Gulnaz Afzal

Dr. Gulnaz Afzal

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 January 2022 in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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GAGulnaz Afzal
Gulnaz Afzal
HAHafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
RHRiaz Hussain
Riaz Hussain
AJADIL JAMAL
ADIL JAMAL
SKShumaila Kiran
Shumaila Kiran
MNMehr Un Nisa
Mehr Un Nisa
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the environmental endocrine disrupting toxicants and is widely used in the industry involving plastics, polycarbonate, and epoxy resins. This study was designed to investigate the toxicological effects of BPA on hematology, serum biochemistry, and histopathology of different organs of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 60 fish were procured and haphazardly divided into four groups. Each experimental group contained 15 fish. The fish retained in group A was kept as the untreated control group. Three levels of BPA 3.0, 4.5, and 6 mg/L were given to groups B, C, and D for 30 days. Result indicated significant reduction in hemoglobin (Hb), lymphocytes, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), and monocytes in a dose‐dependent manner as compared to the control group. However, significantly higher values of leucocytes and neutrophils were observed in the treated groups (P < 0.05). Results on serum biochemistry revealed that the quantity of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine levels was significantly high (P < 0.05). Our study results showed significantly (P < 0.05) increase level of oxidative stress parameters like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lower values of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) in treated groups (4.5 mg/L and 6 mg/L)) in the brain, liver, gills, and kidneys. Our study depicted significant changes in erythrocytes (pear shaped erythrocytes, leptocytes, microcytes, spherocytes, erythrocytes with broken, lobed, micronucleus, blabbed, vacuolated nucleus, and nuclear remnants) among treated groups (4.5 mg/L and 6 mg/L). Comet assay showed increased genotoxicity in different tissues including the brain, liver, gills, and kidneys in the treated fish group. Based on the results of our experiment, it can be concluded that the BPA exposure to aquatic environment is responsible for deterioration of fish health, performance leading to dysfunction of multiple vital organs.

1 January 2022 in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JWJin-Qing Wang
Jin-Qing Wang
RHRiaz Hussain
Riaz Hussain
AGabdul ghaffar
abdul ghaffar
GAGulnaz Afzal
Gulnaz Afzal
ASAbdul Qadeer Saad
Abdul Qadeer Saad
Ahrar KhanAhrar Khan
Ahrar Khan
Currently, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are continuously and chronically polluted by cocktails of countless chemical compounds. The susceptibility to infections is tremendously increasing in a variety of organisms due to exposure to environmental pollutants. Pendimethalin, an herbicide, is continuously used in agriculture to remove unwanted broadleaf weeds across the globe. Therefore, this study investigates the mechanisms of toxicity of pendimethalin in freshwater fish bighead carp upon exposure to low and environmentally relevant concentrations. For this purpose, 48 fish without any clinical abnormalities were kept in a glass aquarium in different experimental groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3). These groups were treated with pendimethalin at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/L, respectively. Four fish were randomly picked from each experimental group and killed at 72, 96, and 120 hours of the trial to study hematobiochemical parameters and visceral tissues including the brain, liver, heart, gills, and kidneys for histopathology. Herbicide‐treated fish indicated various physical and behavioral abnormalities including hypersecretion of mucus, erratic swimming, operculum movement, air gulping, tremors of fins, loss of equilibrium, and increased surface breathing. Histopathologically, gills tissues of treated fish indicated atrophied lamellae, uplifting of secondary lamellae, necrosis of primary and secondary lamellar epithelial cells, telogenesis, congestion, and lamellar fusion. Histopathological examination of liver tissues of treated fish showed mild to moderate congestion, necrosis of hepatocytes, and atrophy of hepatocytes while kidneys revealed degeneration of renal tubules, glomerular atrophy, ceroid, and necrosis of renal tubules. The erythrocyte counts, monocyte and lymphocyte counts, and hemoglobin values were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in pendimethalin‐treated fish. Results on serum biochemistry showed that the biomarkers of kidneys, heart, and liver were significantly higher in fish of treated groups. In addition, values of different biochemical reactions like reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total proteins, and quantity of different antioxidant enzymes including reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly different when compared to untreated fish. Moreover, the percentile of different nuclear abnormalities in red blood cells and frequency of DNA damage increased significantly in treated fish. It can be concluded from the findings that pendimethalin causes its toxic effects via disruption of physiological and hematobiochemical reactions of fish.

1 January 2022 in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MKMuhammad Shahid Khan
Muhammad Shahid Khan
SBSaeed Ahmad Buzdar
Saeed Ahmad Buzdar
RHRiaz Hussain
Riaz Hussain
GAGulnaz Afzal
Gulnaz Afzal
GJGhazala Jabeen
Ghazala Jabeen
HAHafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
From the past few decades, attention towards the biological evaluation of nanoparticles (NPs) has increased due to the persistent and extensive application of NPs in various fields, including biomedical science, modern industry, magnetic resonance imaging, and the construction of sensors. Therefore, in the current study, magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles (NFNPs) were synthesized and evaluated for their possible adverse effects in rabbits. The crystallinity of the synthesized NFNPs was confirmed using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The saturation magnetization (46.7 emug-1) was measured using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and 0.35‐tesla magnetron by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The adverse effects of NFNPs on blood biochemistry and histoarchitecture of the liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, and heart of the rabbits were determined. A total of sixteen adult rabbits, healthy and free from any apparent infection, were blindly placed in two groups. The rabbits in group A served as control, while the rabbits in group B received a single dose (via ear vein) of NFNPs for ten days. The blood and visceral tissues were collected from each rabbit at days 5 and 10 of posttreatment. The results on blood and serum biochemistry profile indicated significant variation in hematological and serum biomarkers in NFNP‐treated rabbits. The results showed an increased quantity of oxidative stress and depletion of antioxidant enzymes in treated rabbits. Various serum biochemical tests exhibited significantly higher concentrations of different liver function tests, kidney function tests, and cardiac biomarkers. Histopathologically, the liver showed congestion, edema, atrophy, and degeneration of hepatocytes. The kidneys exhibited hemorrhages, atrophy of renal tubule, degeneration, and necrosis of renal tubules, whereas coagulative necrosis, neutrophilic infiltration, and severe myocarditis were seen in different sections of the heart. The brain of the treated rabbits revealed necrosis of neurons, neuron atrophy, and microgliosis. In conclusion, the current study results indicated that the highest concentration of NPs induced adverse effects on multiple tissues of the rabbits.

9 December 2019 in Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AHAsma Haque
Asma Haque
SKShumaila Kiran
Shumaila Kiran
SNSofia Nosheen
Sofia Nosheen
GAGulnaz Afzal
Gulnaz Afzal
TGTahsin Gulzar
Tahsin Gulzar
MTMuhammad Hassan Tariq
Muhammad Hassan Tariq
Our current study deals with the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using extract of Labeo rohita fish scales. There is no need to add any external reducing and stabilizing agents as the gelatin found in fish scale extract possesses plenty of reducing and stabilizing properties. The synthesized copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) were characterized by Zeita sizer and SEM. Cu-NPs were applied to decolorize Reactive Blue 19 dye. Different experimental conditions like concentration of reactive Blue 19 dye, concentration of copper nanoparticles, pH and temperature were optimized. The degrading potential of copper nanoparticles increased their applicability for the decolorization of Reactive Blue 19 dye. Reactive Blue 19 dye was maximum decolorized (90.18%) at aconc. of 0.03%, 4 mg Cu-NPs, pH 10 at 50ºC. The effectiveness of the method was evaluated by water quality assurance parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The reaction products were characterized by FTIR spectral studies.

19 May 2022 in Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research
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Journal Article
Open access
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MHMuhammad Zeshan Haider
Muhammad Zeshan Haider
SAShakeel Ahmed
Shakeel Ahmed
NSNuzhat Sial
Nuzhat Sial
GAGulnaz Afzal
Gulnaz Afzal
ARAyesha Riaz
Ayesha Riaz
HAHafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
The study of avian species diversity and abundance at the Taunsa Barrage Ramsar site was carried out from September 2019 to March 2020. Taunsa Barrage is an important wetland for international and local migratory birds, including waterfowls, waders, and long-distance migrant avifauna. Data were collected by direct counts made on four-point transects representing a disturbance gradient due to humans and different habitats. Species diversity indices, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and other statistical methods were used to analyze data. A total of 150 avian species of 19 orders and 53 families were recorded. These included 66 migrant species and 84 resident species. The spotting of ten globally threatened species also highlights the importance of wetland for avian species. On average, ( ) species of birds were recorded every month. Shannon’s diversity index indicated that Transect Point 2 had higher species diversity ( ), followed by Transect Points 3, 4, and 1 ( , , and , respectively). Evenness index showed that birds evenly distributed in September ( ) than November (9). ANOVA showed a significant difference ( , , ) of avian diversity and abundance among the transect points. But there was no statistically significant interaction between months (

1 January 2023 in Brazilian Journal of Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
NEN. Ehsan
N. Ehsan
MIMuhammad Umar Ijaz
Muhammad Umar Ijaz
AAAsma Ashraf
Asma Ashraf
SSS. Sarwar
S. Sarwar
ASA. Samad
A. Samad
SRShahid Rana
Shahid Rana
Cisplatin (CP) is a commonly used, powerful antineoplastic drug, having numerous side effects. Casticin (CAS) is considered as a free radical scavenger and a potent antioxidant. The present research was planned to assess the curative potential of CAS on CP persuaded renal injury in male albino rats. Twenty four male albino rats were distributed into four equal groups. Group-1 was considered as a control group. Animals of Group-2 were injected with 5mg/kg of CP intraperitoneally. Group-3 was co-treated with CAS (50mg/kg) orally and injection of CP (5mg/kg). Group-4 was treated with CAS (50mg/kg) orally throughout the experiment. CP administration substantially reduced the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione (GSH) content while increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Urea, urinary creatinine, urobilinogen, urinary proteins, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were substantially increased. In contrast, albumin and creatinine clearance was significantly reduced in CP treated group. The results demonstrated that CP significantly increased the inflammation indicators including nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity and histopathological damages. However, the administration of CAS displayed a palliative effect against CP-generated renal toxicity and recovered all parameters by bringing them to a normal level. These results revealed that the CAS is an effective compound having the curative potential to counter the CP-induced renal damage.