Anti-genotoxic effect of Aloysia triphylla infusion against acrylamide-induced DNA damage as shown by the comet assay technique

Aloysia triphylla a perennial, bushy plant originally from South America has long been used in traditional medicine. Its aqueous extract contains considerable amounts of polyphenolic compounds, namely flavonoids and phenolic acids. In view of the interest in natural phenolic compounds as antioxidant in preventive medicine, this study was undertaken to investigate the chemoprotective effects of cedron leaves infusion against the genetic damage induced by acrylamide (AA) by using the alkaline version of the comet assay technique. Mice were separated in nine groups (eight animals each): (I) untreated, (II) negative control, (III) treated with infusion of cedron leaves 5%, 20 days twice a day, (IV) treated with AA (5 mg/kg b.w.), (V) treated with AA (20 mg/kg b.w.), (VI) treated with AA (30 mg/kg b.w.), (VII) treated with AA (50 mg/kg b.w.), (VIII) pretreated with infusion and treated with AA (50 mg/kg b.w.) and (IX) positive control (cyclophosphamide, 20 mg/kg b.w.). Three hundred blast cells were digitally evaluated per animal from three different slides (100 each). Media of tail moment (TM) values were analyzed by ANOVA test. No statistical differences (p>0.05) were found between untreated animals, negative control and infusion-treated mice. A single dose of AA-induced genetic damage as revealed by a statistically significant increase in TM values (p<0.01). Pretreatment with infusion prior to AA injection significantly reduces the capacity of AA to induce genetic damage. In these conditions, tail moments values did not differ from data obtained in negative control (p>0.05) and exhibit statistical differences from animals treated only with AA (p<0.01). Cell viability was at least 90% in all cases as measured by the trypan blue exclusion method. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method reveals that the plasma of infusion-treated mice has a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than plasma from controls (p<0.01). The results suggest that the infusion could exerts an in vivo chemo protective action, probably due to its scavenging potency towards free radicals.     

The Influence of histamine H1-receptor on liver functions in immunized rabbits

This study was designed to investigate the functional roles of histamine and histamine H1-receptor agonist and antagonist in the development of liver function impairment in immunized rabbits. The study comprised of six groups containing 18 rabbits each. Group III–VI received histamine (100 μg/kg, s.c.), H1R-agonist (HTMT, 10 μg/kg, s.c.), H1R-antagonist (pheniramine, 10 mg/kg, i.m.), and H1R-antagonist (pheniramine, 10 mg/kg, i.m.) plus histamine (100 μg/kg, s.c.), respectively, b.i.d. for 10 days. Group I (negative control) and group II (positive control) received sterile distilled water intramuscularly b.i.d. for 10 days. Groups II–VI were immunized on day 3 with intravenous injection of SRBC (1 × 10⁹ cells/ml). Blood samples were collected on pre-immunization day 0, as well as on days 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, and 58-post-immunization. Biochemical parameters AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin [total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), and indirect bilirubin (IB)] were determined. On each experimental day, the mean values of serum enzymes and bilirubin in group I and group II showed no significant changes while in group III, IV, V, and VI, these enzymes and bilirubin levels showed significant changes (p < 0.05), when compared with their experimental values within the group. The levels of serum enzymes and bilirubin showed significant difference (p < 0.05) in group III, IV, V, and VI on each experimental day, when compared with the corresponding values of each other, and also compared with the corresponding values of group I and II. Histamine, HTMT, pheniramine, and combination of histamine + pheniramine cause hepatic function impairment in terms of altered serum enzymes and bilirubin levels. The present findings suggest that HTMT causes moderate liver function impairment while others show mild impairment.     

Effects of Iscador and Vincristine and 5-Fluorouracil on Brain, Liver, and Kidney Element Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Exposure to substance toxicity is especially dangerous for diabetics because it accelerates and intensifies diabetic complication. Homeostasis of trace elements can be disrupted by diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, disturbance in trace element status in diabetes mellitus may contribute to insulin resistance and development of diabetic complications. The aim of the present study was to compare the concentration of elements in the brain, liver, and kidneys of animals with induced diabetes after the administration of plant preparations (iscador and vincristine) and 5-fluorouracil. The experiments were carried out on male mice. The animals were divided into five groups of ten mice each: one control and four experimental groups. The first experimental group was administered alloxan at 75 mg/kg b.w. for 4 days, the second group was administered both alloxan at 75 mg/kg b.w. and vincristine 1 mg/kg b.w. for 4 days, and the third group was administered both alloxan at 75 mg/kg b.w. and 5-fluorouracil 75 mg/kg b.w. for 4 days. The animals of the fourth group were administered both alloxan at 75 mg/kg b.w. and iscador Qu at 5 mg/kg b.w. for 4 days. Calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, sodium, and potassium levels in the tissues were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. We observed that zinc, copper, magnesium, sodium, and potassium were lower in the brain as compared to the control animals. The copper levels in the liver were also lower in diabetic groups than in control groups. However, the iscador and vincristine and 5-fluorouracil did not induce significant differences in the five groups. In conclusion, results of the current study indicated that changes of the investigated essential elements may contribute to explaining the role of impaired element metabolism of some elements in the progression of diabetic complications.     

Changes in the amount of reduced glutathione and activity of antioxidant enzymes in chosen mouse organs influenced by zymosan and melatonin administration

Reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) are vital components of the antioxidative barrier in animal cells. It is suggested more often now that the effectiveness of the protection of cells against the oxidative stress caused by the inflammation process depends on the amount of GSH and the activity of SOD, CAT and GSHPx. That is why the effect of zymosan A (40 mg/kg body mass) and the combined treatment with zymosan A (at the same dose) and melatonin (50 mg/kg body mass) on the amount of GSH in the blood and the amount of GSH and activity of SOD, CAT and GSHPx in the brain, liver and kidneys of male mice was estimated. Animals (n = 108) were decapitated after 3, 6 and 24 hours since the moment of the administration of only zymosan A, and combined zymosan A and after one hour melatonin. After the injection of zymosan A it was found that the amount of GSH is significantly lower after 3 and 6 hours in the blood and studied organs. The administration of zymosan A, followed by the administration of melatonin limited the decrease in the amount of this tripeptide in the same time. Simultaneously, the decrease in the amount of GSH in the studied organs was accompanied by a similar decrease in the activity of SOD, CAT and GSHPx after the injection of only zymosan A and a limited decrease in the activity after the administration of both zymosan A and melatonin. It is suggested that a decreased content of GSH and a decrease in the activity of the studied antioxidative enzymes is caused by the oxidative stress accompanying the inflammation process.     

Zinc or Magnesium Supplementation Modulates Cd Intoxication in Blood,Kidney, Spleen,and Bone of Rabbits

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of oral supplementation with Zn or Mg on Cd content in the blood and organs of rabbits exposed to prolonged Cd intoxication. Rabbits were divided into the following groups: Cd group-received orally every day for 4 weeks 10 mg Cd/kg body weight (b.w.), Cd+Zn group and Cd+Mg group-exposed to Cd and supplemented with 20 mg Zn/kg b.w. or 40 mg Mg/kg b.w. 1 h after Cd treatment. Cd content in biological material was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood Cd concentration was determined in all investigated groups at time 0 and after 10, 14, 18, 22, 25, and 28 days, whereas Cd content in the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, skeletal muscle, and bone was determined after 28 days. Blood Cd concentration was significantly increased in all groups from the 14th day of Cd intoxication and lasted till the end of the experiment. Zn or Mg supplementation significantly reduced blood Cd content on the 18th and 25th days. Supplementation with Zn or Mg significantly decreased Cd concentration in the kidney, spleen, and bone and, in addition, Zn reduced Cd content in the brain. Supplementation with Zn or Mg in Cd-intoxicated rabbits caused similar reduction of blood Cd concentration; however, reduction of tissue Cd content was more pronounced in Zn- than in Mg-supplemented group.     

Distribution of cadmium in selected organs of mice: effects of cadmium on organ contents of retinoids and beta-carotene

Cadmium was administered to 32 adult ICR mice i.p. in two single doses (0.25 and 0.5 mg CdCl2, per kg of b.w.). After 48 hours concentrations of cadmium in kidneys, liver, spleen, muscle (m. quadriceps femoris), ovaries and testes and the concentration of retinyl palmitate, retinol and beta-carotene in kidney, liver and testes were determined. Significantly higher cadmium concentration was found in liver, kidney and ovary in both experimental groups in comparison with the control group (p<0.001). In muscle, spleen and testis the cadmium level was higher, however not significantly. No significant differences in the concentration of retinyl palmitate, retinol and alpha-carotene in liver were found. Concentration of alpha-carotene in kidney and testis was significantly decreased in both groups administered with cadmium (p<0.001). Concentration of retinyl palmitate was significantly lower in testis in the group with higher cadmium level (p<0.001) and the concentration of retinol significantly decreased in kidney and testis of mice after an administration of 0.5 mg CdCl2/kg b.w.     

链脲佐菌素制备糖尿病大鼠模型探讨

目的探讨链脲佐菌素(STZ)配合不同饮食建立糖尿病模型的方法,并对模型大鼠学习记忆能力进行考察,为糖尿病的深入研究及药物开发提供可靠的模型。方法雄性SD大鼠70只,随机分为7组,分别为空白对照组(Ⅰ);高糖高脂膳食组(Ⅱ);0周STZ(30 mg/kg)+高糖高脂膳食组(Ⅲ);0周STZ(30 mg/kg)+常规膳食组(Ⅳ);6周STZ(20 mg/kg)+高糖高脂膳食组(Ⅴ);6周STZ(25 mg/kg)+高糖高脂膳食组(Ⅵ);6周STZ(30 mg/kg)+高糖高脂膳食组(Ⅶ)。采用尾静脉注射STZ配合不同饮食制备糖尿病模型,动态监测模型大鼠血糖的变化,生化方法检测大鼠血脂的改变,放免法检测模型大鼠血清胰岛素、胰高血糖素。Morris水迷宫检测不同造模型条件对大鼠空间学习记忆能力的影响。结果与对照组比较,Ⅲ组大鼠于注射72 h后血糖升高明显(P<0.01),至注射第2周血糖升高达顶点(P<0.01),以后逐渐降低,至观察第10周,血糖维持在15 mmol/L(P<0.05)。IV组大鼠于注射72 h后血糖升高,以后迅速降低,至观察第10周,血糖降低至正常水平。Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ组大鼠于注射72 h后显著升高,此后呈波浪式变化;随着注射剂量增加,降低程度减慢。高糖高脂饲料喂养10周后,各组大鼠CHO,TG,LDL-C均增加;Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组大鼠血清INS水平较对照组增高,除IV外,各组胰高血糖素均高于对照组。水迷宫试验结果显示,Ⅶ组潜伏期延长,与对照组比较,具有统计学意义。结论 STZ(30 mg/kg)配合高糖高脂膳食能够快速、稳定的建立糖尿病大鼠模型,高糖高脂膳食组6周后尾静脉注射STZ(30 mg/kg)制备模型,血糖升高显著,血清胰岛素水平降低明显,倾向于1型糖尿病模型。     

Chronomodulatory effect of cyclosporine upon survival of DBA mice with L1210 leukemia

A circadian stage-dependent anti-tumor effect of cyclosporine was tested on 268 female DBA mice, 9-10 weeks of age. The mice were kept in 6 different environmental chambers on regimens of 12h of light alternating with 12h of darkness, staggered by 4h: they were inoculated intraperitoneally with 2 X 10(5) L1210 cells at one of 6 different circadian stages. At the same circadian stage, starting 48h after inoculation, for 4 days, each mouse received the vehicle, a fixed dose of cyclosporine (15 mg/kg b.w.), a varying dose of cyclosporine 5, 10, 20 and 25 mg/kg b.w.) or no treatment. Cyclosporine prolonged survival time in a circadian stage dependent fashion (p less than 0.01), as shown by an analysis of variance and by cosinor analysis (mesor = 8.45h; amplitude = 5.45h; acrophase = 12 HALO). Cyclosporine thus acts, in a feed-sideward, as a chronomodulator of the interaction between the tumor and its host.     

Changes in the cytoplasmic RNA content in neurons of the nucleus suprachiasmaticus following a single dose of kainic acid

The Cytoplasmic RNA content in neurons of the nucleus suprachiasmaticus was determined cytophotometrically in adult mice following injection of kainic acid. A dose of 12 mg/kg b. w. caused a significant increase in the cytoplasmic RNA content at least between 1 and 15 days postinjection.     

Effect of treatment of cow’s urine “Gomutra” and antioxidants in alleviating the lindane-induced oxidative stress in kidney of Swiss mice (Mus musculus)

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of cow urine and combination of antioxidants against lindane induced oxidative stress in Swiss mice. Male healthy mice, 8–10 weeks old, weighing 30 ± 5 g were randomly selected and divided into eight groups, namely, control (C); lindane (L); antioxidant (A), antioxidant+lindane (A+L), cow urine (U), cow urine+lindane (U+L), cow urine+antioxidants (U+A) and cow urine+antioxidants+lindane (U+A+L). Group C animals were administered only the vehicle (olive oil); doses selected for other treatments were: lindane: 40 mg/kg b.w.; antioxidants: 125 mg/kg b.w. (vitamin C: 50 mg/kg b.w., vitamin E: 50 mg/kg b.w., α-lipoic acid: 25 mg/kg b.w.) and cow urine: 0.25 ml/kg b.w. In group A+L and U+L antioxidants and cow urine were administered 1 h prior to lindane administration and in group U+A and U+A+L cow urine was administered 10 min before antioxidants. All treatments were administered orally continuously for 60 days. Lindane treated group showed increased lipid peroxidation, whereas glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, protein and endogenous levels of vitamin C and E were significantly decreased compared to control. Administration of cow urine and antioxidants alleviated the levels of these biochemical parameters.     

Antimutagenicity of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid against doxorubicin-induced clastogenesis in Balb/c mice

Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) are triterpenoid compounds found in food, medicinal herbs and various other plants in free form or bound to glycosides. Both substances are known for their antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antiviral and cytotoxic activities. In the present study, we evaluated the antimutagenic potential of UA and OA using the micronucleus test in peripheral blood and bone marrow of Balb/c mice. The animals were divided into 10 treatment groups: mice treated with UA (80 mg/kg b.w.); OA (80 mg/kg b.w.); a mixture of UA and OA (80 mg/kg b.w.); the antineoplastic agent doxorubicin (DXR, 90 mg/kg b.w.); DMSO and DXR; UA and DXR; OA and DXR; UA, OA and DXR, and negative and solvent controls. UA, OA and a mixture of UA and OA were administered to the animals by gavage, followed by the intraperitoneal injection of DXR. The results showed a significant reduction in micronucleus frequency in the groups concomitantly treated with the triterpenoid compounds and DXR compared to that treated with DXR alone. The present results demonstrate the antimutagenic activity of UA and OA under the experimental conditions used in this study.     

Enhancement of benzene clastogenicity by praziquantel in mice

Praziquantel (PQ) is a commonly used drug to treat patients with schistosomiasis. Previous studies using cells in vitro have shown that PQ can enhance the mutagenic activities of known mutagens. We have conducted a cytogenetic - urine metabolite study to determine the in vivo clastogenic and co-clastogenic potential of PQ with a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, benzene (BZ). 16 groups of adult male ICR mice (5 animals per group) were used. They were negative control, solvent controls (cremophore E1 3%, olive oil and combined), positive control (BZ 440 mg/kg b.w.) and 11 exposed groups. To test for clastogenicity of PQ, mice were treated orally with 100, 400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg b.w. PQ and sacrificed 30 h later for determination of micronuclei (MN) frequency in bone-marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). None of these PQ does induced an increase of MN frequency. On the other hand, BZ induced, as expected, a high frequency of MN (46.4 +/- 6.34/1000 PCE). The enhancement effect of PQ was tested in 7 groups of mice using 3 different protocols. Mice were treated with 440 mg/kg b.w. BZ and 1 h later with 0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg b.w. PZ. In another group, 800 mg/kg PQ was administered at 3 h after BZ exposure. In the last group, PQ (800 mg/kg) was administered at 1 h prior to BZ exposure. Results from the first combined exposure group showed a significant PQ dose-dependent increase in the frequency of MN in PCE (p less than 0.05). The increase with the two high doses of praziquantel is significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than the MN frequencies in the benzene control and the expected value based on the additive effects of the two agents. Studies with other combined treatment groups showed that the induction of MN was highest when PQ was administered at 1 h before BZ exposure. Moreover, the presence of BZ metabolites (muconic acid, phenol, catechol and hydroquinone) in urine was studied in 6 of the combined treatment groups. This metabolite study revealed that PQ enhanced the metabolism of BZ towards the pathway to form muconaldehyde which is converted to muconic acid in urine. In conclusion, our study showed that PQ is not a clastogen but can enhance the clastogenic activity of BZ in vivo by shifting the metabolic pathways of BZ towards formation of muconaldehyde which may be responsible for the enhancement effect.     

Changes in the level of sulfhydryl groups in the organs and blood of mice administered a highly dispersed iron powder against a background of developing anemia

Alimentary iron deficiency causes significant changes in thiol content: the increase in the content of protein sulfhydryl groups in organs at late stages and the decrease in that of non-protein sulfhydryl groups at early stages of experiment. A preliminary introduction of 10 mg/kg fine iron powder (FIP) into animals fed iron-free food leads to the decrease in sulfhydryl group content in organs and blood of experimental mice. The decrease in sulfhydryl group content at FIP introduction might be connected with changes in activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes.     

Quantity of DNA in the organs of 19-day-old foetuses after AET, MEA, or 5-HT treatment of mice on the first day of gestation

On the first day of gestation, Porton mice were injected intraperitoneally with AET (2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide), MEA (cysteamine hydrochloride,) or 5-HT (serotonin-creatinine sulphate), in a dose of 40 mg/kg of bodyweight. On the nineteenth day of pregnancy, the fresh weight of both heart and kidneys of foetuses, as well as DNA content in 25 mg of fresh tissue and in these whole organs were analysed. DNA was extracted from the foetal organs by means of Burton's method, which is based on the estimation of deoxiribose content in the colour reaction with diphenylamine. As compared to controls, in the remaining groups of mice lower fresh weight of both heart and kidneys of foetuses, greater DNA content in 25 mg of fresh tissue and smaller total amounts of DNA in the whole organs were found. Among the experimental groups of mice, statistically significant differences in the analysed values were observed between the group of animals treated with 5-HT and the remaining groups, with the exception of statistically non-significant difference in the DNA content of the whole kidneys between those injected with 5-HT and MEA.     

Anesthetic Effects of a Mixture of Medetomidine,Midazolam and Butorphanol in Two Strains of Mice

The combination of ketamine and xylazine is a widely used anesthetic for laboratory animals. However, due to an abuse problem in Japan, ketamine has been specified as a narcotic since 2007. Instead of using ketamine, Kawai et al. reported an injectable formula with an equivalent effect to the mixture of ketamine and xylazine [11]. The mixture of 0.3 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) medetomidine (Med.), 4.0 mg/kg b.w. midazoram (Mid.), and 5.0 mg/kg b.w. butorphanol (But.) produced an anesthetic duration of around 40 min in outbred ICR mice. However, the anesthetic effect of the mixture for inbred mice strains remains unknown. Therefore, we examined anesthetic effects of the mixture of Med., Mid., and But. in the BALB/c and C57BL/6J strains. After intraperitoneal injection into mice, right front paw, left hind paw, and tail pinch reflexes as well as corneal and righting reflexes were observed. Every 5 min, we scored each reflex category as 0 for reaction or 1 for no reaction. As long as the total score was at least 4 out of 5, we considered the mixture as putting a mouse in a surgical anesthetic state. The mixture produced an anesthetic duration of more than 45 min in both strains of mice. These results indicate that the mixture of Med., Mid., and But. can be a useful and effective anesthesia for the BALB/c and C57BL/6J strains of inbred mice as well as outbred ICR mice.     

Subclinic effect of the administration of T-2 Toxin and Nivalenol in mice

Four experiments using T-2 toxin and nivalenol at different dosage, which represented the 25% and 40% of the LD50 (experiment A: 1.04 mg of T-2 toxin per kilogram of body weight, experiment B: 2.34 mg of T-2 toxin/kg b.w., experiment C: 1.04 mg of T-2 toxin/kg b. w. and 2.34 mg of T-2 toxin/kg b.w.; experiment D: 0.82 mg of nivalenol/kg b.w. and 1.845 mg of nivalenol/kg b.w.) were conducted on 400 mice. Both toxins were administered to mice of different ages (experiments A and B were adults, experiment C and D were young) by intraperitoneal single injection, and the clinical signs, hematological variables and histoanatomo pathological changes were studied. All animals survived. No changes anatomo-histopathological nor significative differences in weight gain were observed. Different behaviors were found for nivalenol and T-2 toxin. The most significant change was the increase in the level of monocytes in old animals, so this could be a biological indicator for T-2 toxin subclinical intoxication.     

The effect of polyphenols and vitamin E on the antioxidant status and meat quality of broiler chickens exposed to high temperature

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a polyphenol product (PP) (Proviox) and vitamin E on the antioxidant status and meat quality of broiler chickens exposed to high temperature. The experimental materials comprised 120 ROSS 308 broilers (6 treatments, 10 replications, 2 birds per replication). Dietary supplementation with vitamin E and PP was applied in the following experimental design: group I (negative control) – without supplementation; group II (positive control) – without supplementation; group III – supplementation with 100 mg vitamin E/kg; group IV – 200 mg vitamin E/kg; group V – 100 mg vitamin E/kg and 100 mg PP/kg; group VI – 200 mg PP/kg. In groups II–VI, broiler chickens aged 21–35 d were exposed to increased temperature (34°C for 10 h daily). In chickens exposed to high temperature, dietary supplementation with antioxidants, mostly PP, improved growth performance parameters, including body weight, body weight gain and feed intake until 28 d of age. Vitamin E added to broiler chicken diets at 200 mg/kg and vitamin E combined with PP was most effective in improving the total antioxidant status of birds, enhancing blood antioxidant enzyme activities and increasing vitamin E concentrations in the liver and breast muscles. Broilers fed diets supplemented with 200 mg/kg of vitamin E alone and vitamin E in combination with PP were characterised by a higher percentage content of breast muscles in the carcass. Dietary supplementation with antioxidants improved the water-holding capacity of meat, reduced natural drip loss and increased the crude ash content of meat. The breast muscles of chickens fed diets supplemented with PP had a lower contribution of yellowness. The breast muscles of chickens receiving diets with 100 mg vitamin E/kg(group III) and diets supplemented with PP (groups V and VI) were characterised by the highest concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The PP can be a valuable component of diets for broiler chickens exposed to high temperature.     

Clastogenic effects of copper sulphate on the bone marrow chromosomes of mice in vivo

Copper sulphate administered intraperitoneally to Swiss albino mice in vivo induced a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells as all concentrations used (1.1-6.6 mg/kg b.w.), when compared to the negative control. Statistical analysis indicates that the degree of clastogenicity was directly related to the concentrations used and indirectly to the period of exposure. The effect was maximal at 6 h after treatment as compared with 12 and 24 h.     

Kinetics of phospholipase A2, arachidonic acid, and eicosanoid appearance in mouse zymosan peritonitis

Intraperitoneal injection of zymosan into mice induces a peritonitis characterized by cellular influx, plasma leakage and the appearance of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites. We report that zymosan injection also stimulates the accumulation of AA, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. The amount of the unsaturated fatty acids (UnFA) varies both with the zymosan dose and time. Significantly increased levels of UnFA were first detected 15 min after zymosan injection. Maximal levels of the UnFA were reached 1 to 2 h post zymosan injection (AA: 725 +/- 29 ng/mouse, docosahexaenoic acid: 296 +/- 23 ng/mouse, linoleic acid: 4489 +/- 179 ng/mouse) and declined to saline control levels by 8 h. PLA2 activity was significantly increased 5 to 15 min after zymosan injection. Maximal levels of PLA2 activity occurred 15 to 30 min after zymosan injection (31.8 +/- 9.1 nmol phospholipid/mg protein/h) and then decreased by 30% through 24 h. Neither the appearance of UnFA nor PLA2 activity correlated with cellular influx, but both were coincident with plasma exudation at 5 to 15 min after zymosan. However, maximal exudation occurred 1 to 2 h post zymosan injection similar to that seen with the UnFA but not PLA2. These latter results suggest that a significant portion of the UnFA found in the peritoneal cavity of zymosan-injected mice originates from the plasma. PLA2 activity at the early time points (5 to 15 min) may also contribute to the levels of UnFA via hydrolysis of tissue and/or cellular phospholipids.     

Antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effect of camel milk in mice treated with cisplatin

Camel milk (CM) has good nutritive value, in addition to its antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects. Therefore the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the capacity of CM to inhibit the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) in the bone marrow and improve the mitotic activity produced by cisplatin. Cisplatin is one of the most widely used antineoplastic drugs in the treatment of cancer. The 70 adult male Swiss albino mice were divided into seven groups:

• Gr. I: treated with distilled water and considered as a control group.
• Gr. II: treated with camel milk (33 ml/kg, b.w).
• Gr. III: treated previously with cisplatin (0.5 mg/kg, b.w).
• Gr. IV: treated with camel milk and followed after 2 h. with cisplatin (33 ml/kg → 0.5 mg/kg, b.w).
• Gr. V: treated with camel milk and cisplatin at the same time (33 ml/kg + 0.5 mg/kg, b.w).
• Gr. VI: treated with an acute single dose of cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg, b.w).
• Gr. VII: treated with camel milk prior and followed with an acute single dose of cisplatin (33 ml/kg → 2.5 mg /kg, b.w). The animals were sacrificed 24 h after cisplatin injection. The pretreatment with CM dose caused a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the frequency of MnPCEs and increase (P < 0.001) in the mitotic index (MI) induced by cisplatin when compared with the groups treated with cisplatin alone. The possible explanation for the antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects observed in the pretreatment with CM is ascribed to its contents. In conclusion, from the findings we suggest that this milk has some antioxidant effect, and the antigenotoxic mechanism of this milk needs to be explored further before their use during cisplatin chemotherapy.