Rodents are widely used for animal research in Egypt. Pentobarbital is the most common anesthetic agent; however overdoses may affect the experimental outcomes and limit the use of tissues. To investigate the effects of sodium pentobarbital overdoses during exsanguination, three groups (6 rats/group) of male and female rats were injected i.p. with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of sodium pentobarbital, then carotid exsanguination was performed immediately after loss of consciousness. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif1a) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnfa) mRNA expressions in liver and kidney organs were evaluated. As well as, serum aminotransferase activities (AST&ALT), glucose, urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels were determined. The histological alterations in liver, kidney and spleen were studied. It was found that Hif1a and Tnfa were significantly overexpressed in the studied organs and serum AST, glucose, creatinine and urea levels were significantly increased after sodium pentobarbital overdoses (100 and 150 mg/kg) compared to 50 mg/kg dose. Similarly, significant increase in MDA and GSH levels of liver, kidney and spleen were noticed. Results showed gender difference where Hif1a and Tnfa levels were significantly overexpressed at high dose of sodium pentobarbital of liver and kidney organs in female more than male rats. Since euthanasia protocol may influence the physiological variables and affect genes’ expression, it is recommended to avoid sodium pentobarbital overdose during euthanasia as it may interfere with the biochemical, molecular and histological measurements.

Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to the initiation and progression of hepatic damage. Hence there is a great demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy ofHolothuria atraextract (HaE) as an antioxidant against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- (DMBA-) induced hepatorenal dysfunction. Experimental animals were divided into two main groups: protective and curative. Each group was then divided into five subgroups pre- or posttreated either with distilled water (DMBA subgroups) or with HaE (200 mg/kg body weight) for seven and fourteen days. Single oral administration of DMBA (15 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats resulted in a significant increase in the serum liver enzymes and kidney function’s parameters. DMBA increased level of liver malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissue, and induced liver histopathological alterations. Pre- or posttreatment with HaE orally for 14 days significantly reversed the hepatorenal alterations induced following DMBA administration. In conclusion, HaE exhibits good hepatoprotective, curative, and antioxidant potential against DMBA-induced hepatorenal dysfunction in rats that might be due to decreased free radical generation.

Background: Echinochrome (Ech) is a common pigment present in sea urchins, which has antioxidant, antimicrobial, antialgal, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities. Purpose: The present investigation assessed the anticancer and antioxidant activities of Ech against the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma tumor model in mice. Methods: Forty female mice were divided into four groups (n = 10). All groups except the group I received EAC cells (5 × 10⁶ cells/mouse i.p.). Group I, served as saline control (5 ml/kg 0.9% NaCl w/v p.o); group II served as EAC; groups III and IV received Ech (1 mg/kg body weight i.p.), and reference drug (5-Fu, 20 mg/kg body weight i.p.) respectively. Tumor markers, hematological parameters, liver functions, kidney functions and oxidative stress markers were analyzed in the present study. Results: A significant decrease (p < 0.05) were detected in the tumor volume, tumor cell counts, tumor cells viability, WBC count, MDA, urea, uric acid, AST, ALT, and ALP levels in Ech-treated mice. Furthermore, Ech-treated mice showed significant increases in RBCs count, Hb, Pt, GSH, CAT, and GST levels. Conclusion: The study results revealed that echinochrome suppresses tumor growth, decreases lipid peroxidation and improves the antioxidant status.