Maternal periodontitis potentiates monosodium glutamate-obesity damage on Wistar offspring's fast-glycolytic muscle

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of magnifying the damage caused by obesity induced by monosodium glutamate, using a model of maternal periodontitis, on the structure of the anterior tibialis muscle of the offspring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four female Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: control (n = 6), obese (n = 6), control with periodontitis (n = 6) and obese with periodontitis (n = 6). At 78 days of life, the rats were mated with males without any experimental intervention. The offspring of these rats (n = 1/L), at 120 days of life, were weighed and measured, then euthanized. Plasma was collected for analysis of cytokines IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α. Adipose tissues were collected and weighed, and the anterior tibial muscle was designated for histomorphological analyses (n = 6/group).

RESULTS

Monosodium glutamate offspring showed significant muscle changes, such as a reduction in the size of fibres and neuromuscular junctions, and an increase in the nucleus and capillaries. However, all these changes were more expressed in monosodium glutamate-obese with periodontitis offspring.

CONCLUSION

This leads us to suggest a magnifying effect promoted by periodontitis to the damage already well described by monosodium glutamate-obesity, determined by low-intensity inflammation, causing greater muscle damage.

Bio-reductive synthesis of silver nanoparticles, its antibacterial efficiency, and possible toxicity in common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio)

The biological synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging field of study that seeks to synthesize nanoparticles using non-chemical mechanisms such as microorganisms, plants, and animal blood serum. Among these, plants have gained particular attention due to their ease of handling, availability, and ability to synthesize a wide range of nanoparticles. Therefore, the current study aimed to fabricate the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Chinese medicinal plants (CMP) for their possible toxicity in common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio). For this purpose, CMP was dried, ground, and used as a bio-reductive agent. The fabricated AgNPs were characterized and a well dispersed AgNPs were obtained. Moreover, the C. carpio was exposed to the AgNPs for bioaccumulation and histological alterations. The obtained findings revealed that the AgNPs were mostly accumulated in the intestines followed by the gills, muscles, liver, and brain. The accumulated AgNPs caused histological alterations in gills and intestines at the highest concentration (0.08 mg/L). However, very less alterations were caused by the lowest concentration, especially in the intestine. In conclusion, further in-depth research is needed to determine the risks associated with the usage of nanoparticles to reveal their harmful impacts on fish and the aquatic environment. HIGHLIGHTS: The biological fabrication of AgNPs is considered eco-friendly. Chinese medicinal plants play a significant role in AgNPs synthesis. AgNPs have excellent antibacterial activity. AgNPs are bioaccumulated in various organs of fish.

Potential Toxic Effects of Exposure to Titanium Silicon Oxide Nanoparticles in Male Rats

Recently, nano titanium silicon oxide (TiSiO₄ NPs) has been used in different fields and industries. Very few toxicological data exist for TiSiO₄ NPs. In the present study, the potential adverse effects of oral exposure to a single dose of TiSiO₄ NPs ≤ 50 nm (250 mg/kg b.w.) in adult male rats were investigated through the assessment of biomarkers for serum biochemical parameters, liver DNA damage, and histopathological examination and determination of Si and Ti in the exposed rat tissues. The results revealed that there were no significant changes in serum total protein, albumin, and triglycerides content, while total cholesterol level was significantly increased 7 days after exposure. TiSiO₄ NPs significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the exposed rat serum, whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, urea level, immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) concentrations, progesterone, and testosterone levels were significantly decreased. The liver comet assay indices were significantly increased after 7 days post-exposure. Moreover, histopathological changes and the accumulation of Si and Ti in liver, kidney, spleen, and lung tissues of treated rats were recorded.

Polystyrene Microplastics Exposure: An Insight into Multiple Organ Histological Alterations, Oxidative Stress and Neurotoxicity in Javanese Medaka Fish (Oryzias javanicus Bleeker, 1854)

Microplastics (MPs) have become pollutants of concern due to their unknown human health effect and negative impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is increasing number of experimental research on MPs globally with its effects not fully understood; recent animal studies explore its effects on the intestines, yet on other vital organs. Javanese medaka fish was exposed to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) beads for a period of 21 days. Histological alterations, intestinal oxidative stress, permeability and neurotoxicity were evaluated. Significant inflammatory changes and tissue damage were observed in the intestine, liver and kidney. Intestinal oxidative stress and permeability were found to be significantly increased. In the brain, neurotoxicity characterised by a significant induction of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme were elucidated. This study provided an insight into the multiple organ effect of microplastics exposure, necessitating further exploration and identification of biomarkers to be utilised for biomonitoring population at risk in the future.

Hepatic histopathological and ultrastructural alterations induced by 10 nm silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are invested in various sectors and are becoming more persistent in our ambient environment with potential risk on our health and the ecosystems. The current study aims to investigate the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural hepatic changes that might be induced by 10 nm silver nanomaterials. Male mice (BALB/C) were exposed for 35 injections of daily dose of 10 nm Ag NPs (2 mg/kg). Liver tissues were subjected to examination by light and electron microscopy for histological, histochemical and ultrastructural alterations. Exposure to Ag NPs induced Kupffer cells hyperplasia, sinusoidal dilatation, apoptosis, ground glass hepatocytes appearance, nuclear changes, inflammatory cells infiltration, hepatocytes degeneration and necrosis. In addition, 10 nm Ag NPs induced histochemical alterations mainly glycogen depletion with no hemosiderin precipitation. Moreover, these nanomaterials exhibited ultrastructure alterations including mitochondrial swelling and cristolysis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, apoptosis, multilammellar myelin figures formation and endoplasmic destruction and reduction. The findings revealed that Ag NPs can induce alterations in the hepatic tissues, the chemical components of the hepatocytes and in the ultrastructure of the liver. One may also conclude that small size Ag NPs, which are increasingly used in human products could cause various toxigenic responses to all hepatic tissue components.

The Effect of Antioxidant Agents on Cisplatin-Induced Laryngeal Histological Alterations in Rats

The larynx-related adverse effects that depend on cisplatin decrease patient comfort and many antioxidants have been used to eliminate these side effects. We aimed to identify the laryngeal mucosal changes imposed by cisplatin and investigated whether antioxidants, and their healing effects on these changes, may help reduce laryngeal complications in patients resulting from adverse effects in the larynx. A rat model was designed to evaluate the effects of cisplatin on the larynx and the protective role of antioxidants. Single-dose cisplatin was given both intraperitoneally alone and additionally administered with p-coumaric acid, melatonin, resveratrol, vitamin D, and oleic acid over 5 days. Whole larynges were dissected and evaluated histologically, histochemically, and immunohistochemically. Varying degrees of mucosal changes cisplatin group, but neither erosion nor an ulcer was observed. Numerous variable histological effects of antioxidants were observed on cisplatin exposed laryngeal mucosa. The most obvious effects of cisplatin were edema. The results of the study showed that resveratrol was the most preventive antioxidant agent against cisplatin-dependent mucosal changes. The highest increase in the Ki67 index was in the oleic acid group. Vitamin D increased stromal cyclooxygenase-2 expression that may have an effect on increasing mucosal damage.

In vivo investigation on the chronic hepatotoxicity induced by intraperitoneal administration of 10-nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles

Background

Silicon dioxide (silica) nanoparticles (SDNPs) are widely used in nanotechnology and medicine, but these nanomaterials may carry a high risk for human health while little is known about their toxicity.

Methods

We investigated the alterations in morphometry, biochemistry, hematology, histology of liver tissue and gene expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes induced by 10-nm SDNPs. Healthy male Wistar albino rats were exposed to 20, 35 and 50 repeated injections of SDNPs (2 mg/kg body weight). Whole blood, serum and plasma samples were used for hematological and biochemical analyses, whereas liver biopsies were processed for histopathological and gene expression alterations.

Results

In comparison with control rats, exposure to SDNPs lowered the body weight gain and liver index and increased the counts of white blood cells and platelets, but lowered the platelet larger cell ratio and plateletcrit. Levels of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, low-density lipids, procalcitonin, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as potassium, phosphorus and iron concentrations, were increased. Histopathology revealed that SDNPs could induce hydropic degeneration, sinusoidal dilatation, hyperplasia of Kupffer cells, karyopyknosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver. SDNPs reduced the expression of 12 genes of drug-metabolizing enzymes significantly (p<0.05).

Conclusion

These results suggest that SDNPs could cause alterations in morphometry, biochemistry, hematology, liver tissues and the expression of drug-metabolizing enzyme genes.

Anti-inflammatory Montelukast prevents toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: Oxidative stress, histological alterations in liver, and serum cytokine levels

This study aimed to investigate the potential beneficial effects of the montelukast (ML) on oxidative stress and histological alterations in liver tissues and cytokine levels in rats intoxicated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Rats were divided randomly into four equal groups (control, TCDD, ML, TCDD + ML). TCDD were administered by gavages dissolved in corn oil at the doses of 2 µg/kg/week, and ML was given intraperitoneally at the dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Oxidative status, histological alterations, and cytokine levels were analyzed on day 60. The results showed that although TCDD induced oxidative stress via significant increase in formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, it caused a significant decline in glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in liver. Besides, TCDD led to significant histopathological damage in liver and serum cytokine levels alterations (increase in tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β levels). In contrast, ML treatment reversed oxidative effects of TCDD by increasing the levels of GSH, CAT, and SOD and decreasing the formation of TBARS. Also, it can normalize the levels of histological and cytokine alterations induced by TCDD. In conclusion, it was determined that TCDD exposure caused adverse effects on cytokine levels, histological alterations, and oxidative stress in rats. However, ML treatment partially eliminated toxic effects of TCDD. Thus, it was judged that coadministration of ML with TCDD may be useful to attenuate the negative effects of TCDD.

Renal tissue alterations were size-dependent with smaller ones induced more effects and related with time exposure of gold nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have important application for cell labeling and imaging, drug delivery, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes mainly in cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs) are being increasingly exploited for medical applications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the particle-size and period effects of administration of GNPs on the renal tissue in an attempt to address their potential toxicity.

METHODS

A total of 70 healthy male Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to GNPs received 50 or 100 μl of GNPs infusion of size (10, 20 and 50 nm for 3 or 7 days) to investigate particle-size effect of GNPs on the renal tissue. Animals were randomly divided into groups, 6 GNPs-treated rats groups and one control group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received infusion of 50 μl GNPs of size 10 nm (3 or 7 days), size 20 nm (3 or 7 days) and 50 nm (3 or 7 days), respectively; while groups 4, 5 and 6 received infusion of 100 μl GNPs of size 10 nm, size 20 nm and 50 nm, respectively. Stained sections of control and treated rats kidneys were examined for renal tissue alterations induced by GNPs.

RESULTS

In comparison with respective control rats, exposure to GNPs doses has produced the following renal tubular alterations: cloudy swelling, vacuolar degeneration, hyaline droplets and casts, anisokaryosis, karopyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis. The glomeruli showed moderate congestion with no hypercelluraity, mesangial proliferation or basement membrane thickening. The histological alterations were mainly seen in the cortex and the proximal renal convoluted tubules were more affected than the distal ones.

CONCLUSIONS

The induced histological alterations might be an indication of injured renal tubules due to GNPs toxicity that became unable to deal with the accumulated residues resulting from metabolic and structural disturbances caused by these NPs. The findings may suggest that GNPs interact with proteins and enzymes of the renal tissue interfering with the antioxidant defense mechanism and leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which in turn may induce stress in the renal cells to undergo atrophy and necrosis. The produced alterations were size-dependent with smaller ones induced more affects and related with time exposure of GNPs.