Bendiocarb-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and the protective role of vitamins C and E

Investigating the impact of different routes of nano and micro nickel oxide administration on rat kidney architecture, apoptosis markers, oxidative stress, and histopathology

Although the production and use of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONP) are widespread, environmental and public health problems are associated with it. The kidney is the primary organ in excretion and is among the target organs in nanoparticle toxicity. This study aimed to compare the renal toxicity of nickel oxide (NiO) microparticles and nickel oxide nanoparticles by different routes of administration, such as oral, intraperitoneal (IP), and intravenous (IV). Seven groups were formed, with 42 male rats and six animals in each group. NiO oral (150 mg/kg), NiO IP (20 mg/kg), NiO IV (1 mg/kg), NiONP oral (150 mg/kg), NiONP IP (20 mg/kg), and NiONP IV (1 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days. After NiO and NiONP administration, a decrease in antioxidant activities and an increase in lipid peroxidation occurred in the kidney tissue of rats. Increased kidney urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels were observed. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and an increase in interleukin 1 beta were detected. Apoptotic markers, Bax, caspase-3, and p53 up-regulation and Bcl-2 down-regulation were observed. In addition, histopathological changes occurred in the kidney tissue. In general, it was observed that nickel oxide microparticles and nickel oxide nanoparticles cause inflammation by causing oxidative stress in the kidney tissue, and NiONP IV administration is more effective in renal toxicity.

Increased Total Antioxidant Capacity Value Improves Survival of Fat Grafts in Rat Model

BACKGROUND

Although studies aiming to increase fat graft survival continue, in this study, the authors aimed to investigate the effects of different antioxidants on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and their effect on graft survival.

METHODS

Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four equally sized groups, including a control group and three antioxidant groups receiving either melatonin (10 mg/kg), zinc (2 mg/kg), or vitamins E and C (100 mg/kg). Autologous fat grafts (1.7 ± 0.4 g) were transferred to the dorsal subcutaneous region, and total antioxidant capacity was measured on days 0 and 1, week 1, and monthly until the third month. Transferred graft volume and mass (1.3 ± 0.4 g) were measured using the liquid overflow method and precision scales at the end of the study. Routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry against perilipin were performed for semiqualitative analysis and H-score for viable adipose cells, respectively.

RESULTS

Collected fat grafts measured significantly less in weight and volume and the survival rate was lower in the control group ( P < 0.01). The control group exhibited a reduction in TAC, whereas all groups receiving antioxidants had an increase in TAC during the first week ( P = 0.02, P = 0.008, and P = 0.004 for melatonin, zinc, and vitamins, respectively). Immunohistochemistry of the antioxidant group demonstrated a statistically significant excess and reactivity of cells staining with perilipin antibodies.

CONCLUSION

In this animal study, the beneficial effect of antioxidants on fat graft survival can be related to the significant increase in TAC following the first week of their administration.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Antioxidants improve fat graft survival and quality in this rat model, by increasing total antioxidant capacity in the first week of administration.

The ameliorative effects of quercetin and curcumin against subacute nephrotoxicity of fipronil induced in Wistar rats

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is widely used in agricultural, veterinary, and public health fields for controlling a wide variety of insect species and it is an environmentally potent toxic substance. Curcumin and quercetin, which are well-known natural antioxidants, are widely used to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals on biological systems. The present study aimed to determine the potential ameliorative effects of quercetin and/or curcumin on fipronil-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Curcumin (100 mg/kg of body weight), quercetin (50 mg/kg of body weight), and fipronil (3.88 mg/kg of body weight) were administered to male rats by intragastric gavage for 28 consecutive days. In the present study, body weight, kidney weight, the renal function markers (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels) in the blood, antioxidant enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde level as markers of oxidative stress, and histological changes of the renal tissue were evaluated. The levels of serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid were significantly increased in fipronil-treated animals. Additionally, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were decreased in the kidney tissue of rats treated with fipronil, malondialdehyde level was significantly increased. Histopathological analyses showed that the glomerular and tubular injury occurred in the renal tissue of fipronil-treated animals. Also, the supplementation of quercetin and/or curcumin with fipronil significantly improved fipronil-induced alterations in renal function markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde levels, and histological features of renal tissue.

Investigation of the efficacy of diosmin against organ damage caused by bendiocarb in male Wistar albino rats

Bendiocarb is a carbamate insecticide, which is used more in indoor areas, especially against scorpions, spiders, flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches. Diosmin is an antioxidant flavonoid found mostly in citrus fruits. In this study, the efficacy of diosmin against the adverse effects of bendiocarb was investigated in rats. For this purpose, 60, 2-3 month-old male Wistar albino rats, weighing 150-200 g, were used. The animals were assigned to six groups, one of which was maintained for control purposes and five of which were trial groups. The control rats received only corn oil, which was used as a vehicle for diosmin administration in the trial groups. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were administered with 10 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb, 10 mg/kg.bw diosmin, 20 mg/kg.bw diosmin, 2 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb plus 10 mg/kg.bw diosmin, and 2 mg/kg.bw bendiocarb plus 20 mg/kg.bw diosmin, respectively, using an oral catheter, for 28 days. At the end of the study period, blood and organ (liver, kidneys, brain, testes, heart and lungs) samples were collected. Body weight and organ weights were determined. Compared to the control group, in the group given bendiocarb alone, firstly, body weight and liver, lung and testicular weights decreased. Secondly, tissue/plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels increased, and glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (except for lung tissue), glutathione reductase (GR), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities decreased in all tissues and erythrocytes. Thirdly, catalase (CAT) activity decreased in erythrocytes and the kidney, brain, heart and lung tissues and increased in the liver and testes. Fourthly, while GST activity decreased in the kidneys, testes, lung and erythrocytes, an increase was observed in the liver and heart tissues. Fifthly, while serum triglyceride levels and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and pseudo-cholinesterase (PchE) activities decreased, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and uric acid levels increased. Lastly, liver caspase 3, caspase 9 and p53 expression levels significantly increased. When compared to the control group, the groups treated with diosmin alone showed no significant difference for the parameters investigated. On the other hand, it was observed that the values of the groups treated with a combination of bendiocarb and diosmin were closer to the values of the control group. In conclusion, while exposure to bendiocarb at a dose of 2 mg/kg.bw for 28 days caused oxidative stress/organ damage, diosmin administration at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg.bw reduced this damage. This demonstrated that diosmin has pharmaceutical benefits, when used for supportive treatment as well as radical treatment, against the potential adverse effects of bendiocarb.

Simultaneous poisoning of 48 birds of prey – bendiocarb determination with the use of UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method in fatal case from Eastern Europe

Aim: Bendiocarb is used against a wide range of insects but has already been withdrawn from the market in some countries. It poses a high risk to birds as they can accidentally ingest it while searching for food, followed by toxic effects. This paper presents the results of toxicological and histopathological studies of 48 cases of intentional birds of prey poisoning with bendiocarb in Eastern Europe, specifically Poland. Materials and methods: A novel ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method for bendiocarb determination in animal liver samples was developed and fully validated. The sample preparation technique was based on one-step precipitation of proteins with cold acetonitrile. The internal standard used was carbaryl-d7. Full time of analysis was less than 10 minutes. The application of the UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method allowed us to achieve the lowest LOQ (1 ng/g) of bendiocarb in biological samples to date. Results: Necropsies and histopathological examinations of common ravens (Corvus corax), western marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus), red kites (Milvus milvus), and a white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) revealed multi-organ toxicity manifested as congestion, oedema, or stagnation of blood. An analytical investigation confirmed the presence of bendiocarb in liver in the 1808–7721 ng/g range. Furthermore, the presence of this compound was qualitatively confirmed in the stomach and beak contents and also in the bait located near the deceased animals. Conclusions: A comprehensive forensic examination is crucial to monitor wildlife fatalities, especially applying a combined analytical and histopathological approach to identify and eliminate highly toxic substances which pose a threat to the ecosystem.

Recent Advances on Detection of Insecticides Using Optical Sensors

Insecticides are enormously important to industry requirements and market demands in agriculture. Despite their usefulness, these insecticides can pose a dangerous risk to the safety of food, environment and all living things through various mechanisms of action. Concern about the environmental impact of repeated use of insecticides has prompted many researchers to develop rapid, economical, uncomplicated and user-friendly analytical method for the detection of insecticides. In this regards, optical sensors are considered as favorable methods for insecticides analysis because of their special features including rapid detection time, low cost, easy to use and high selectivity and sensitivity. In this review, current progresses of incorporation between recognition elements and optical sensors for insecticide detection are discussed and evaluated well, by categorizing it based on insecticide chemical classes, including the range of detection and limit of detection. Additionally, this review aims to provide powerful insights to researchers for the future development of optical sensors in the detection of insecticides.

L-Carnitine and vitamin E ameliorate cardiotoxicity induced by tilmicosin in rats

The present study aimed to investigate the possible mitigating effect of L-carnitine (LC) and/or α-tocopherol (Vit. E) administration against tilmicosin (TIL)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Fifty-six male albino rats were divided into seven groups according to LC, Vit. E, and/or TIL administration. Control, LC, and Vit. E groups were given saline, 150 mg LC/kg body weight (BW)/day and 100 mg Vit. E/kg BW/day, respectively, orally once daily for 15 days. The TIL group was administered saline orally once daily for 15 days and a single dose of TIL (75 mg/kg BW) subcutaneously (SC) on day 14 from the starting of the experimental period (15 days). The TIL-LC, TIL-Vit. E, and TIL-LC-Vit. E groups received 150 mg LC/kg BW/day, 100 mg Vit. E/kg BW/day, and 150 mg LC/kg BW pulse 100 mg Vit. E/kg BW, respectively, orally once daily for 15 days with TIL as described above. The results revealed that the administration of TIL significantly (P ≤ 0.05) raised serum activities of heart injury indicators, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB with substantial increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the cardiac contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased in antioxidants. The pathological changes appeared in the form of necrotic muscle fibers and massive inflammatory cellular infiltrations in the cardiac muscle and increased the caspase-3 immunohistochemical expression in the heart tissues as well. These changes were ameliorated by LC and/or Vit. E administration. In conclusion, supplementation of LC and/or Vit. E ameliorated the cardiotoxicity of the TIL SC injection in the rat.