Aspartame subacute exposure does not affect immune system of BALB/c mice following a tiered approach.

Background: The objective of the present study was to assess potential immunotoxic effects of aspartame in BALB/c mice.

Methods: Aspartame was administered orally at 400 and 2000 mg/kg for two weeks (five days per week). Specific parameters of humoral and cellular immune responses including hemagglutinating antibody (HA) titer, cytokine production (IFN-γ and IL-4 levels), delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to SRBCs, histopathological examination of spleen and bone marrow, and T-lymphocyte proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin-A (PHA) were evaluated.

Alleviation of microcystin-leucine arginine -induced hepatotoxicity: An updated overview.

Objectives: Contamination of surface waters is a major health threat for all living creatures. Some types of blue-green algae that naturally occur in fresh water, are able to produce various toxins, like Microcystins (MCs). Microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR) produced by Microcystis aeruginosa is the most toxic and abundant isoforms of MCs, and it causes hepatotoxicity.

Immunomodulation Induced in BALB/c Mice after Subacute Exposure to Hydroalcoholic Extract of .

Introduction: Tarragon, with the scientific name of , is a perennial herbaceous plant with a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties. In the current investigation, BALB/c mice were used to examine the immunomodulatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of tarragon (HET).

Methods: Mice were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of (HET) at two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 14 days.

Melittin as a safe compound to BALB/c mice immune system; a tiered approach immunotoxicity screening.

Background: Maintenance of immune system integrity is a vital requirement to protect human body against pathogens/cancers. Natural compounds have long been used due to their benefits for the immune system. One of which is bee venom that contains a peptide called melittin having antimicrobial and anticancer effects.

The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among hemodialysis patients in a tertiary care hospital in Mashhad, Iran.

Introduction: Hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency are major health concerns in high-risk patients with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. This might be due to the number of blood transfusions, age, and dialysis duration. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in hemodialysis patients to determine the effectiveness of preventive measures already in place and the possible correlation between various risk factors and viral infection in the Hemodialysis Center in Mashhad, Iran.

The hematopoietic potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts of in a phenylhydrazine model of anemia.

Objective: , commonly known as Purslane, is traditionally used as a sour, diuretic, and cooling herb with hemostatic properties. The present study evaluates the antianemic effect of methanolic and aqueous extracts of in a phenylhydrazine model of anemia.

Materials And Methods: Phenylhydrazine (60 mg/kg/day, i.

A Comparative Study on Visual Detection of by Closed Tube Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Shedding Light on the Use of Eriochrome Black T.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification is a promising candidate for the rapid detection of . However, the high potential for carry-over contamination is the main obstacle to its routine use. Here, a closed tube LAMP was intended for the visual detection of Mtb to compare turbidimetric and two more favorable colorimetric methods using calcein and hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB).

The significance of thymoquinone administration on liver toxicity of diazinon and cholinesterase activity; a recommendation for prophylaxis among individuals at risk.

Background: Diazinon (DZN), a widely used chemical herbicide for controlling agricultural pests, is an important organophosphorus pesticide and an environmental pollutant which induces toxic effects on living organisms during long-term exposure. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a phytochemical bioactive compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the protective effects of TQ against DZN-induced hepatotoxicity through alleviating oxidative stress and enhancing cholinesterase (ChE) enzyme activity.

Modulatory effect of opioid administration on the activity of cholinesterase enzyme: a systematic review of mice/rat models.

We aimed to review the literature to find the specific effect of opioids on the activity of cholinesterase (ChE) enzyme which plays a substantial role in the functioning of cholinergic system. Literature search was performed by two independent reviewers in order to find relevant articles about the changes in the activity of ChE in mice or rat following opioid administration. Based on findings from literature review, opioid administration is able to induce cholinergic modulation via decreasing or increasing the activity of ChE enzyme.

Hematological Consequences of Valproic Acid in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review with a Mechanistic Approach.

Purpose: Although Valproate (VPA) has several advantages in controlling seizures, it may cause serious hematological consequences. Hematotoxicity of VPA is particularly important in pediatrics because patients at this age are at a growing risk of leukemia. For a conclusive agreement about the toxicity of VPA, in this study, we systematically reviewed the literature in which the hematological consequences of VPA had been emphasized.

Plant Extract and Herbal Products as Potential Source of Sorbent for Analytical Purpose: An Experimental Study of Morphine and Codeine Determination Using HPLC and LC-MSMS.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is an analytical method for microextraction of analytes, in which the analytes bind to the sorbent on the surface of the SPME fiber. Many types of chemical agents are used as sorbent; however, many of these sorbents cause secondary contamination or are not cost-effective. Here, aqueous extract of Ferula gummosa was evaluated as potential source of sorbent for simultaneous microextraction of morphine and codeine.

Determination of 17β-estradiol in commercial pasteurized and sterilized milk samples in Mashhad, Iran.

Due to nutritional facts of milk in human life, the quality assessment of dairy products is of the utmost importance. The aim of the current study was to determine the 17β-estradiol level in commercial pasteurized and sterilized milk brands in Mashhad, Iran. In this regard, 160 samples including 80 pasteurized (40 high-fat and 40 low-fat) and 80 sterilized milk (40 high-fat and 40 low-fat) of widely used brands from different supermarkets were collected.

Antioxidant and toxicity studies of biosynthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles in rats.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute toxic potential of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) synthesized by pullulan in adult male Wistar rats.

Patients And Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats randomly were divided into five experimental groups of six animals each. The animals were received 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg CNPs for 14 consecutive days.

miR-155 influences cell-mediated immunity in Balb/c mice treated with aflatoxin M.

Aflatoxin M (AFM) is a 4-hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B (AFB). It induces various toxicological effects including immunotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AFM on immune system and its modulation by MicroRNA (miR)-155.

Molecular modeling and experimental study of a new peptide-based microextraction fiber for preconcentrating morphine in urine samples.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are best known for their bactericidal properties; however, due to their unique and flexible structures, they have also been proposed as potential selective sorbents for specific molecules. In the present study, we aimed to design and produce a new peptide-based microextraction fiber for preconcentrating morphine in urine samples. The binding of morphine to the peptide was first evaluated by computational simulation using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) 2015.

Current status of the acquired immune system of Iranian patients with long-term complications of sulfur mustard poisoning.

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a powerful blistering chemical warfare agent that has genotoxic effects. Cells with excessive proliferation such as lymphocytes may inherit this cellular toxicity which can lead to their malfunctions in the long-term. This study was designed to evaluate the status of acquired immunity among SM poisoned veterans around three decades after exposure.

Immunomodulatory effects of silymarin after subacute exposure to mice: A tiered approach immunotoxicity screening.

Silymarin is a flavonoid complex extracted from the Silybum marianum plant with a wide range of pharmacological and biochemical effects. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of silymarin were investigated in BALB/c mice. Silymarin was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days.

Chemical composition, antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic evaluation of the essential oil from pistachio (Pistacia khinjuk) hull.

Chemical composition, antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of (Pistacia khinjuk) hull essential oil (EO) were evaluated in this study. The EO was isolated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using 6 strains of Gram-positive and negative bacteria.

Innate Immune System Status of Sulphur Mustard-Poisoned Iranian Veterans Three Decades after Exposure.

Sulphur mustard (SM) is an incapacitating chemical warfare agent which causes acute and chronic toxicities in different body organs of affected individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the innate immune status of the Iranian veterans who were exposed to SM around 30 years earlier and had more than 25% disabilities. In this regard, most functional and non-functional parameters of innate immunity were evaluated in 35 veterans.

Plant toxins and acute medicinal plant poisoning in children: A systematic literature review.

Background: For many years, medicinal plants and herbal therapy have been widely used in different societies for the treatment of various diseases. Besides their therapeutic potency, some of the medicinal plants have strong toxicity in human, especially in children and elderly. Despite common beliefs that natural products are safe, there have been few reports on their toxicities.

Mechanisms of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin- induced cardiovascular toxicity: An overview.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental contaminant and its toxicity is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Mechanisms of TCDD cardiovascular toxicity consist of oxidative stress, growth factor modulation, and ionic current alteration. It is indicated that the rodent cardiovascular system is a target for TCDD cardiomyopathy.

Decreased Levels of Spleen Tissue CD4CD25Foxp3 Regulatory T Lymphocytes in Mice Exposed to Berberine.

The effects of isoquinoline alkaloid berberine (BER) on spleen tissue CD4CD25Foxp3 regulatory T (T) cells were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Here, BER was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg for 14 days. Following the exposure, mice spleen cellularities, IL-10 production by splenocytes, and spleen T/CD4 cell profiles were studied in all the test groups of animals.