Journal of Toxicological Studies

An in-depth investigation correlating lifestyle choices with cognitive well-being: Public health implications of food packaging trends and memory capacity, an intensive research study

Saurabh Dilip Bhandare — 2024-07-14

This study presents a multifaceted investigation into the interplay between lifestyle choices, cognitive well-being, and potential health risks associated with food packaging materials. Statistical analyses of memory patterns among diverse population groups, including healthy volunteers, addicted individuals, and those consuming roadside food from street vendors or hawkers, reveal intriguing correlations. The study also conducts a rigorous chemical analysis of newspaper packaging, uncovering significant concerns related to lead contamination. The findings emphasise the need for heightened awareness, further research, and interventions to address potential health risks and ensure the safety of packaging materials. Overall, this research contributes valuable, insightful information that has implications for public health initiatives and packaging industry practices. This is a qualitative study correlating lifestyle choices with cognitive well-being and specific food packaging that impacts the memory and health too. Key findings reveal intriguing correlations between lifestyle habits, the type of food packaging used, and memory capacity. The study’s chemical analysis of newspaper packaging uncovered significant lead contamination, raising serious public health concerns. These findings emphasise the necessity for heightened awareness and targeted interventions to mitigate health risks.

Ecotoxicity of 3D printing material polylactic acid (PLA) on sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Özlem Çakal Arslan — 2024-07-18

In this study, the ecotoxicity of 3D printing material [polylactic acid (PLA)] was investigated with marine echinoderms; sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. To achieve this goal, (i) fertilization success, spermiyotoxicity, and embriyotoxicity exposed to PLA concentrations (0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 g/L) were assessed for 72 h. For this purpose, our study is important to make comprehensive evaluations to ensure the safety of bioplastic formulations and to take measures to regulate the use of additives. At the same time, the additive used to increase the durability of bioplastic materials will also allow us to understand the long-term effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Our aim is to minimize possible harm and ensure that the overall environmental impact of bioplastics remains positive.

Evaluation of the crude chitinases toxicity on the reproductive system of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Laribi-Habchi Hassiba — 2024-08-03

Insecticides represent the most used control method against the insect pests of stored food products. But there are strains of insects that are resistant to these insecticides; this is the case of the beetle of the chickpea, Callosobruchus maculatus. The present study has for objective the evaluation of the biological activity of chitinolytic enzymes extracted from the fish offals Scorpaena scrofa (scorpion fish) on this beetle at different doses (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, and 21%) prepared with the buffer solution. The results obtained from three treatments (T₁, T₂, and T₃) realized according to the dose of the crude enzyme and the time of exposure were compared with those of the controls and have shown a very significant efficiency of our crude enzyme on the reduction of the fertility rate of 100% by treating the couple (T₁) at the same time as to treat the male (T₃) and the female (T₂) separately with the strongest dose (21%) for 48 h of exposure. It would be thus desirable to demonstrate the activity of these enzymes in the real conditions of storage.

Microstructure of the dentate gyrus and spontaneous alternation behaviour of male Wistar rats following Rauvolfia vomitoria and Gongronema latifolium extracts administration

Moses B. Ekong — 2024-08-06

Rauvolfia vomitoria (RV) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) are medicinal plants used for the local treatment of various health issues. Their activities on the brain motivated this investigation on the histology and immunohistochemistry of the dentate gyrus and spontaneous alternation behaviour (SAB) of adult Wistar rats following RV root bark and GL leaf extract administrations. Twenty young adult Wistar rats (130–160 g) were assigned into four groups: Group 1 served as the control (5 mL/kg of distilled water placebo), while the test groups 2–4 were, respectively, singly administered 200 mg/kg of RV, 200 mg/kg of GL, and their combination. The administrations were oral and lasted for seven days. A T-maze SAB test was carried out, and the animals were sacrificed immediately after ketamine hydrochloride intraperitoneal anaesthesia. Serial sections of the hippocampal region from perfused rat brains were stained with Cresyl fast violet and immunolabelled with neuronal nuclei (NeuN) for neurons and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for astrocytes. Results indicated that SAB was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the test groups. Histologically, Nissl was less distributed in the RV and GL-only groups but not in the combined group, while there was less NeuN positivity in the RV group, with the GL and RV + GL groups not affected. There was less positive GFAP expression in individual RV and GL groups, but not in the RV + GL combined group, all compared with the control. In conclusion, the combination of RV and GL did not improve SAB but modulated Nissl, NeuN, and GFAP expression in the dentate gyrus.

A study on membrane enzyme Na+-K+-ATPase in lindane exposed fish, Channa punctatus

Aradhna Gupta — 2024-08-17

Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase is a membrane-bound enzyme responsible for the transport of ions through the membrane and the immediate release of energy. This enzyme is known to be an early target for oxygen radical-induced damage to intact cells. Exposure of C. punctatus to subacute concentrations of lindane for 96 h caused a significant reduction in the activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in all the tissues of the fish tested, with the brain being maximally affected and the heart being the least affected organ at the highest concentration of lindane (0.1 mg/L). The effect of pesticides was concentration-dependent. The percent decrease in the activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in brain, gills, heart, kidney, liver, and muscle was found to be 36.7, 23.4, 19.2, 29, 22.9, and 29.7, respectively. The order of level of enzyme activity recorded was as follows: liver > gills > kidney > brain > muscle > heart in the control.

Efficiency of heat-treated sepiolite in the adsorption of Cd, Zn, and Co from aqueous solutions: A low-cost approach for wastewater treatment

Ramin SamieiFard — 2024-09-30

This study investigated the adsorption of Cd, Co, and Zn ions onto unmodified and heat-treated sepiolite, focusing on the effect of contact time, initial pH, and heat pretreatments. Kinetic experiments were conducted in triplicate, and equilibrium experiments indicated that Co²⁺ had the highest adsorption preference, followed by Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The adsorption efficiency for Co²⁺ significantly increased with higher initial pH, whereas Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺showed optimal adsorption at lower pH levels. Heat-treated sepiolite at 250 ℃ exhibited a higher surface area and adsorption capacity in comparison with unmodified and 150 ℃-treated sepiolite, which indicated the importance of heat pretreatment. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model better described the adsorption process, and it was confirmed chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. By increasing the contact time, adsorption rates enhanced, with equilibrium achieved within 480 min for all systems. Higher initial solute concentrations led to an increase in adsorption processes, with Co ions consistently showing higher adsorption efficiency in competitive multi-ionic solutions. Adsorption percentages varied with pH and thermal treatment, indicating the importance of these parameters in optimizing sepiolite’s adsorption capacity for heavy metal removal.

Understanding and role of gut microbiota on drug response and toxicity

Sriram Seshadri — 2024-07-02

The gut microbiota affects human health profoundly, and evidence is mounting that it can cause, worsen, or resolve illnesses. Particularly in drug-induced toxicity, its role in diverse toxicological reactions has garnered attention recently. Drugs may interact directly or indirectly, through the gut flora, whether or not they are taken orally, changing the toxicity. Current research focuses mainly on the one-way effect of xenobiotics on the makeup and activities of gut microbes, which leads to altered homeostasis. However, there are two-way interactions between the gut microbiota and xenobiotics, and it is important to consider how the gut microbiota affects xenobiotics, particularly medications. Therefore, we emphasise the microbiome, microbial metabolites, and microbial enzymes in this review to emphasise how the gut microbiota affects medication toxicity. To aid in the identification of micro-biologic targets and processes linked to drug toxicity, we establish connections between medications, the microbiome, microbial enzymes or metabolites, drug metabolites, and host toxicological reactions. In addition, a summary and discussion of contemporary mainstream approaches to controlling medication toxicity by microbiota targeting are provided.

Is acetylsalicylic acid use in cats contraindicated or limited indicated?

Said Cafer — 2024-09-23

Acetylsalic acid, (Aspirin^®) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used in human and veterinary medicine, especially for its analgesic and antithrombotic effects, mainly in the prevention of cardiovascular complications and in the treatment of various diseases. Aspirin^® can not be metabolized in cats because they do not have the enzyme glucuronyl transferase. For this reason, it has a long half-life and a narrow dose range. High dose administration in cats may cause serious toxicity in the liver. Acetylsalicylic acid is known to cause gastric ulcers associated with decreased prostaglandin levels. For these reasons, it is considered toxic to cats. But it also has antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties. It is indicated for use alone or in combination with other antithrombotic drugs in the treatment and prophylaxis of thrombus formation resulting from cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to examine the indicated and contraindicated areas of use of Aspirin^®, which is widely considered toxic in cats.

The impact of pesticides: Assessing residue persistence, environmental contamination, and human health risks

Aline Viancelli — 2024-10-29

The intensification of agricultural practices to meet global food demand has led to extensive pesticide use, which poses significant challenges for food safety, environmental health, and human well-being. This narrative review provides a comprehensive analysis of the global use of pesticides in agriculture, focusing on the persistence of pesticide residues in food crops, their environmental impacts, and the associated health risks. Historically, pesticides have been integral to agricultural productivity, but their adverse effects have become increasingly clear. Notably, pesticide residues in food can pose serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. This review also discusses regional disparities in pesticide-related health outcomes, with a focus on Brazil. The findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable pest management practices, including organic farming and improved regulatory measures, to mitigate the adverse effects of pesticide use. By integrating these strategies, a more balanced and sustainable agricultural system can be achieved, safeguarding both human health and environmental quality.