Introduction: Aluminum Phosphide “ALP” tablets are frequently used to commit suicide in developing countries and Egypt. Mortality is very high; it can induce oxidative stress and alter antioxidant defense system. Aim of the Work: This study aimed to evaluate malondialdehyde “MDA” and total antioxidant capacity “TAC” as oxidative stress biomarkers in acute ALP poisoning and correlated them with poisoned patients’ outcome and mortality. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 120 individuals of both sexes divided into; (Group I) included 60 acute ALP poisoning patients, presented within 6 hours of exposure to Toxicology Unit of Emergency Hospital, Mansoura University and the remaining 60 (Group II) were healthy individuals as control group. Results: Serum level of MDA was significantly increased, and TAC was significantly reduced in ALP poisoned group at time of presentation in comparison to control group. On the other hand, levels of MDA and TAC were statistically significant difference between survivors and expired groups. In addition, serum MDA and TAC were found to be sensitive in prediction of ALP mortality. However, MDA level showed maximum specificity as well as more accuracy for prediction of poor outcomes. Conclusions: It can be concluded that, ALP exerts its toxicity through developing disproportionate oxidative stress and compromising antioxidant protective mechanisms. Both MDA and TAC were sensitive in prediction of ALP mortality and serum MDA level could be used as a more sensitive specific predictor biomarker for poor prognosis in acute ALP poisoning.

Objectives. To study bisphenol A (BPA) effect on testicular functions in adult male rats using histopathology, and biochemical assays and to investigate vitamin E and melatonin role on BPA-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. Methods. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups (n=7) including negative control group, vehicle control group (0.2 mL of corn oil), BPA group (50 mg/kg), BPA(50 mg/kg) +vitamin E (100 mg/kg) group, BPA(50 mg/kg) + melatonin (10 mg/kg) group, BPA(50 mg/kg) +vitamin E (100 mg/kg) + melatonin (10 mg/kg) group. All medications were given 3 days a week for 3 weeks by intraperitoneal injection except vitamin E were given orally by a gavage needle. Laboratory investigations (testosterone level &sperm parameters), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, and histopathological examination of testis were done. Results. The BPA-treated rats showed a significant reduction in the reproductive function parameters. Furthermore, BPA induced testicular oxidative stress by decreasing GPX activity and induced significant histopathological testicular changes. Co-treatment with vitamin E and melatonin protected against these alterations. Conclusion. Findings from the present study confirmed that BPA caused testicular dysfunction which may be due to BPA-induced oxidative stress and showed that vitamin E and melatonin antioxidants may have a protective role on the reproductive toxicity induced by BPA in male rats.

IntroductionUniversity students are at high risk of smoking as they become exposed to greater availability of cigarettes and intimate association with smoking peers. Also, they face social, emotional and educational challenges when they enter the university.Aim of the workTo explore the magnitude of smoking problem among Helwan University students and its related factors.Subjects and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Helwan University. Two faculties were taken; one of them was a practical faculty (Pharmacy) and the other was theoretical one (Social Work). A sample of the students from 1st year and last year of each faculty was taken via the multistage random sample technique. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire modified from the standard questionnaire of National Center for Social and Criminal Research, 2002.ResultsThe percentage of current smokers was 8.6%. Smoking prevalence was higher among the students at faculty of Social Work than at faculty of Pharmacy [(12.1%) versus (5.3%); p-value=0.001] and their concern about smoking effect on health was less. Smoking was higher among males than females; [(28.5%) versus (0.9%); p-value<0.001]. Other socio-demographic factors namely; father’s education and occupation, presence of dead mother, and working students were significantly related to smoking. Friends (47.6%) followed by fathers (44.4%) were the commonest models of smokers.54.4% of students were exposed to passive smoking which was mostly at the university (84%).ConclusionsHigh prevalence of smoking among Helwan University students was found. Special concern should be directed to male students and to students at theoretical faculties while targeting smoking problem

Concerns regarding the possible hazards to human health have been raised by the growing usage of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in a variety of applications, including industrial, agricultural, and medical applications. This in vivo subchronic study was conducted to assess the following: (1) the toxicity of orally administered SiNPs on the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands; (2) the relationship between SiNPs exposure and oxidative stress; and (3) the role of magnesium in mitigating these toxic effects. A total of 24 Sprague Dawley male adult rats were divided equally into four groups, as follows: control group, magnesium (Mg) group (50 mg/kg/d), SiNPs group (100 mg/kg/d), and SiNPs+ Mg group. Rats were treated with SiNPs by oral gavage for 90 days. The liver transaminases, serum creatinine, and cortisol levels were evaluated. The tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. Additionally, the weight of the organs and the histopathological changes were examined. Our results demonstrated that SiNPs exposure caused increased weight in the kidneys and adrenal glands. Exposure to SiNPs was also associated with significant alterations in liver transaminases, serum creatinine, cortisol, MDA, and GSH. Additionally, histopathological changes were significantly reported in the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands of SiNPs-treated rats. Notably, when we compared the control group with the treated groups with SiNPs and Mg, the results revealed that magnesium could mitigate SiNPs-induced biochemical and histopathologic changes, confirming its effective role as an antioxidant that reduced the accumulation of SiNPs in tissues, and that it returns the levels of liver transaminases, serum creatinine, cortisol, MDA, and GSH to almost normal values.

This scientific work was designed to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity and if antioxidants co-administration with amiodarone exerts a partial protective effect. The study was carried out on 36 Sprague-Dawley male rats divided into six equal groups, and doses of different solutions were given to them by gastric tube every day for 7 days as follow; the 1st group: which was considered as an untreated control group under the same laboratory conditions, was given distilled water, the 2nd group: amiodarone-treated group that was given amiodarone (100 mg / kg/ body weight), the 3rd group: received L-carnitine (LC) (100 mg/kg body weight), the 4th group: received vitamin C (1 mg/100 g body weight), the 5th group: received amiodarone along with LC, and the 6th group: was given amiodarone and vitamin C at the same time. The current histopathological findings revealed that amiodarone caused marked changes in the lung including inflammatory cells infiltration in addition to extensive fibrosis. Increased levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease the level of catalase (CAT) in the AM treated group was observed. Administration of L-carnitine and vitamin C reduced the extent of lung damage induced by amiodarone. Antioxidants administration induced a significant decrease in MDA and an increase in CAT in lung tissue as compared with AM. The oral administration of vitamin C and L. carnitine reversed the biochemical and histopathological alterations induced by AM. They may have a role in the prevention of AM-induced lung toxicity.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupter affecting glucose homeostasis. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate BPA’s relationship with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in Dakahlia Governorate’s children, in Egypt. Subjects, materials and methods: The study had two parts: clinical and experimental. Clinical Study was conducted on 200 children, equally divided into control and T1DM groups. They underwent: demographic data, height, weight, body mass index, glycosylated HbA1C, random blood glucose, and urinary BPA measurements. Experimental Study was conducted on 60 adult albino rats. Rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: control group: received 0.5 mL of pure olive oil, group 1: received 20 mg/kg/day BPA, and group 2: received 100 mg/kg/day BPA orally for 6 weeks. Fasting and two hours postprandial glucose levels were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Histopathological examination and imaging study of the pancreas were done. Results: In clinical study: HbA1C and random blood glucose levels in diabetic children showed a significant increase compared to control. Children in control group showed controlled HbA1C, while the T1DM group showed 86% with poor diabetic control. There was a significant increase in BPA level in the T1DM group compared to the control. Rats that received BPA showed a marked increase in fasting and two hours postprandial glucose levels, histopathological changes in the pancreas with more changes determined in the high dose group, and a significant decrease in the islets of Langerhans diameters with group 2 more affected. Conclusion: So, BPA exposure could be considered a risk factor for T1DM in children.