Antidepressant-like effect of altered Korean red ginseng in mice

Altered Korean red ginseng has been used as a treatment for patients suffering from anxiety. We assessed whether red ginseng hydrolyzed by malted barley (HRG) and acetate-fermented red ginseng (ARG) would improve brain activity, by using forced swimming test (FST) in mice. The effect of the fluoxetine (a classical antidepressant), ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), red ginseng (RG), HRG, and the ARG groups for two weeks on the immobility time was significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The immobility time of HRG and ARG in FST was lower than that of RG. The plasma level of glucose and total protein was significantly increased in the HRG and ARG group compared with the control group (p<0.05), whereas albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and blood urea nitrogen levels were not changed. In conclusion, altered Korean red ginsengs, HRG, and ARG therapy appeared to be effective in improving depression.     

Ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits the TSLP production in allergic rhinitis mice

Abstract

Recent study reports that Korean red ginseng reduces the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in an allergic murine model. However, the contribution of ginsenoside Rg1 (RG1) and its mechanisms on allergic rhinitis (AR) have not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the important activities of RG1 in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR mice. RG1 significantly reduced the levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and interleukin (IL)-1β compared with the AR control mice. Allergic symptom such as rub scores and biomarkers such as spleen weight, histamine, IgE and IgG₁ in the RG1 group were decreased compared with the AR mice. The levels of interferon-γ were enhanced while the levels of IL-4 were reduced in the RG1 group. In the RG1 group, the eosinophils and mast cells infiltration increased by OVA were also decreased. RG1 reduced the levels of inflammation-related protein. RG1 inhibited the caspase-1 activity in nasal mucosa tissue. In addition, RG1 inhibited the production of TSLP and IL-1β and the activations of caspase-1, receptor interacting protein 2, IκB kinase-β and nuclear factor-κB/Rel A in activated HMC-1 cells. Our results indicate that RG1 has the inhibitory effect of TSLP production and caspase-1 activity in AR experimental model.     

Hematological study of lameness in cattle

This study investigates 38 cases of severe lameness in dairy farms with a total population of 1,494 cattle. Blood parameters were measured by standard hematological techniques in lame cattle and healthy controls. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in red blood cell number, hemoglobin , and packed cell volume in lame cattle compared to the control group. The number of white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, and monocytes was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the lame cattle. There was no significant difference in lymphocytes and eosinophils between the two groups.     

Post-exposure treatment with ginsenoside compound K ameliorates auditory functional injury associated with noise-induced hearing loss in mice

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is thought to primarily involve damage to the sensory hair cells of the cochlea via mechanical and metabolic mechanisms. Unfortunately, initial studies assessing the effectiveness of post-exposure treatment after hearing loss have yielded largely disappointing results. This study explored the effects of oral treatment with Korean red ginseng (RG) and with two bioavailable ginsenoside metabolites, ginsenoside Rh1 and ginsenoside compound K (GCK), in response to NIHL in a murine model. Pharmacological treatments began 24h after noise exposure and were continued once daily for 7 days. Central auditory function was evaluated using auditory middle latency responses, and cochlear function was determined based on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. Additionally, cochlear hair cell morphology was investigated after noise exposure. Both Korean red ginseng and compound K reduced threshold shifts, central auditory function damage, and cochlear functional and morphological deficits. In contrast, treatment with ginsenoside Rh1 did not result in recovery of NIHL in mice. These results suggest that consumption of Korean red ginseng may facilitate recovery from noise-induced hearing loss. Furthermore, one of the active constituents in ginseng is likely ginsenoside compound K.     

Erythrocytic profile of rats infected with T. brucei brucei and treated with a combination of Azadirachta indica leaf extract and diminazene diaceturate

This study investigated the erythrocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried; selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study, viz: 7?mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125?mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5?mg/kg bw DDA plus 250?mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8?mg/kg bw DDA plus 500?mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had, in addition to the three groups derived from the dose–response study, four other groups, viz: uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000?mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7?mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control (group G). The parameters assessed were onset of parasitaemia (OP), level of parasitaemia (LOP), clearance of parasites posttreatment (COPPT), relapse of infection period (RIP), red blood cell counts (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV). There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in OP between the groups. A day following treatment, the LOP of groups A, B and C was found to be significantly lower (p?<?0.05) than that of group D (p?<?0.05) which in turn was lower (p?<?0.05) than that of group E and G, respectively. The mean LOP of group E was significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than group G (p?<?0.05) 2?days posttreatment, and this trend continued throughout the experimental period. Mean COPPT of group D was significantly (p?<?0.05) longer than that of groups A, C and B. There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in the mean COPPT among groups B, C and A. The mean RIP of group D was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than group C, and that of group C was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than group A. There was no relapse of infection in group B rats. Group B rats had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to other infected groups. Group E rats had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to group G rats. It was concluded that dose combination of 125?mg/kg bw extract plus 7?mg/kg bw DDA led to significant enhancement of erythrocytic profile and potentiation of diminazene in its trypanocidal activity. This combination therapy proved to be better than single therapy of DDA.     

Haematological and clinical chemistry findings associated with sub-acute contamination of drinking water with varied low percentages of used engine oil

This study evaluated the haematology and clinical chemistry profile of rats given drinking water contaminated with varied low percentages of used engine oil (UEO) for a period of 21 days. Fifty female albino rats of 6–7 weeks of age were used for the study. They were divided into five groups (A–E) and given water contaminated with 5%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01% and 0% vol/vol. of UEO respectively as the only source of drinking water for 21 days. The group E given uncontaminated water (0% contamination) served as the control. The haematological parameters and clinical chemistry profile of the rats was comprehensively evaluated after the 21 days of administration of the group-specific waters. Results showed that contamination of water with up to 5% UEO led to no significant effects (p > 0.05) on all the haematological indices and on the levels of serum alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, albumin, creatinine and calcium, blood urea nitrogen and fasting blood glucose level, feed consumption and body weight. However, the rat group given water contaminated with 5% UEO had a significantly increased serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) (p < 0.01), total bilirubin (p < 0.05) and cholesterol (p < 0.01), and a significantly decreased serum total protein and globulin (p < 0.01), and water consumption (p < 0.05). The rat group given water contaminated with 1% UEO had a significantly increased serum AP (p < 0.01), total bilirubin (p < 0.05) and cholesterol (p < 0.01), and a significantly decreased water consumption (p < 0.05), while the rat group given water contaminated with 0.1% UEO had a significantly elevated (p < 0.01) serum AP. It was concluded that sub-acute contamination of drinking water of rats with up to 5% UEO led to hepato-biliary disorders and adverse effects on hepatic secretion and excretion, including diminution of serum protein and globulin levels and elevation of serum cholesterol levels, but did not lead to any significant effects on haematology, hepatocellular integrity, kidney/renal function, pancreatic function and body weight.     

Use of Memantine (akatinol) for the Correction of Cognitive Impairments in Parkinson’s Disease Complicated by Dementia

This study addresses the effects of 52 weeks of treatment with the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist memantine on motor, cognitive, and mental disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease complicated by dementia, as compared with a control group of patients not treated with memantine. Patients of the experimental group (32 subjects) received memantine (20 mg/day), while patients in the control group continued on antiparkinsonism treatment alone. Cognitive, psychiatric, and motor symptoms were assessed before the study and then at the ends of weeks 12, 24, and 52, using clinical assessment, rating scales, and neuropsychological tests. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured by HPLC. Patients treated with memantine had better measures on the MMSE (p < 0.05), ADAS-cog (p < 0.05), clock drawing test (p < 0.05), and FAB (p < 0.01) as compared with the control group by the end of study week 24. Members of the group of patients with high homocysteine levels mounted significantly better responses with memantine treatment, as compared with patients of the control group with high homocysteine levels but not receiving memantine, at the ends of study weeks 24 and 52, in terms of all rating scales (UPDRS, MMSE, ADAS-cog, D-KEFS Verbal Fluency Test, FAB. NPI, and DAD, p < 0.05). By the end of week 52, significant changes in points scores on the NPI-12 scale from baseline were in favor of patients receiving memantine, this applying to the disinhibition (p = 0.006), irritability (p = 0.04), anxiety (p = 0.04), and hallucinations (p = 0.048) subscales. The presence of hyperhomocysteinemia may indicate faster progression of both motor and cognitive impairments in Parkinson’s disease. Prolonged memantine treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease complicated by dementia leads to improvements in cognitive functions, stabilization of motor impairments, and decreases in the severity of mental disorders, especially in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.     

Antimalarial and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds (black cumin) in mice infected with Plasmodium yoelli nigeriensis

The antimalarial and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds (MENS) were investigated against established malaria infection in vivo using Swiss albino mice. The antimalarial activity of the extract against Plasmodium yoelli nigeriensis (P. yoelli) was assessed using the Rane test procedure. Chloroquine (CQ)-treated group served as positive control. The extract, at a dose of 1.25 g/kg body weight significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed P. yoelli infection in the mice by 94%, while CQ, the reference drug, produced 86% suppression when compared to the untreated group after the fifth day of treatment. P. yoelli infection caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of red cell and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the mice. Serum and hepatic LPO levels were increased by 71% and 113%, respectively, in the untreated infected mice. Furthermore, P. yoelli infection caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and the level of reduced glutathione in tissues of the mice. Treatment with MENS significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the serum and hepatic MDA levels in P. yoelli-infected mice. In addition, MENS restored the activities of red cell antioxidant enzymes in the infected mice to near normal. Moreover, MENS was found to be more effective than CQ in parasite clearance and, in the restoration of altered biochemical indices by P. yoelli infection. These results suggest that N. sativa seeds have strong antioxidant property and, may be a good phytotherapeutic agent against Plasmodium infection in malaria.     

Serum thyroid hormones and trace element concentrations in crossbred holstein cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata

This research was carried out to study thyroid function in view of serum trace element and possible serum cortisol concentration changes in crossbred Holstein cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata. Twenty cattle of different age and sex which had been naturally infected with T. annulata were examined. A control group were selected among the clinically healthy crossbred Holstein cattle with the same age, sex, and production stage similar to the naturally infected group. Serum T3, T4 concentrations were significantly lower in cattle suffering from theileriosis than in the healthy controls (p < 0.05). The cattle suffering from theileriosis had significantly lower concentrations of zinc and selenium in their sera as compared with the healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). Lower packed cell volume (PCV) theileriosis-affected cattle had a lower serum selenium concentration than higher PCV-affected group (p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in PCV, total protein, albumin and total bilirubin concentrations and alkaline phosphatase and gama-gluthamyl transferase activities between theileriosis-affected and healthy cattle (p < 0.05). Total protein and albumin concentrations were statistically different in age (less and more than two years) and PCV (lower and higher) groups of theileriosis-affected cattle (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found in free T3, free T4, cortisol, copper, cobalt, and manganese levels of theileriosis-affected cattle.     

The anti-inflammmatory effect of fermented red ginseng in experimental colitic mice

Here we fermented red ginseng (RG, the steamed root of Panax ginseng CA Meyer, Araliaceae) by Bifidobacterium longum H-1 and and investigated whether Bifidus fermentation could increase its anticolitic effect in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid- and dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice. The colitic mice had shortened colons, decreased body weight, and high myeloperoxidase activity, and administration of RG and fermented RG (FRG) significantly inhibited these changes. These agents also repressed expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, as well as the DSS-induced activation of NF-κB, with FRG more potently inhibiting the colitic markers than RG. The administration of RG and FRG also significantly reduced the activities of intestinal bacterial β-glucuronidase and chondroitin sulphate degradation activities, induced by a colitic inducer. These findings suggest that RG and FRG might improve colitis by regulating inflammatory cytokine expression via NF-κB activation, and that the anticolitic effects of RG can be improved by Bifidus fermentation.     

Effects on hematological and biochemical parameters in albino mice fed Ipomoea batatas leaf aqueous extract

The leaf aqueous extract of Ipomoea batatas was investigated for hematological and biochemical effects in mice. The acute toxicity test recorded no death, even at the highest dose of 1,600 mg/kg. The animals were divided into two groups. The first group was given 800 mg of the extract for 28 days while the second group that served as the control received water for the same period. No significant changes in hematological parameters such as packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and the red blood cell count. The erythrocytic indices such as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration did not change significantly. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the level of WBC in the group that received the extract. The activities of the serum enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase also did not change significantly. The pentobarbitone sleeping time showed significant (p < 0.001) increase in the mean sleeping time when the group that received the extract was compared with the control.     

Antidepressant-like effects of methanolic extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacopa monniera</Emphasis> in mice

Background

Bacopa monniera has been used as a cure for various ailments that include anxiety, epileptic disorders, dementia, blood purifier, cough and rheumatism, and some important local uses of the plant are in dermatitis, anemia, diabetes, promote fertility and prevent miscarriage for many years in Bangladesh. According to this background, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of the methanolic extract of B. monniera (MEBM) in different behavioral models such as forced swimming test (FST), measurement of locomotor activity test (MLAT) and tail suspension test (TST) on mice after two weeks treatment.

Methods

Mice were divided into five groups (n?=?5/group): control group (deionized water), standard group where Imipramine hydrochloride (30 mg/kg) was used as standard drug and three test groups where three doses of the methanolic extract of B. monniera (MEBM) (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was used for two weeks treatment. All the drug and test samples were administered via gavage through oral route. To assess the antidepressant-like effect of MEBM forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and measurement of locomotor activity test (MLAT) have been done in mice.

Results

The results showed that a strong and dose-dependent antidepressant effects in different mice models. The main findings of the MEBM significantly reduced the duration of immobility times in the forced swimming test (p?<?0.001). Likewise, the extract significantly decreased the immobility time in the tail suspension test (p?<?0.001). Moreover, we employed an additional measurement of locomotor activity test to check the motor stimulating activity of the MEBM. The extract also significantly increased the locomotion, rearing and defecation effects in comparison to the control group (p?<?0.001).

Conclusion

The present results clearly demonstrate that the methanolic extract of B. monniera possesses antidepressant-like activity in the animal behavioral models. The current study warrants further investigation into identification of the active compounds in herbal medicines, in particular extract of B. monniera with antidepressant-like effects.

     

The apolipoprotein CIII T2854G variants are associated with postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations in normolipidemic Korean men

This study investigated associations between the apolipoprotein (apo) CIII polymorphism and triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations in fasting and postprandial plasma. Polymerase chain reaction followed by a restriction fragment length genotyping was conducted to assess the allele frequency of the apo CIII T2854G variants in healthy and normolipidemic Korean men (n=262). Waist circumference, body mass index (kilograms per meter squared), fasting plasma concentrations of TAG, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), glucose, and insulin were compared across the genotypes. Compared to TT homozygotes and TG heterozygotes, GG homozygotes had 22% higher fasting TAG concentrations, respectively (p<0.05). A subgroup of 60 subjects (TT homozygotes=20, TG heterozygotes=22, GG homozygotes= 18) were further invited to participate in a high-fat meal test to assess postprandial TAG concentrations. During the high-fat meal test, the GG homozygotes had 21% higher TAG area under the curve (AUC) than the TT homozygotes (p<0.05) and 22% higher TAG AUC than the TG heterozygotes (p<0.05). In conclusion, this is the first study to show that the apo CIII T2854G variants are associated with elevated postprandial TAG concentrations in the study population of Korean men.     

Clinical and Diagnostic Significance of Measurement of Blood Activity of Endopeptidases and Their Inhibitors in Youths with Mitral Valve Prolapse

Activity of leukocytic elastase in young male patients with mitral valve prolapse and high (group 1) and low (group 2) adaptive capacities was increased by 57.08 and 79.14%, respectively, compared to the control (p<0.05). The leukocytic elastase/α1-proteinase inhibitor ratio in groups 1 and 2 surpassed the control value by 55.6% and by 2.16 times, respectively (p<0.05), this parameter can serve as a biochemical marker of adaptive capacity.     

REM sleep and muscle atonia in brainstem stroke: A quantitative polysomnographic and lesion analysis study

Important brainstem regions are involved in the regulation of rapid eye movement sleep. We hypothesized that brainstem stroke is associated with dysregulated rapid eye movement sleep and related muscle activity. We compared quantitative/qualitative polysomnography features of rapid eye movement sleep and muscle activity (any, phasic, tonic) between 15 patients with brainstem stroke (N = 46 rapid eye movement periods), 16 patients with lacunar/non-brainstem stroke (N = 40 rapid eye movement periods), 15 healthy controls (N = 62 rapid eye movement periods), and patients with Parkinson's disease and polysomnography-confirmed rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder. Further, in the brainstem group, we performed a magnetic resonance imaging-based lesion overlap analysis. The mean ratio of muscle activity to rapid eye movement sleep epoch in the brainstem group (“any” muscle activity 0.09 ± 0.15; phasic muscle activity 0.08 ± 0.14) was significantly lower than in the lacunar group (“any” muscle activity 0.17 ± 0.2, p < 0.05; phasic muscle activity 0.16 ± 0.19, p < 0.05), and also lower than in the control group (“any” muscle activity 0.15 ± 0.17, p < 0.05). Magnetic resonance imaging-based lesion analysis indicated an area of maximum overlap in the medioventral pontine region for patients with reduced phasic muscle activity index. For all groups, mean values of muscle activity were significantly lower than in the patients with Parkinson's disease and polysomnography-confirmed REM sleep behaviour disorder group (“any” activity 0.51 ± 0.26, p < 0.0001 for all groups; phasic muscle activity 0.42 ± 0.21, p < 0.0001 for all groups). For the tonic muscle activity in the mentalis muscle, no significant differences were found between the groups. In the brainstem group, contrary to the lacunar and the control groups, “any” muscle activity index during rapid eye movement sleep was significantly reduced after the third rapid eye movement sleep phase. This study reports on the impact of brainstem stroke on rapid eye movement atonia features in a human cohort. Our findings highlight the important role of the human brainstem, in particular the medioventral pontine regions, in the regulation of phasic muscle activity during rapid eye movement sleep and the ultradian distribution of rapid eye movement-related muscle activity.     

Leucocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica and diminazene diaceturate

This study investigated the leucocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with T rypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic Azadirachta indica leaf extracts (MAILE) plus diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried. Selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study viz, 7?mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125?mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5?mg/kg bw DDA plus 250?mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8?mg/kg bw DDA plus 500?mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had in addition to the three groups derived from the dose–response study, four other groups viz, uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000?mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7?mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control (group G). The parameters assessed were onset of parasitaemia (OP), level of parasitaemia (LOP), clearance of parasites post-treatment (COPPT), relapse infection period (RIP), total white blood cell counts (TWBC) and differential white blood cell counts. There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in OP between the groups. A day following treatment, the LOP of groups A, B and C were found to be significantly lower (p?<?0.05) than that of group D (p?<?0.5), which in turn was lower (p?<?0.05) than that of groups E and G, respectively. The mean LOP of group E was significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than that of group G (p?<?0.05) at 2?days post-treatment, and this trend continued throughout the experimental period. The mean COPPT of rats in group D was significantly (p?<?0.05) longer than that of groups A, C and B. There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in the mean COPPT among groups B, C and A. The mean RIP of group D was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than that of group C, and that of group C was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than that of group A. There was no relapse of infection in group B. Group B had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) TWBC when compared with other infected groups. Group E had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) TWBC values when compared with group G. The lymphocyte and neutrophil counts of group E were found to be significantly higher (p?<?0.05) than that of group G all throughout the experimental period. It was concluded that the combination of 125?mg/kg bw MAILE plus 7?mg/kg bw DDA led to significant enhancement of leucocytic profile and that this combination therapy proved to be better than single therapy of DDA.     

Efficacy and safety of galantamine (reminyl) for dementia in patients with Parkinson's disease (an open controlled trial)

An open controlled trial of the use of galantamine at a maximum dose of 16 mg/day included 41 patients with Parkinson's disease with dementia randomized to a galantamine treatment group (21 patients) and a control group (20 patients). Cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and motor symptoms were assessed clinically before the trial and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks, using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the cognitive Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog), the clock drawing test, the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) with assessment of distress in relatives. Patients treated with galantamine had better scores on the MMSE (p < 0.05),ADAS-cog (p < 0.05), the clock drawing test (p < 0.05), and the FAB (p < 0.01) at the end of the study period as compared with the control group. Changes in total point scores on the NPI-12 at the ends of weeks 12 and 24, as compared with the beginning of the trial, were in favor of the group treated with galantamine, with significant changes in the hallucinations (p = 0.0002), anxiety (p = 0.04), sleep disturbance (p = 0.04), and apathy (p = 0.006) sections. Galantamine treatment was accompanied by decreases in the level of distress in patients' relatives (p = 0.007) and improvements in daily activity (p = 0.003). Improvements in gait and decreases in freezing and falls were seen in the galantamine treatment group. However, two patients of this group showed minor increases in tremor. Side effects (drooling, postural hypotension, nausea, dysuria) occurred in seven patients (30%). __________ Translated from Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S. S. Korsakova, Vol. 107, No. 12, pp. 25–33, December, 2007.     

Effects of drinking diesel-contaminated water on the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of mice

Pollution of the environment by petroleum products is a common feature in oil producing nations, especially in the developing countries where the incidence of pipe line leakage and valdalization is very common. This study investigated the effects of exposure to water contaminated with very low concentration of diesel on some hematological and serum biochemical parameters of mice. A total of 20 albino mice were used for the study. The mice were allowed to drink from water contaminated with diesel 1 %, v/v for 6 weeks. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the mice that were exposed to the contaminated water were compared to control mice. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of mice that were allowed to drink from the diesel-contaminated water. The mean corpuscular volume also increased significantly (p<0.05) in these mice. The activities of these serum enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly (p<0.05). Serum concentrations of total bilirubin and creatinine also increased significantly (p<0.05). The results indicate that diesel-contaminated water or products even at the lowest concentration is a threat to the environment. The health of humans and other species exposed to this environmental pollutant is adversely affected.     

Clinicopathologic findings in goats exposed to drinking water experimentally contaminated with varied low percentages of NPK 15�C15�C15 fertilizer

This study investigated the clinicopathology of goats exposed to drinking water experimentally contaminated with varied low percentages of NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer. Twenty West African dwarf (WAD) goats of between 4 and 8 months of age were used for the study. They were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) and were given drinking water contaminated with NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer at the level of 3%, 1%, 0.2%, and 0% (uncontaminated control), respectively, as the only source of drinking water for the 12-week period of the study. Data on the hematology, serum biochemistry profile, body weight, and water consumption of the WAD goats were collected at the beginning of the study and also at specific intervals during the study period. At the end of the study period, the goats were humanely sacrificed, and the internal organs were examined grossly and sections of the liver, kidney, heart muscle, lung, and spleen were prepared and examined for histopathological lesions using a light microscope. Results showed that, from the fourth week to the end of the study, the groups given water contaminated with 3% and 1% fertilizer had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin concentration (HbC) when compared to the controls. The platelet counts of the groups given water contaminated with NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the controls at week 12 only. The serum cholesterol levels of the goats given water contaminated with 3% fertilizer was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the controls on weeks 4 and 8 of the study. There was significant (p < 0.05) weight loss and reduction in daily water consumption in all goat groups given contaminated water and significant (p < 0.05) weight gain in the control group. Administration of the fertilizer-contaminated waters did not lead to any significant effects on the mean corpuscular values, total leukocyte count, absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, and all the clinical biochemistry parameters (except serum cholesterol). There were also no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the organ weight percentages of all the groups, and no lesions were observed on the examined tissue sections of the goats in all the groups. It was concluded that contamination of drinking water of WAD goats with NPK 15–15–15 fertilizer as used in this study led to significant reduction in PCV, HbC, RBC counts, elevated serum cholesterol, and weight loss.     

Environmental monitoring of ivermectin excreted in spring climatic conditions by treated cattle on dung fauna and degradation of faeces on pasture

The effect of ivermectin excreted in faeces of cattle treated in late winter on the arthropods and the degradation of faeces on pasture were evaluated. Four calves of similar age and weight were allocated to two groups, one group was treated subcutaneously with ivermectin and the other group remained as untreated control. From faeces collected from both groups at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-treatment (dpt), three faecal pats of 1 kg each were made and deposited on a mixed paddock. One quarter of each faecal pat was removed at 10, 20, 30 and 60 days postdeposition (dpd) to determine the concentration of ivermectin, the organic matter content, and to collect colonising dung arthropods. Concentrations at days 3 and 7 pt were significantly higher than at the other dpt (p < 0.05). The highest ivermectin concentrations were found in samples from 3 dpt (p < 0.05). The organic matter percentage was not significantly different between treatments. An edaphic fauna characterised the colonisation of the faeces by organisms. Although arthropods’ abundance differences were not significant except for the 28 dpt at 30 dpd (p < 0.0003), fewer organisms were collected from the ivermectin group at all times.