Reproductive hazards of lead exposure among urban Egyptian men

Fifty-five urban Egyptian males, aged 20-40, were assigned to two main groups to study the effects of their exposure to lead (Pb). Group I, infertile men (INF, n = 30), was divided into environmentally exposed (INF-E, n = 15) and environmentally and occupationally exposed (INF-EO, n = 15). A matching group (II) of fertile men (F, n = 25) was divided into fertile, environmentally exposed (F-E, n = 10), which was the control group, and fertile, environmentally and occupationally exposed (F-EO, n = 15). Semen parameters (i.e., count, morphology, motility, and volume), blood and semen Pb levels, and reproductive hormonal indices (i.e., serum testosterone, FSH, and LH) were measured in all subjects. Lead levels were always higher in blood than semen. Semen lead levels were significantly higher in all groups vs. the control (F-E) group. While no changes were observed in testosterone levels across groups, variable effects on LH and FSH levels were observed. Infertile-EO subjects showed a definite pattern of impaired semen parameters in comparison with infertile-E. No abnormalities were detected in hematologic, hepatic or renal function.

Poisonous plants contaminating edible ones and toxic substances in plant foods. Part 3. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Heliotropium digynum Forssk. (= H. luteum, Poir.)

Investigation of the alkaloidal constituents of Heliotropium digynum resulted in the isolation of four alkaloids viz. heliotrine, europine, lasiocarpine and 7-angelylheliotrine. Moreover, HPLC and GLC showed the probable presence of heliotridine and some other unidentified minor constituents. A summary of the pharmacotoxicity and biological activity of the ethanolic extract, total alkaloids with special reference to heliotrine is presented.

Pharmacological effects of althesin and its steroidal components on the cardiovascular system

Althesin and its two steroidal components elicited, despite a deficit vasopressor effect by their solvent vehicle Cremophor El, a well-marked hypotensive activity appearing abruptly after i.v. injection in chloralosed cats. This vasodepressor effect which was weaker and shorter lasting with alphadolone acetate than alphaxalone proved to be one-cholinergic, nonhistaminergic, not mediated via any ganglionic blocking activity and ;mostly attributable to central depressant action on vasomotor tone. An appreciable direct myocardial inhibition and a much weaker direct peripheral vasodilatation were shown to be contributory factors to the hypotension. ECG studies in chloralosed cats indicated the occurrence of mild grade bradycardia or else no evident change in the heart rate under the influence of althesin and its steroidal components. A definite protective influence for althesin mainly due to alphaxalone against adrenaline induced arrhythmia in chloralosed cats was also demonstrated.