Benzodiazepines belongs to one of the most commonly used anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drugs in the world. Full description of toxic effects on different organs is lacking for nearly all the current benzodiazepines. The aim of the current work was to study the immunologic and vascular changes induced by sub-chronic administration of alprazolam and clonazepam in non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats. Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups (I): (Ia) Negative control rats, (Ib): Positive control rats received distilled water, (II): Stressed rats, (III): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (IV): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (V): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). (VI): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). At the end of the 4th week, total leukocyte count (WBCs) and differential count were determined, anti-sheep RBC antibody (Anti-SRBC) titer and interleukin-2 (IL-2) level were assessed, thymus glands, lymph nodes, spleens and abdominal aortae were submitted to histopathological examination. Alprazolam was found to induce a significant increase in neutrophil count and a significant decrease in lymphocytes, anti-SRBC titer and IL-2 level with severe depletion of the splenic, thymal and nodal lymphocytes, accompanied by congestion and eosinophilic vasculitis of all organs tested in comparison to clonazepam treated rats. Stress enhanced the toxic effects. It was concluded that the immune system and blood vessels can be adversely affected to a greater extent by short-term chronic administration of alprazolam than by clonazepam, and these toxic effects are aggravated by stress.

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Background: Atrazine (ATR) is one of the most commonly used triazine herbicides in the world. It was found that ATR can cause adverse effects on reproductive function in both genders of several mammalian and non-mammalian species. The aim of this work was to evaluate the pubertal hormonal disruption effects of atrazine herbicide during and after its sub-chronic administration in juvenile albino rats of both sexes. Material and methods: One hundred twenty six juvenile albino rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 equal groups as follow: Group I (negative control group), group II (positive control group), group III (ATR group). Each group was subdivided equally into two subgroups; male rats (subgroup a) and female rats (subgroup b). Female rats were monitored daily for vaginal opening. At the end of the 3 rd and the 6 th week of the study, 7 rats of each subgroup were submitted to estimate the serum levels of estradiol and luteinizing (LH) hormones in all rats of both sexes in addition testosterone in male rats. Then the rats were sacrificed. The testis and epididiymis in males, uterus and ovary in females were dissected and subjected to histopathological examination. The remaining rats were left without intervention for another 3 weeks served as follow up group. Results: Atrazine was found to delay puberty in male rat presented by significantly decreased levels of testosterone level and increased in the estradiol levels, impaired spermatogenesis and decrease in number and size of Leydig cells with disorganization. It also was found to delay puberty in females denoted by delayed vaginal opening, underdevelopement of the uterus, impaired folliculogenesis and ovulation in the ovaries. Three weeks of follow up resulted in partial improvement. Recommendation: more efforts are needed to limit exposure to atrazine especially in ground and drinking water. Khayal, E.E.H.M.; et al….. Abarikwu, S.O.; Adesiyan, A.C.; Oyeloja, T.O.; Oyeyemi, M.O. and Farombi, E.O. (2010): Changes in sperm characteristics and induction of oxidative stress in the testis and epididymis of experimental rats by a herbicide, atrazine. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 58:874-882. Abarikwu, S.O.; Pant, A.B. and Farombi, E.O. (2013): Quercetin decreases steroidogenic enzyme activity, NF-κB expression, and oxidative stress in cultured Leydig cells exposed to atrazine. Mol. Cell. Biochem., 373(1-2):19-28. Ackerman, F. (2007): The Economics of Atrazine. Int. J. Occup. Environ. Health,13:441-449. Adesiyan, A.C.; Oyeloja, T.O.; Abarikwu, S.O.; Oyeyemi, M.O. and Farombi, E.O.(2011): Selenium provides protection to the liver but not the reproductive organs in an atrazine-model of experimental toxicity. Exp. Toxicol. Pathol., 63(3): 201-207. Anderson, S. A.; Pearce, S. W.; Fail, P. A.; McTaggart, B. T.; Tyle, R. W. and Gray, L. E. (1995): Validation of the alternative reproductive test protocol to assess toxicity of methoxchlor in rats. Toxicol., 15: 164. Ashby, J.; Tinwell, H.; Stevens, J.; Pastoor, T. and Breckenridge, C.B. (2002): "The effec...

Background: Phthalates are used as plasticizers in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. The essential trace element selenium (Se) is the critical component of cellular antioxidant defense. It participates in the cellular antioxidant defense and helps in protection and repair of DNA and apoptosis. Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess the influence of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the male reproductive system in newborn and pubertal rats and to evaluate the effect of association between it and selenium on the development of male reproductive system. Design: forty adult pregnant female albino rats were utilized in this work (mating was performed and pregnancy was detected by daily vaginal swab). These animals were allocated randomly into four main groups. Group I (control group) received corn oil. Group ΙΙ: received diphthalates (DEHP) (150 mg/kg) by gavage daily from day 6 of gestation. Group IΙΙ: received sodium selenate (0.16mg/kg) from day 6 of gestation. Group IV: received (diphthalates (DEHP) 150 mg/kg + sodium selenate 0.16 mg/kg), daily from day 6 of gestation .After labour, the mother and the pups were categorized into 3 groups (a, b, c) according to the age of scarifying of the male newborn rats (postnatal day (PND) 1, PND21 "the age of weaning" and PND35 day which is the age of puberty). At the end of every stage of the experiment, 24 hours after the last administration, all animals were sacrificed and the testes were dissected out and subjected to histopathological, immunohistochemistry, and morphometrical examination. Results: Administration of DEHP at a dose of 150 mg/kg induced several histopathological changes in testes of albino rats as sloughed germinal epithelium and apoptosis of epithelial cells of seminiferous tubules in addition to delayed puberty. It significantly reduced tubular diameter and tubular epithelial height. The addition of selenium partially improved the state of apical processes of Sertoli cells as evidenced by vimentin immunohistochemistry. It also reduced the degree of apoptosis as evidenced by caspase-3 immunohistochemistry in addition to the improvement of tubular epithelial height. Conclusion: Exposure to DEHP led to pronounced testicular damage and impaired spermatogenesis in newborn and pubertal male rats. Recommendations: Many alternatives should be developed to improve the safety profile of the plasticizer or prevent its release from P-PVC devices especially medical ones.

Background: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a white pigment that can be used in paints, coatings, plastics, papers, inks, medicines, pharmaceuticals, food products, cosmetics, and toothpaste. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been reported to elicit various adverse cellular effects including oxidative stress and DNA damage. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger used to combat oxidative stress-induced damage in various tissues. Aim of the Work: is to study the toxic effects of TiO2 NPs oral administration and the protective role of NAC on the immune system of adult male albino rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Group I subdivided into: Subgroup (A): negative control. Subgroup (B): positive control received 1 ml of 5% gum acacia solution by oral gavage once daily. Group II: gavaged orally 100 mg/kg NAC once daily. Group III: gavaged orally 1200 mg/kg titanium dioxide nanoparticles (1/10 LD 50) in 1ml of 5% gum acacia solution as a solvent once daily. Group IV: gavaged orally (100 mg/kg NAC then 1200 mg/kg TiO2 NPs once daily. After 6 weeks rats from each group and subgroup were subjected the following biochemical parameters: Tumor necrosis factor alpha and CBC with differential count. The rats were sacrificed and spleen was dissected and subjected to histopathological examination. Cell suspension from the spleen was examined to determine the extent of DNA damage through DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis. Conclusion: TiO2 NPs induced time dependent toxic effects and DNA damage in the spleen and administration of NAC with TiO2 NPs offers protection against their damaging effect. Recommendation:it is recommended to increase public awareness about health impact of TiO 2 nanoparticles through nonessential drug additives, food colors, toothpastes etc.to limit their ingestion.