Larval cestodes infecting commercial fish of Alexandria coast along the Mediterranean Sea: morphology and phylogeny

Members of the order Trypanorhyncha are cestode parasites that are frequently found infecting the muscles of several marine fish species, affecting fish health and resulting in consumers' rejection. Seventy-five specimens of marine fish were freshly caught from boat landing sites at the Alexandria coast along the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, including two Carangids, the greater amberjack Seriola dumerili and the gulley jack Pseudocarans dentex; two Serranids, the Haifa grouper Epinephelus haifensis and the mottled grouper Mycteroperca rubra. Forty-five fish were infected; the infection was recorded as blastocysts embedded in fish flesh. Blastocysts were isolated and ruptured; the generated plerocerci were described morphologically, where, four different species were recovered; Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Callitetrarhynchus speciosus, Protogrillotia zerbiae, and Grillotia brayi. The taxonomic position of these parasites was justified by multiple-sequence alignment and a phylogenetic tree was constructed following maximum likelihood analysis of the 18s rRNA sequences of the recovered worms. The accession numbers MN625168, MN625169, MN611431and MN611432 were respectively assigned to the recovered parasites. The results obtained from the molecular analyses confirmed the morphological records of the recovered parasites. Since metacestodes are found in the musculature of infected fish specimens, it is necessary to remove these areas in the commercialization of fish.

Cardiac and testicular alterations induced by acute exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles: Histopathological study

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) have novel application and are used in many household application, nanomedicine, agriculture, industries and pharmaceutical products. These applications may be accompanied with potential risk in human health and the ecosystems. The current study was carried out to find out the acute damage that might be induced by TiO₂ NPs in the heart and testis. Three groups of Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were subjected to a single dose TiO₂ NPs (126, 252, 378 mg/kg bw). Cardiac and testicular biopsies from each animal under study were handled for histological and histochemical examination. Rats exposed to TiO₂ NPs demonstrated the following cardiac alterations: myofibres wavy appearance, myofibre disarray, partial cross striation, cardiomyocytes hydropic degeneration together with vacuolation and nuclear alterations. Moreover, acute exposure to TiO₂ NPs induced the following testicular alterations: spermatocytes degeneration, spermatids sloughing and interstitial edema. The presented cardiac and testicular alterations were dose dependent. From the findings of the present study, it might be concluded that TiO₂ nanomaterials are capable of inducing acute cardiac and testicular damage that is dose dependent and could adversely affect the function of the vital organs.

Silver/chitosan nanocomposites induce physiological and histological changes in freshwater bivalve

BACKGROUND

Bivalves can accumulate and concentrate most pollutants, even if they are present in somewhat low concentrations. The present study aimed to use freshwater bivalveas for the first time as vital indicator for silver/chitosan nanocomposites (Ag-CS NCs) in the freshwater environment.

METHODS

Following the preparation and characterization of Ag-CS NCs by using UV-vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and acute toxicity study, the animals exposed to three different dose of nano chitosan (CS), AgNPs, and Ag-CS NCs (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/L) for consecutive 6 days.

RESULTS

Ag-CS particles were in size range of 8-19 nm. The nominal concentrations for Ag-CS NCs were 12.5, 25 and 50 mg Ag L^-1 were corresponding to measured concentration of AgNPs 0.37, 0.81, and 1.65 mg Ag L^-1, respectively. All concentrations of Ag-CS NCs caused a significant increase in MDA and NO, while GSH and CAT levels decreased significantly in all organs. Histological investigation of the gills, labial palp and foot tissues showed alternation after exposure to Ag-CS NCs, especially at dose 50 mg/L.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that exposure to Ag-CS NCs caused oxidative stress responses in Coelatura aegyptiaca and histological changes in the organs. These physiological and histological changes observed after exposure to Ag-CS NCs were most likely the result of the action of AgNPs themselves while the effect of chitosan on these changes was negligible. We concluded that Coelatura aegyptiaca was a sensitive bio-indicator for monitoring of the past and the present water pollution by nanoparticles.

Molecular evidence and morphological aspects of Transversotrema licinum, Phyllodistomum hoggettae, and re-description of Gyliauchen volubilis (Digenea) from the Red Sea

During a recent survey on digenean parasites infecting marine fish captured from water located along the Red Sea off Gizan Coasts, Saudi Arabia, thirty-two (29.09%) out of 110 fish were naturally infected with three different species of digenean parasites. The taxonomical status of the recovered worms was confirmed by light microscopy and molecular analysis. Transversotrema licinum infecting the Haffara seabream Rhabdosargus haffara possessed a transversely elongated body with eyespots and the anterior body margin with delineated velum along with its entire breadth. Oral sucker was absent, and eyespots were paired anterior to or at the level of ventral sucker. Phyllodistomum hoggettae from the urinary bladder of the Arabian Nagil Plectropomus areolatus was differentiated by its elongated body, narrow anterior end widened as going posteriorly with prominent marginal undulations in the hindbody. Gyliauchen volubilis infecting the marbled spinefoot Siganus rivulatus, was with fleshy body, conical, tapered anteriorly, convex dorsally, and concave ventrally. Prepharynx was very long and convoluted and had occupied the greater part of the anterior half of the body. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogeny were based on maximum likelihood analysis for the ITS–2 and 28S rDNA for Transversotrema licinum and Phyllodistomumhoggettae were constructed, respectively. They were compared to species within their families and further deposited into the Genebank under accession numbers MG 722711 and MG722710, respectively.

Garlic oil as a fight against histological and oxidative stress abnormalities in Wistar rats after oral inoculation of Anisakis spp. Type II (L3) (Nematoda)

ABSTRACT The consumption of inadequately thermally treated fish is a public health risk due to the possible propagation of Anisakis larvae and their antigenic proteins, the causative agent of the zoonotic disease anisakidosis. The present study demonstrated the physiological and histopathological changes that accompanied an oral inoculation of crude extracts from fresh and thermally treated Anisakis Type II (L3) in Wistar albino rats. Nematode worms were isolated from the marine fish Dicentrarchus labrax. They were examined and taxonomically identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. The study was performed in 6 rat groups: a control group (I), a garlic oil (GO) inoculated group (II), a fresh L3 inoculated group (III), a thermally treated L3 inoculated group (IV), a fresh L3 + GO inoculated group (V), and a thermally treated L3 + GO inoculated group (VI). It was observed that rats inoculated with fresh and thermally treated L3 crude extracts showed abnormal oxidative stress markers associated with the destruction of normal architecture of spleen and thymus. GO produced a protective effect in rat groups inoculated with L3 extracts + GO administration via the amelioration of oxidative stress markers, which was confirmed by the marked normal structure of the organs’ histology. Cooking of L3 infected fish induced severe physiological and histopathological alterations compared to uncooked infected fish. The administration of garlic before and after fish eating is recommended to avoid the dangerous effect of anisakids, even if they are cooked.

Renal Alterations Induced by Chronic Exposure to Therapeutic Doses of Antihypercholestremic Atorvastatin

BACKGROUND

Atorvastatin (ATOR) is widely used for the treatment and prevention of hypercholesterolemia and various diseases, such as cardiovascular complication, with little data about the histopathological and ultrastructural renal alterations that might be induced by this drug.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was undertaken to investigate the potential toxicity of therapeutic doses of atorvastatin on the microanatomy and ultrastructure of renal tissues from Wistar albino rats.

METHODS

Adult male Wistar albino rats received an oral daily dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for 90 consecutive days. Biopsies from both kidneys of each study rat were taken for histopathological and ultrastructural examination.

RESULTS

ATOR-treated rats exhibited glomerular, tubular, and interstitial histological alterations, including degeneration, necrosis, hyaline droplets, edema, cortical hemorrhages, mesangial hypercellularity, and blood capillary dilation and congestion. In addition, ATOR exposure increased the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase with a concurrent reduction in proteins and neutral mucosubstances content of the glomeruli and renal cells. Moreover, ATOR-treated animals demonstrated glomerular ultrastructural alterations, consisting mainly of capillary tuft dilatation, glomerular basement membrane thickening, and mesangial cell proliferation. The renal cells of the proximal tubules demonstrated damaged mitochondria, degenerative cellular changes, endoplasmic reticulum dilatation, lysosomal and autophagosome activation, nuclear alteration, myelin figure formation, and microvilli disorganization.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present work may indicate that ATOR can induce renal histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural alterations that may affect kidney and other vital organ function.

Freshwater Clam as a Potential Bioindicator for Silver/Saponin Nanocomposites Toxicity

Despite the progress in using silver nano products in many fields, including medicine, food, and industry, their effects on the environment need more attention. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the effect of silver/saponin nanocomposites (Ag/S NCs) for the first time on the aquatic environment by using freshwater clam, Caelatura aegyptiaca, as a fundamental bioindicator in the freshwater system. Following the preparation and characterization of Ag/S NCs by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and acute toxicity study, we exposed the clam to three different doses of Ag/S NCs (12.5, 25 and 50 mg L^-1) for consecutive 6 days. All Ag/S NCs concentrations caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide while induced a notable decrease in glutathione and catalase levels in all studied organs. Moreover, the histological alternations were observed in gills, labial palp, and foot tissues, particularly at dose 50 mg L^-1. From the results of our work, we concluded that toxicity of Ag/S NCs on freshwater clam leads to an oxidative stress response as well as histopathological changes. Besides, we assumed that Coelatura aegyptiaca could be used as a sensitive bioindicator for monitoring water pollution caused by different nanoparticles. Therefore, we do recommend performing further studies by using fresh clam to provide a better assessment for our aquatic environment to prevent water pollution locally and globally.

The influence of five metallic nanoparticles on the expression of major drug-metabolizing enzyme genes with correlation of inflammation in mouse livers

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in medical preparations. The present study aims to find out the influence of widely used five metallic NPs on the expression of major hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme (DME) genes. Six groups of BALB/C mice, 7 mice each, were exposed to: Gold NPs, silver NPs, copper oxide NPs, silicon dioxide NPs and zinc oxide NPs, for 21 days. Liver biopsies from all mice were subjected to mouse cyp3a11, cyp2c29, ugt2b1 and interleukin-6 (il6) gene expression quantification using real-time polymerase chain reaction, in addition to inflammatory cell infiltration examination. All tested NPs caused a sharp and significant (ANOVA, p value <0.05) downregulation in the expression of DME genes, with the highest influence was observed in mice exposed to copper oxide NPs. Additionally, all NPs induced hepatic inflammation and upregulated the expression of il6 gene, which were inversely correlated with the expression of DMEs. It is concluded that all tested NPs downregulated the expression of DME genes, with the highest influence exhibited by copper oxide NPs, in correlation with inflammation and il6 gene induction in the liver. Further studies are needed to find out the effect of anti-inflammatory compounds against the alterations induced by metallic NPs exposure on hepatic DMEs.

Curcumin phytosome modulates aluminum-induced hepatotoxicity via regulation of antioxidant, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in rats

Increasing entrance of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) in many fields exposes human beings to its biotoxicity. Thereby, the present study assesses the potential ameliorative role of curcumin phytosome (CP) on AlCl₃-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): group 1 served as control; group 2 received CP (200 mg CP/kg b.wt) for 21 days; group 3 injected three doses of AlCl₃ (30 mg/kg/body weight) every 5 days intraperitoneally; group 4 received CP for 7 days prior to AlCl₃ and then received CP concurrently with AlCl₃ for another 14 days. AlCl₃ markedly increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total bilirubin, and LPO as well as depleted (P < 0.05) albumin, GSH, SOD, and GPx stores in comparison to the control group. These biochemical alterations supported by the lesion observed in histological sections, increasing the expression of caspase-3 and decreasing the expression of Bcl-2. Treatment with CP modulates the hepatic dysfunction, boosting the endogenous antioxidant status, downregulating the expression of caspase-3, and upregulating the expression of Bcl-2. This hepatic ameliorative effect may be mediated by the ability of CP to repair the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium rather than its ability to suppress apoptosis.

Ameliorative effect of selenium nanoparticles against aluminum chloride-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

The present study evaluated the possible ameliorative efficacy of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on AlCl₃-induced hepatorenal injury in rats. Animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): group 1, the control; group 2, received SeNPs (0.4 mg/kg b.wt) for 21 days; group 3, injected with three doses of AlCl₃ intraperitoneally (30 mg/kg/body weight) every 5 days; group 4, received SeNPs for 7 days prior to AlCl₃ and then received SeNPs concurrently with AlCl₃ for the following 14 days. It was observed that AlCl₃ increased the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and MDA significantly; as well as the reduction in the levels of GSH, SOD, GPx stores in comparison with the control group. These biochemical alterations were accompanied and confirmed by the lesion appeared in histological sections in addition to the increase in the expression of caspase-3 and the decrease of the Bcl-2expression. Treatment with SeNPs ameliorates the hepatorenal dysfunction, replenishes the endogenous antioxidant system, downregulates the expression of caspase-3, and upregulates the expression of Bcl-2. This hepatorenal ameliorative role may be due to the ability of SeNPs to equilibrate the oxidant/antioxidant system besides its ability to attenuate apoptosis process.