Autosomal polymorphism in laboratory bred and wild Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus, found in Misima

Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Capparis cartilaginea Decne Extract: Insights into Characterization and Antigenotoxicity In Vivo

Plant-based foods may enhance the prevention of cancer. The present investigation aimed to assess the antigenotoxic effects of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) when loaded with the ethanol extract of C. cartilaginea (CNPs/Cc). Synthesis of CNPs and CNPs/Cc and their characterization were carried out using TEM, EDS, DSC, and Zeta potential. For in vivo experiments, animal groups were treated in the following groups: negative control, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) (240 mg/kg), CNPs (350 mg/kg), high and low doses of CNPs/Cc, CNPs plus EMS, high dose of CNPs/Cc plus EMS, and low dose of CNPs/Cc plus EMS. Bone marrow chromosomal aberrations and sperm shape abnormalities were examined. TEM results showed that CNPs and CNPs/Cc are spherical particles. CNPs' physical stability was observed to be lower than that of CNPs/Cc due to the presence of more positive charges on CNPs/Cc. EMS significantly enhanced chromosomal abnormalities and sperm shape abnormalities. CNPs showed powerful antigenotoxic properties. For the first time, it could be concluded that loading chitosan nanoparticles with C. cartilaginea extract significantly promotes its protective properties.

Assessment of the Antigenotoxic Effects of Alginate and ZnO/Alginate-Nanocomposites Extracted from Brown Alga Fucus vesiculosus in Mice

Mitomycin C (MMC) is an alkylating chemotherapy drug that could induce DNA damage and genetic alteration. It has been used as a model mutagen for in vivo and in vitro studies. The current study aimed to evaluate the protective role of Zinc oxide alginate–nanocomposites (ZnO-Alg/NCMs) against MMC–induced genotoxicity in mice. Animals were treated as follows: the control group, the groups treated with Algin (400 mg/kg b.w), the groups treated with ZnO-Alg/NCMs (400 mg/kg b.w), the group treated with MMC, and the groups treated with MMC plus Algin or ZnO-Alg/NCMs. Pre-treatment with Algin and ZnO-Alg/NCMs was repeated for one or seven days. Zinc oxide alginate-nanocomposites (ZnO-Alg/NCMs) were synthesized with the aim of incorporating the intrinsic properties of their constituents as an antigenotoxic substance. In this study, alginate was extracted from the brown marine alga Fucus vesiculosus, Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using water extract of the same alga, and loaded in alginate to synthesize ZnO-Alg/NCMs. ZnO-NPs and ZnO-Alg/NCMs were characterized by TEM, SEM, EDX, and Zeta potential. The obtained results confirmed that by TEM and SEM, ZnO-NPs are rod shaped which modified, when loaded in alginate matrix, into spherical shape. The physical stability of ZnO-Alg/NCMs was reported to be higher than ZnO-NPs due to the presence of more negative charges on ZnO-Alg/NCMs. The EDX analysis indicated that the amount of zinc was higher in ZnO-NPs than ZnO-Alg/NCMs. The in vivo results showed that treatment with MMC induced genotoxic disturbances. The combined treatment with Algin and ZnO-Alg/NCMs succeeded in inducing significant protection against MMC. It could be concluded that ZnO-Algin/NCMs is a promising candidate to protect against MMC–induced genotoxicity.

DNA damage and genetic aberration induced via different sized silver nanoparticles: Therapeutic approaches of Casimiroa edulis and Glycosmis pentaphylla leaves extracts

Potential of Casimiroa edulis and Glycosmis pentaphylla leaves extracts were investigated against the effect of two different particle sizes of silver nanoparticles induced toxicity in mice. Mice received silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (100 mg/kg) with 20 and 100 nm for four weeks followed by daily oral dose of extracts (500 mg/kg) for three weeks. C. edulis leaves identified fourteen phenolic compounds while, G. pentaphylla leaves identified, twelve phenolic compounds. Additionally, biochemical, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and histopathological investigations were carried out, revealed that liver function activities, lipid profile, hydrogen peroxide, and C-reactive protein were significantly elevate post AgNPs exposure. While, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferases, and glutathione peroxidase significantly reduce. A marked amelioration in all detected biomarkers, improved histopathological changes and repair DNA damage after treated with C. edulis and G. pentaphylla leaves extracts. These extracts are used for the first time as promising candidate therapeutic agents against toxicity induced by AgNPs. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The potential applications of AgNPs make it necessary to investigate the possible toxicity associated with release of free silver ions in the biological system. AgNPs of varying particle sizes had toxic effects as evidenced by alterations in some cellular biochemical parameters, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and histopathological indices on mice. Casimiroa edulis and Glycosmis pentaphylla leaves extracts are used for the first time as promising candidate therapeutic, where they are able to ameliorate the toxicity induced via AgNPs and record vacillate percentage of improvement in the selected biomarkers, as a result of the bioactive secondary metabolites especially flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds.

Triflumuron induces genotoxicity in both mice bone marrow cells and human Colon cancer cell line

Triflumuron (TFM) is an insect growth regulator (IGR), an insecticide commonly used over the world. It is known for its several toxic manifestations, such as reprotoxicity, immunotoxicity and hematotoxicity, which could affect public health. However, studies that reveal its toxic effects on mammalians are limited. To reach this purpose, our study aimed to elucidate the eventual genotoxic effects of TFM in mice bone marrow cells and in HCT 116 cells after a short term exposition. TFM was administered intraperitoneally to Balb/C male mice at doses of 250, 350 and 500 mg/kg bw for 24 h. Genotoxicity was monitored in bone marrow cells using the comet test, the micronucleus test and the chromosome aberration assay. Our results showed that TFM induced DNA damages in a dose-dependent manner. This genotoxicity was confirmed also in vitro on human intestinal cells HCT 116 using the comet test. It was then asked whether this genotoxicity induced by TFM could be due to an oxidative stress. Thus, we found that TFM significantly decreased HCT 116 cell viability. In addition, it induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by lipid peroxidation as revealed by the increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Similarly, the activation of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) was also observed. Our results indicated that, in our experimental conditions, TFM had a genotoxic effect on bone morrow cells and in HCT 116 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that this genotoxicity passes through an oxidative stress.

Protective Effects of Fullerene C60 Nanoparticles and Virgin Olive Oil against Genotoxicity Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Rats

The potential effects of the fullerene C₆₀ nanoparticle (C₆₀) as well as virgin olive oil (VOO) against the cyclophosphamide- (CP-) induced cytotoxic and mutagenic effects were evaluated by two main methods: molecular intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) assay and cytogenetic biomarkers. Thirty adult male rats were divided to five groups (control, CP, C₆₀, CP + C₆₀, and CP + VOO). CP was i.p. injected with a single dose of 200 mg/kg; C₆₀ and VOO were given orally (4 mg/kg dissolved in VOO and 1 ml, resp.) in alternative days for 20 days. The ISSR analysis revealed an increased in the DNA fragmentation level for liver and heart tissues represented by 21.2% and 32.6%, respectively, in the CP group. The DNA polymorphism levels were modulated and improved in CP + C₆₀ (8.9% and 12%) and CP + VOO (9.8% and 12.7%) for hepatic and cardiac tissues, respectively. The bone marrow cytogenetic analysis revealed that C₆₀ and VOO had significantly decreased the frequency of CP-induced chromosomal aberrations (chromosomal ring, deletion, dicentric chromosome, fragmentation, and polyploidy). Fullerene C₆₀ and VOO have ability to reduce DNA damage and decrease chromosomal aberrations. In conclusion, fullerene C₆₀ and VOO have protective effects against the CP-induced mutagenicity and genotoxicity. Fullerene C₆₀ and VOO open an interesting field concerning their potential antigenotoxic agents against deleterious side effects of chemotherapeutics.

Impacts of fullerene C60 and virgin olive oil on cadmium-induced genotoxicity in rats

Currently, cadmium is considered to be one of the major environmental pollutants. Environmentally, cadmium is released in various forms e.g. oxide, chloride and sulphide. The aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxic impact of fullerene nanoparticles C₆₀ (C₆₀) and virgin olive oil (VOO) on cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced genotoxicity in rats. To evaluate these effects on DNA damage and chromosomal frequency, 25 albino rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=5 per group): Group 1 served as a control; Group 2 received a single intraperitoneal dose of CdCl₂ (3.5mg/kg); Group 3 animals were treated with C₆₀ (4mg/kg, orally) every other day for 20days; Group 4 received a single intraperitoneal dose of CdCl₂ (3.5mg/kg) and an oral dose of C₆₀ (4mg/kg); and Group 5 received a single intraperitoneal dose of CdCl₂ (3.5mg/kg) and oral doses of VOO every other day for 20 consecutive days. Genotoxic and anti-genotoxic effects of C₆₀ and VOO were evaluated in the liver, kidney and bone marrow using molecular and cytogenetic assays. As expected, CdCl₂ and C₆₀ administration was associated with band number alterations in both liver and kidney; however, C₆₀ pretreatment recovered to approximately basal number. Surprisingly, C₆₀ and VOO significantly attenuated the genotoxic effects caused by CdCl₂ in livers and kidneys. In bone marrow, in addition to a reduction in the chromosomal number, several chromosomal aberrations were caused by CdCl₂. These chromosomal alterations were also reversed by C₆₀ and VOO. In conclusion, molecular and cytogenetic studies showed that C₆₀ and VOO exhibit anti-genotoxic agents against CdCl₂-induced genotoxicity in rats. Further studies are needed to investigate the optimal conditions for potential biomedical applications of these anti-genotoxic agents.

Effects of Spirulina platensis on DNA damage and chromosomal aberration against cadmium chloride-induced genotoxicity in rats

Todays, bioactive compounds extracted from Spirulina platensis have been intensively studied for their therapeutical values. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of S. platensis extract on DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations induced by cadmium in rats. Four groups of male albino rats (n = 7 rats) were used. The first group served as a control group and received distilled water. The second group was exposed intraperitoneally to cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) (3.5 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 2 ml distilled water). The third group included the rats that were orally treated with S. platensis extract (1 g/kg dissolved in 5 ml distilled water, every other day for 30 days). The fourth group included the rats that were intraperitoneally and orally exposed to cadmium chloride and S. platensis, respectively. The experiment in all groups was extended for 60 days. The results of cadmium-mediated toxicity revealed significant genetic effects (DNA fragmentation, deletion or disappearance of some base pairs of DNA, and appearance of few base pairs according to ISSR-PCR analysis). Moreover, chromosomes showed structural aberrations such as reduction of chromosomal number, chromosomal ring, chromatid deletions, chromosomal fragmentations, and dicentric chromosomes. Surprisingly, S. platensis extract plus CdCl₂-treated group showed less genetic effects compared with CdCl₂ alone. Further, S. platensis extract upon CdCl₂ toxicity was associated with less chromosomal aberration number and nearly normal appearance of DNA fragments as indicated by the bone marrow and ISSR-PCR analysis, respectively. In conclusion, the present novel study showed that co-treatment with S. platensis extract could reduce the genotoxic effects of CdCl₂ in rats.

Flavonoid fraction of Cajanus cajan prohibited the mutagenic properties of cyclophosphamide in mice in vivo

Cajanus cajan (L.) is a Pigeon pea cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. It contains many bioactive components. The present study aimed to assess the antimutagenic efficacy of a flavonoid fraction of Cajanus cajan (FFCC) to reduce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). We assessed genotoxic and cytotoxic effects using chromosome aberration, in mouse bone-marrow cells and spermatocytes, cell viability and DNA damage, in mouse bone-marrow cells. Animals received FFCC at concentrations 50,100 and 200 mg/kg b wt by oral gavage, and injected simultaneously with CP (20 mg/kg b wt) for 24 h. The results revealed that FFCC was safe and its effect was normal compared to control group. Moreover, we observed significant inhibition of CP-induced chromosome abnormalities in both, somatic and germ, cells (p ≪ 0.05) after concurrent administration of different concentrations of FFCC and CP. FFCC reduced chromosome aberrations by 14.29%, 25.21% and 28.57% in somatic cells, and 25.35%, 35.21% and 49.29% in germ cells after simultaneous treatment with CP respectively. Additionally, FFCC improved the cell viability of bone-marrow cells in a concentration-dependent manner when administered concurrently with CP. Similarly, FFCC diminished DNA damage (p ≪ 0.05) in CP-treated animals. The inhibitory index of tail DNA (%) reached 90.6% at the highest concentration of FFCC when administered simultaneously with CP. In conclusion, the flavonoid extract improved cell viability and protected animal cells from the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects exhibited by CP. Cajanus cajan flavonoids might contain the antioxidant bioactivity that effectively lessened chromosome aberrations and DNA damage induced by mutagenic agents.

Protective capabilities of silymarin and inulin nanoparticles against hepatic oxidative stress, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of Deoxynivalenol in rats

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a Fusarium mycotoxin that frequently contaminates cereal and cereal-based food and induces liver injury. This study evaluated the protective role of silymarin nanoparticles (SILNPs) and inulin nanoparticles (INNPs) against DON-induced liver injury in rats. Eleven groups of rats were treated orally for 3 weeks as follows: the control group, DON-treated group (5 mg/kg b.w.); INNPs-treated groups at low (LD) or high (HD) dose (100 or 200 mg/kg b.w.); SILPNs-treated group (50 mg/kg b.w.); SILNPs plus INNPs(LD) or INNPs(HD)-treated groups; INNPs(LD) or INNPs(HD) plus DON-treated groups and DON plus SILNPs and INNPs(LD) or INNPs(HD)-treated groups. Blood and tissue samples were collected for different analyses. The results revealed that the practical sizes were 200 and 98 nm for SILNPs and INNPs respectively. DON increased liver enzymes activity, lipid profile, serum cytokines, number and percentage of chromosomal aberration, DNA fragmentation and comet score. It disturbed the oxidative stress markers, down regulated gene expression and induced histological changes in the liver tissue. Treatment with DON and SILNPs and/or INNPs at the two tested doses improved all the tested parameters and SILNPs plus INNPs(HD) normalized most of these parameters in DON-treated animals. SILNPs and INNPs could be promising candidates as hepatoprotective against DON or other hepatotoxins.

Evaluation of the bioactive extract of actinomyces isolated from the Egyptian environment against aflatoxin B1-induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress in the liver of rats

This study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds of actinomyces (ACT) isolated from the Egyptian environment (D-EGY) and to evaluate their protective activity against AFB₁ in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Six groups of animals were treated orally for 3 weeks included: C, the control group, T1, AFB₁-treated group (80 μg/kg b.w), T2 and T3, the groups received ACT extract at low (25 mg/kg b.w) or high (50 mg/kg b.w) doses, T4 and T5, the groups received AFB₁ plus the low or high dose of ACT extract. Blood, bone marrow and tissue samples were collected for different analyses and histological examination. The results revealed the identification of 40 components, representing 99.98%. Treatment with AFB₁ disturbs liver function parameters, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant gene expressions, DNA fragmentation and induced severe histological changes. ACT extract at the low or high doses did not induce significant changes in all the tested parameters or histological picture of the liver. Moreover, ACT extract succeeded to induce a significant protection against the toxicity of AFB₁. It could be concluded that the bioactive compounds in ACT are promise candidate for the development of food additive or drugs for the protection and treatment of liver disorders in the endemic area.

Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: Effect of dose and time on biochemical disturbance, oxidative stress and genotoxicity in mice

The toxic impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) on human health is of prime importance owing to their wide uses in many commercial industries. In the present study, the effect of different doses and exposure time durations of TiO₂NPs (21nm) inducing oxidative stress, biochemical disturbance, histological alteration and cytogenetic aberration in mice liver and bone marrow was investigated. Different doses of (TiO₂NPs) (50, 250 and 500mg/kg body weight) were each daily intrapertioneally injected to mice for 7, 14 and 45days. Aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST &ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total protein, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured. The work was extended to evaluate the liver histopathological pattern and the chromosomal aberration in mice spinal cord bone marrow. The results revealed severe TiO₂NPs toxicity in a dose and time dependent manner with positive correlation (r=0.98) for most investigated biochemical parameters. The same observation was noticed for the histological analysis. In case of cytogenetic study, chromosomal aberrations were demonstrated after injection of TiO₂NPs with 500mg/kg b. wt. for 45days. In conclusion, the selected biochemical parameters and the liver architectures were influenced with dose and time of TiO₂NPs toxicity, while the genetic disturbance started at the high dose of exposure and for long duration. Further studies are needed to fulfil the effect of TiO₂NPs on pharmaceutical and nutritional applications.

Antigenotoxic effects of ascorbic acid against megestrol acetate-induced genotoxicity in mice

The genotoxicity of megestrol acetate was studied in mouse bone marrow cells using sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) as parameters. Megestrol acetate (8.12, 16.25 and 32.50 mg/ kg of body weight) was injected intraperitoneally separately in different groups of animals. Both CAs and SCEs were statistically increased at 16.25 and 32.50 mg/kg of body weight. Our earlier in vitro studies show the generation of free oxygen radicals, by synthetic progestins responsible for the genotoxic damage. As the genotoxic effects of steroids can be reduced by natural products having antioxidant properties, and ascorbic acid possesses antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid (20, 40 or 60 mg/kg of body weight) administered together with megestrol acetate (32.50 mg/kg of body weight) significantly decreased CAs and SCEs, suggesting an antigenotoxic role of ascorbic acid against megestrol acetate induced genotoxic damage in mice bone marrow cells. The antigenotoxic effect was clearly dose dependent. The highest protective effect was observed at 60 mg/kg body weight of ascorbic acid treated with 32.50 mg/kg body weight of megestrol acetate.

Prevention of renal dysfunction by nutraceuticals prepared from oil rich plant foods

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of extracts prepared from avocado, walnut, flaxseed and Eruca sativa seeds in a rat model of kidney dysfunction induced by intraperitoneal cisplatin.

METHODS

Ethanol and petroleum ether extracts mixture was prepared from each plant. Six groups of rats were conducted; control healthy, cisplatin group and four test groups where rats were given daily oral dose of each extract mixture before cisplatin injection. Different biochemical and cytogenetic parameters and kidney histopathology were determined. Acute toxicity was tested for the nutraceuticals. Total phenolic contents, fatty acids (FA) and unsaponifiable matter were assessed in the extracts.

RESULTS

Walnut ethanol extract showed the highest content of total phenolic. FA analysis revealed that all the studied plants were rich in unsaturated FA. Gas-liquid chromatographic investigation of the unsaponifiable matter showed the presence of campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in all the studied plants. Cisplatin treatment induced significant increase in plasma urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde along with significant reduction of plasma albumin, total protein, catalase and total antioxidant as well as reduction in creatinine clearance. Histopathological examination proved the induction of kidney dysfunction. Some sorts of chromosomal aberration and sperm-shape abnormalities were noticed after cisplatin treatment. Administration of extracts mixtures produced improvements in biochemical, histopathological and cytogenetic parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of the studied nutraceuticals proved to possess protective role against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, chromosomal aberration and abnormal sperms. All studied nutraceuticals showed complete safety.

Histopathology and cytotoxicity as biomarkers in treated rats with cadmium and some therapeutic agents

The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and zinc (Zn) against cadmium (Cd) induced histopathological changes in tissues of liver, kidney, lung and testis of rats as well as chromosomal aberrations. For this purpose, 60 male albino rats were divided into six groups; each group contained 10 animals. The first group served as control and was given only distilled water. The second and third groups received distilled water supplemented with 2 g ascorbic acid/l and 500 mg Zn/l, respectively. The fourth group received a daily oral dose containing 3 mg Cd/kg b.w. (1/30 LD50). The fifth group received Cd + ascorbic acid (3 mg Cd/kg b.w. + 2 g ascorbic acid/l), while the sixth group received Cd + Zn (3 mg Cd/kg b.w. +500 mg Zn/l). The treatment in all groups lasted for 90 consecutive days. Rats exposed to cadmium showed severe histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, lung and testicular tissues as well as chromosomal aberrations such as: break, ring, centromeric separation and polyploidy. Co-treatment with zinc partially improved the histopathological changes and chromosomal aberrations while co-treatment with vitamin C exhibited a more protective role and markedly reduced tissues damage induced by Cd.

Anti-genotoxic effect of the Sargassum dentifolium extracts: prevention of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, and DNA fragmentation

The alga Sargassum dentifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, belongs to Sargassaceae, is a brown seaweed in red sea shores in Egypt. This work aimed to extract different water-soluble polysaccharide extracts (E1, E2, and E3) from S. dentifolium and to investigate their protective effect against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced genotoxicity. Mice bone marrow cells (BMCs) were collected and analyzed for the chromosomal aberration, micronucleated BMCs (MN-BMCs), the mitotic index, DNA fragmentation by comet assay, and histone deacetylases (HDACs), and radical scavenging capacity of extracts was evaluated by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. The results indicated that E2 and E3 significantly inhibited CP-induced multiple chromosomal aberrations, where E1 and E3 significantly suppressed the number of CP-induced formation of tetraploidy. The extracts prohibited the cytotoxic effect of CP and recovered the mitotic activity, whereas E1 possessed the highest recovery and mitosis. In absence of MN, CP induced formation of bi- and poly-nucleated BMCs. E1 prohibited CP-induced formation of bi-nucleated BMCs, while E2 and E3 prohibited CP-induced formation of poly-nucleated BMCs. CP-induced MN-BMCs were accompanied with mono-, bi- and poly-nucleated cells. E1 and E3 remarkably suppressed mono-nucleated MN-BMCs, while E2 inhibited bi-nucleated MN-BMCs. All the extracts significantly inhibited the CP-induced formation of poly-nucleated MN-BMCs. CP-induced DNA fragmentation was inhibited by all extracts, where E1 was the strongest inhibitor as concluded from the comet tail moment. All the extracts were strong OH scavengers, while only E3 was ROO scavenger. The results revealed a drastic decline in HDACs activity by E1 and E3. In conclusion, S. dentifolium polysaccharide extracts E1 and E3 possessed a potential anti-genotoxic and a promising anti-mutagenic activity.

Induction of DNA fragmentation, chromosome aberrations and micronuclei by cisplatin in rat bone-marrow cells: protective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin

Cisplatin (Cisp) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents. However, at higher doses several side effects may occur. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), a glycoprotein regulating haematopoiesis, has recently been shown to exert an important cyto-protective effects in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore whether rhEPO protects against Cisp-induced genotoxicity in rat bone-marrow cells. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of 18 animals each: control group, rhEPO-alone group, Cisp-alone group and three rhEPO+Cisp-groups (pre-, co- and post-treatment condition, respectively). Our results show that Cisp induced a noticeable genotoxic effect in rat bone-marrow cells. In all types of treatment, rhEPO significantly decreased the frequency of micronuclei, the percentage of chromosome aberrations and the level of DNA damage. The protective effect of rhEPO was more efficient when it was administrated 24h before exposure to Cisp.

Chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice induced by accelerated (12)C(6+) ions

The whole bodies of 6-week-old male Kun-Ming mice were exposed to different doses of (12)C(6+) ions or X-rays. Chromosomal aberrations of the bone marrow (gaps, terminal deletions and breaks, fragments, inter-chromosomal fusions and sister-chromatid union) were scored in metaphase 9h after exposure, corresponding to cells exposed in the G(2)-phase of the first mitosis cycle. Dose-response relationships for the frequency of chromosomal aberrations were plotted both by linear and linear-quadratic equations. The data showed that there was a dose-related increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in all treated groups compared to controls. Linear-quadratic equations were a good fit for both radiation types. The compound theory of dual radiation action was applied to decipher the bigger curvature (D(2)) of the dose-response curves of X-rays compared to those of (12)C(6+) ions. Different distributions of the five types of aberrations and different degrees of homogeneity were found between (12)C(6+) ion and X-ray irradiation and the possible underlying mechanism for these phenomena were analyzed according to the differences in the spatial energy deposition of both types of radiation.

In vitro and in vivo induction of chromosome aberrations by alpha- and beta-zearalenols: comparison with zearalenone

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi. It contaminates different components of the food chain and can cause serious economic and public health problems. The major metabolites of ZEN in various animal species are alpha- and beta-zearalenol (α-, β-ZOL). Some in vivo studies have shown that these two metabolites are as toxic as the mother molecule (ZEN), but other investigations have demonstrated that α- and β-ZOL are less toxic than ZEN. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of α- and β-ZOL in vivo, in mouse bone-marrow cells and in vitro, in cultured HeLa cells, and to compare it with ZEN. ZEN showed the same cytotoxicity as α-ZOL and both are more cytotoxic than β-ZOL. Genotoxicity of ZEN and its derivatives was assessed by the chromosome aberration assay. Our results show that ZEN as well as α- and β-ZOL increased the percentage of chromosome aberrations in mouse bone-marrow cells and in HeLa cells. In the two systems, ZEN and α-ZOL exhibited the same range of genotoxicity and both were more genotoxic than β-ZOL. Furthermore, our results show that either ZEN or its two metabolites inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that biotransformation of ZEN may be considered as only a partial detoxification pathway since the resulting metabolites remain relatively toxic.

Assessment of the efficacy of Aspergillus sp. EL-2 in textile waste water treatment

Fungal biomass has the ability to decolorize a wide variety of dyes successfully through a number of mechanisms. A brown rot isolate, previously identified as Aspergillus sp. EL-2, was used in the aerobic treatment of textile waste water efficiently. In the current work, the treated waste water was tested chemically using more than one combined treatment. Microbial toxicity, phytotoxicity, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were also studied to assess the toxicity level for each treatment. The obtained data suggest that the contribution of more than one mode of treatment is essential to ensure complete destruction of the by-products. The use of gamma irradiation (25 kGy) after the bioremediation step led to the decrease of the by-products of biodegradation as observed by visible spectrum and Fourier transfer infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The toxicity assessment presented variable results indicating the need for more than one toxicity test to confirm the presence or absence of hazardous compounds. Brown rot fungus could be used efficiently in the treatment of textile waste water without the risk of obtaining high carcinogenic or genotoxic compounds, especially if combined treatment is employed.

Alteration of in vitro and acute in vivo toxicity of textile dyeing wastewater after chemical and biological remediation

INTRODUCTION

Textile industry is one of the most common and essential sectors in Tunisia. However, the treatment of textile effluents becomes a university because of their toxic impacts on waters, soils, flora, and fauna.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 to decolorize a textile wastewater and to compare the biologic decolorization process to the chemical one currently used by the textile industry.

RESULTS

P. putida exhibited a high decolorizing capacity of the studied effluent, compared to the coagulation-flocculation method with decolorization percentage of 86% and 34.5%, respectively. Genotoxicity of the studied effluent, before and after decolorization by P. putida mt-2, was evaluated in vitro, using the SOS chromotest, and in vivo, in mouse bone marrow, by assessing the percentage of cells bearing different chromosome aberrations compared to not treated mice. In addition, textile effluent statistically significant influenced acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.01) when compared to not-treated mice. Coagulation-flocculation treatment process used by industry was revealed to be ineffective. Indeed toxicities persisted after treatment and the effluent did not show any statistically significant decrease in toxicities compared to non-treated effluent. Our results indicate that P. putida is a promising and improved alternative to treating industrial scale effluent compared to current chemical decolorization procedures used by the Tunisian textile industry.

Acid violet 7 and its biodegradation products induce chromosome aberrations, lipid peroxidation, and cholinesterase inhibition in mouse bone marrow

INTRODUCTION

Acid violet 7 (AV7), mostly used in food, paper, cosmetic, and especially in textile industries, was degraded by Pseudomonas putida mt-2 at concentrations up to 200 mg/l.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, toxicity of AV7, before and after biodegradation, was evaluated in vivo, in mouse bone marrow, by assessing the percentage of cells bearing different chromosome aberrations, membrane lipid peroxidation, and acetylcholinesterasic activity inhibition. The studies included same conditions for animal treatment, corresponding to increasing doses by intraperitoneal (ip) injection.

RESULTS

Results indicated that AV7 showed a significant ability to induce chromosome aberrations, lipid peroxidation, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect. The toxicity of AV7 increased significantly after static biodegradation with P. putida mt-2 and totally disappeared after shaken incubation. In addition, the toxicity generated by the pure azo dye and the corresponding azoreduction metabolites (4'-aminoacetanilide (4'-AA) and 5-acetamido-2-amino-1-hydroxy-3,6-naphtalene disulfonic acid (5-ANDS)) were compared. 4'-AA and 5-ANDS would be responsible of static biodegradation medium toxicity. The present study demonstrates that P. putida mt-2, incubated under aerobic condition, has a catabolism which enables it to degrade AV7, and especially to completely detoxify the dye mixture.

Protective effect of l-carnitine against acrylamide-induced DNA damage in somatic and germ cells of mice

Recent findings of acrylamide (AA) in many common foods have sparked renewed interest in assessing human health hazards. AA was evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probably carcinogenic to humans. For this reason, the aim of this study is to evaluate the potential genotoxic effect of AA using chromosomal aberration analysis and micronucleus (MN) test in mouse bone-marrow cells and morphological sperm abnormalities. The result of the present work indicated that treatment with a single dose of 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg b.wt. of AA for 24 h and the repeated dose of 10 mg/kg b.wt. for 1and 2 weeks induced a statistically significant increase in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in bone- marrow cells. These percentages reduced significantly in all groups treated with AA and the protective agent l-carnitine. Also the results indicated that the dose 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg b.wt. of AA induced a statistically significant percentage of morphological sperm abnormalities compared with the control group. Such effect reached its maximum (7.24 ± 0.61) with the highest tested dose which reduced to (4.02 ± 0.58) in the group treated with the same dose of AA and l-carnitine. In conclusion, the results confirm the protective role of LC against the mutagenicity of AA.

Antigenotoxic effect of apigenin against mitomycin C induced genotoxic damage in mice bone marrow cells

The antigenotoxic effect of apigenin was studied against the genotoxic damage induced by mitomycin C on mouse bone marrow cells using sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) as parameters. Apigenin was studied at three different doses i.e. 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg b.w. and was found to be non-genotoxic at all the above three doses. Mitomycin C at 2 mg/kg b.w. was given along with the 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg bw of apigenin. A significant decrease in SCEs and CAs was observed, suggesting a protective role of apigenin against the genotoxicity of mitomycin C on mice bone marrow cells.

Androgenic profile and genotoxicity evaluation of testosterone propionate and novel synthesized heterocyclic steroids

In this study, we tested the androgenic activity of three structurally promising novel synthesized heterocyclic steroids compared with testosterone propionate in male mice. Additionally, the possible genotoxic effects of the novel synthesized heterocyclic steroids in comparison with testosterone propionate on male mice using chromosomal analysis of somatic and germ cells as well as RAPD-PCR were investigated. Male mice were administered with two doses of testosterone propionate, pyridoandrostene derivative 4b, pyrimidinoandrostene derivative 9a and thienoandrostene derivative 12 (200 and 400mg/kg b.w.) daily for 2 weeks. Results indicated that compounds 4b and 12 have androgenic activity as well as testosterone propionate. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of total chromosomal aberrations in both somatic and germ cells as well as no alteration in the DNA bands patterns between control, testosterone propionate and pyridoandrostene 4b treated animals. However, the pyrimidinoandrostene derivative 9a caused significant increase in the mean value of total chromosomal aberrations of both somatic and germ cells (P< or =0.01) as well as enhanced the polymorphic bands patterns as compared to the control and the other tested compounds. On the other hand, thienoandrostene derivative 12 induced significant decrease in the mean values of chromosomal aberrations in both somatic and germ cells, decreased sperm morphological abnormalities, increased the sperm count and motility than control. Our data indicate that testosterone propionate; pyridoandrostene 4b and thienoandrostene derivative 12 have no genotoxic activity. However, pyrimidinoandrostene derivative 9a has genotoxic activity possibly due to a modulation of the different expression of the catalyzing enzyme systems which will be investigated in the nearly future.

Antigenotoxic effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid against chlormadinone acetate-induced genotoxicity in mice bone-marrow cells

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a phenolic lignan, was tested for its antigenotoxic potential against chlormadinone acetate (CMA)-induced genotoxic damage in mice bone-marrow cells. Doses of about 22.50 mg/kg body weight of CMA were given along with 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight of NDGA intraperitoneally. The treatment resulted in the reduction of sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations induced by CMA, suggesting an antigenotoxic potential of NDGA. Earlier studies show that CMA generates reactive oxygen species, responsible for genotoxic damage. The free radical-scavenging property of NDGA is responsible for the reduction of genotoxic damage induced by CMA in mice bone-marrow cells.

Studies on the genotoxic effect of beryllium chloride and the possible protective role of selenium/vitamins A, C and E

The genotoxic potential of beryllium chloride (BeCl2) was evaluated in vivo in mice using different endpoints. Chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells and in spermatocytes as well as sperm abnormalities were determined in the tested mice. The protective role of an orally administered drug consisting of selenium and vitamins A, C and E (selenium-ACE) was also studied. For analysis of chromosomal aberrations, both single and repeated oral treatments for a period of 3 weeks were performed. The doses used were 93.75, 187.50, 375, and 750 mg BeCl2/kg bw, which corresponds to 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 of the experimental LD50. BeCl2 induced a statistically significant increase in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations in both somatic and germ cells, with a dose- and time-response. The percentage of induced chromosomal aberrations was significantly reduced in all BeCl2-treated groups after oral administration of selenium-ACE. Beryllium chloride also induced a significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperm. This percentage reached values of 9.62 +/- 0.32 and 5.56 +/- 0.31 in mice treated with the highest test dose of BeCl2 and with BeCl2+selenium-ACE, respectively, compared with 1.96 +/- 0.14 for the control. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the genotoxic effect of beryllium chloride and confirm the protective role of selenium-ACE against the genotoxicity of beryllium chloride.

Genotoxical, teratological and biochemical effects of anthelmintic drug oxfendazole Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) in male and female mice

Oxfendazole, methyl-5 (6)-phenylsulfinyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate, is a member of the benzimidazole family of anthelmintics. Anthelmintic benzimidazoles are widely used in meat producing animals (cattle, sheep and pigs) for control of endoparasites. The extensive use of veterinary drugs in food-producing animals can cause the presence of small quantities of the drug residues in food. Maximum residue limit or "MRL" means the maximum concentration of residue resulting from the use of a veterinary medicinal product which may be legally permitted recognized as acceptable in food. The FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (1999) evaluations of toxicological and residue data, reported that oxfendazole (MRL) has toxicological hazards on human health. The toxicity of oxfendazole (MRL) was tested in male and female mice and their fetuses. Chromosomal aberrations, teratological examination and biochemical analysis were the parameters used in this study. The results show that oxfendazole MRL induced a mutagenic effect in all tested cell types. Also, oxfendazole exhibit embryotoxicity including teratogenicity. The biochemical results show that oxfendazole induced a disturbance in the different biochemical contents of all tested tissues. So, we must increase the attention paid to the potential risk of oxfendazole residues in human beings and should stress the need for careful control to ensure adherence to the prescribed withdrawal time of this drug.