Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural dithiol compound, with a free radical scavenger and biological antioxidant properties. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the protective effects of ALA on biochemical alteration and oxidative stress induced by acute deltamethrin intoxication in rats. Markers of liver and kidney injuries in serum of deltamethrin-intoxicated as well as ALA-pretreated rats were analyzed. Moreover, serum and (or) tissue lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde and antioxidant markers, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The results showed that all parameters were altered in the intoxicated group, indicating hepatorenal oxidative damage of deltamethrin. Pre-treatment with ALA reversed the changes in most of the studied parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological and biochemical findings were parallel. It can be concluded that ALA may be a promising therapeutic option for prevention and (or) treatment of deltamethin toxicity.

Nerium oleander ( N. oleander ) is a well-known poisonous shrub that is frequently grown in gardens and public areas and contains numerous toxic compounds. The major toxic components are the cardiac glycosides oleandrin and neriin. The aim of our study was to evaluate the toxic effects of an ethanolic N. oleander leaf extract on haematological, cardiac, inflammatory, and serum biochemical parameters, as well as histopathological changes in the heart. N. oleander extract was orally administered for 14 and 30 consecutive days at doses of 100 and 200 mg of dried extract/kg of body weight in 0.5 mL of saline. The results showed significant increases in mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell counts, platelet counts, interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha, C reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB, especially at high doses. Marked pathological changes were perceived in the heart tissue. Thus, it can be concluded that exposure to N. oleander leaf extract adversely affects the heart and liver.

Four commonly used pyrethroids (permethrin, bifenthrin, ethofenprox, and fenpropathrin) were orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats for 5 days to study their effects on the liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities. Also Michaelis-Menten kinetics of the metabolic reactions catalyzed by liver CYPs were examined after adding these pyrethroids to the assay system to investigate their possible inhibitory effects on liver CYPs activities. These reactions included ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, tolbutamide hydroxylation, bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, and midazolam 4-hydroxylation, for CYP1A, 2C, 2D, and 3A activities, respectively. Results showed that oral administration of bifenthrin and ethofenprox highly induced CYP1A. The most potent inhibitors for CYP1A were fenpropathrin and cis-permethrin with K(i) values of 3.71 & 3.87 microM, respectively. CYP2D was slightly inhibited by both of fenpropathrin and cis-permethrin (K(i) values were 307.32 & 632.23 microM, respectively). On the other hand, none of CYP2C or 3A was inhibited by the tested pyrethroids. Since CYP1A may relate to biotransformation of many chemicals to reactive metabolites, bifenthrin and ethofenprox may potentiate mutagenicity of the chemicals through their inducing effects on CYP 1A. As permethrin and fenpropathrin were potent inhibitor for CYP1A, they may result in substantial accumulation of some chemicals. The resultant accumulation may lead to fatal toxicities in some case.

Gentamicin (GNT) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is that's employed in the treatment of diverse forms of bacterial infections. However, gentamicin evoked renal toxicity. Therefore, the present experiment investigated the protecting impact of Tribulus terrestris and vitamin C against GNT-induced renal toxicity in albino rats. Six groups with eight rats each were used for this purpose; they included the normal control group that received physiological saline, the second group received Tribulus terrestris (200 mg kg orally), the third group received Vit. C (200 mg kg, orally). The fourth group injected gentamicin sulfate (100mg/kg I/P). The fifth group received Tribulus terrestris (200 mg kg orally) then injected with gentamicin sulfate, the sixth group received Vit. C (200 mg kg orally) then injected with gentamicin sulfate. The results showed that GNT significantly decreases serum levels of total protein and albumin. On the other hand, there were significant increases in levels of BUN, creatinine, and uric acid. Significant decreases were recorded in the levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, there was a substantial increase in the kidney contents of malondialdehyde (MDA). Serum levels of beta 2 microglobulin (β2M), nitric oxide (NO), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were substantially magnified but glutathione S transferase (GST) was significantly declined. Also, GNT caused histopathological changes and increased the expression of caspase-3 in the kidney tissues. However, administration of Tribulus terrestris as well as vitamin C, ameliorated the GNT-induced nephrotoxicity, perhaps via their antioxidant properties.

Ceftiofur is a broad-spectrum third generation cephalosporin, which acts by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Aeromonas hydrophila and β-lactamase-producing strains, which are common pathogens in freshwater fish. Ceftiofur pharmacokinetics in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus were studied following single intracardiac (i.c.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration of ceftiofur sodium (NAXCEL®) in a dose of 5 mg ceftiofur kg-1 body weight. After i.c. injection, ceftiofur plasma concentrations decreased biexponentially, suggesting a 2-compartmental open model. Distribution and elimination half-lives (t0.5(α) and t0.5(β)) were 0.61 ± 0.22 and 0.14 ± 0.03 h mean ±SD, respectively. Elimination constant (Kel) and total body clearances (Cltot) were 3.22 ± 0.48 h-1 and 1.64 ± 0.47 l h-1 kg-1, respectively. Volume of distribution (Vss) and areas under curves (AUC) were 0.12 ± 0.03 l kg-1 and 24.18 ± 8.81 µg ml-1 h, respectively. Following i.m. injection of ceftiofur, plasma concentrations were best described by a 1-compartment open model with a first order absorption; bioavailability was quite high (96.85 ± 23.74%). Plasma maximum concentration (Cmax) was 12.32 ± 6.53 µg ml-1; achieved at time of maximum concentration (Tmax) of 0.74 ± 0.04 h. Absorption and elimination half-lives (t0.5ab and t0.5β) were 0.49 ± 0.06 and 0.53 ± 0.03 h, respectively. In conclusion, i.m. injection of ceftiofur sodium produced extremely high bioavailability with high plasma concentrations that persisted up to 6 h post injection, which may make ceftiofur a useful alternative antibiotic for treatment of brood stock or important ornamental fishes.