Ziad A. Shraideh

Ultrastructural effects of date extract on Candida albicans

The effect of Berhi date extract on the ultrastructure of Candida albicans was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Exposure of yeast to 5% (w/v) date extract showed evidence of weakening in the cell wall with indications of cell distortion and partial collapse in some cases as seen by scanning electron microscopy. Increasing the concentration of date extract (20%, w/v) led to more drastic damage to the yeast with cell lysis and concurrent leakage of cytoplasmic material with eventual cell death. Ultrastructural investigation showed irregular shapes of cells treated with date extract, with prominent effects on cell wall layers. Cell membranes lost their integrity, aggregation of the cytoplasmic contents and large detachment of plasmalemma from cell wall was observed in the treated cells. These results suggest that date extract may have multiple effects on Candida with an increasing potential of using it for prophylaxis purposes.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles hepatotoxicity: Histological and histochemical study

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in industry and cosmetic products with promising investment in medical diagnosis and treatment. However, these particles may reveal a high potential risk for human health with no information about hepatotoxicity that might be associated with their exposure. The present work was carried out to investigate the histological and histochemical alterations induced in the hepatic tissues by naked 35nm ZnO NPs. Male Wistar albino rats were exposed to ZnO NPs at a daily dose of 2mg/kg for 21days. Liver biopsies from all rats under study were subjected to histopathological examinations. In comparison with the control rats, the following histological and histochemical alterations were demonstrated in the hepatic tissues of rats exposed to ZnO NPs: sinusoidal dilatation, Kupffer cells hyperplasia, lobular and portal triads inflammatory cells infiltration, necrosis, hydropic degeneration, hepatocytes apoptosis, anisokaryosis, karyolysis, nuclear membrane irregularity, glycogen content depletion and hemosidrosis. The findings of the present work might indicate that ZnO NPs have potential oxidative stress in the hepatic tissues that may affect the function of the liver. More work is needed to elucidate the toxicity and pathogenesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the vital organs.

Requirment of mitochondrial functions for blue light response in the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum

Abstract By means of tensiometric technique, the action of respiratory and glycolytic inhibitors on the response to blue light in the plasmodium of Physarum Polycephalum was investigated. Period analysis revealed that the inhibition of either pathway of respiration leads to the impediment of blue light response. Glycolytic inhibitors did not show such an inhibition. By the use of different substrates for respiration it has been shown that the KCN-resistant respiration is important for the blue light response in the plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum . Activaion of this pathway reverses the inhibitory effect of KCN on the photoresponse of plasmodial strands to blue light. The results are discussed in relation to the nature of the blue light photoreceptor.

Rosmarinic acid reverses the effects of metronidazole-induced infertility in male albino rats

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural antioxidant that has many biological activities. In the present study we investigated the potential of RA to reverse the negative effects of the widely used antibiotic and antiprotozoal agent metronidazole (MTZ), which is known to induce reversible male infertility. Two doses of RA (5 and 15mg kg-1) were studied in sexually mature rats with and without MTZ-induced infertility. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5mg kg-1 RA or 15mg kg-1 RA (in distilled water) and, 45min later, they were intraperitoneally injected with 40mg kg-1 MTZ (in distilled water). Cauda epididymidal sperm suspensions were used to assess sperm count, motility and morphology. Histological and ultrastructural studies were performed on the testes and cauda epididymidis. In rats in which infertility was not induced, neither dose of RA affected the parameters assessed. However, in sexually mature rats in which infertility was induced by 40mg kg-1 MTZ, RA at both 5 and 15mg kg-1 ameliorated the damaging effects of MTZ on final bodyweight (30 days later), sperm motility and morphology. Only 5mg kg-1 RA, and not 15mg kg-1 RA, improved the harmful effects of MTZ on the sperm count and testis ultrastructure. The findings of the present study have considerable clinical implications and suggest a possible use for RA to reverse the negative effects of MTZ on male fertility, the male reproductive system and spermatogenesis.

Association between occupational lead exposure and plasma levels of selected oxidative stress related parameters in Jordanian automobile workers

OBJECTIVES To study any possible correlation between blood lead levels and some oxidative stress parameters of selected groups of lead-exposed automobile occupational Jordanian workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Blood lead levels were determined for a total of 90 male automobile workers aged within the range of 25-45 years old along with the group of 20 agematched healthy males control. To get an idea about the antioxidant status of controls and lead-exposed workers, and to estimate the oxidative stress caused by exposure to lead, we measured the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity of controls and workers. RESULTS The study showed that lead levels in the case of workers were approximately 4-5 times as high as in controls 14.5-21 μg×dl-1 vs. 4.3 μg×dl-1, respectively. There was a significant decrease (16-25%) in the level of plasma reduced glutathione and 21-33% decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in all worker groups, as compared to controls. The results showed that the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma was higher (120-333%) in the case of workers than controls being the highest in automobile electronics and the lowest - in mechanics. Furthermore, there was 149-221% increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, and 26-38% increase in SOD activity in the case of workers compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS There is a strong evidence for the associations between occupational lead exposure and various markers of oxidative stress in Jordanian automobile occupational workers. Thus, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and to initiate suitable protection guidelines for workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(4):517-525.

THE EFFECT OF SMOKING MODELS ON THE SERUM LIVER ENZYMES

Introduction: Smoking has been associated with adverse health effects including cardiovascular system and other body organs. Study objectives:The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of smoking models on the level of liver enzymes. Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 30 male albino rats. Male albino rats (Rattusratas) weighted 50-180 g (6-8 weeks old) were used. Rats were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (n= 10 per group), group 1 was negative control exposed only to fresh air, groups 2 exposed to the most commonly used cigarette brands in the Jordanian market (red LM cigarettes) as 1 cigarette/rat/day for 30 consecutive days. Rats in groups 3 were exposed to flavored water-pipe coming from the complete burning of 20 g from one of moassal for a period of 30 days one session a day for whole body. A digital smoking machine was used. Liver enzymes, LDH, AST, and ALT were evaluated in study groups. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results:Liver enzymes were significantly increased as a result of exposure to both smoking models: cigarette smoking and water-pipe smoking. It was interestingly found that smoking cessation restore liver enzymes close to control group. Conclusion: Smoking models can induce liver injury as reflected by increased levels of liver enzymes and this injury is reversible if smoking is quitted.

Efecto del Tabaquismo Sobre la Estructura de los Hepatocitos: Estudio MET

El higado es uno de los principales organos indirectamente afectado por el humo del cigarrillo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue definir los cambios histologicos y ultraestructurales de las celulas normales del higado despues de exponer a los animales al humo del cigarrillo. Treinta ratas albinas fueron expuestas al humo de cigarrillo durante 90 dias, seguido de un examen morfologico de los higados bajo microscopio de luz y microscopio electronico. Las celulas hepaticas de las ratas expuestas al humo de cigarrillo mostraron una leve inflamacion con un aumento de la eosinofilia. En el examen ultraestructural de estas celulas se observo el citoplasma mitocondrial altamente proliferado y saturado. Se observo gran cantidad de mitocondrias electron-densas y estas presentaban forma pleomorfica en comparacion con las mitocondrias del grupo control. Ademas, se observo perdida de las crestas mitocondriales y ensanchamiento del espacio intermembranoso. Se concluye que el tabaquismo ejerce dano celular y estres oxidativo en las celulas hepaticas normales, lo que resulta en la aparicion de cambios ultraestructurales.

Pulmonary Histological Alterations Induced by 20 nm Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are widely invested in nanomedicine and consuming products due to their unique antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the toxicity of these particles on human health. The present investigation was carried out to investigate the histological alterations induced in the lung tissues by 20±5 nm SNPs. Male albino Wistar rats were exposed to SNPs at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg for 21 days. Lung biopsies from all rats under study were subjected to histopathological examinations. Exposure to 20±5 nm SNPs induced the following pulmonary alterations: thickened alveolar wall, macrophages invasion and inflammatory cells infiltration, lymphatic follicles enlargement, pulmonary edema, alveolar hypersensitivity and interstitial congestion. Occasional atelectasis and fibrocytes proliferation were also detected. The findings of the present work might indicate that SNPs potentially trigger oxidative stress and alterations in the pulmonary tissues that may affect the function of the lungs.

A polarized light and fluorescent microscopic study of enriched birefringent fibrils in physarum plasmodia

Abstract A new improvement in the production of cell-free models of Physarum for studying the physiology of cytoplasmic actomyosin contraction in vivo is described. Cytoplasmic actomyosin fibrils were enriched in thin-spread plasmodia of Physarum by allowing them to spread on agar containing 2% ethanol. Polarizing microscopy of plasmodia before and after extraction showed a high density of enriched birefringent actomyosin fibrils. Plasmodia not treated with alcohol but prepared similarly showed lower density of birefringent actomyosin fibrils before and even less density after extraction. It seemed that alcohol treatment enriched and stabilized the actomyosin fibrils and that they were less affected by the process of extraction. It was shown, that the fibrils contain actin and their distribution was studied by fluorescent microscopy after staining with rhodamine-labelled phalloidin. These results may help to correlate the birefringent picture of actomyosin fibrils with their fluorescence and thus improve the cell-free model for reactivation studies.