Objective The aim of our study is to compare the role of the new natural alternative (Quercetin) with the current iron-chelation therapy (Deferoxamine (DFO)) in the effect of iron overload on small intestinal tissues and to investigate the possible underlying molecular mechanisms of such toxicity. Methods Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into six groups: control groups, DFO, Quercetin, iron overload, iron overload+DFO, and iron overload+Quercetin groups. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injection of Deferoxamine (125 mg /kg), Quercetin (10 mg/kg), and ferric dextran (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Results Iron overloaded group showed significant increase in serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation percentage (TS %) hepcidin (HEPC), serum ferritin, nontransferrin bound iron (NTBI), and small intestinal tissues iron levels. Iron overload significantly increased the serum oxidative stress indicator (MDA) and reduced serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC). On the other hand, iron overload increased IL6 and reduced IL10 in small intestinal tissues reflecting inflammatory condition and increased caspase 3 reactivity indicating apoptosis and increased iNOs expressing cell indicting oxidative stress especially in ileum. In addition, it induced small intestinal tissues pathological alterations. The treatment with Quercetin showed nonsignificant differences as compared to treatment with DFO that chelated the serum and tissue iron and improved the oxidative stress and reduced tissue IL6 and increased IL10 and decreased caspase 3 and iNOs expressing cells in small intestinal tissues. Moreover, it ameliorated the iron overload induced pathological alterations. Conclusion Our study showed the potential role of Quercetin as iron chelator like DFO in case of iron overload induced small intestinal toxicity in adult rats because of its serum and tissue iron chelation, improvement of serum, and small intestinal oxidative stress, ameliorating iron induced intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and histopathological alterations.

The usage of Titanium Dioxide NanoParticles (TiO2NPs) on a large scale of applications was a reason of a variety of many health problems. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immune toxic effects of short term administration of TiO2NPs on spleen. Material and Methods: Forty Adult male Rats were equally divided into four groups as follows: Group I: negative control, Group II: positive control, Group III: received TiO2NPs (1200 mg/kg) orally daily for 12 weeks. Group IV: follow up group received TiO2NPs by the same dose, route and for the same duration as TiO2NPs group and then they were left untreated for another 8 weeks. Total leukocytes, differential leukocytic counts, Interleukins IL-2 and IL-10 levels were measured, the spleen sections were examined immunohistochemically for the detection of CD4+ and iNOS expressing cells. Histopathological alterations in the spleen were also evaluated. Moreover, DNA damage was evaluated by comet assay. The results: TiO2NPs exposure for 12 weeks resulted in significant decreased in the total and deferential leukocytic counts, serum interleukins IL-2 as well as IL-10. It caused marked decrease in CD4+T-lymphocytes and increase in iNOS expressing cells indicating oxidative stress in spleen tissues. It also caused histopathological disruption of spleen architecture and produced DNA damage in splenocytes. Discontinuation of TiO2NPs administration for 8 weeks resulted in significant improvement of leukocytes, interleukins, increase in CD4+ T-lymphocytes and decrease in iNOS expressing cells in spleen tissues. Moreover, there was moderate improvement in histopathological alterations and DNA damage. Conclusion:TiO2NPs consumption have immunotoxic effects which may resulted from genetic damage and oxidative stress in the spleen of adult male albino rats which could be improved by its discontinuation for a period of time and it was recommended to increase the period of discontinuation as complete improvement may occur

Objective: Drugs addiction is considered a general major problem all over the world causing massive detrimental effects for the addict, communities and governments. The study was designed to assess the dependency impact of concurrent brown heroin and Tramadol administration on reproduction in rats. Material and methods: Sixty adult male albino rats were divided into untreated control (I), vehicles groups citric acid (II), saline (III), brown heroin (IV), tramadol (V) and concurrent brown heroin and tramadol (VI) groups. The animals were treated daily for forty days by oral (saline and tramadol) and intra-peritoneal (citric acid and heroin) routes. The body weights, the reproductive hormonal assay (luteinizing hormone LH, follicle stimulating hormone FSH, free Testosterone, Estradiol E2 and prolactin PRL) and the hormones related gene expression (brain FSH-B gene, LH-B gene and testicular cytochrome 19 gene CYP-19) were evaluated. The histopathological changes of the brain and testis were demonstrated. Results: The brown heroin, tramadol and the concurrent brown heroin and tramadol administration reduced the rats' body weight, serum LH, FSH and Testosterone and increased the serum E2 and PRL levels. Moreover, both heroin and tramadol produced down regulation of brain LH-B and FSH-B with up regulation of testicular CYP-19 genes expression and induced histopathological alterations in both of the brain and testicular structures. Conclusion: The concurrent brown heroin and tramadol dependency affect the reproductive axis and impaired fertility in adult male albino rats via altering the circulating reproductive hormones and its related genes expression, moreover, affecting the histology of the brain and testis. Recommendation: Health education for the purpose of increasing public awareness regarding hazards of tramadol and heroin addiction, periodic urine screening for early detection and proper management which could be done for university students, employee in different community services….etc

Background: Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most widely used Organophosphates (OPs) insecticides in agriculture and public health. Natural products (Propolis and Nigella Sativa) are a promising source for the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. Aim: The present study was an attempt to evaluate the benefits of Propolis and Nigella Sativa alone and in combination against toxicity induced by Chlorpyrifos in on lung and heart tissues of adult male albino rats. Materials & Methods: 54 adult male albino rats were equally divided into 9 groups as following: Group I (negative control group); Group II: received the solvent. Group III (Propolis treated group): in which each rat received orally Propolis only rats (400mg/kg body weight) dissolved in corn oil. Group IV (Nigella Sativa oil treated group) each rat received orally Nigella Sativa oil (100 mg/kg) dissolved in corn oil. Group V: (Propolis and Nigella Sativa treated group). Group VI (CPF treated group): rats gavaged orally CPF at a daily dose of 6.75 mg/kg (1/20 of the oral LD50 of CPF (135mg/kg) dissolved in corn. Group 7 (CPF and Propolis treated group): rats gavaged orally Propolis before CPF administration. Group 8 (CPF and Nigella Sativa oil treated group): the rats gavaged orally Nigella Sativa before CPF. Group 9 (CPF, Nigella Sativa oil and Propolis treated group). Results: Chlorpyrifos induced a highly significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase activities, elevation of Galctin-3 and troponin levels, and a significant reduction in acetylcholine esterase activity. All these alterations were confirmed histopathologically in lung and heart tissues, where Chlorpyrifos induced myocardial necrosis, muscular hyalinosis, bronchopneumonia and bronchitis. Meanwhile, Propolis and Nigella Sativa showed a protective action against Chlorpyrifos toxic effects especially when used in combination. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Propolis and Nigella Sativa had an ameliorating effect against this toxicity induced in adult albino rats.