Artificial food colourings and additives (AFCAs) have long been discussed to have adverse effects on cognition and behaviour in children. In this study, our aim was to assess the probable side effects of prenatal exposure to colouring food additives on neurobehaviour and spatial learning process. We administered 'no observable adverse effect levels' (NOAELs) of common used AFCAs as a mixture (erythrosine, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red AC, Sunset yellow FCF, tartrazine, Amaranth, Brilliant Blue, Azorubine and Indigotine) to female rats before and during gestation and tested their effects on spatial working memory and behaviour in their offspring. Effects of AFCAs on spatial working memory were evaluated by Morris water maze, behavioural and locomotor effects by open-field and forced-swim tests. Prenatal exposure to commonly used AFCAs had no adverse effects on spatial working memory; however, assessment of interaction of sex and AFCAs on 'latency to locate the visible platform', which was used as a measure of motivation, showed a significant interaction (P < 0.05) on female rats. In addition, AFCAs caused an increase in anxiolytic like effect in the open-field test (P < 0.05) and an increase in mobility time (P < 0.05) in the forced-swim test. We also detected a significant interaction of sex and AFCAs on forced-swim test parameters (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that prenatal exposure to NOAELs of AFCAs resulted in implicit adverse effects that caused an increase in motility and a decrease in motivation and anxiety in offspring in sex-related manner.

The present study investigated the effects of applied continuous 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which might cause physiopathological or morphological changes in the ovarian, fallopian tubal, and uterine tissues of rats. We proposed that the addition of vitamin C (Vit C) may reduce these severe effects. Eighteen female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups with six animals in each: Sham, EMR (EMR, 1 h/day for 30 days), and EMR + Vit C (EMR, 1 h/day for 30 days 250 mg/kg/daily). Total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels increased (p = 0.011 and p = 0.002, respectively) in the EMR-only group in ovarian tissues. In all tissues, TOS and OSI levels significantly decreased in the Vit C-treated group in ovarian, fallopian tubal, and uterine tissues (p < 0.05). Anti-müllerian hormone levels significantly increased in the EMR group (p < 0.05) and decreased in the Vit C-treated groups. Estrogen (E2) levels were unchanged in the EMR group, as the differences were not statistically significant. Immunohistochemical examination of the ovaries revealed significant increases in Caspase-3 expressions in the epithelial cells of the EMR group (p < 0.05). In the EMR group, hyperemia was observed in uterine tissues. Also, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were significantly increased in the EMR group (p < 0.001). Caspase-3 was significantly diminished with Vit C application in the ovarian and uterine tissues (p < 0.05). Caspase-8 was significantly diminished only in uterine tissues (p < 0.05). These results indicate that prolonged EMR exposure induced physiopathological changes in the ovarian, fallopian tubal, and uterine tissues due to oxidative damage. Under the conditions of this study, Vit C may have protective effects on female reproductive system against oxidative damage.

Amikacin (AK) is an antibacterial drug, but it has remarkable nephrotoxic and ototoxic side effects due to increase in reactive oxygen radicals. This study was established to determine the possible protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a powerful antioxidant, on AK-induced nephrotoxicity. Three different groups of rats (n = 6) were administered saline (control), AK (1.2 g/kg, intraperitoneally), ALA (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and AK combination (ALA one day before the AK for five days). Renal function, oxidative stress markers and histological changes were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Malondialdehyde was increased as an indicator of free radical formation in AK-induced group and decreased with ALA treatment. While catalase activity was increased significantly, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not statistically significant increased with ALA treatment. The result showed that AK enhanced levels of urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in serum significantly. Administration of ALA reduced these levels of biochemical markers. Histopathological observations were confirmed by biochemical findings. In conclusion, ALA is suggested to be a potential candidate to ameliorate AK-induced nephrotoxicity.