The possible renal and hepatic toxicities of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in bean cooking media were studied using 100 male albino mice. Two sublethal doses of EDTA were used to explore their toxic effects; 20 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, which corresponded to 1/100th and 1/10th of LD50, respectively. Accordingly, the toxicity study was performed using 50 mice, divided into five groups ( n = 10/group) as follows: group 1 (Gp1) served as a negative control and was orally administered normal saline; group 2 (Gp2) was administered the bean cooking medium; group 3 (Gp3) was administered EDTA (200 mg/kg); group 4 (Gp4) was administered bean cooking medium containing 20 mg/kg of EDTA; and group 5 (Gp5) was administered bean cooking medium containing 200 mg/kg of EDTA. The results showed no significant changes in liver and kidney functions in Gp2 while Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 exhibited significant increases in adverse liver and kidney function markers. Hematocrit values were significantly decreased in Gp3 and Gp5, while the total white blood cells counts were significantly decreased in Gp3 and significantly increased in Gp5. The number of platelets was decreased in Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5. The blood levels of sodium (Na+), iron (Fe2+), and calcium (Ca2+) were decreased in Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 due to the chelating effects of EDTA. The hepatic and renal architectures were disorganized in Gp3, Gp4, and Gp5 with some hemorrhagic manifestations in livers and kidneys of mice. These results demonstrate that EDTA in bean cooking is harmful in mice under the conditions of this study, and the potentially harmful effects in humans supports restricting its use.

The current investigation was planned utilizing SEM, histological, and furthermore cytokeratin immunohistochemical to give a full depiction of skin of three reptiles species; Chalcides ocellatus (Scincidae), Uromastyx aegyptia aegyptia (Agamidae), and Psammophis schokari aegyptia (Colubridae) captured from Egypt with various ecological environment. Our SEM results showed different scales covered epidermis of three reptile's species with diverse surface microstructure. Overlapped rhomboid scales with numerous lenticular sense organs with numerous pores and oberhäutchen layer with microridges in C. ocellatus. In U. aegyptia, scales were overlapped elliptical‐shaped possess lens‐like sense structure with several scattered pits and oberhäutchen layer with polygonal outlined cells. While in P. schokari aegyptia, smooth scales flattened with two large dome‐shaped scale receptors/sensilla and lens‐like sense structure, moreover polygonal‐shaped micro‐ornamentation in scale hinge joints were observed. Histologically, skin of three species had outer epidermis with stratum germinativum, stratum corneum (α‐keratin, β‐keratin layer) capped by surface Oberhäutchen and inner dermis. Osteoderms were observed with dermis of C. ocellatus. There are marked variation within pigment cells types among examined species. Melanophores observed in dermal layer of C. ocellatus, while in U. aegyptia, three pigment cells in tegument dermis; melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores whereas, P. schokari aegyptia had two forms of chromatophore cells (melanophores and iridophores) in dermis and few melanophores scattered between stratum germinativum cells. The highest cytokeratin immunostaining observed in epidermal cell layer of U. aegyptia aegyptia than two other species. Conclusion, dry scaly skin of reptiles reflects a great range of functional aspects and success to adapt with terrestrial life.

Background: The sea cucumber, Bohadschia marmorata , is a marine echinoderm consumed and used as a medication. Extract of this species displays a broad spectrum of bioactivity, such as antifungal, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic properties. This investigation explored sea cucumber extract for hepatorenal protection against the toxicity of methotrexate (MTX). Methods: Four groups of mice were divided into G1: control, G2: MTX treated, G3: B. marmorata extract-treated daily for 14 days, and G4: B. marmorata extract and MTX treated. Results and Conclusions: Biochemical analysis and histopathological examination of liver tissue showed that administration of MTX increased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lowered levels of serum albumin, total protein, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Administration of B. marmorata extract to MTX- injected mice significantly reversed the increase in serum levels of liver enzymes and induced a significant elevation in serum albumin and total protein levels. SOD, CAT, and GSH levels returned to nearly normal levels. Histopathological examination indicated fewer signs of toxicity in liver and kidney tissues of mice treated with both extract and MTX compared to MTX treatment alone. An extract of B. marmorata will protect mice from hepatorenal toxicity induced by MTX.

Lead pollution is a major environmental challenge worldwide. Therefore, dietary interventions that are aimed at preventing lead’s deleterious effects on body organs are needed. The study’s goal was to study and compare the protective effect of cold and hot beverages of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) red calyces (CRB and HRB, respectively) on liver and kidney insufficiency associated with lead exposure in male rats. Adult albino rats (32 males) were divided into four groups of equal number, including a normal control (group 1), while groups from 2 to 4 received lead acetate (20 mg/kg body weight/day) and were kept untreated (group 2). The 3rd and the 4th groups received CRB and HRB (0.5 ml/100 g body weight/day), respectively, for 6 weeks. The gain in the body and relative weights of the liver and kidneys were calculated. Liver and kidney functions were determined in serum, while lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and oxidative stress markers were established in tissues. Specimens from the liver and kidney of sacrificed rats were histopathologically examined. The total activity of antioxidants and total content of anthocyanin of both beverages were determined. Lead exposure resulted in its accumulation in tissues, leading to overweight and liver and kidney insufficiency along with oxidative stress, which was further confirmed by histological staining. CRB was more efficient than HRB in preventing the deleterious effects of lead intoxication. Due to their antioxidant properties, the present study proved that Roselle red calyx beverages, particularly the cold ones, are protective agents against lead-associated disorders in a rat model.

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Oxidative stress was induced in male albino rat by doxorubicin (DOX) treatment. This study aims to evaluate the metformin (Met) impact on the DOX induced-oxidative stress in rats. Forty male albino Wistar rats grouped under four categories; Group I served as the control group while Group II received four doses of DOX (4 mg/kg) i.p, twice a week. Group III was treated with Met (250 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 14 days. Group IV was treated with DOX as in group II and with Met as in group III. All rats were killed when the experiment was over. Collection of liver tissues was done for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological investigations. According to the findings, DOX treatment significantly reduced CAT and SOD activity, however, treating DOX-injected rats with Met significantly reduced the CAT and SOD activity in the liver. GPx activity was significantly increased in the DOX-intoxicated rats, treatment of DOX-injected group with Met led to significant decrease in the GPx activity. Treatment of DOX-injected group with Met led to decrease in GST activity. DOX-injected rats that treated with Met showed a substantial increase in the levels of gene expression of CAT and SOD, however, GPx and GST gene expression were down-regulated. Met improved histologically the liver tissue of albino rat received DOX. These findings revealed the Met enhanced effect on antioxidant enzyme gene expression and the simple effect on enzyme activity.

To decrease the Vicia faba beans cooking time, some chefs added ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) during the cooking process. This study addressed the effect of sub-acute and chronic administrations of faba bean's cooking media containing EDTA (C.M./EDTA) on hepato-renal functions in mice. Ninety male mice were divided into three groups (n = 30). The group 1 (Gp1) divided into Gp1a and Gp1b, both were served as control for sub-acute and sub-chronic treatments. Gp2 divided into Gp2a and Gp2b then administered with 200 µl of C.M. for 15 and 90 days, respectively. Gp3 divided into Gp3a and Gp3b then administered 200 µl of C.M./EDTA (10 mg/kg) for 15 and 90 days, respectively. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations were investigated. The results showed that sub-acute administration of C.M./EDTA did not show any signs of toxicity, however, sub-chronic administration showed substantial toxicity evidenced by alterations in some biochemical and histological investigations.