N. Sailaja

Amelioration of Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane) induced renal toxicity by Camellia sinensis in Wistar rats

Aim: A study to assess the toxic effects of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) (lindane) and ameliorative effects of Camellia sinensis on renal system has been carried out in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats with 18 each were maintained under standard laboratory hygienic conditions and provided feed and water ad libitum. γ-HCH was gavaged at 20 mg/kg b.wt. using olive oil as vehicle to Groups II. C. sinensis at 100 mg/kg b.wt. was administered orally in distilled water to Group IV in addition to γ-HCH 20 mg/kg b.wt. up to 45 days to study ameliorative effects. Groups I and III were treated with distilled water and C. sinensis (100 mg/kg b.wt.), respectively. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at fortnight intervals. Serum was collected for creatinine estimation. The kidney tissues were collected in chilled phosphate buffer saline for antioxidant profile and in also 10% buffered formalin for histopathological studies. Results: γ-HCH treatment significantly increased serum creatinine and significantly reduced the renal antioxidative enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Grossly, severe congestion was noticed in the kidneys. Microscopically, kidney revealed glomerular congestion, atrophy, intertubular hemorrhages, degenerative changes in tubular epithelium with vacuolated cytoplasm, desquamation of epithelium and urinary cast formation. A significant reduction in serum creatinine levels, significant improvement in renal antioxidant enzyme activities and near to normal histological appearance of kidneys in Group IV indicated that the green tea ameliorated the effects of γ-HCH, on renal toxicity. Conclusion: This study suggested that C. sinensis extract combined with γ-HCH could enhance antioxidant/detoxification system which consequently reduced the oxidative stress thus potentially reducing γ-HCH toxicity and tissue damage.

Prevalence of neoplasms in captive wild felines of Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati

In the present investigation a total of 47 tumour cases were studied in captive wild felines based on histopathological examination. The highest tumourprevalence was observed in lions (85.11%) followed by tigers (12.77%) and leopards (2.13%). Sex-wise, female wild felines (68.08%) and age-wise, 20–25 years age group (57.14%) was frequently affected. Though the tumours involving a variety of tissues were observed, the endothelial and its relative tissues were more frequent sites of growth than other tissues of the body. Connective tissue tumours and the mixed tumours were relatively rarely noticed. The increase in prevalence of tumourswith the advancement of age in exclusively meat eating captive wild felinessuggest that the age and the meat eating habit might be the predisposing factors for increased risk of cancers in them.

A case report of candidiasis in desi (Aseel) birds

Carcasses of two desi (Aseel) birds of about 2 yrs. age were brought to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur for postmortem examination. On necropsy, whitish, circular raised nodules in oral cavity, esophagus and crop were major gross lesions. Cytological and morphometric examination revealed numerous oval shaped cells ranging from 1–4μ diameter. Histopathological examination showed colonization of organisms in the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of crop and stratum corneum with extensions into the stratum spinosum in the esophagus. The mucosa of both crop and esophagus was covered by a crust composed of admixture of necrotic debris, sloughed epithelial cells and leukocytes. Yeast and pseudohyphal forms were observed in the central necrosed area and around the debris. Based on pathological, cytological and morphological examination, present condition was diagnosed and confirmed as candidiasis.

Gamma-HCH induced haemato-biochemical changes and alleviation by Camellia sinensis in Wistar rats

An experiment was conducted to study the haemato-biochemical alterations induced by Gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) in 72 male Wistar rats, divided uniformly into four different groups for a period of 45 days. Rats of group I received only water as control, group II rats received orally 20mg/kg body wt of γ-HCH and group III rats gavaged by 100mg/kg body wt of Camellia sinensis (green tea) while group IV rats received both γ-HCH and green tea. Blood and serum were collected on 15th, 30th, 45th day of experiment. Group II rats showed significant reduction in total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and non-significant reduction in total leukocyte count compared to control. There was significant rise in values of serum creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The results showed that Camellia sinensis could have alleviating effect on the toxicity caused by γ-HCH in rats.

Protective effect of Camellia sinensis against-HCH-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats

A wide number of pesticides, including highly persistent organochlorine compounds, such as gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), have deteriorative effect on fauna and flora by inducing oxidative stress. Camellia sinensis, popularly known as green tea rich in polyphenols content, plays an important role in human health by virtue of its antioxidant properties. In the present study, protective effects of C. sinensis against the toxic effects of γ-HCH on sexually mature Wistar rats were investigated. The rats were divided in four groups viz. control (untreated), γ-HCH (20mg/kg bwt), γ-HCH (20mg/kg bwt) plus C. sinensis (100mg/kg bwt) and C. sinensis alone (100mg/kg bwt). γ-HCH-induced gross and microscopic alterations in testes were characterized by atrophy, distorted seminiferous tubules, disorganized spermatogonia, spermatocyte cells, sparse leydig cells, loss of spermatozoa (oligospermia) and interstitial edema. These changes were restored near to normalcy by C. sinensis. The results suggested that C. sinensis has protective effect against γ-HCH induced reproductive toxicity.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical study of extra skeletal chondrosarcoma in lion (Panthera leo)

A hard greyish white coloured growth was detected in the lower region of the abdomen near the sternum in a 23-year-old male lion (Panthera leo) and was examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. After routine processing, tissues were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin stain and to the marker, VEGF. The mass was composed of numerous pleomorphic chondrocytes within the basophilic matrix. The mean AgNOR value obtained was 4.49. The expression of VEGF in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells was noticed. Based on the histopathological features and the strong cytoplasmic reactivity of VEGF, the present case was diagnosed as extra skeletal chondrosarcoma.