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Biomedical subjects

A Nyska

Publications and source records attributed to A Nyska.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The role of oxidative stress in indium phosphide-induced lung carcinogenesis in rats.

Indium phosphide (IP), widely used in the microelectronics industry, was tested for potential carcinogenicity. Sixty male and 60 female Fischer 344 rats were exposed by aerosol for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 21 weeks (0.1 or 0.3 mg/m(3); stop exposure groups) or 105 weeks (0 or 0.03 mg/m(3) groups) with interim groups (10 animals/group/sex) evaluated at 3 months. After 3-month exposure, severe pulmonary inflammation with numerous infiltrating macrophages and alveolar proteinosis appeared. After 2 years, dose-dependent high incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas and carcinomas occurred in both sexes; four cases of squamous cell carcinomas appeared in males (0.3 mg/m(3)), and a variety of non-neoplastic lung lesions, including simple and atypical hyperplasia, chronic active inflammation, and squamous cyst, occurred in both sexes. To investigate whether inflammation-related oxidative stress functioned in the pathogenesis of IP-related pulmonary lesions, we stained lungs of control and high-dose animals immunohistochemically for four markers indicative of oxidative stress: inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), glutathione-S-transferase Pi (GST-Pi), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Paraffin-embedded samples from the 3-month and 2-year control and treated females were used. i-NOS and COX-2 were highly expressed in inflammatory foci after 3 months; at 2 years, all four markers were expressed in non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Most i-NOS staining, mainly in macrophages, occurred in chronic inflammatory and atypical hyperplastic lesions. GST-Pi and 8-OHdG expression occurred in cells of carcinoma epithelium, atypical hyperplasia, and squamous cysts. These findings suggest that IP inhalation causes pulmonary inflammation associated with oxidative stress, resulting in progression to atypical hyperplasia and neoplasia.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2001

Effects of water-soluble antioxidant from spinach, NAO, on doxorubicin-induced heart injury.

Doxorubicin (DOX) produces clinically restorative responses in numerous human cancers, but its cardiotoxicity has limited its usefulness. Because reactive oxygen species may affect DOX-induced antitumor activity and cardiotoxicity, we evaluated the prophylactic effect of spinach natural antioxidant (NAO) on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress in female Balb/c mice using histological, electron microscopical and biochemical parameters. Mice were treated with NAO for 7 days prior to and/or for 6 days after DOX administration. Pretreatment with NAO (cumulative dose: 130 mg/kg) did not hinder the effectiveness of DOX. Light and electron microscopy of DOX-treated heart revealed myocardial degeneration. When administered combined before and after DOX, NAO conferred the most significant cardiac protection. The effects of NAO on the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde, and on H2O2/ hydroperoxides were examined on day 6 following DOX administration; levels of both were elevated in DOX-treated mice, compared to control. Pretreatment with NAO prevented these changes. Pretreatment with NAO before DOX administration decreased catalase and increased superoxide dismutase activities compared to the DOX group. Our results suggest usage of NAO in combination with DOX as a prophylactic strategy to protect heart muscle from DOX-induced cellular damage.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Topical iodine preparation as therapy against sulfur mustard-induced skin lesions.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a powerful vesicant employed as an agent of chemical warfare. This study demonstrates the therapeutic effect of a novel topical iodine preparation as a postexposure treatment against SM-induced lesions in the fur-covered guinea-pig skin model. Iodine treatment 15 min after SM exposure resulted in statistically significant reductions of 48, 50, and 55% in dermal acute inflammation, hemorrhage, and necrosis, respectively, whereas, the epidermal healing markers, hyperkerathosis and acanthosis, were significantly elevated by 72 and 67%, respectively, 2 days after treatment. At the interval of 30 min between SM exposure and iodine treatment, there was a significant degree of healing or recovery, albeit to a lesser extent than that observed in the shorter interval. Although the epidermal healing markers were not elevated, the parameters indicative of active tissue damage, such as subepidermal microblisters, epidermal ulceration, dermal acute inflammation, hemorrhage, and necrosis, were significantly reduced by 35, 67, 43, 39, and 45%, respectively. At the 45-min interval between exposure and treatment, there was also a certain degree of healing or recovery expressed as significant reductions in dermal subacute inflammation, subepidermal microblister formation, and epidermal ulceration, whereas, acanthosis was statistically elevated, indicating an increased healing potential. At the 60-min interval, iodine was less efficacious; nevertheless, a significant reduction in the incidence of subepidermal microblisters and an expansion of the acanthotic area were observed. Gross ulceration was significantly decreased at intervals of 15 and 30 min between exposure and treatment. The local anesthetic, lidocaine, did not alter the therapeutic effect of iodine. SM was not affected chemically by iodine as measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. These findings suggest that the iodine preparation functions as an antidote against skin lesions induced by SM.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Protective effect of povidone iodine ointment against skin lesions induced by chemical and thermal stimuli.

Mustard gas (sulfur mustard, HD) is a powerful vesicant employed as a chemical weapon. The present study demonstrates the effect of povidone iodine (PI) ointment against skin toxicity caused by HD. Gross and histopathological examinations showed that application of PI 20 min or less following exposure to the vesicant resulted in marked skin protection. The shorter, interval between exposure and treatment, the better was the protection achieved. Povidone iodine was also effective against other mustards, such as carboxybutylchloroethyl sulfide (CBCS) and mechlorethamine. The fact that PI protected the skin against agents that cannot be oxidized, such as iodoacetic acid, divinylsulfone and cantharidine, indicated that the antidotal effect of PI was unrelated to oxidation of the nitrogen and sulfur atoms of the mustards. Furthermore, NMR spectroscopy of CBCS treated with iodine did not show oxidation of the sulfur atom. Clinical experience with patients after accidential heat burns (mostly of grade I) has shown that topical application of PI ointment immediately after the stimulus significantly reduced, and often prevented, skin lesions. Apart from being a safe and widely used disinfectant, PI ointment is recommended as an efficient protective agent against skin toxicity caused by hazardous chemicals and by heat stimuli.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Susceptibility of transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E to closed head injury: the allele E3 is neuroprotective whereas E4 increases fatalities.

Apolipoprotein E, the major brain lipid-binding protein, is expressed in humans as three common isoforms (E2, E3 and E4). Previous studies revealed that the allele apolipoprotein E4 is a major genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease and that traumatic brain injury is associated with increased risk for developing this disease. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the effects of traumatic head injury and apolipoprotein E4 in Alzheimer's disease are synergistic. To test the hypothesis that the apolipoprotein E genotype affects susceptibility to brain injury, we subjected transgenic mice, expressing either human apolipoprotein E3 or human apolipoprotein E4 on a null mouse apolipoprotein E background and apolipoprotein E-deficient knockouts, to closed head injury and compared mortality, neurological recovery and the extent of brain damage of the survivors. More than 50% of the transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E4 died following closed head injury, whereas only half as many of the transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E3, and of the control and apolipoprotein E-deficient mice died during this period (P<0.02). A neurological severity score used for clinical assessment of the surviving mice up to 11 days after closed head injury revealed that the four mouse groups displayed similar severity of damage at 1h following injury. At three and 11 days post-injury, however, the neurological severity scores of the transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E3 were significantly lower than those of the other three groups whose scores were similar, indicating better recovery of the transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E3. Histopathological examination of the mice performed 11 days post-injury revealed, consistent with the above neurological results, that the size of the damaged brain area of the transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E3 was smaller than that of the other head-injured groups. These findings show that transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein E4 are more susceptible than those expressing apolipoprotein E3 to closed head injury. We suggest that this effect is due to both a protective effect of apolipoprotein E3 and an apolipoprotein E4-related pathological function.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Increased levels of intracellular iron in the brains of ApoE-deficient mice with closed head injury.

Previous studies have revealed that apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice have distinct memory deficits and neurochemical derangements and are oxidatively stressed prior to and following closed head injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility that the enhanced susceptibility of apoE-deficient mice to closed head injury is related to impairments in their antioxidative iron-chelating mechanisms. ApoE-deficient and control mice were subjected to closed had injury, after which the extent of brain-damage and the level of iron-containing cells were assessed. Examination of the brain-damaged areas in the injured mice revealed that, by Day 3 post injury, animals of both groups were maximally and similarly affected. While the size of the damaged area of the injured control mice diminished significantly by Day 7, however recovery was not observed in injured apoE-deficient mice up to at least 14 days post-injury. Histopathologically, the decrease in the damaged areas in the control mice was interpreted as related to decreased edema. Numbers of iron-containing cells at Days 3 and 7 after injury were greater in the brains of control mice than in the apoE-deficient mice. Whereas the number of iron-containing cells in injured control mice decreased at days 9 and 14-post injury, that of the injured apoE-deficient mice plateaued by Day 9 at a level more than two-fold higher than the maximal level seen for controls. The size of the damaged areas and the number of iron-containing cells were correlated (P < 0.03) for both mouse groups at days 9 and 14 after injury. The data suggest that the increased susceptibility of apoE-deficient mice to closed head injury may be due, at least in part, to impaired iron scavenging and sustained oxidative stress.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Prevention of systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease in (NZBxNZW)F1 mice by treating with CDR1- and CDR3-based peptides of a pathogenic autoantibody.

Two peptides based on the complementarity-determining regions (CDR) of a pathogenic murine anti-DNA antibody were employed in an attempt to prevent the spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease of (NZBxNZW)F1 mice. Female mice, at the age of 2 months, were injected with either the CDR1- or the CDR3-based peptides (pCDR1, pCDR3) subcutaneously or intravenously in aqueous solution for a total of 8-10 treatments. A reduction was observed in the total and pathogenic IgG2a and IgG3 anti-DNA antibody titers in the CDR-treated groups. Treatment reduced the number of mice that developed proteinuria and immune complex deposits in their kidneys. The severity of renal pathology was significantly reduced in the pCDR3 (P<0.02) and pCDR1 (P< or = 0.05) treated mice. Thus, both CDR-based peptides administered in aqueous solution were capable of preventing the SLE-like disease in (NZBxNZW)F1 mice, although the beneficial effects of pCDR3 appeared to be more pronounced than those of pCDR1 in the treated mice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Effects of apocynin and natural antioxidant from spinach on inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induction in lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic injury in rat.

The immunoreactivity of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 was compared among groups of male Wistar rats comprising those injected with lipopolysaccharide following pretreatment with either natural antioxidant from spinach or the antioxidant apocynin, with lipopolysaccharide without pretreatment with antioxidants, with each of the two antioxidants alone, and untreated controls. The grade of staining of both inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 increased with the severity of the inflammatory reaction in the lipopolysaccharide-treated animals, compared to the antioxidant-treated groups. Interpretation of the results of the immunostained tissues indicated that pretreatment with either antioxidant significantly (P<0.05) attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase induction. Analysis of the cycloxygenase-2-stained liver samples indicated that the pretreatment with the natural antioxidant NAO significantly (P<0.05) attenuated lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cycloxygenase-2 induction; whereas, in animals pretreated with apocynin, there was a trend of reduction in the cyclooxygenase-2 expression, but not statistically significant (P>0.05). The negative nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity of the lipopolysaccharide-related hepatic lesions may indicate that there was relatively low interaction between superoxide anions and nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite or that the expression levels of the nitrotyrosine were below the limit of detection. In all treatment groups a positive correlation (P<0.05, r=0.86) found between the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 scores suggests a strong relationship between these two parameters. The results indicate the possible therapeutic efficacy of NAO and apocynin in the prevention of liver damage related to clinical endotoxemia known to be associated with oxidative stress.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed2000

Effect of natural antioxidants and apocynin on LPS-induced endotoxemia in rabbit.

The objective of this study was to compare the prophylactic effects of the natural antioxidant from spinach (NAO) and apocynin, on the hepatic oxidative stress and liver damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male New Zealand rabbits were challenged with LPS with or without 8 days of antioxidant pretreatment. Pretreatment with NAO, but not apocynin, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver cytosolic fraction and the activity of NADPH oxidase-generated superoxide in the microsomal fraction, compared to LPS alone. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (G-POX) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the LPS-treated group, whereas treatment with NAO, but not apocynin, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased G-POX activity. Pretreatment with the same antioxidants had no significant effects on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, whereas an increased level of catalase (CAT) was obtained in all LPS-treated groups. TUNEL immunohistochemical staining in the LPS-treated animals indicated that there was no increase in apoptosis outside of necrotic foci. However, apoptotic hepatocytes were observed within areas of focal necrosis in animals exposed to LPS alone or LPS plus apocynin. Hepatocyte cell proliferation was tested by the proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) tool, which indicated a proliferative effect in the LPS group, whereas the effect disappeared in the antioxidant-treated groups. The prophylactic effect of NAO on liver pathology and the significant decreases in lipid peroxidation products and NADPH oxidase activity suggest the use of NAO as an efficient strategy for treatment of endotoxemia.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of the acute hematotoxicity of 2-butoxyethanol in male and female F344 rats.

Administration of 2-butoxyethanol (BE) to rodents causes acute hemolytic anemia, and metabolic activation of BE to butoxyacetic acid (BAA) is required for the development of this effect. Recent studies have shown that female rats treated with BE exhibit a variety of histopathologic lesions that are absent in males and many of these lesions are attributed to the hemolytic effects of BE. Current studies were designed to compare the acute hematotoxicity of BE in male and female F344 rats. Rats were treated with 250 mg BE/kg body weight or water (control; 5 ml/kg) by gavage. At 4, 8, or 24 h after dosing, rats were anesthetized, blood was collected by cardiac puncture, and various blood parameters were measured. BE resulted in a time-dependent swelling of erythrocytes as evidenced by an early increase in hematocrit (Hct) and mean cell volume (MCV) in male rats. In contrast, increased Hct in female rats did not accompany an increase in MCV. It is likely that hemolysis was so severe at 4 h that Hct exhibited a decline in female rats at that time point. Subsequently, red blood cell (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), and Hct declined as hemolysis progressed. However, the onset of BE-induced hemolysis was faster in female compared to male rats. These effects were also associated with a significant increase in the spleen weight to body weight ratio. Blood smears were also prepared and morphological changes evaluated by light microscopy included stomatocytosis, spherocytosis, and schistocytosis. Furthermore, aggregation of RBCs in female rats as evidenced by increased formation of rouleaux was observed at 24 h after BE administration. These effects were observed earlier and more frequently in female rats. No differences in the sensitivity of RBCs obtained from male and female rats and exposed to butoxyacetic acid (BAA) in vitro was observed as determined by measuring the packed cell volume. In conclusion, these data suggest that female rats are more sensitive to hemolysis and morphological alterations of erythrocytes induced by BE during the first 24 h after exposure compared to males. It is likely that the greater sensitivity of female rats to BE effects on RBCs may account for the reported development of thrombosis and tissue infarction in female rats.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗
PubMed2000

Soluble polysaccharide and biomass of red microalga Porphyridium sp. alter intestinal morphology and reduce serum cholesterol in rats.

The present study investigated the effects of the red microalga Porphyridium sp. on gastrointestinal physiology and lipid metabolism in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Diets containing dietary fibre from pelleted red microalgal cells (biomass) or their sulfated polysaccharide, pectin or cellulose (control) were fed to rats for a period of 30 d. All three fibre-supplemented diets increased the length of both the small intestine and colon, with a significantly greater effect in rats fed the algal polysaccharide. The polysaccharide also increased mucosa and muscularis cross-sectional area of the jejunum, and caused hypertrophy in the muscularis layer. The algal biomass significantly lowered gastrointestinal transit time by 44% in comparison with the control rats. Serum and mucosal cholecystokinin levels were lower in rats on the pectin and polysaccharide diets, while cholecystokinin levels in rats fed algal biomass were not different from those in the control animals. In comparison with the control diet, all the experimental diets significantly lowered serum cholesterol levels (22-29%). Feeding of non-fermentable algal polysaccharide or biomass significantly increased faecal weight and bile acid excretion compared with pectin-fed or control rats. The algal polysaccharide and biomass were thus shown to be potent hypocholesterolaemic agents active at low concentrations in the diet. Both metabolic and morphological changes were observed following consumption of algae, suggesting several possible mechanisms by which the alga affects lipid metabolism. The results presented in the present study encourage the use of red microalga as a functional food.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Ricinoleic acid-based biopolymers.

Polyanhydrides synthesized from pure ricinoleic acid half-esters with maleic and succinic anhydrides possess desired physicochemical and mechanical properties for use as drug carriers. Ricinoleic acid maleate or succinate diacid half-esters were prepared from the reaction of crude ricinoleic acid (85% content) with succinic or maleic anhydride. The pure diacid monomers were obtained by chromatography purification through silica gel using petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/acetic acid (80/30/1 v/v/v) mixture as eluent. The pure diacid monomers (>99%) were polymerized by melt condensation to yield film-forming polymers with molecular weights exceeding 40,000 with a polydispersity of 2. Extensive biocompatibility study demonstrated their toxicological inertness and biodegradability. Their rate of elimination from rats in the course of about 4-6 weeks was faster than that found for similar fatty acid-based polyanhydrides previously tested. In vitro studies showed that these polymers underwent rapid hydrolytic degradation in 10 days. Methotrexate release from the polymers was not affected by the initial polymer molecular weight in the range of 10,000-35,000. The in vitro drug release correlated with the degradation of the polymers. The fatty acid ester monomers were further degraded to its counterparts, ricinoleic acid and succinic or maleic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Influence of pharmaceutical gel vehicles containing oleic acid/sodium oleate combinations on hairless mouse skin, a histological evaluation.

Aqueous gel preparations containing oleic acid/sodium oleate combinations were applied three times daily to hairless mice (CD1 strain). Six groups of animals (n = 9 or n = 10) were treated topically with six experimental vehicles containing 2, 3 and 4.5% oleic acid (OA) at two different pH values, 7.3 and 7.7. Sodium lauryl sulfate (5%) in a similar gel preparation was used as the positive control (n = 5), while untreated animals were used as the negative control (n = 6). After three treatment days, the skin samples were collected and processed for histological evaluation. It was seen that the severity and frequency of histological changes in the skin treated with OA-containing vehicles were directly correlated with increased pH/ionization (i.e. decreased OA/sodium oleate ratio) and with overall OA concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Cataract development in sand and galactosemic rats fed a natural tomato extract.

This study investigated the effect of a natural tomato extract (TE) on cataract formation in two animal models. A TE containing 5% lycopene was included in the diet of diabetic sand rats at 0.2%, and Sprague Dawley rats were fed a high-galactose diet (30 g/100 g of diet), supplemented with either the lycopene-rich extract at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% or BHT (0.2%). TE had no significant effect on plasma glucose levels or cataract development in sand rats; however, in rats maintained on a diet rich in galactose, both BHT and TE decreased cataract incidence, and grades were lower than in control animals. In addition, lens protein and reduced glutathione levels were higher and aldose reductase activity was lower than in the control group. The results suggest that antioxidants act as protective agents when oxidative stress is a primary cause of cataract formation but may be less effective in preventing cataracts in hyperglycemic animals.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

Ocular thrombosis and retinal degeneration induced in female F344 rats by 2-butoxyethanol.

2-butoxyethanol, used extensively for domestic and industrial purposes, was tested in our experiments for its potential to cause damage to female rat ocular tissues. Female rats were previously found to be particularly sensitive to 2-butoxyethanol. A group of eight female F344 rats (2 - 3 months old) were exposed by gavage to 250 mg of 2-butoxyethanol/kg b.w. per day for 3 consecutive days and sacrificed 24 h after the last dose. Eight female rats received the dosing vehicle (water) and served as controls. At necropsy, petechial hemorrhages were noted on the sclera. Microscopic examination revealed treatment-related effects in the eyes, in addition to other known effects of BE exposure such as disseminated thrombosis and necrosis and infarction in various organs. The spectrum of histopathological changes noted in the eyes included hemorrhages localized in the posterior layers of the retina, leading to photoreceptor degeneration. Thrombi were identified in ciliary processes and limbal blood vessels. Histological changes suggestive of the retinal ischemic-infarctive process were also noted. Possible pathogenic mechanisms of 2-butoxyethanol-induced retinopathy are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Microscopic alterations in the physis of long bones in response to hind limb immobilization in the rat.

BACKGROUND: The growth plate increases its activity in response to exercise. Likewise, decreased physical activity exerts a negative effect on bone growth and development, leading to rarefaction of the subepiphyseal bone. Limb immobilization inhibits the growth plate's activity, indirectly shown by a recorded arrest in longitudinal growth of the long bones. However, there is no direct evidence concerning the growth plate itself. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the growth plate exhibits measurable microstructural changes in response to decreased levels of physical activity. METHODS: Histomorphometric analysis was used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the changes in the epiphyseal plate in response to single hind limb immobilization in the rat. In 16 of 25 Sprague-Dawley male rats the left hind limb was immobilized for 3 weeks; the remaining 9 rats served as controls. The left proximal tibia of each animal was examined by computerized image analysis. RESULTS: There was a decrease in epiphyseal height, cell column density and subepiphyseal trabecular area--all indices of growth plate activity. Metaphyseal cortical thickness was also depressed, thereby confirming the efficacy of the immobilization method applied. CONCLUSIONS: Limb immobilization in the rat induces inhibitory histological changes in the epiphyseal growth plate, which are in contrast to the excitatory microscopic changes seen with exercise. These changes can be assessed quantitatively. Their potential for reversibility remains to be determined by future experiments.

Animals↗