Mansee Thakur

Histopathological and ultra structural effects of nanoparticles on rat testis following 90 days (Chronic study) of repeated oral administration

BackgroundNanoparticles (Ag NPs) have recently received much attention for their possible applications in biotechnology and biomedical. However, little is known about the toxicity in reproductive organs of animal model following exposure to nanoparticles.ObjectiveThis study therefore, tried to examine the effects of nanoparticles with a diameter range of 5-20 nm on the histology of the testis of wistar rats and correlate it with Transmission Electron Microscopy results.Materials and methodsSixteen wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of 8 rats each. Each group received the following via gavage technique for 90 days: Control Group (Group-1)-tap water; Experimental group (Group 2) - nanoparticles (20ug/kg/day). After ninety days (chronic study), rats were sacrificed and testis tissues was processed for histology and transmission electron microscopic study.ResultsThere was significant difference between the observations of group-1 and group 2. The changes observed in the testis were disarray of the spermatogenic cells and disorientation of the testis. These changes were observed to have been disappearing from normal histological features. Detailed structural damages were observed with TEM analysis, such as depletion of germ cells, germinal cells necrosis, especially in spermatogonia and Leydig cells had an abnormal fibroblast-like appearance, abnormal space between neighboring sertoli cells, mitochondria, lost cristae and vacuolated (none energized) with those animals exposed to nanoparticles.ConclusionIt seems that nanoparticles have acute and significant effects on spermatogenesis and number of spermatogenic cells. More experimental investigations are necessary to elucidate better conclusion regarding the safety of nanoparticles on male reproduction system.

EFFECTIVE METHOD TO DELIVER TEST SUBSTANCE IN ADULT ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO).

* Navami Dayal 1 , Mansee Thakur 2 , Ameya Soparkar 3 , Masooma Doktor 3 , Poonam Patil 3 and D.S. Joshi 1 & 3 . 1. Department of Genetics, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 2. Department of Biotechnology, MGMCET and Central Research Laboratory, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 3. Department of Biotechnology, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Validation of in House PCR Using IS6110 for Detection of M. tuberculosis and Its Comparison with ZN Staining, Cultures and RT PCR Kit Methods

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples was studied. The target DNA of 123 base pair bp fragment of IS6110 which was repeated in the M. tuberculosis genome and was highly specific for the M. tuberculosis complex. PCR was positive in all 51 smear and culture-positive samples, in 17 of 17 smear-negative and culture-positive samples, 8 of 132 smear and culture negative samples. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 84 and 94%. Rapid detection of MTB using commercial diagnostic systems is limited by their costs and/or their requirement of specific equipment. The Genosens’s MTB Complex/MOTT Qualitative Real Time PCR assay kit for direct detection of M. tuberculosis complex in pulmonary tuberculosis samples have been used in MGM CRL on routine basis and also compatible with Light Cycle 480 Real time PCR Instrument. Conventional polymerase chain reaction has a much higher sensitivity than microscopy and can facilitate therapeutic decisions for those with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus, IS6110 as a PCR target was found to be very useful for rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection and start of antituberculous chemotherapy.

Embryonic Zebrafish Model - A Well-Established Method for Rapidly Assessing the Toxicity of Homeopathic Drugs - Toxicity Evaluation of Homeopathic Drugs Using Zebrafish Embryo Model -

Objectives: Advancements in nanotechnology have led to nanoparticle (NP) use in various fields of medicine. Although the potential of NPs is promising, the lack of documented evidence on the toxicological effects of NPs is concerning. A few studies have documented that homeopathy uses NPs. Unfortunately, very few sound scientific studies have explored the toxic effects of homeopathic drugs. Citing this lack of high-quality scientific evidence, regulatory agencies have been reluctant to endorse homeopathic treatment as an alternative or adjunct treatment. This study aimed to enhance our insight into the impact of commercially-available homeopathic drugs, to study the presence of NPs in those drugs and any deleterious effects they might have, and to determine the distribution pattern of NPs in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Methods: Homeopathic dilutions were studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction (SAED). For the toxicity assessment on Zebrafish, embryos were exposed to a test solution from 4 - 6 hours post-fertilization, and embryos/larvae were assessed up to 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) for viability and morphology. Toxicity was recorded in terms of mortality, hatching delay, phenotypic defects and metal accumulation. Around 5 dpf was found to be the optimum developmental stage for evaluation. Results: The present study aimed to conclusively prove the presence of NPs in all high dilutions of homeopathic drugs. Embryonic zebrafish were exposed to three homeopathic drugs with two potencies (30CH, 200CH) during early embryogenesis. The resulting morphological and cellular responses were observed. Exposure to these potencies produced no visibly significant malformations, pericardial edema, and mortality and no necrotic and apoptotic cellular death. Conclusion: Our findings clearly demonstrate that no toxic effects were observed for these three homeopathic drugs at the potencies and exposure times used in this study. The embryonic zebrafish model is recommended as a well-established method for rapidly assessing the toxicity of homeopathic drugs.