Amina A. Dessouki

Curcumin induces apoptosis in a murine mammary gland adenocarcinoma cell line through the mitochondrial pathway

Curcumin, a phenol in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been studied for the last decade as a potential anticancer drug. It has been shown to reduce viability of the highly malignant, metastatic rat mammary gland cell line ENU1564 in culture and reduce metastasis of these cells injected into nude mice. The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms by which curcumin induces apoptosis in these ENU1564 cells in vitro, and to examine its effects on mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial Ca(2+) homeostasis. The results show that curcumin induced apoptosis in ENU1564 cells through the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, as evident by an increase in mitochondrial Ca(2+) accumulation and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. However, treatment of the ENU1564 cells with the mitochondrial uniporter inhibitor RU-360 prior to curcumin treatment partially inhibited the curcumin effects. SKF-96365, a store-operated Ca(2+) channel blocker, suppressed the curcumin effect on mitochondrial Ca(2+). In addition, curcumin down-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 and increased the production of reactive oxygen species in ENU1564 cells. These data suggest that the mitochondrial Ca(2+) is the leading factor by which curcumin induced apoptosis in ENU1564 cells, followed by reactive oxygen species production and inhibition of Bcl-2 oncoprotein.

Honey feeding protects kidney against cisplatin nephrotoxicity through suppression of inflammation

Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic drug used to treat a wide variety of solid tumors. However, its use was limited due its dose‐limiting toxicity to the kidney. Currently, there are no therapies available to treat or prevent cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Honey is a naturally occurring complex liquid and widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat many illnesses. However, its effect on cisplatin nephrotoxicity is unknown. To determine the role of honey in cisplatin nephrotoxicity, animals were pretreated orally for a week and then cisplatin was administered. Honey feeding was continued for another 3 days. Our results show that animals with cisplatin‐induced kidney dysfunction, as determined by increased serum creatinine, which received honey feeding had less kidney dysfunction. Improved kidney function was associated with better preservation of kidney morphology in honey‐treated group as compared to the cisplatin alone‐treated group. Interestingly, honey feeding significantly reduced cisplatin‐induced tubular epithelial cell death, immune infiltration into the kidney as well as cytokine and chemokine expression and excretion as compared to cisplatin treated animals. Western blot analysis shows that cisplatin‐induced increase in phosphorylation of NFkB was completely suppressed with honey feeding. In conclusion, honey feeding protects the kidney against cisplatin nephrotoxicity through suppression of inflammation and NFkB activation.

Toxopathological and cytogenetic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on pregnant rats.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the toxopathological effects and macro-DNA damage of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in pregnant rats at a dose of 1mg/kg. body wt., given from 6th to 15th day of gestation. The effects and damage are represented by histopathological changes and different types of chromosomal aberrations in dams, in addition to teratogenic changes in the feti. Pregnant dams revealed a significant decrease in their body weights and gross enlargement of the liver. Histologically, the liver showed necrotic areas and congested central vein. The kidneys revealed interstitial hemorrhages, renal casts, degeneration and necrosis. The lungs revealed lymphocytic infiltrates in the interstitial tissue, while the spleen revealed lymphoid depletion. Chromosomal analysis revealed both structural and numerical chromosomal aberration, including centromeric attenuations, chromatid gaps, chromatid breaks, end-to-end associations, fragments, ring chromosomes, deletions, dicentric chromosomes, chromosomal fusions, centric fusions, stickness and hypoployploidy. Centromeric attenuations and end-to-end associations were more frequent than other chromosomal aberrations. Concerning the teratogenic effects in the fetuses, the toxin induced multiple skeletal anomalies. These anomalies included incomplete ossification of skull bones and failure of ossification of long and flat bones.

Human Risk Assessment of Profenofos: A Case Study in Ismailia, Egypt

Profenofos is used widely in Egypt for controlling Lepidopteron pests of cotton and vegetables. Profenofos toxicological evaluation was done by assessing biochemical and histopathological changes in liver and kidney of albino rats. The benchmark dose (BMD) is used as an alternative to the NOAEL/LOAEL approach for a more quantitative way of deriving acute and chronic reference doses. The BMD and the lower confidence limit on the benchmark dose (BMDL) were calculated to estimate the critical dose for the most sensitive biochemical marker. Toxicity assessment revealed that cholinesterase is the most sensitive biomarker for male rats while uric acid is the most sensitive biomarker for female rats. Profenofos dietary intake based on tomato, sweet pepper, and strawberries were five times higher than EPA chronic RfD. The acute and chronic reference doses were 0.002 mg/kg b.w and 0.0002 mg/kg b.w for females and 0.00031 mg/kg b.w and 0.000031 mg/kg b.w for males. Profenofos risk characterization was determined by comparing the dietary intake of profenofos via consuming fresh vegetables with the calculated acute and chronic reference doses.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Photobacterium damselae among some marine fishes in Lake Temsah

Photobacterium damselae species are one of the most devastating bacterial pathogens in mariculture worldwide. Some species of Photobacterium are pathogenic for marine animals and human. They are the causative agents of photobacteriosis, formerly known as pasteurellosis. A total of (202) marine fishes of three different species were represented as: seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), seabream (Sparus aurata) and gray mullet (Mugil capitus) randomly collected from Lake Temsah at Ismailia governorate along the parallel Pelagic road to the lake in the governorate from August 2015 to July 2016. The clinical picture and gross lesions of the diseased fishes were recorded. Isolation and identification of suspected bacteria using traditional and molecular methods. Samples from affected organs were collected for studying the histopathological alterations of these pathogens. Fifty one fishes were found to be infected with Photobacterium damselae subsp. Piscicida. Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was the most infected fish species (23), followed by seabream (Sparus aurata) (18) finally gray mullet (Mugil capitus) was (10). 91fishes were found to be infected with P. damselae subsp. damselae, seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was the most infected fish sp. (36), followed by seabream (Sparus aurata) (32), then gray mullet (Mugil capitus) (23). The results indicated that, the total prevalence of P. damselae subsp. piscicida in all examined species (25.24%), the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer season (37.09%) followed by autumn (26%) then spring (20.37%) and winter (11.11%). On the other hand, the total prevalence of P. damselae subsp. damselae in all examined species (45.04%), the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer season (67.74%) followed by autumn (52%) then spring (29.62%) and winter (19.44%). Molecular diagnosis with conventional PCR used to confirm the traditional isolation was applied by using specific primers of two genes (polycapsular saccharide gene and urease C gene). The histopathological studies of naturally infected marine fishes showed severe inflammatory reactions in different organs with accumulation of melanomacrophages and necrosis. The results confirm that P. damselae subspecies damsalea is the most prevalent pathogen between marine fishes, and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was the highly affected marine fishes in this study.

The effect of Nigella sativa aqueous extract on Dientamoeba fragilis: an in vivo experimental study

Background Dientamoeba fragilis was considered as a commensal amoeba that inhabits the large intestine. Later, its association with irritable bowel syndrome drew attention to its pathogenicity. Metronidazole (MTZ) is the most recommended drug for treatment of D. fragilis and other pathogenic intestinal protozoa. Many studies reported that it is not suitable for children because of its mutagenicity and carcinogenic potential. However, still more work is needed to establish new, effective, and safe therapeutic agents against D. fragilis. Aim of the work The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of different doses of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa on D. fragilis in experimentally infected mice in comparison with MTZ as a standard drug. Materials and methods Isolates of D. fragilis were obtained from patients complaining of acute/chronic intermittent diarrhea or diarrhea alternating with constipation with/without abdominal pain. Histopathological examination of cecal tissue of experimentally infected and treated mice with three different doses of N. sativa (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day) was compared with that of mice infected and treated by two doses of MTZ (62.5 and 125 mg/kg/day) as the standard treatment. Infected untreated mice were used as the control group. Results Histopathological examination of cecal tissue of the infected untreated group showed different degrees of pathological changes, which completely disappeared with the highest N. sativa dose (500 mg/kg). Concentrations below 500 mg/kg produced less severe pathological changes than in untreated animals. N. sativa in high dose significantly prevented cytopathic effect in mice 1 day after infection and for five consecutive days. Conclusion N. sativa has a potential therapeutic effect against D. fragilis infection in an experimental in vivo study. We recommend double-blind controlled clinical trials in humans to assess the use of N. sativa in management of human D. fragilis infection.

Hepatorenal protective effects of taurine and N-acetylcysteine against fipronil-induced injuries: The antioxidant status and apoptotic markers expression in rats

Fipronil (FPN), a commonly used phenylpyrazole pesticide can induce oxidative tissue damage following hazard usage. Due to the extensive household and commercial usage of FPN, its toxic effects on mammals received considerable attention. Finding the proper antioxidant that can overcome FPN-induced damage is essential. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the hepatorenal ameliorative outcomes of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and taurine (TAU) against hepatorenal damage induced by FPN in male Wistar rats. Compared to control rats, oral FPN (at a dose of 19.4 mg kg-1 BW for five successive days) significantly increased serum activities (p ≤ 0.05) of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and transaminases, in addition to total cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels. Moreover, FPN provoked oxidative damage indicated by increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation and decreased glutathione concentration and activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) in the hepatic and renal tissues. Furthermore, FPN administration induced overexpression of the proapoptotic (Bax), while it downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) protein. Interestingly, oral administration of TAU (50 mg Kg-1 BW) and NAC (50 mg Kg-1 BW), alone or in combination, five days prior to and five days along with FPN administration, significantly ameliorated (p ≤ 0.05) and normalized the harmful effects of FPN on serum biomarkers of hepatorenal injury, lipid peroxidation and tissue antioxidants. In conclusion, TAU and NAC, alone or in combination, provided significant hepatorenal protection against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by FPN.

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation improves growth performance, feed utilization, immune response, and relieves oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) challenged with Pseudomonas fluorescens

ABSTRACT One hundred and eighty Nile tilapia fish were used in eighty‐three‐day growth trial. Fish were divided into three treatment groups. The first group T0 was given the basal diet without any supplementation and served as the control group. The second group T1 was given the basal diet supplemented by 1% Spirulina. The third group T2 was given the basal diet supplemented by 2% Spirulina. At the end of the growth performance trial, a challenge trial was conducted using virulent strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Clinical signs, mortalities, postmortem lesions and histopathological alterations were recorded. Hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress and immunological parameters were measured after challenge with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Growth performance was non significantly improved in tilapia fed the diet with 1% Spirulina supplementation (T1). There were neither signs nor mortalities among fishes belonging to 1% Spirulina challenged group. The results showed that Spirulina has a positive effect on hematological, biochemical parameters, MDA, SOD and CAT at T1 (1% spirulia) rather than T2 (2%spirulia). Moreover, the results indicate that Spirulina 1% enhanced bactericidal, phagocytic and lysozyme activities conferring protection against infection. Our results demonstrated a significant up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐1&bgr; and TNF‐&agr;) and a down‐regulation of anti‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐10). We concluded that 1% Spirulina supplementation significantly improved immunity of Nile tilapia against Pseudomonas fluorescence than 2% Spirulina supplementation. Highlights1% Spirulina supplementation improved immunity of Nile tilapia than 2% Spirulina supplementation.1% Spirulina could result in 100% protection, against Pseudomonas fluorescens infection.1% Spirulina relieves oxidative stress in Nile tilapia challenged with Pseudomonas fluorescens.