<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> Heavy metal toxicity has proven to be a major threat and there are several health risks associated with it. The toxic effects of these metals, even though they do not have any biological role, remain present in some or the other form harmful for the human body and its proper functioning. They sometimes act as a pseudo element of the body while at certain times they may even interfere with metabolic processes. Few metals, such as aluminium, can be removed through elimination activities, while some metals get accumulated in the body and food chain, exhibiting a chronic nature. Various public health measures have been undertaken to control, prevent and treat metal toxicity occurring at various levels, such as occupational exposure, accidents and environmental factors. Metal toxicity depends upon the absorbed dose, the route of exposure and duration of exposure, i.e. acute or chronic. This can lead to various disorders and can also result in excessive damage due to oxidative stress induced by free radical formation. This review gives details about some heavy metals and their toxicity mechanisms, along with their health effects</abstract>

Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards</title></abstract>

Pesticide Residue Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Chemicals, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India

Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Organochlorine (OC) pesticides are synthetic pesticides widely used all over the world. They belong to the group of chlorinated hydrocarbon derivatives, which have vast application in the chemical industry and in agriculture. These compounds are known for their high toxicity, slow degradation and bioaccumulation. Even though many of the compounds which belong to OC were banned in developed countries, the use of these agents has been rising. This concerns particularly abuse of these chemicals which is in practice across the continents. Though pesticides have been developed with the concept of target organism toxicity, often non-target species are affected badly by their application. The purpose of this review is to list the major classes of pesticides, to understand organochlorine pesticides based on their activity and persistence, and also to understand their biochemical toxicity.</abstract>

Review Article. Organochlorine pesticides, their toxic effects on living organisms and their fate in the environment

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Lead toxicity is an important environmental disease and its effects on the human body are devastating. There is almost no function in the human body which is not affected by lead toxicity. Though in countries like US and Canada the use of lead has been controlled up to a certain extent, it is still used vehemently in the developing countries. This is primarily because lead bears unique physical and chemical properties that make it suitable for a large number of applications for which humans have exploited its benefits from historical times and thus it has become a common environmental pollutant. Lead is highly persistent in the environment and because of its continuous use its levels rise in almost every country, posing serious threats. This article reviews the works listed in the literature with recent updates regarding the toxicity of lead. Focus is also on toxic effects of lead on the renal, reproductive and nervous system. Finally the techniques available for treating lead toxicity are presented with some recent updates.</abstract>

Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Utter Pradesh, India

Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Utter Pradesh, India

Lead toxicity: a review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>An animal model of human behavior represents a complex of cognitive and/or emotional processess, which are translated from animals to humans. A behavioral test is developed primarily and specifically to verify and support a theory of cognition or emotion; it can also be used to verify a theory of a psychopathology, but it is not developed for a particular type of psychopathology. The paper reviews tests commonly used in novel drug discovery research. Focus is especially on tests which can evaluate anxiety-like (open-field test, novelty suppressed feeding, elevated plus maze, light/dark box, stressinduced hyperthermia) and depression-like behaviors (forced swim test, tail suspension test, sucrose preference test) as they represent an important methodological tool in pre-clinical as well as in behavioral toxicology studies.</abstract>

Animal tests for anxiety-like and depression-like behavior in rats

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>At present, affective disorders are among the most commonly diagnosed mental diseases. In pregnancy, they can occur as pre-delivery depression, recurrent depressive disorder or postnatal depression. The estimated prevalence of depressive disorders in pregnancy is approximately 9–16%, with some statistics reporting up to 20%. Approximately 2–3% of pregnant women take antidepressants during pregnancy, and the number of mothers treated increases by birth to 5–7%. Treatment of depression during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a controversial issue, as antidepressants can negatively affect the developing fetus. According to epidemiological studies, the effects of treated depression in pregnancy are related to premature birth, decreased body weight of the child, intrauterine growth retardation, neonatal adaptive syndrome, and persistent pulmonary hypertension. However, untreated depression can adversely affect maternal health and increase the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia, as well as of subsequent postnatal depression, which can lead to disruption of the mother-child relationship. Based on the above mentioned facts, the basic question arises as to whether or not to treat depression during pregnancy and lactation.</abstract>

Risks of using SSRI / SNRI antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of ethanol extract of <italic>Aerva lanata</italic> (EEAL) in preventing acetaminophen induced liver toxicity. EEAL was prepared and its hepatoprotective effect was studied in both isolated primary hepatocytes <italic>in vitro</italic> and in Sprague Dawley rats <italic>in vivo</italic>. For <italic>in vivo</italic> studies, the animals were grouped as Group I – Control; Group II – ACN (2 g/kg b.w.); Group III – EEAL (50 mg/kg b.w.) + ACN (2 g/kg b.w.), Group IV – EEAL (100 mg/kg b.w.) + ACN (2 g/kg b.w.). Extracellular activities of the enzymes liver aminotransferease (GOT, GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in isolated hepatocytes and rat plasma were studied colorimetrically. Expression of GST, Nrf2, COX 1 &amp; COX2 genes in rat liver were evaluated by RT-PCR. The results showed that ACN induced down-regulation of Nrf2 and upregulation of GST gene expression, which were modulated by EEAL treatment. GOT, GPT, ALP and LDH levels were found to be lowered in both hepatocyte culture media and plasma following EEAL treatment. In addition, the medium GOT and GPT levels were diminished following EEAL treatment only. Moreover, only ALP and LDH in serum appeared to be at normal level following EEAL treatment, whereas GOT and GPT showed levels lower than control. ACN treatment increased the expression of pro-inflammatory COX 1 and COX 2 genes and the levels of these genes were reduced by EEAL treatment. EEAL pre-treated rats exposed to ACN were found to retain normal hepatic structure compared to ACN alone treated rats. From these results it can be concluded that ethanol extract of <italic>A. lanata</italic> possesses both anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity.</abstract>

Mechanism of protection of rat hepatocytes from acetaminophen-induced cellular damage by ethanol extract of <italic>Aerva lanata</italic>

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Vincristine (VCR) is an important anti-cancer drug, which is highly toxic for the liver. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effect of alcoholic extract of saffron stigma against vincristine hepatotoxicity in the rat. A total number of 50 rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, including controls, rats receiving 0.25 mg/kg (A group), 0.5 mg/kg (B group), 0.75 mg/kg (C group) VCR, 0.25 mg/kg VCR + 0.5 mg/kg saffron (D group), 0.5 mg/kg VCR + 0.5 mg/kg saffron (E group), 0.75 mg/kg VCR + 0.5 mg/kg saffron (F group), 0.25 mg/kg VCR + 1mg/kg saffron (G group), 0.5 mg/kg VCR + 1 mg/kg saffron (H group), and 0.75 mg/kg VCR + 1 mg/kg saffron (I group) groups. Serum level of liver enzymes, including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin were measured using specific kits at the end of the experimental period. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) values were measured using ferric reducing antioxidant of power (FRAP) and thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBAR) methods, respectively. Administration of VCR, especially at the concentration of 0.75mg/kg, caused severe hepatic injury with significant increase in the levels of AST (582.0±39.45 UI), ALT (124.0±5.92 UI), ALP (939.8±89.8 UI) enzymes and bilirubin (0.17±0.008). VCR administration also significantly increased the serum MDA level (0.49±0.021 nmol/ml), while TAC value was declined significantly (241.27±18.27 μmol/l). These effects were dose-dependent. Treatment with saffron extract decreased the activity of liver enzymes and MDA values in hepatotoxic rats with a significant enhancement in serum TAC content. These effects were notable for rats that received 1mg/kg plant extract. Administration of saffron, especially at higher concentration, can reduce VCR-induced hepatotoxicity, antioxidant depletion and lipid peroxidation, presumably due to its antioxidative properties.</abstract>

The hepatoprotective and antioxidative effect of saffron stigma alcoholic extract against vincristine sulfate induced toxicity in rats

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Cypermethrin (CYP) is one of the most common active ingredients in most insecticides, mosquito coils and powder used in Nigeria. dichlorvos (DDVP) is the most indiscriminately used fumigant in most rural and sub-urban areas in Nigeria. These fumigants can easily be accessed without proper method of usage thus exposing the population to their toxic effects. As a result, this study was initiated to determine the effects of sub-acute exposure of CYP and DDVP on some biochemical and histopathological parameters of albino rats. In this study, forty (40) albino rats of 10 groups of 4 rats per group, with one group serving as control, were exposed to these fumigants in a poorly ventilated area for 4hours per day over 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The results showed observable changes in liver enzyme activities (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05) in groups exposed to DDVP for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The groups exposed to CYP showed mild changes in liver enzyme activities when compared with the DDVP groups. Increase in activity of the liver enzymes was also observed in the groups exposed to a mixture of DDVP+CYP for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The urea, creatinine and electrolytes levels in all the groups exposed to DDVP, CYP and DDVP+CYP for 2, 4 and 6weeks were significantly (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05) increased. Also WBC and platelets in all the groups exposed to DDVP and CYP recorded significant changes. The histology report of the lungs and liver showed moderate lymphocytic infiltration and hepatocytic steatosis which progressed with duration of exposure to the fumigants, while the kidneys showed no remarkable changes. The results of this study suggest that DDVP and CYP have relative toxic effects in the exposed animals and should be used with caution to avoid human exposure to their visible toxicities.</abstract>

Biochemical and histopathological effects of sub-acute exposure of albino rats to fumigants – dichlorvos and cypermethrin

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Melamine is an organic-based chemical material widely used in the production of tableware. Given the adverse effects of melamine on human health, melamine tableware can be a source for its introduction into the human body. The aim of this study was to use a simple method for monitoring the rate of melamine migration from the tableware to food and the effect of time and tableware on this migration. To measure the migration, spectrophotometry was used. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.2 (μg/ml), which is functional for measuring the rate of migration. The investigation of sample migration of melamine tableware revealed that migration has occurred across all samples. The rate of migration in all samples was less than the standard level of the European Union (30 μg/ml). Statistical analysis indicated that time is an important factor in melamine migration, which significantly increased (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05) in 93% of cases with lengthening the contact time from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. The type of tableware (new or old) and production conditions (standard or non-standard) were found to significantly affect (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.001) the rate of migration. Statistical analysis of the results suggested that old tableware increased melamine migration in 41% of cases (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05). Non-standard tableware significantly (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.001) increased the rate of migration and thus the effect of non-standard production on melamine tableware was more significant than the age of the tableware.</abstract>

Melamine migration measurement through spectrophotometry device and the effect of time and tableware type on it

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Metabolic syndrome represents one of the major health, social and economic issues nowadays, and affects more than 25% people worldwide. Being a multifactorial health problem, metabolic syndrome clusters various features, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension. Each of these disturbances represents a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Moreover, patients with metabolic syndrome are more likely to suffer from depression, thus treatment with antidepressants (<italic>e.g.</italic> venlafaxine) is often neccessary. However, many of the antidepressants themselves may contribute to worsening or even development of the metabolic syndrome, thus creating a “vicious circle”. The aim of this work was to investigate on the animal model of metabolic syndrome, i.e. on hypertriacylglycerolemic rats fed high-fat-fructose diet (HFFD): 1) the effect of a change in diet from HFFD to a standard diet (SD) and the effect of venlafaxine treatment, 2) during HFFD, 3) as well as during a changed diet to SD. We focused on biometric parameters, blood pressure and selected ECG parameters. We observed the reversibility of the present metabolic and cardiovascular changes by switching the HFFD to SD in the last 3 weeks of the experiment. Switch to the standard diet led to decrease of body weight, even in the presence of venlafaxine. Administration of venlafaxine caused the decrease of heart weight/body weight index in rats fed with HFFD compared to the untreated group fed with HFFD for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, which was increased in the HFFD group showed a tendency to decrease to control values after switching to the standard diet. Administration of venlafaxine led to significant increase in all parameters of blood pressure when rats were fed with HFFD throughout the whole experiment. In untreated rats fed with HFFD for 8 weeks, we observed a shorter PQ interval and prolonged QRS complex as well as QTc interval compared to untreated rats with diet switched to SD. This effect was potentiated by venlafaxine administered not only during HFFD but even after switch to SD. Our results point to the fact that metabolic syndrome is clearly affecting the function of the cardiovascular system by modifying blood pressure and electrical activity of the heart. Moreover, administration of venlafaxine may lead to worsening of the observed changes, especially in the presence of high-fat-fructose diet.</abstract>

The effect of venlafaxine on blood pressure and ECG in rats fed with high-fat-fructose diet

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Tramadol dependence became an increasing and alarming problem in the Egyptian community. Wide availability of tramadol as a pain killer and its role in the treatment of premature ejaculation may be the most apparent causes of increased magnitude of the problem among youth who believe that tramadol has a positive impact on their sexual functions. This study aimed to explore the real impact of chronic tramadol administration on sexual functions in males dependent on tramadol. The study was carried on 80 subjects (50 subjects were tramadol dependent group and 30 subjects represented the control group). Personal, family and past histories were obtained from all the participants in addition to the toxicological history from tramadol dependent group. Urine screening for tramadol was done for all cases of history of tramadol dependence then confirmation by HPLC technique to measure tramadol blood level was done. Both groups were investigated for serum testosterone and prolactin level. Curiosity (22%) and treatment of premature ejaculation (20%) were the main motives for dependence. Erectile dysfunction and decreased libido occurred in 44% and 48% of tramadol dependent group respectively. Significant increase in erectile dysfunction and decreased libido was noted as the duration of dependence increased. Additionally, significant decrease in serum testosterone level and increase in serum prolactin level as tramadol daily dose and duration increased was found. In conclusion, men who take tramadol for premature ejaculation or any other purpose must know that they are very susceptible to many sexual dysfunctions.</abstract>

Effect of tramadol dependence on male sexual dysfunction

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Lead poisoning has been recognized as a major public health risk, particularly in developing countries. Though various occupational and public health measures have been undertaken in order to control lead exposure, cases of lead poisoning are still reported. Exposure to lead produces various deleterious effects on the hematopoietic, renal, reproductive and central nervous system, mainly through increased oxidative stress. These alterations play a prominent role in disease manifestations. Modulation of cellular thiols for protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been used as a therapeutic strategy against lead poisoning. N-acetylcysteine, α-lipoic acid, vitamin E, quercetin and a few herbal extracts show prophylaxis against the majority of lead mediated injury in both <italic>in</italic><italic>vitro </italic>and <italic>in vivo </italic>studies. This review provides a comprehensive account of recent updates describing health effects of lead exposure, relevant biomarkers and mechanisms involved in lead toxicity. It also updates the readers about recent advances in chelation therapy and newer therapeutic strategies, like nanoencapsulation, to treat lead induced toxic manifestations.</abstract>

Toxicity of lead: a review with recent updates

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Deoxynivalenol and its toxicity</title>Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of several mycotoxins produced by certain <italic>Fusarium</italic> species that frequently infect corn, wheat, oats, barley, rice, and other grains in the field or during storage. The exposure risk to human is directly through foods of plant origin (cereal grains) or indirectly through foods of animal origin (kidney, liver, milk, eggs). It has been detected in buckwheat, popcorn, sorgum, triticale, and other food products including flour, bread, breakfast cereals, noodles, infant foods, pancakes, malt and beer. DON affects animal and human health causing acute temporary nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, and fever. This review briefly summarizes toxicities of this mycotoxin as well as effects on reproduction and their antagonistic and synergic actions.</abstract>

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Department of Veterinary Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho 1-3, CZ-612 42 Brno, Czech Republic

Deoxynivalenol and its toxicity

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