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Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known hazardous environmental contaminant. It exerts its toxicity through induction of lipid peroxidation and reduction of cellular antioxidant. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether cinnamon could protect against Cd toxicity in liver and kidney. Materials and methods: Forty male Wister rats (130-135 gm) were divided randomly into 4 groups/ 10 rats each. Control, cinnamon, cadmium, and Cinn+Cd groups received distilled water, cinnamon extract (200 mg/kg b.wt. orally), cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg b.wt. orally), and Cd plus cinnamon, respectively. Blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected after 8 weeks of treatment. Erythrogram, leukogram, liver and kidney functions, and oxidative status (MDA, CAT, and TAC) were determined. Results and discussion: Cd-treated animals showed significant increases in serum ALT, AST, creatinine, and urea indicating hepatic and renal damage. Cd-induced oxidative stress was observed by marked decease TAC accompanied by increase in MDA which contributed in liver and kidney dysfunction. Co-treatment of Cd with cinnamon has improved the oxidation profile by increasing the TAC and decreasing the lipid peroxidation. Cinnamon ameliorated the toxic effect of Cd, which observed by improvement of liver and kidney functions. Conclusion: High antioxidants content of cinnamon could protect the liver and kidney from Cd toxicity.

Evaluating residual lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in food products, especially milk, is critical for product safety and quality. In this purview, the current study aims to determine Pb and Cd concentrations in milk using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compare their values with international standards. In addition, it aims to remove these metals from milk samples using low-cost, naturally occurring materials, such as bentonite, date pit, and chitosan nanoparticles. The ability of potential adsorbents was also investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Moreover, their impact on milk’s nutritional properties was considered. The results revealed that most milk samples contained Pb and Cd, with mean values of 0.237 ± 0.179 and 0.041 ± 0.036 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, the three possible adsorbents demonstrated high sequestering ability due to their existing functional groups; the adsorption capacity of bentonite to Pb and Cd was 84 and 88%, date pit was 97 and 93%, and chitosan nanoparticles were 82 and 98%, respectively, with no discernible change in milk nutritional contents. In conclusion, the bentonite, date pit, and chitosan nanoparticles were found to be significantly effective and safe in removing hazardous trace elements (Pb and Cd) from contaminated milk. Graphical abstract

Tannins (TAs) are an anti-nutritional substance commonly used as a natural feed additive for livestock. However, our previous study described the dose-dependent adverse effects of TA on immune responses and growth in chickens. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of a probiotic preparation (BT) consisting of three different bacteria ( Bacillus mesenteric, Clostridium butyricum, and Streptococcus faecalis ) against TA-induced immunosuppression in chickens. Forty chicks were divided into 4 groups as follows: the CON group (basal diet), BT group supplemented with 3 g BT/kg diet, tannic acid (TA) group supplemented with 30 g TA/kg diet, and BT+TA group supplemented with 3 g BT/kg diet + 30 g TA/kg diet. The feeding trial lasted for 35 days. Lymphocyte subset, macrophage phagocytosis, cytokine mRNA expression, and primary and secondary IgY immune responses were evaluated. BT supplementation significantly improved TA-induced reductions in final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and relative weights of lymphoid organs compared with the TA group. Furthermore, in the spleen and cecal tonsil (CT), the relative populations of CD4 + , CD8 + , and CD4 + CD8 + cells in the BT+TA group were significantly ameliorated compared with the TA group. Additionally, comparison with the TA group showed that the chickens in the BT+TA group had an improved relative population of B cells in the CT and that macrophage phagocytosis in the spleen was significantly increased. Chickens in the BT+TA group showed significant increases in IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA expression in the spleen compared with the TA group. The primary and secondary IgY responses were significantly improved. These results revealed that supplementation with BT protects against TA-induced immunosuppression in chickens.