Histology& Histochemistry Journal include various morphological, anatomical, histological, histochemical, toxicological , physiological changes associated with individuals, and populations. In addition, the journal promotes research on biochemical and molecularbiological or environmental, toxicological and occupational aspects of pathology are requested as well as developmental and histological studies on light and electron microscopical level, or case reports.. www.eajbs.eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.

Within the last decade, several peptides have been identified according to their ability to inhibit the growth of microbial pathogens. These antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a part of the innate immune system of all living organisms. Many studies on their effects on prokaryotic microorganisms have been reported; some of these peptides have cytotoxic properties although the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity on eukaryotic cells remain poorly understood. Smp24 and Smp43 are novel cationic AMPs which were identified from the venom of the Egyptian scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus. Smp24 and Smp43 showed potent activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. Here we describe cytotoxicity of these peptides towards two acute leukaemia cell lines (myeloid (KG1-a) and lymphoid (CCRF-CEM) leukaemia cell lines) and three non-tumour cell lines CD34+ (hematopoietic stem progenitor from cord blood), HRECs (human renal epithelial cells) and HaCaT (human skin keratinocytes). Smp24 and Smp43 (4–256 µg/ml) decreased the viability of all cell lines, although HaCaT cells were markedly less sensitive. With the exception HaCaT cells, the caspase-1 gene was uniquely up-regulated in all cell lines studied. However, all cell lines showed an increase in downstream interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression. Transmission electron microscope studies revealed the formation of cell membrane blebs and the appearance of autolysosomes and lipid droplets in all cell lines; KG1-a leukemia cells also showed the unique appearance of glycogen deposits. Our results reveal a novel mechanism of action for scorpion venom AMPs, activating a cascade of events leading to cell death through a programmed pyroptotic mechanism.

Background: Copper oxychloride (COC) (50% of its component, copper) is copper-based fungicides. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of 80 mg/kg curcumin against the toxicity of 500, 1000, or 2000 mg COC per kilogram body weight for 90 days on the liver of a rat. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), hepatic glutathione reduced content (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected. The histological and ultrastructure changes of the liver tissues as well as the hepatic content of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc were also reported. Results: COC-treated rats showed an increase of SGPT and SGOT, with the elevation of copper and zinc content and MDA levels with no change in GSH level. The liver showed a significant increase in the copper and iron contents. The liver of COC-treated rats showed histological and ultrastructural damage that increased with increasing the COC dose. Conversely, curcumin supplementation potentially recovered liver function enzymes in only low doses of COC, reduced MDA level, increased GSH content, and improved the hepatic lesions. These findings revealed that subchronic exposure to even low levels of COC may have potential hazards and harmful effects on the liver, and the curcumin markedly attenuated the COC biochemical, histological, and cellular alterations in liver tissues, best with the low dose of COC. Conclusions: It is concluded that curcumin has a limited protective role against COC liver toxicity.

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