IRANIAN JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY
Year:2016 | Volume:10 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Background: Occupational lead poisoning is common in workers of some industries, but lead hepatotoxicity has rarely been reported. Several animal studies have revealed lead induced liver damage but clinical studies concerning the manifestations of lead induced liver toxicity in humans are scares. This study was designed to investigate the clinical manifestations and pathological parameters of hepatic dysfunction and its relationship with blood and urine lead concentrations in a car battery-manufacturing workers.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Mashhad, Iran, during April-June 2011. One hundred and twelve workers underwent blood and urine sampling for determination of lead concentrations and liver function tests. Clinical signs and symptoms of possible lead hepatotoxicity were investigated.Results: Mean (±SD) age of the workers was 28.78 (±5.17) yr with a daytime work of 8.67 (±1.41) h and mean work duration of 3.89 (±2.40) yr. Mean blood lead concentration (BLC) and urine lead concentration (ULC) were 398.95 (±177.41) mg/l and 83.67 (±50) mg/l, respectively. We found no correlation between the clinical findings and BLC or ULC. A weak correlation (R: 0.27, P=0.087) between serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and BLC was obtained. No significant relationship was found between other liver function tests and BLC or ULC.Conclusion: We found no specific clinical and laboratory abnormalities of liver in the workers of car battery manufacturer who had chronic lead toxicity. Further investigations with more specific laboratory tests such as LDH5 and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as novel biomarkers of metal induced hepatotoxicity might be helpful in evaluating lead hepatotoxicity.

Background: Phenol and nitrophenol are common compounds found in different types of industrial wastewater known as serious threats to human health and natural environment. In this study, Daphnia magna was used to evaluate the effectiveness of "baffle fixes film up flow sludge blanket filtration" (BFUSBF) system in elimination of phenolic compounds from water.Methods: D. magna cultures were used as toxicity index of phenol and 2, 4-DNP mixtures after treatment by a pilot BFUSBF system which consisted of baffle in anoxic section and biofilm in aerobic sections. Initial concentrations were 312 mg/L phenol and 288 mg/L 2, 4-dinitrophenol (2, 4-DNP).Results: Bioassay tests showed that D. magna was influenced by the toxicity of phenol and 2, 4 DNP mixtures. The comparison between the toxicity of initial phenol and 2, 4-DNP mixtures and the output toxic unit (TU) derived from BFUSBF treatment system showed that the TU of the effluent from BFUSBF reactor was much lower than that of the solution that entered the reactor.Conclusion: Based on the acute toxicity test, BFUSBF process could reduce phenol and 2, 4- DNP in aqueous solutions. Therefore, it is possible to use BFUSBF process as an appropriate treatment option for wastewaters containing phenolic compounds.

Background: Lead is the oldest known toxic metal, physiologically and biologically harmful to living creatures. This study aimed to evaluate the lead accumulation in the liver and breast muscles of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and to compare concentrations in both sexes and its effect on blood biochemical factors.Methods: Twenty-four young farm Japanese quails (25 day old) prepared from local breeders in December 2014 and randomly divided into control and treatment group. Treatment group were exposed to 0.4 mg per kg diet of “Lead Acetate” for 21 days. We studied the effects of lead on survival and blood biochemical factors. The lead accumulation in the liver and breast muscles of Japanese quail was determined using atomic absorption.Results: Exposure to lead caused a significant increase in the activity of enzymes (AST), (ALT), (LDH), glucose, creatinine and uric acid in poultry treated with lead compared with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, significant decrease in the activity of ALP, AChE, total protein, albumin, globulin, and triglycerides was found (P<0.05). The treated group had no significant change in the activity of CPK and cholesterol. Lead accumulation was more in the liver rather than the breast muscle. There was no significant difference between males and females as for concentration of lead in muscle and liver of quail.Conclusion: Quail have capabilities to accumulate lead in their tissues. In addition, it can lead to apparent changes in enzymes and blood biochemical factors, which show adverse effects of heavy metals on the immune and physiological system of birds.

Background: Many health problems are related to lifestyle and dietary factors. Since ancient times, food additives such as sulfites have been used to preserve foods. Diverse effects of sulfites on multiple organs have been reported but its effect on female reproductive organ has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium metabisulfite (SMB) on ovarian tissue in adult rats.Methods: Four groups of female rats (n=32) were used. The experimental rats received 10, 100 and 260 mg/kg SMB for 28 days (S10, S100 and S260 groups, respectively). The control rats received distilled water for the same period. The ovarian volume, weight and the number of different types of follicles were estimated by stereological methods. Lipid peroxidation is assessed indirectly by the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method.Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the ovarian volume, the number of primordial, primary, secondary, grafian follicles and corpus luteum in the SMB-treated animals compared with the control group (P<0.05). In comparison to the control group, the number of atretic follicles increased in the SMB-treated rats. MDA was significantly increased in S260 group compared to the control group.Conclusion: The present data confirm sulfite-induced structural changes in the ovary. Increased level of MDA because of SMB ingestion suggests that free radicals may have a critical role in these changes.

Background: In the current study, the hazard quotient, the hazard index (HI) and spatial variations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Cr in drinking water sources of Andimesk-Shush, Khuzestan Province, Southern Iranaquifer were assessed.Methods: We compared the concentrations of aforementioned heavy metals in wells and springs in Andimeshk and Shush regions. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment of heavy metals was implemented using United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) index. The spatial maps in the area were developed by geostatistical methods.Results: Mean concentrations of heavy metals in groundwater sources of the study area in decreasing order was as follows: Cu>Mn>Fe>Cr. Except for iron, mean heavy metal concentrations were higher than the standard levels. Manganese concentration in 41.5% of the samples exceeded the permissible limits. Copper was higher than the safety limit in 74% of the samples, and chromium in 54% of the cases. The spatial pattern of heavy metals concentrations indicated higher concentrations in the southern parts of the region. The mean hazard quotients of most samples for the four heavy metals were lower than one, indicating that there was no immediate threat due to the exposure to these heavy metals. The calculated accumulated hazards of these heavy metals produced different results, with hazard indices of higher than one.Conclusion: The accumulated hazard indices for the evaluated metals were higher than one, indicating that chronic ingestion of these waters threatens the health of local consumers on the long run.

Background: Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate insecticide widely utilized in agriculture all over the world and causes many negative effects on plants and animal species, especially on human. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of DZN on apoptosis of ovarian follicles in adult rats and to assess the protective role of vit E.Methods: Thirty adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control group (without any intervention), sham group (received only pure olive oil, as solvent), experimental group 1 (DZN+olive oil, 60 mg/kg), experimental group 2 (vit E, 200 mg/kg), and experimental group 3 (DZN+vit E, the same dosage). All drugs were injected intraperitoneally, except vit E administrated by gavage. The animals were scarified after two weeks and left ovary was used to measure apoptosis of ovarian follicles.Results: The number apoptotic cells experimental group 1 increased significantly in contrast control group in secondary and graffian follicles (P<0.001). Administration vit E plus DZN, significantly reduced apoptotic cells compared to DZN group (P<0.001).Conclusion: DZN-induced apoptosis in secondary and graffian follicles and vit E inhibited apoptosis induced by DZN. Vit E might have a protective effect on DZN-induced ovarian toxicity.

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene (NAP) are organic pollutants that have spread widely in littoral marine ecosystems. We aimed to study the effect of acute and prolonged exposure to naphthalene (NAP) on plasma cortisol and thyroid levels in mature and immature Liza klunzingeri mulet.Methods: In acute stress experiment, the treatment group received 2ml g-1 sunflower oil containing NAP (50 mg kg-1) intraperitoneally and the controls were injected with sunflower oil alone (2ml g-1). Blood samples were obtained from both groups after 3 h. In prolonged stress experiment, 10 ml g-1 of coconut oil containing NAP (50mg kg-1) was implanted and blood samples were obtained 72 h after injection.Results: Both the acute and prolonged exposure induced significant increase in cortisol and a significant decrease (P<0.05) in thyroid hormone T4 levels. Thyroid T3 hormone levels only decreased significantly (P<0.05) after prolonged exposure. Acute exposure resulted in significant decrease (P<0.05) in T3/T4 ratio only in immature fish. On the other hand, prolonged stress increased T3/T4 ratio in immature fish.Conclusion: Changes in the plasma levels of these hormones indicate low physiological capacity and survival potential of fish in waters polluted with naphthalene.

Background: Among different pollutants released into the environment, dyes are considered as one of the most dangerous contaminants. In recent years, magnetic nanomaterials have attracted much attention for their dye removal capacity. The aim of this study was to explore the adsorption kinetics of an anionic dye (Reactive Orange 13 (RO)) by NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (NiFe2O4 NPs) under various conditions.Methods: NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (NiFe2O4 NPs) were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), pHpzc and BET methods. The adsorption characteristics of the NiFe2O4 NPs adsorbent were examined using Reactive Orange 13 as an adsorbate. The influences of parameters including pH, dose of adsorbent and contact time were investigated to find the optimum adsorption conditions.Results: Decreasing solution pH and increasing contact time were favorable for improving adsorption efficiency. The kinetic and isotherm data of RO adsorption on NiFe2O4 NPs were well fitted by pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, respectively.Conclusion: The maximal adsorption capacity of RO was 243.9 mg g-1 at 25oC and pH 3.0 and the adsorption of RO on the NiFe2O4 NPs follows a monolayer coverage model. NiFe2O4 NPs might be an effective and potential adsorbent for removing anionic dyes from aqueous solutions.