Background: Zinc is an essential co-factor for many enzymatic activities and its deficiency may produce clinical signs of parakeratosis, loss and failure of growth of wool and hair in sheep. Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of zinc oxide nano-particles (instead conventional zinc oxide) on serum biochemical factors and histopathological changes in liver and kidney of lambs. Materials and Methods: One group of lamb (4 lambs each group) received zinc oxide nano-particles suspension daily for 25 day. Whole blood sample and serum were collected at the start and the end of study. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferas (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CR) were measured in serum of lambs. Sections of liver and kidney were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined by light microscopy. Results: Activity of ALP (p=0.011) was significantly decreased and creatinine level (p=0.002) was significantly increased by zinc oxide nano-particles. Cell swelling, eosinophilic necrosis of hepatocytes, and multifocal interstitial nephritis was observed during histopatological examination. Conclusion: Results of study suggest that zinc oxide nano-particles may be toxic for use in sheep in zinc deficiency status. [Vet World 2013; 6(8.000): 534-537

AbsrtactBackground: Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection in human and warm-blooded animals. Candida albicans, is an opportunistic pathogen in immune suppressed hosts, like HIV infected and under chemotherapy patients. Since, antifungal drugs are limited and challenged by resistance. Thus discovering agents with antifungal properties and minimum side effects and toxicity is essential. Nano-agents such as metal oxide nano-particles have unique properties such as high surface to volume ratio that introduce them as appropriate antimicrobial agents. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, antifungal effects of 4 nano-metal oxides; magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide and copper oxide (MgO, SiO 2 , ZnO and CuO) were investigated in vitro against Candida albicans and compared with amphotericin B. Solution acetic acid was used for preparing nanoparticles suspensions. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of these nano-particles were evaluated. Results:The results showed that MIC of nano-MgO and nano SiO 2 was greater than 3200 µg/mL, but MIC and MFC of nano-ZnO was recorded 200 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of nano-CuO was 400 µg/mL. The MIC and MFC of amphotericin B was 0.5 µg/mL and 2 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: It is concluded that, ZnO and CuO nanoparticles have anti C. albicans properties and may be used in treatment of infections caused by this fungus that should be investigated in vivo.

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In pathologic conditions or poisoning states, iron overload can affect different tissues including liver. In this study, the prophylactic effect of deferoxamine and silymarin was compared in decreasing experimental ironoverload-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The study was done in six groups of rats, which received drugs q2 days for 2 weeks. The rats in groups 1 to 6 received drugs, respectively: normal saline, iron dextran, iron dextran+deferoxamine (intraperitoneally), iron dextran+silymarin (orally), iron dextran+ silymarin (intraperitoneally), and iron dextran+deferoxamine (intraperitoneally)+silymarin (intraperitoneally). At the end of the study, blood was collected, and serum was separated for laboratory tests. The liver of rats was separated for iron measuring and tissue processing. The serum iron concentration and the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were determined. The numbers of necrotic hepatocytes were counted as quantity index tissue injury in light microscopic examination. The mean of serum and liver iron in group 2 was significantly greater than group 1. Liver iron was significantly decreased in other groups except group 4. Also serum iron was decreased in groups 3 to 6 compared to group 2 (nearly 400%). ALT activity in group 3 and AST activity in group 5 were significantly lesser than in other groups. The mean of necrotic hepatocytes in group 2 was significantly increased in comparison to group 1. This elevation was significantly prevented by deferoxamine and silymarin. The result of the present study shows that silymarin has a protective effect similar to deferoxamine on iron overload-induced hepatotoxicity.

Cats most commonly receive toxic amounts of acetaminophen (APAP) because owners medicate them without consulting a veterinarian. The aim of this study was to compare the hepatoprotective action of silymarin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against APAP poisoning. Twenty healthy cats were randomly allotted to five equal groups. Animals in group A were given APAP (single dose 150 mg/kg, p.o.); groups B and C consisted of cats that received NAC (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or silymarin (30 mg/kg, p.o.) concurrent with APAP administration respectively; groups D and E were treated like groups B and C, respectively, but 4 h after APAP administration. The serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), methemoglobin, and total and direct bilirubin were measured before APAP administration and 4, 24, and 72 h later. A single oral administration of APAP significantly elevated serum concentrations of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, methemoglobin, and total and direct bilirubin. In both the groups receiving APAP plus NAC or silymarin, levels of serum enzyme activities, methemoglobin, and total and direct bilirubin remained within the normal values. It was concluded that silymarin as well as NAC can protect liver tissue against oxidative stress in cats with an APAP intoxication.