies compared to the SA-treated rats. Furthermore, SSO protected the colonic mucosa by boosting mucus production, elevating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and reducing CEA expression. GC–MS analysis of SSO revealed that it was predominated by linoleic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, and tocopherols.ConclusionsOur data indicated that SSO protected the liver, colon and bone marrow potentially via anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. The data suggest that sesame oil has potential therapeutic applications against chemical toxicities induced by arsenic.

Micronuclei analysis in mice peripheral blood exposed to polarized polychromatic noncoherent light (Bioptron® Light)

The increase in cancer in recent years suggests an inadvertent exposure to agents that cause genetic damage. The polarized polychromatic noncoherent light Bioptron® lamp is used to accelerate healing, among other therapeutic applications and its potential carcinogenic effects as a mitogenic agent have not been explored. The objective was to evaluate the genotoxicity of the Bioptron light therapy by means of the micronucleus assay in mouse erythrocytes. Male SKH1 hairless mice were randomly divided into six groups (5 mice/group); Group 1: negative control received ambient light; Group 2: positive control was exposed to ultraviolet light lamp A (UV-A) for 80 min; Experimental Groups 3–6 were exposed to the Bioptron lamp light for 10, 20, 40 and 80 min, respectively. Exposures in all groups were once a day for 4 days and blood smears were performed daily for 5 days and subsequently read with a microscope equipped with epifluorescence. The values of micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE), micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) and the proportion of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) were determined. The study group that received the UV-A light was the only one that increased MNE and MNPCE values, while in the groups exposed to the Bioptron lamp and the negative control did not show increases in any of the sampling days. In conclusion, under the conditions presented here, our results suggest that the light of the Bioptron lamp does not cause damage to the genetic material of SKH1 mice, by means of the micronucleus test in peripheral blood.

Acute Oral Toxicity and Genotoxicity Test and Evaluation of Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil.

Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO) is one of the important natural medium chain triglycerides (MCT) resources, with more than 95.00% of medium chain fatty acids found in the world, and has various physiological effects. However, CCSKO has not been generally recognized as a safe oil or new food resource yet. The acute oral toxicity test and a standard battery of genotoxicity tests (mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, Ames test, and in vitro mammalian cell TK gene mutation test) of CCSKO as a new edible plant oil were used in the study. The results of the acute oral toxicity test showed that CCSKO was preliminary non-toxic, with an LD50 value higher than 21.5 g/kg body weight. In the mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, there was no concentration-response relationship between the dose of CCSKO and micronucleus value in polychromatic erythrocytes compared to the negative control group. No genotoxicity was observed in the Ames test in the presence or absence of S9 at 5000 μg/mL. In vitro mammalian cell TK gene mutation test showed that CCSKO did not induce in vitro mammalian cell TK gene mutation in the presence or absence of S9 at 5000 μg/mL. These results indicated that CCSKO is a non-toxic natural medium-chain oil.

More efficient induction of genotoxicity by high-LET Fe-particle radiation than low-LET X-ray radiation at low doses

ObjectiveTo understand differential effects on induction of genotoxicity and genomic instability (GI) by high-LET particle radiation and low-LET photon radiation, based on ground-based experiments using total body irradiation (TBI) of mice with Fe-particle radiation and X-ray radiation. MethodsTBI was delivered to C57BL/6J Jms strain female mice of 8 weeks old at a dose ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 Gy of Fe-particle radiation or at a dose ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 Gy of X-ray radiation. Induction of genotoxicity and GI by TBI was determined respectively at 1 and 2 months after exposure using frequency of micronuclei in bone marrow erythrocytes as the endpoint. Inhibition of bone marrow cell proliferation by TBI was measured as reduced erythropoiesis. Physiological conditions were also investigated. ResultsTBI, regardless of the type of radiation, caused statistically significant increase in genotoxicity at 1 month after exposure, but did not induce GI at 2 months after exposure even at higher doses (>1.0 Gy). The dose-response curve for the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes induced by Fe-particle radiation and X-ray radiation was y ​= ​0.7798 ​+ ​1.7889x– 0.5978x2 (R2 = 0.8109) and y ​= ​0.7421 ​+ ​1.3792x – 0.2588 x2 (R2 = 0.8081), respectively. The dose-response curve for the frequency of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes induced by Fe-particle radiation and X-ray radiation was y ​= ​0.7191 ​+ ​1.4545x – 0.4978x2 (R2 = 0.7047) and y ​= ​0.658 ​+ ​1.344x – 0.2531x2 (R2 = 0.7853), respectively. In general, high-LET Fe-particle radiation was more efficient in inducing genotoxicity than low-LET X-ray radiation at lower doses (<0.5 Gy). ConclusionsThese results further confirm that exposure to TBI, even at higher doses and regardless the type of radiation, does not induce GI in C57BL/6J strain mice measured as increased micronuclei in bone marrow erythrocytes. These findings indicate that radiation-induced GI is mouse strain dependent and suggest that more comprehensive studies should be done to explore the late health consequences from exposure to high-LET radiation at low doses.

Genotoxic and chemopreventive potentials of ethanol leaves extract of Annona muricata on N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-induced pro-leukaemia carcinogen in mice model by bone marrow micronucleus assay

Background. Studies have proven the effect of several agents, including natural products, to induce, prevent and treat genotoxicity through experimental models and clinical trials. In this study, the genotoxic preventive potential of Annona muricata ethanol extract on N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU)-induced pro-leukaemia in mice models using micronuclei formation in bone marrow was assessed. Materials and methods. Forty-eight mice weighing 18-24g were randomly divided into six groups of eight mice. The mice were intravenously administered 20mg/kg of NEU 48 hourly 3 times, 80mg/kg of NEU 48 hourly 3 times. The negative control was fed with feed and water only. We introduced 0.2ml (0.1g/ml) ethanolic extract of Annona muricata for 3 weeks prior to NEU low dosage administration, 0.2ml (0.1g/ml) ethanolic extract of Annona muricata for 3 weeks prior to ENU high dosage and Annona muricata (ethanolic extract) administration, and gave commercial diet to the adverse/ toxicity group. The bone marrow was harvested, smeared and stained using MayGrumwald. The procedure enabled the determination of micronucleus polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) microscopically. Results. Groups exposed to various dosages of the ENU yielded significantly increased MNPCEs, with group B producing higher MNPCEs. The groups treated with the extract displayed a significant reduction in the MNPCEs despite prior exposure to concentrations of NEU. The adverse group displayed no difference in MNPCEs compared with the negative control. Conclusion. The ENU induced genotoxicity depending on its concentration. The extract displayed a profound capacity to prevent genotoxicity and alleviate leukaemia with good tolerance.

In vivo cytogenotoxicity testing of isotretinoin by the micronucleus assay in the blood of male Sprague-Dawley rats Isotretinoin is cytotoxic and genotoxic

Isotretinoin (ISO), one of vitamin A-derived retinoids, is comparatively the most widely prescribed drug in acne vulgaris pathogenesis. Despite its excellent therapeutic success, the systemic use of this drug showed undesirable serious side effects such as teratogenesis, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. The uses of retinoids in cancer therapy are limited due to severe adverse reactions. This has led the scientific community to ask for further studies qualifying ISO features and comparing their efficacy and safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytogenotoxicity of multiple oral doses (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg, daily for seven consecutive days) of ISO in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The micronucleus assay was used to investigate genotoxicity biomarkers such as the percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (%MNPCEs) and the percentage of aberrant cells (%Abc). Another goal was to test the cytotoxicity of the drug by measuring the ratio between PCEs and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) (PCEs/NCEs). In comparison with the control, the three cytogenetic endpoints: %MNPCEs, P/N, and %Abc significantly (P ≤ 0.0017) dose-dependent increase. This suggested genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the tested ISO doses. Therefore, the therapeutic uses of ISO should be restricted to a very narrow range border. Further studies are needed to shed more light on the safety profile of ISO therapy.

In Vivo Evaluation of Genotoxic Effects of Sivanar Amirtham Formulation on Rats Using Micro Nucleus Assay

Traditional medicine may also cause genetic damage that may increase the possibility of cancer and other diseases. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the genotoxic testing of Siddha drugs. Therefore, a latest take a look at become performed to evaluate the in vivo genotoxic effects of Sivanar Amirtham in mice using micro nucleus assay. Three different doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg / kg b.w were selected in accordance with OECD guidelines. In a micronucleus test, the administration of one oral Sivanar Amirtham at 100, 200 and 400 mg / kg b.w did no longer increase with the mean amount of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or PCE percentage for both sexes showing non clastogenicity. For this reason it could be concluded, Sivanar Amirtham showed no vast genotoxic impact on the rats in both sexes. Sivanar Amirtham was therefore not carcinogenic and therefore could be used safely.

Comparative evaluation of the genotoxicity of carbendazim technical grade active ingredients in the Ames test and micronucleus in vivo test

Introduction. Carbendazim is a systemic benzimidazole fungicide used against a wide range of crop diseases. The ability of carbendazim to induce the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in mammalian cells by influencing the processes of mitotic spindle formation in the cell cycle have been shown in various in vitro and in vivo tests. Contradictory data were obtained in the bacterial test system Salmonella/microsomes, indicating both the absence and the presence of mutagenic activity of carbendazim. The discrepancy in the results may stem from the presence of impurities. The aim of the study was a comparative evaluation of the genotoxicity of various technical products of carbendazim. Materials and methods. The genotoxicity of carbendazim was studied using the plate incorporation version of the Ames test on 5 strains of Salmonella typhimurium in the presence and the absence of metabolic activation system (+S9/-S9) and in a micronucleus test in CD-1 mice. Two technical grade active ingredients (TGAI) and an analytical standard for carbendazim were tested. Results. In the Ames test, the analytical standard of carbendazim possessed no mutagenic activity (±S9) on any of the strains. The most pronounced mutagenic effect was observed for the TGAI I in TA98 strain, the number of revertants at the maximum concentration was 5-7 times higher than that in the negative control. The positive effects of carbendazim TGAIs in the Ames test are likely mediated by the presence of impurities. Under in vivo conditions, all tested TGAIs of carbendazim induced a statistically significant and dose-dependent formation of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) of mouse bone marrow. The mean frequency of PCE with micronuclei at the maximum dose exceeded this rate in the negative control by 21-24 times. Research limitations. The study is limited to testing the mutagenic activity of two samples of carbendazim technical products and one sample of its analytical standard in both in vivo and in vitro tests. Conclusion. Taking into account the high content of the active substance in the tested TGAIs, the bacterial reverse mutation test is a highly sensitive method for assessment of the equivalence of carbendazim generic products. The use of a micronucleus test for evaluating of the equivalence of carbendazim TGAIs to the original substance is inappropriate due to the pronounced aneugenic effect.

The effect of low doses of chlorpyrifos on blood and bone marrow cells in Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic potential of low doses of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on blood and bone marrow cells in adult male Wistar rats. CPF was administered by oral gavage at daily doses of 0.010, 0.015, and 0.160 mg/kg of body weight (bw) for 28 consecutive days. Positive control (PC) was administered 300 mg/kg bw/day of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) for the final three days of the experiment. Toxic outcomes of exposure were determined with the in vivo micronucleus (MN) assay and alkaline comet assay. The 28-day exposure to the 0.015 mg/kg CPF dose, which was three times higher than the current value of acute reference dose (ARfD), reduced body weight gain in rats the most. The in vivo MN assay showed significant differences in number of reticulocytes per 1000 erythrocytes between PC and negative control (NC) and between all control groups and the groups exposed to 0.015 and 0.160 mg/kg bw/day of CPF. The number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes per 2000 erythrocytes was significantly higher in the PC than the NC group or group exposed to 0.015 mg/kg bw/day of CPF. CPF treatment did not significantly increase primary DNA damage in bone marrow cells compared to the NC group. However, the damage in bone marrow cells of CPF-exposed rats was much higher than the one recorded in leukocytes, established in the previous research. Both assays proved to be successful for the assessment of CPFinduced genome instability in Wistar rats. However, the exact mechanisms of damage have to be further investigated and confirmed by other, more sensitive methods.

Ratlarda Nikel Sülfatın Genotoksisitesine Karşı Likopenin Koruyucu Etkisi

Aim: Nickel, which has a wide usage area in industries, has teratogenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic, and genotoxic effects. In this study, the protective effects of lycopene, which has antioxidant properties, were investigated against genotoxicity caused by nickel sulfate. Materials and Methods: In the study, a total of 24 rats (Wistar albino) were divided into four groups: Group I (control) daily by saline intraperitoneal (i.p.) and corn oil oral gavage (0.5 ml); Group II nickel sulfate (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was dissolved in physiological saline; Group III lycopene corn oil (0.5 ml) was suspended by oral gavage at 20 mg/kg doses; Group IV lycopene was suspended in corn oil (0.5 ml) and given by oral gavage at 20 mg/kg doses, 2 hours later, nickel sulfate (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered for 21 days. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) and polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) were examined by bone marrow micronucleus test, which is one of the genotoxicity tests. Results: It was determined that the administration of lycopene for preventive purposes decreased the MNPCE levels significantly (p

Genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of food azodyes: preclinical safety assessment using the in vivo micronucleus assay

This study evaluated the genotoxic effects of azodyes (ponceau 4R, red 40, sunset yellow and tartrazine) by the use of in vivo micronucleus assays. Swiss albinus young adult mice of both sexes, healthy and heterogeneous, were used in the micronucleus assay. Groups of animals were treated using a single dosing regimen and euthanized at 24 and 48 hours. The study design included treatment groups (0.5, 1.0 and 2 g/kg of azodyes) and negative (150 mM NaCl) and positive (50 mg/kg of NEU) control groups. Bone marrow polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes and micronucleated PCE (MNPCE) were statistically analyzed: frequency and PCE:NCE ratio. For animal groups treated with all azodyes, analyses of the frequency of MNPCEs and PCE/NCE ratio showed significant differences between the treatment groups (0.5-2 g/kg) and the control groups (NaCl and NEU). Each azodye exhibited genotoxic and systemic toxic effects correlated to treatment dose, time of euthanasia, and sex of the animal. The data suggest potential clastogenic and/or aneugenic effects that can potentiate systemic toxic risks associated with the azodyes whether the genotoxicity be dependent on dose (ponceau 4R, sunset yellow, and tartrazine), time (ponceau 4R, red 40, and sunset yellow), or sex (red 40 and tartrazine).

Abstract 1171: Genotoxic preventive potential of ethanol leaves extract of Annona muricata on N-Nitroso-N-ethylurea pro-leukaemia carcinogen in mice by bone marrow micronucleus assay

Abstract Background: Genotoxicity which is an important indicator of DNA damage, repair and cell rejuvenation has been a predisposing factor to cancer development evidenced by bone marrow suppression in leukemia and studies have proven the effect of several agents inclusive of natural products to induce, prevent and treat genotoxicity through experimental models and clinical trials. Aim:The genotoxic preventive potential of Annona muricata ethanol leaves extract on N-nitroso-N-ethylurea (NEU) pro-leukemia carcinogen in mice model using micronuclei formation in bone marrow was assessed. Materials and Methods: 48 mice weighing 18-24g were randomly divided into six groups of eight mice each comprising of the; mice intravenously administered 20mg/kg of NEU 48 hourly 3 times (A); 80mg/kg of NEU 48 hourly 3 times (B); negative control fed with feed and water only (C); 0.2ml (0.1g/ml) ethanolic leaves extract of Annona muricata for 3 weeks prior to administration of low dose of NEU (D); 0.2ml (0.1g/ml) ethanolic extract of Annona muricata for 3 weeks prior to administration of high dose of NEU (E); and Annona muricata (ethanolic leaves extract) and commercial diet for adverse/toxicity group (F). After six weeks of last exposure, animals were ethically sacrificed, bone marrow harvested, smeared, stained using MayGrumwald and number of micronucleus polychromatic erythrocyte (MNPCEs) were determined microscopically.Result: Groups exposed to various dosage of the NEU yielded significantly increased MNPCEs with group B producing higher MNPCEs than A. The groups treated with extract displayed a significant reduction in the MNPCEs despite the prior exposure concentrations of NEU. The adverse group displayed no difference in MNPCEs when compared with the negative control (Table 1). Conclusion: The extract displayed profound capacity to prevent genotoxicity thereby alleviating leukemia condition and it is well tolerated. Week Number Groups (Mean±Standard deviation of MNPCE) A B C D E F 2 14.13±0.56 50.45±2.31 4.52±0.34 6.15±0.49 17.11±1.11 4.53±0.45 3 15.01±0.18 53.77±1.95 4.61±0.67 7.85±0.98 20.34±2.34 4.62±0.23 4 16.11±0.22 56.95±2.01 4.91±0.88 8.01±1.01 25.11±1.67 5.63±0.45 5 19.64±1.68 68.23±1.56 4.82±0.75 10.07±0.67 30.54±2.34 5.92±0.67 Citation Format: Olufemi Emmanuel Akanni, Eunice Oluwaseyi Bamisaye, Sunday Anthony Fashina, Fatai Adesina Abdulraheem, Solomon Olufemi Fadiora. Genotoxic preventive potential of ethanol leaves extract of Annona muricata on N-Nitroso-N-ethylurea pro-leukaemia carcinogen in mice by bone marrow micronucleus assay [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1171.

Chemical Characterization and In Vivo Toxicological Safety Evaluation of Emu Oil.

In this study, the physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, antioxidant activities, and in vitro as well as in vivo toxicological safety of emu oil were investigated. Emu oil was shown to have a low acid and peroxide value, low amounts of carotenoid and phenolic compounds, and high doses of oleic acid and linoleic acid. Furthermore, in a bacterial reverse mutation assay, emu oil demonstrated no change in the amount of revertant colonies for all strains. In a chromosomal assay, no aberrations occurred in any of the emu oil treatment groups (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μg/mL). In the bone marrow micronucleus test, emu oil up to 20 mL/kg showed no significant increase in the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. Moreover, emu oil up to 19.3 mg/kg body weight did not affect body weight in an acute oral toxicity study. These results are crucial for the adoption of emu oil as an alternative source of edible oil.

Hepatoprotective effect of the radiation countermeasure flagellin in the long term after irradiation of mice

Purpose Purpose is to study the hepatoprotective effect of a new promising radiation countermeasure flagellin, in the long term after irradiation. The results of the study can be useful for mitigating the consequences of man-made radiation accidents, protecting professional contingents, reducing the toxic effect of radiation therapy, and expanding the range of drug use. Materials and methods Effect of flagellin was investigated 10 months after its administration of irradiated male of mice F1 (CBAхC57Bl/6). Flagellin (0.2 mg/kg) was administrated once intraperitoneally before exposure of mice to low-intensive (10 mGy/min) γ-radiation at a dose of 12.65 Gy. The effect was evaluated in three groups: control, irradiated mice without of flagellin and with the administration flagellin 30 minutes before irradiation. Cytogenetic and cytotoxic effect in bone marrow was studied with micronucleus assay (OECD 474), in liver – with the original technique for cytome analysis of hepatocytes after fixation of liver pieces with 10% formalin, dissociation of cells with 50% KOH, staining with aceto-orcein and light green. The proportion of cells 2n, 2n + 2n, 4n, 4n + 4n, ≥8n and ≥8n + 8n was determined. Cytogenetic disorders were counted as cells with micronuclei, nuclear buds, and internuclear bridges. The ploidy index and nuclearity index were defined. Results In all studied groups of mice, the frequency of polychromatic bone marrow erythrocytes with micronuclei and hepatocytes with cytogenetic disorders did not exceed the background level. A decrease in the ploidy index of hepatocytes by 4.3 times was established 10 months after exposure to low-power ionizing radiation. In mice treated with flagellin before irradiation, the ploidy index was normalized to control. Conclusions A decrease in the ploidy of hepatocytes was revealed 10 months after exposure to a high dose of low-power ionizing radiation, which may indicate the initiation of carcinogenesis. For the first time, a new aspect of the anti-radiation effect of promising radiation countermeasure flagellin was established and its hepatoprotective properties were determined in the long term after exposure to ionizing radiation.

Toxicity assessment of emamectin benzoate and its commercially available formulations in Pakistan by in vivo and in vitro assays

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is generally considered a safe insecticide in agriculture and veterinary practices, yet, it can cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate toxic effects of 80% EMB and its commercially used formulations (Tycon 1.9% EC and Tycon plus 5% EW) in Pakistan and tested for acute toxicity in albino rats, rabbits and fish (Labeo rohita). Genotoxicity was investigated by in vivo comet assay and bone marrow micronucleues test in the rats. In vitro mutagenicity was tested in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. The tested EMB formulations were found moderately toxic (oral LD50: 122–168 mg/kg), causing severe eye irritation in rabbits, highly toxic to fish (LC50: 9–43 μg/L) and found non mutagenic. Oral administrations of EMB (80% and 5%) at 100 mg/kg of body weight to male rats reduced red blood cells, hemoglobin, and slightly increased the blood glucose, urea and liver enzymes levels but had no significant damage to DNA. EMB induced bone marrow toxicity was observed as reduction of polychromatic erythrocytes. Overall, EMB exposure was highly toxic to fish, and caused hemo- and hepatotoxicity in rats. These findings warrant cautious use of EMB formulations in agrochemicals and veterinary medicine.

Costus speciosus extract protects against the oxidative damage of zearalenone via modulation of inflammatory cytokines, Nrf2 and iNOS gene expression in rats

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin that induces severe health disturbances in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds in Costus speciosus extract (CSE) using GC-MS and evaluate its protective capability against ZEN-induced oxidative damage, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity in rats. Six groups of male Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally for 15 days including the control group, CSE-treated groups at low (200 mg/kg b. w) or high (400 mg/kg b. w) dose, ZEN-treated group (40 μg/kg b. w), and the groups treated with ZEN plus the low or the high dose of CSE. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different assays and pathological analyses. The results of GC-MS indicated the identification of 6 compounds and Azulene was the major. Animals that received ZEN showed severe disturbances in serum biochemical, cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, mRNA expression of iNOS, Nrf2, and inflammatory-related genes. ZEN also increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) and comet tail formation in bone marrow cells along with the disturbances in the histological architecture of the liver and kidney. Co-administration of CSE plus ZEN could normalize the majority of the tested parameters and the histological picture at a dose as low as 200 mg/kg b. w. Therefore, CSE protects against ZEN toxicity via its antioxidant activity, modulation of iNOS, inflammatory-related genes, and the Nrf2 pathway and it could be used in the endemic regions.

Modulatory effect of Luteolin on potassium dichromate‐induced nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and genotoxicity via Kim‐1/Nrf2 signaling pathways

Environmental and occupational exposure to chromium compounds has become a potential aetiologic agent for kidney disease through excessive generation of free radicals, induction of apoptosis and exaggerated inflammatory responses. These are some pathophysiologic mechanisms of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) toxicity with attendant nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. The cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects of Luteolin, a known potent antioxidant were evaluated in this study as described; Group A (normal saline), Groups B (30 mg/kg K2Cr2O7), Group C (Luteolin 100 mg/kg and K2Cr2O7 30 mg/kg), and Group D (Luteolin 200 mg/kg and K2Cr2O7 30 mg/kg), respectively.Markers of antioxidant defense system, oxidative stress, blood pressure and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPEs) were determined. Immunohistochemistry of Kidney Injury molecule (Kim‐1), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cardiac troponin I (CTnI) were also determined.Our results showed that administration of K2Cr2O7increased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures, markers of oxidative stress, the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes together with a significant reduction in serum nitric oxide bioavailability.Immunohistochemical staining revealed higher expression of renal Kim‐1 and cardiac troponin I in rats intoxicated with K2Cr2O7. However, lower expression of renal and cardiac Nrf2 were also observed in Luteolin co‐administered rats. Furthermore, co‐treatment with Luteolin restored blood pressure parameters, with concomitant reduction in oxidative stress indicators, augmented in vivo antioxidant status and improved serum NO levels. Lowered expressions of Kim‐1, CTnI and up‐regulation of both cardiac and renal Nrf2, and reduced frequency of micronucleated polychromatic. Taken together, this study demonstrates for the first time the antihypertensive, cardioprotective, nephroprotective and antigenotoxic effects of Luteolin against potassium dichromate induced‐toxicity through antioxidant and radical scavenging mechanisms.

Inhibitory effects of saeu-jeot extract on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and radiation-induced micronucleus formation.

PurposeSaeu‐jeot, or shrimp paste, is a traditional Korean high‐salt fermented seafood. This study elucidated the effects of saeu‐jeot extract (SJE) on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and radiation‐induced micronucleus formation.MethodWe treated lipopolysaccharide‐primed mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages with the NLRP3 inflammasome activators ATP and nigericin. We also analyzed the acute effects of ionizing radiation on micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) in whole‐body gamma‐irradiated male BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice after oral administration of SJE.ResultsSJE significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reducing IL‐1β secretion in vitro. In addition, the frequency of MnPCEs was significantly lower in SJE‐treated mice.ConclusionsSJE has anti‐inflammatory effects and reduces radiation‐induced chromosome damage. Advance in knowledge: There are no reports concerning the effects of SJE on NLRP3 inflammasome activation or radioprotection. This experiment showed the radioprotective effects of saeu‐jeot.

Safety evaluation of carbon tetrafluoride as an inert hyperbaric breathing gas in Sprague-Dawley rats

Carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) is an inert gas with higher molecular weight and lower water solubility than commonly used hyperbaric breathing gases. These inert gas properties decrease time required to decompress and avoid decompression sickness after deep dives. To assess CF4 toxicity, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 8 atm absolute (ATA) air (10 males, 10 females) or 8 ATA 79% CF4/21% O2 (25 males, 25 females). Exposures were 30 min daily for 5 days. Rat behavior was normal throughout the testing period. There were no gross or microscopic pathology abnormalities following repeat dose exposure. Male body weight trends were similar between groups. Female body weight trends were 0.5 ± 0.8% day−1 for hyperbaric air exposure and − 0.2 ± 0.8% day−1 for hyperbaric CF4 exposure (P = 0.01) but remained within literature cited norms. Organ weights and hematologic indices remained within or near literature normal ranges. Clinical chemistry panels showed no signs of toxicity in renal or hepatic biomarkers. Polychromatic erythrocyte micronucleus frequency showed no chromosomal damage. Comet assay showed no DNA damage in lung tissue. Females exposed to CF4 had 2.5 times greater percent tail DNA in liver tissue than controls (P = 0.009). However this result remained within the normal range of local negative controls. A bacterial reverse mutation assay with exposure to 1 ATA 79% CF4/21% O2 for 72 h was nonmutagenic in four strains of Salmonella typhimurium and one strain of Escherichia coli. Overall, there was no evidence that CF4 caused organ toxicity or genetic toxicity.