Effects of sodium fluoride on hepatic toxicity in adult mice and their suckling pups

In this investigation, we have evaluated the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on hepatic function in pregnant and lactating mice and their suckling pups. Experiments were carried out on female Wistar mice given 500 ppm sodium fluoride (226 ppm fluoride ion) in their drinking water from the 15th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. All mice were sacrificed on day 14 after parturition. Our results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of total protein and albumin, a marked hypoglycaemia and a significant decline in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in fluoride-treated mice and their pups. Whereas globulin and biluribin levels in serum were not significantly changed by NaF treatment. On the other hand, serum transaminase activities (aspartate transaminase; alanine transaminase), which well known as markers of liver function, were elevated indicating hepatic cells’ damage after treatment with fluoride. Lipid peroxidation increased in NaF-treated mice and pups, as revealed by high liver malondialdehyde levels, while serum total antioxidant status showed a significant decline. These biochemical modifications in NaF-treated mice also correspond histologically with extensive ballooning, hepatocellular necrosis and infiltration of mononuclear cells. These effects were not observed in controls.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of the medicinal and edible halophyte Mesembryanthemum edule L.

Mesembryanthemum edule L. (sourfig, Aizoaceae) has long been used as food and in traditional medicine. This study was intended to characterize the antioxidant properties and the phenolic compounds of M. edule leaf, stem and root. The approach consisted to evaluate these organs for their antioxidant activities through several in vitro tests, to determine tissue contents in total phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins and to establish the phenolic composition through RP-HPLC analysis. All studied organs showed a high antioxidant activity as compared to positive control BHT, with maximal efficiency for stems followed by leaves and roots. The highest polyphenolic levels were found in stems and leaves (86.5 and 68.7 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW, respectively), suggesting that their strong antioxidant activity could be attributed to these phytochemicals. The HPLC analysis revealed that the main phenolic compounds were quercitrin and avicularin (1.4 and 1.15 mg g⁻¹ DW, respectively) in the leaves, while catechin and procyanidin B2 (1.66 and 1.54 mg g⁻¹ DW, respectively) were the most abundant phenolics in the stems. Overall, the strong antioxidant activity and richness of M. edule aerial tissues suggest that it could be advantageously used as a functional or nutraceutical food, to prevent or moderate oxidative stress-related diseases.     

Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of acetylated tyrosol by response surface methodology

The ability of a noncommercial immobilized lipase from Staphylococcus xylosus (SXLi) to catalyze the transesterification of tyrosol and ethyl acetate was investigated. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of the temperature (40-60 degrees C), the enzyme amount (50-500 UI), and the ethyl acetate/hexane volume ratio (0.2-1) on the tyrosol acetylation conversion yield. Two independent replicates were carried out under the optimal conditions predicted by the model (reaction temperature 54 degrees C, enzyme amount 500 UI, and volume ratio ethyl acetate/hexane 0.2). The maximum conversion yield reached 95.36 +/- 3.6%, which agreed with the expected value (96.8 +/- 3.7%). The ester obtained was characterized by spectroscopic methods. Chemical acetylation of tyrosol was performed, and the products were separated using HPLC. Among the eluted products from HPLC, mono- and diacetylated derivatives were identified by positive mass spectrometry. Tyrosol and its monoacetylated derivative exert similar antiradicalar activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle.     

Fenthion induced-oxidative stress in the liver of adult rats and their progeny: Alleviation by Artemisia campestris

Fenthion (FEN) is an organophosphate insecticide used in both agricultural and urban areas throughout the world including Tunisia. Recent investigations have proved the crucial role of natural antioxidants to prevent the damage caused by toxic compounds. In this study, we investigated the role of Artemisia campestris (Ac) leaf powder in protection against oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity induced by fenthion in female rats and their pups. Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: group I served as controls which received standard diet, group II received orally FEN 551 ppm, group III received both 551 ppm of FEN and experimental diet (5% Artemisia) and group IV received experimental diet (5% Artemisia). Oral administration 551 ppm of FEN by drinking water to adult rats caused hepatotoxicity as monitored by the increase in the levels of hepatic markers enzymes (transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), as well as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels thus causing a drastic alteration in antioxidant defence system. Particularly, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) increased by FEN. These biochemical alterations were accompanied by histological changes marked by leucocytes infiltration, sinusoidal dilatation (moderate peliosis), granuloma inflammatory disorders and necrosis in hepatocytes of dams. While, slight leucocytes infiltration was shown in pups. Treatment with Ac prevented the liver damage induced by FEN, as revealed by inhibition of hepatic lipid peroxidation accompanied by an improvement of liver histopathological changes, CAT and GPx activities except GSH and SOD which were not modified. It could be concluded that A. campestris is promising a protective agent against hepatotoxicity during the exposure to fenthion.     

Abiotic factors affecting the larvicidal activity of the Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa16 toxin against the lepidopteran pest Ephestia kuehniella

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - BUPM95 is a Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain producing the Vip3Aa16 protoxin with an interesting insecticidal activity against the...     

Fluoride-induced brain damages in suckling mice

In order to reveal mechanisms of brain damages resulted from fluoride toxicity, we treated adult female mice of Swiss Albinos strain by 500 ppm NaF (226 ppm F⁻) in their drinking water from the 15th day of pregnancy until the day 14 after delivery. All mice were sacrificed on day 14 after parturition. During treatment, levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the marker of lipid peroxidation extend, increased, while the activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the level of glutathione (tGSH) decreased significantly in both cerebellum and cerebrum compared with those of the control group. These results suggested that fluoride enhanced oxidative stress in the brain, thereby disturbing the antioxidant defense of nursing pups. In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in both cerebellum and cerebrum was inhibited after treatment with fluoride. In our previous studies we have found, a decrease in plasma thyroid hormone levels of nursing pups whose mothers were treated by NaF. In cerebellum of mice, migration of neurons from the external granular layer to the internal granular layer occurred postnatally and was dependent upon the presence of thyroid hormone. In hypothyroidism, several neurons failed to complete their migration and died. Key guidance signals to these migrating neurons were provided by laminin, an extracellular matrix protein fixed to the surface of astrocytes. In the present study we examined the expression and distribution of laminin in cerebellum of 14-day-old mice. Immunoreactive laminin was disappeared by postnatal day 14 in cerebellum parenchyma of control pups and was restricted to vasculature despite the continued presence of granular cells in the external granular layer. In contrast, in cerebellum of NaF treated pups, laminin was deposited in organised punctuate clusters in the molecular layer. These data indicated that the disruption of laminin distribution might play a major role in the profound derangement of neuronal migration observed in cerebellum of NaF treated pups.     

Histopathological effects of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant in the midgut of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and improvement of its insecticidal efficiency

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The present investigation aimed to throw light on the effect of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant on the third larval instars of the Mediterranean...     

天水市种子管理工作现状与对策分析

随着《中华人民共和国种子法》的深入实施和《国务院办公厅关于推进种子管理体制改革加强市场监管的意见》的贯彻执行,我市各县区实现了种子政企分开,结束了国有种子公司长期垄断种子生产、经营的局面,各种所有制种子企业大量涌现,种子销售网点急剧增多,种子市场监管工作显得尤为重要.为此,笔者针对种子管理体制改革后,我市种子产业发展状况和种子市场出现的新情况、新问题进行了多次专题调查研究,旨在为领导决策提供科学依据,促进我市种子产业健康持续发展.     

Detection of QTLs for salt tolerance in Asian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by association analysis with SNP markers

Two hundred ninety-six Asian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions were assessed to detect QTLs underlying salt tolerance by association analysis using a 384 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker system. The experiment was laid out at the seedling stage in a hydroponic solution under control and 250 mM NaCl solution with three replications of four plants each. Salt tolerance was assessed by leaf injury score (LIS) and salt tolerance indices (STIs) of the number of leaves (NL), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW). LIS was scored from 1 to 5 according to the severity of necrosis and chlorosis observed on leaves. There was a wide variation in salt tolerance among Asian barley accessions. LIS and STI (SDW) were the most suitable traits for screening salt tolerance. Association was estimated between markers and traits to detect QTLs for LIS and STI (SDW). Seven significant QTLs were located on chromosomes 1H (2 QTLs), 2H (2 QTLs), 3H (1 QTL), 4H (1 QTL) and 5H (1 QTL). Five QTLs were associated with LIS and 2 QTLs with STI (SDW). Two QTLs associated with LIS were newly identified on chromosomes 3H and 4H.