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Dive into the research topics where Branimir Šimić is active.

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Featured researches published by Branimir Šimić.


Journal of Applied Toxicology | 2000

Disorders of male rat reproductive tract under the influence of atrazine

Jasna Kniewald; Jakominić M; Tomljenović A; Branimir Šimić; Romać P; Vranesić D; Zlatko Kniewald

The effects of atrazine exposure on testicular sperm number, epididymal sperm number and motility and α‐glucosidase activity in the epididymis were studied in Fischer rats. Histological changes in the testicular tissue were followed by light and electron microscopy. Groups of adult animals were treated i.p. with 60 and 120 mg atrazine kg−1 body wt. twice a week over 60 days. The results indicate a decrease in the body weight and relative weights of pituitary and ventral prostate vs control, measured on the last day of treatment in both treated groups. Testicular sperm number (expressed as number of sperm per 500 Sertoli cells) in atrazine‐treated groups increased with the treatment time due to the reduced sperm motility. Therefore atrazine treatment provoked a significant decrease in sperm number and motility in epididymis, measured after the last day of treatment. α‐Glucosidase activity in the epididymis, after the last day of treatment, showed a decrease in both treated groups vs control values. Histological analysis of testicular tissue from treated rats showed the cell disorganization and cell clusters together with spermatocytes. Electron microscopy presented differently vacuolated cytoplasm, collagen fibre was reduced, Leydig cells were of irregular shape with unequal form and cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum were accentuated and softly widened. In Sertoli cell cytoplasm, atrazine treatment provoked degenerative changes. According to the results obtained, it is evident that atrazine exerted morphological changes and a toxic effect on sperm and their motility. Copyright


Science of The Total Environment | 2009

Lead and cadmium in red deer and wild boar from different hunting grounds in Croatia.

Nina Bilandžić; Marija Sedak; Darija Vratarić; Tomislav Perić; Branimir Šimić

The concentration and relations of Cd and Pb as environmental risk factors were studied by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the liver, kidney and muscle of free ranging wild boar (n=94) and red deer (n=45) from hunting grounds in four counties of north-east Croatia. In all four counties, the levels of Cd found in the kidney of red deer ranged from 2.28 to 5.91 mg/kg, and in wild boar from 3.47 to 21.10 mg/kg. The mean renal concentration of Cd was significantly higher in wild boar than in red deer from all four study areas. The mean hepatic (0.11 to 0.49 mg/kg, respectively) and muscle (0.01 to 0.04 mg/kg, respectively) Cd concentrations were similar in both species. The mean renal Cd concentration in wild boar and red deer exceeded 1 mg/kg in all four counties, ranging from 67.0% to 91.4% and from 45.5% to 69.2%, respectively. Also, the hepatic Cd/renal Cd ratio was lower than 1 in all animals. In all four counties, renal Pb concentration ranged from 0.058 to 3.77 mg/kg in red deer and from 0.056 to 11.60 mg/kg in wild boar. Hepatic Pb concentration was similar in both species (0.061 to 0.202 mg/kg in wild boar and 0.077 to 0.108 mg/kg in red deer). Because of the high Cd level in the organs of wild boar and red deer, further research is needed to identify the source of contamination in order to preserve the health of animals and humans.


Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology | 1991

Reversibility of the inhibitory effect of atrazine and lindane on cytosol 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone receptor complex formation in rat prostate.

Branimir Šimić; Zlatko Kniewald; John E. Davies; Jasna Kniewald

Once entering the bloodstream, most toxic substances, including pesticides, can reach organs involved in the reproductive system. They can cross the placenta, as well as the brain barrier, posing various risks to the reproductive processes. The organochlorine insecticide lindane and the s-triazine herbicide atrazine produce changes in hormone-dependent reactions in the rat hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and prostate. Lindane also causes histological and biochemical alterations in the rat testis. In vivo treatment with atrazine produces a markedly inhibitory influence of 5{alpha}-dihydrotestosterone - receptor complex formation in rat prostate cytosol. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether such changes in the crucial step in the reproductive process are reversible. A parallel investigation using lindane was also undertaken.


Food and Chemical Toxicology | 1992

Effect of pesticides on oestradiol-receptor complex formation in rat uterus cytosol.

Ẑ. Teẑak; Branimir Šimić; Jasna Kniewald

The effect of gamma-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane), 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (atrazine) and 2-methylthio-4,6-bis-isopropylamino-s-triazine (prometryne) on the formation of a specific oestradiol-receptor complex in the rat uterus cytosol has been examined in vitro and in vivo. Both in vitro and in vivo, the pesticides significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the formation of the complex in the rat uterus cytosol. The decrease in the number of free specific binding sites on the receptors was determined. The affinity of binding was not modified under the influence of pesticides, and the Kd value was of the same order of magnitude (10(-9) M). The inhibition was found to be fully non-competitive.


Veterinary Research Communications | 2006

Cortisol and immune measures in boars exposed to three- day administration of exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone

Nina Bilandžić; Marijan Žurić; Mirko Lojkić; Branimir Šimić; Dinka Milić; Ivan Barač

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of adrenal stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on blood cortisol concentration and on circulating total and differential leukocyte counts during and in the 16 days after ACTH administration. Swedish Landrace boars aged approximately 6–7 months were used. ACTH-treated animals (n = 7) were given ACTH intravenously at 10 μg/kg body mass for 3 days. A control group of animals (n = 7) received 1 ml of sterile 0.9% saline intramuscularly. ACTH induced a highly significant increase (p>0.0001) in serum cortisol in treated boars. On the day after the last ACTH dose, the cortisol concentration was significantly higher, but the level of significance was lower than during ACTH administration (p>0.05). During ACTH treatment, a significant increase was recorded in total leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage (p>0.05 to p>0.0001), along with the increase in blood cortisol concentration, whereas percentage lymphocyte count showed a significant decrease. Lymphopenia disappeared upon cessation of treatment, but neutropenia developed in the week after treatment. On all three days of ACTH challenge, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly increased. An increase in eosinophil percentage was recorded on treatment days 1 and 2, whereas ACTH treatment had no effect on basophil percentage. In conclusion, three-day administration of ACTH to young boars during restraint caused effects similar to acute stress situations, as suggested by disappearance of the effects on immune function after the last drug dosage.


Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods | 2009

Lindane-induced cytotoxicity and the role of vitamin E in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells

Ivana Kmetič; Kristina Radošević; Teuta Murati; Branimir Šimić; Zlatko Kniewald; Jasna Kniewald

Lindane, a toxic insecticide from the persistent organic pollutants (POP’s) group, may act as an endocrine disrupter affecting crucial tissues of reproductive system. In this study a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line (CHO-K1) was applied to assess the potential of lindane cytotoxicity at the cellular level. The methods of Trypan blue exclusion, MTT and Kenacid blue assays were used to assess cytotoxicity and confirmed a decrease in the number of viable CHO-K1 cells at 34.4–344 μM lindane during 24, 48 and 72 hours of exposure. The cell proliferation tests showed significant inhibition (p < 0.025–0.001 vs control) and a progressive increase in toxicity with increasing lindane concentrations. Corresponding IC50 values were determined with each applied method. After 72 h of lindane exposure, IC50 values were 184 μM according to the Trypan blue method and 272 and 256 μM with the Kenacid blue and MTT assays, respectively. Morphological changes induced by the cytotoxicity of lindane were followed by the fluorescence microscopy and only necrotic cells were detected. Vitamin E (25 and 50 μg/mL) was used for protection of ovarian cells against lidane-induced oxidative stress damage, and lipid peroxidation was postulated as a possible mechanism of lindane toxicity. The viability of cells pre-incubated with vitamin E was significantly enhanced (up to p < 0.025) compared to the results observed in cells exposed to lindane only, but vitamin E treatment could not prevent complete lindane-induced cytotoxicity. Results suggest that vitamin E may exert a slightly protective role in cell defense against lipophilic pro-oxidant xenobiotics such as lindane.


Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods | 2015

PCB 77 action in ovary cells--toxic effects, apoptosis induction and cell cycle analysis.

Teuta Murati; Branimir Šimić; Anamaria Brozovic; Jasna Kniewald; Adrijana Miletić Gospić; Nina Bilandžić; Ivana Kmetič

Abstract Context: PCB 77 (3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl), a non-ortho congener with planar configuration, has been identified as potential endocrine disrupter capable to increase the risk of reproductive and developmental failure. Objective: In the present study, in vitro PCB 77 toxic potential, apoptosis induction and cell cycle alterations were investigated to reveal direct toxic effects on ovarian cells. Methods: Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO-K1) cell line was selected as a model system and decreased cell viability was confirmed by application of four bioassays. Cellular morphology and quantitative analysis of apoptotic, necrotic and viable cells were determined with fluorescent microscopy and cell cycle phase distributions by measuring DNA content using flow cytometry. Results: We have indicated Trypan blue exclusion assay as the most sensitive for quantifying cytotoxicity of PCB 77 in terms of IC50 values, while the results obtained by other methods pointed to a possible localized effect on the lysosomes/endosomes (Neutral red), compromised intracellular metabolic processes (MTT) and possible interferation with the rate of protein synthesis (Kenacid blue). The loss of cell viability, as a consequence of treatment with 10–100 μM PCB 77, fundamentally was due to induction of apoptosis with observed common series of specific morphological changes characteristic to apoptotic phenomenon. The level of alterations of normal cell cycle progression was low without significant changes at analyzed time intervals. Conclusion: These results indicate toxic outcomes of PCB 77 at ovarian cellular level with regard to potential direct adverse effects to female reproductive system.


Archives of Biological Sciences | 2015

Concentration of mercury and selenium concentrations in the tissues of five cetacean species from Croatian coastal waters

Nina Bilandžić; Marija Sedak; Maja Đokić; Martina Đuras; Tomislav Gomerčić; Miroslav Benić; Branimir Šimić

Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were measured in muscle, liver, kidney, spleen and lung tissues of five cetacean species, three dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus and Grampus griseus) and two whale species (Balaenoptera physalus and Ziphius cavirostris), stranded along the Croatian coast during the period 1999-2002. Statistically significant differences in Hg concentrations in muscle, spleen and lung, and Se in liver and lung of the different dolphin species were observed. Mercury levels in liver and spleen and Se levels in liver differed between young and adult T. truncatus species. A significant positive correlation between different tissue types for Hg and Se concentrations was observed. In all tissues tested, the lowest Hg and Se concentrations were found in B. physalus. Mercury concentrations were positively correlated with Se in all tissues. The results present one of few studies related to lung and spleen tissues in these mammals, particularly in the Adriatic Sea. Since very little data are available, this research provides new data on concentrations of Hg and Se in five cetacean species from the Adriatic Sea basin.


World Mycotoxin Journal | 2012

Determination of ochratoxin A in serum and urine of pigs

Nina Perši; Jelka Pleadin; Ana Vulić; Ivana Kmetič; Branimir Šimić

The objective of the study was to determine ochratoxin A (OTA) concentrations in serum and urine of pigs during 30-day OTA treatment. OTA was administered orally to the experimental group (n=5) at a dose of 0.78 mg per animal per day, whereas control animals (n=5) were left untreated. OTA concentrations were determined using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Method validation resulted in mean recoveries of 93-101% for serum and 98-106% for urine, with acceptable mean inter- and intraday relative standard deviations (<8% for urine and <7% for serum). The ELISA method can be effectively used as a simple screening method to determine OTA exposure in pigs during fattening. The maximum mean OTA concentration in serum was recorded on day 22 (8.75±2.93 ng/ml) and in urine on day 20 (43.56±35.76 ng/ml), indicating significant differences in OTA concentrations between these two matrices.


Acta Veterinaria-beograd | 2012

Immunoglobulin changes in boars exposed to administration of levamisole and exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Nina Bilandzic; Svjetlana Terzić; Branimir Šimić

The objective of this paper is to determine the effect of levamisole (LEV) immunoglobulin concentration in the serum of boars exposed to three-day stress induced by the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Boars were assigned to four groups (n=7). The first group received LEV for three days (2.5 mg/kg BW), the second group received ACTH (10 g/kg BW) for three days and the third group received LEV for three consecutive days and ACTH on the three following days (2.5 mg/kg BW ; ACTH 10 g/kg BW). The control group received saline solution (1 mL) during the experiment (six days). Concentrations of total protein, globulin, albumin and immunoglobulin concentration (IgG, IgA and IgM) were determined during levamisole, ACTH and levamisole + ACTH combined treatment administration, and during the 16-day post- administration period. Total protein levels were significantly increased during the stress period and over the next sixteen days (p0.01 to p0.0001, respectively) in the ACTH group of boars. However, total protein levels were significantly elevated in the LEV+ACTH group on day 1 and 2 of ACTH injection (p0.05 and p0.001) and on day 5 and the last day of measurement (p0.001 and p0.01). However, the three-day administration of levamisole (LEV) stimulated a statistically significant increase of protein concentrations compared to control values after levamisole treatment, on days 2 and on days 11, 15 and 24 (p0.01, all). Levels of serum albumin were not affected with levamisole or ACTH treatment. According to determined total protein concentrations, globulin concentrations were significantly increased throughout and after the ACTH treatment in the second group (p0.01 to p0.0001, respectively). Also, globulin concentrations were significantly elevated in the LEV+ACTH group throughout the three-day ACTH treatment and in the 16-day post-administration period (p0.05 to p0.01, respectively). The three-day levamisole administration resulted in an increase of globuline concentrations (LEV). However, there were no statistically significant differences in comparison to control pigs. ACTH treatment significantly elevated serum IgG concentration during the stress period (p0.001 to p0.0001, respectively) and over the next 16 days (p0.01 to p0.0001, respectively). However, in the LEV+ACTH group of boars, IgG levels were significantly elevated on days 1 and 3 of ACTH injection (p0.05 and p0.01) and days 1 and 5 in the post-treatment period (p0.01 and p0.05). Administration of levamisole (LEV) had no significant impact on IgG levels compared to the control boar group. However, a statistically significant increase in IgA concentrations in boars treated with levamisole (LEV) was determined on day 2 (p0.02) and day 11 (p0.05) after administration of levamisole compared to animals of the LEV+ACTH group. Furthermore, boars receiving levamisole before stress induction (LEV+ACTH) on day 5 after stress induction had IgM concentrations statistically significantly higher (p0.05) than animals treated only with ACTH. These results show that levamisole may stimulate the immune system in swine and immunoglobulin in the serum of boars exposed to stress.

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Marija Sedak

Public health laboratory

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Maja Đokić

Public health laboratory

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Ivana Varenina

Public health laboratory

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