-Purpose. Clinical research has confirmed the efficacy of several plant extracts in the modulation of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. Findings indicate that safranal has antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of safranal against oxidative damage in diabetic rats. Methods. In this study, the rats were divided into the following groups of 8 animals each: control, untreated diabetic, three safranal (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mg/kg/day)-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 60 mg/kg for diabetes induction. Safranal (intraperitoneal injection) was administered 3 days after STZ administration; these injections were continued to the end of the study (4 weeks). At the end of the 4-week period, blood was drawn for biochemical assays. In order to determine the changes of cellular antioxidant defense systems, antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in serum. Moreover we also measured serum nitric oxide (NO) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Results. STZ-induced diabetes caused an elevation (p < 0.001) of blood glucose, MDA, NO, total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, with reduction of GSH level and CAT and SOD activities. The results indicated that the significant elevation in the blood glucose, MDA, NO, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and reduction of glutathione level and CAT and SOD activity were ameliorated in the safranal-treated diabetic groups compared with the untreated groups, in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.05, p<0.01, p < 0.001). Conclusion. These results suggest that safranal has antioxidant properties and improves chemically-induced diabetes and its complications by modulation of oxidative stress.

Despite the wide spread of lead environmental pollution, the effect of this heavy metal on respiratory disease was not shown yet. In respect to increased oxidative stress is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of respiratory disease, the present study was designed to examine the association between lead toxicity and lung disease via measuring oxidative stress biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue of rat. For this aim, 32 rats were divided into the following groups of eight animals each: control, three lead tested (received lead acetate in the drinking water for a period of 14 d at concentrations of 250, 500 and 1000 ppm) groups. At the end of the 2 week period, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were measured to assess free radical activity in the BALF and lung tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also determined. A significant dose-dependent increase in the BALF supernatant and lung homogenate levels of MDA and NO with decrease GSH level and SOD activity were observed in the lead-treated groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Thus, lead acetate may be contributed to respiratory disorders via increased oxidative stress.

In recent years in the process industries much attention has been paid to the quantitative risk analysis (QRA). This study describes a QRA evaluating the risk from the operation of an LPG installation. Both individual and societal risks to the installation personnel, customers, and neighbors/passerbys are evaluated. The study showed that the largest effect is caused by a jet fire and flash fires. Unacceptable individual risk is being imposed on personnel, consumers, and third parties. Societal risks are also unacceptable in comparison with the Installation's acceptable risk criteria. Risk reductive measures proposed for the Installation include the application of smaller pipes and fewer flanges in Compressor room, the use of smaller vessels in Storage units and the use of Emergency shutdown valve.

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