Deltamethrin (DLM) is a synthetic pyrethroid with anti-acaricide and insecticidal properties. It is commonly used in agriculture and veterinary medicine. Humans and animals are exposed to DLM through the ingestion of polluted food and water, resulting in severe health issues. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a prodrug of L-cysteine, the precursor to glutathione. It can restore the oxidant-antioxidant balance. Therefore, this research aimed to examine whether NAC may protect broiler chickens against oxidative stress, at the level of biochemical and molecular alterations caused by DLM intoxication. The indicators of liver and kidney injury in the serum of DLM-intoxicated and NAC-treated groups were examined. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant markers, superoxide dismutase activity, and apoptotic gene expressions (caspase-3 and Bcl-2) were investigated. All parameters were significantly altered in the DLM-intoxicated group, suggesting that DLM could induce oxidative damage and apoptosis in hepato-renal tissue. The majority of the changes in the studied parameters were reversed when NAC therapy was used. In conclusion, by virtue of its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties, NAC enabled the provision of significant protection effects against DLM-induced hepato-renal injury.
Regenerative medicine is the field concerned with the repair and restoration of the integrity of damaged human tissues as well as whole organs. Since the inception of the field several decades ago, regenerative medicine therapies, namely stem cells, have received significant attention in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Apart from their known potential for differentiation into the various body cells, stem cells enhance the organ's intrinsic regenerative capacity by altering its environment, whether by exogenous injection or introducing their products that modulate endogenous stem cell function and fate for the sake of regeneration. Recently, research in cardiology has highlighted the evidence for the existence of cardiac stem and progenitor cells (CSCs/CPCs). The global burden of cardiovascular diseases’ morbidity and mortality has demanded an in-depth understanding of the biology of CSCs/CPCs aiming at improving the outcome for an innovative therapeutic strategy. This review will discuss the nature of each of the CSCs/CPCs, their environment, their interplay with other cells, and their metabolism. In addition, important issues are tackled concerning the potency of CSCs/CPCs in relation to their secretome for mediating the ability to influence other cells. Moreover, the review will throw the light on the clinical trials and the preclinical studies using CSCs/CPCs and combined therapy for cardiac regeneration. Finally, the novel role of nanotechnology in cardiac regeneration will be explored.
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.
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This study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of clove oil against acrylamide induced oxidative damage and impairment of liver, kidney, and testicular functions in albino rats. The apparent oxidative damage was associated with evident hepatic, renal, and testicular dysfunction, which was confirmed in histopathological lesions, and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Acrylamide decreased serum total protein and albumin contents; increased urea and creatinine contents. Acrylamide also reduced testosterone concentration. Treatment of acrylamide intoxicated rats with clove oil minimized liver, kidney, and testicular histopathological changes and normalized their functions. Our findings demonstrate that acrylamide is not only associated with hepatotoxicity but also nephrotoxicity and testicular toxicity. Clove oil administration provided substantial organ protection against hepatic, renal, and testicular dysfunction induced by acrylamide, which was possibly mediated through their antioxidant activities.
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