The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Asthma is a chronic and complex condition of the respiratory tract, that occurs in both children and adults. Currently available medications have side effects; therefore, new therapies with fewer side effects are needed. Thus, present study was designed to evaluate the potential anti-asthmatic effects of alcoholic extract of Ammi majus on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Forty-eight female Albino mice were randomly assigned to one of six groups with 8 animals each. Group I received distilled water as a negative control, Group II received ovalbumin as a positive control, Groups III and IV received Ammi majus orally at 64 and 128 mg/kg/day, respectively, with sensitization, and Groups V and VI received Ammi majus orally at 64 and 128 mg/kg/day, respectively, without sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained 24 h after the 1st challenge to measure the number of inflammatory cell counts. In addition, lung tissue was removed for histopathological examination. Oral administration of alcoholic extract of Ammi majus at both doses (64 and 128 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ovalbumin-induced increases in total and differential cell counts of eosinophile, neutrophile, monocyte, and lymphocyte) in BALF, in addition, improve histopathologic events of asthma in lung tissue of ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. These results demonstrated that Ammi majus alcoholic extract has a potent anti-asthmatic activity that improved ovalbumin-induced asthma.

Bovine mastitis is a disease that concerns animals' welfare and increases the economic production losses. Bacterial agents such as Staphylococcus species are the main causative agent of bovine mastitis. This bacterial agent expresses some inflammatory cytokines that might enhance the cell-mediated, which may promote the pathogenesis of mastitis. The objective of the current study was to investigate the bovine innate immune response circulating levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. A total of 10 mL of milk specimens were collected randomly from 100 clinically mastitic cows, and another 20 clinically healthy cows were considered as a control group for the California Mastitis test. The microbiological cultures of milk specimens were performed. The interleukins (ILs)that involved IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were detected using the ELISA test for the evaluation of the
pro-inflammatory bovine mastitis pathophysiology. The results of this study showed that Staphylococcus aureus detection was in 31.2% of mastitic milk and 8.7% of non-mastitic milk specimens; and the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was detected in 14.8% and 18.7% in the mastitic and non-mastitic milk specimens, respectively. The IL-6 level was shown significantly higher (P<0.05)in the specimens of mastitic milk (194±12.8 pg/mL) compared to the non-mastitic milk (31±2.9 pg/mL). In conclusion, the elevated level of expression of IL-6 cytokine in the milk of cows with mastitis suggested that IL-6 might be used as a potentially suitable biomarker for early bovine mastitis diagnosis

This research aimed to evaluate the protective ability of Syzygium aromaticum methanolic extract against Salmonella Typhimurium infection in rabbits. Three groups of eight rabbits were given the following: The first group was subcutaneously given Salmonella
Typhimurium-whole sonicated killed antigen (ST-WSKAg); the second group was orally given S. aromaticum extract as well as KWCSAg-ST subcutaneously; the third group was left as positive control group. The rabbit groups were orally challenged by 9×108 CFU/mL Salmonella Typhimurium then the animals were sacrificed 10 days postchallenge for histopathological study. Intestine, liver, kidney, and spleen were studied for pathological changes. The results showed that the second group had the least histopathological changes with mild inflammation and cellular infiltration of inflammatory cells, as well as low amount of vacuolation. The ST-WSKAg group showed multifocal aggregation of inflammatory cells and inflammation of all organs studied, as well as slight interstitial edema with few cellular infiltration and cystic tubular dilation of neighboring tubules in kidney. The positive control group showed the most extensive signs of destruction, severe inflammatory cells infiltration, as well as existence of live bacterium in tissue. In conclusion, Syzygium aromaticum extract showed to give a suitable protective ability against inflammation and destruction of virulent Salmonella Typhimurium infection in comparison to both of ST-WSKAg and positive control groups

The purpose of this research was to investigate the beneficial effects of phosphatidylcholine in reducing changes in both lipid and protein profiles in addition to atherogenic index in adult rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. Thirty-six mature Wistar Albino female rats (Rattus norvegicus) (aged 12-15 weeks and weighing 200±10 g) were divided randomly into four groups (G1, G2, G3, and G4); then variable treatments were orally administered for 62 days as follows: G1 (Control group), received distilled water; G2, treated with phosphatidylcholine (PC) orally (1 g/kg BW); G3 (Fr), orally dosed with 40% fructose and 25% fructose mixed with drinking water; G4 (Fr+PC), were also intubated with 40% fructose and 25% fructose in drinking water, and received PC at 1 g/kg BW by oral tube. At the end of the research, specimens were taken by cardio puncture approach after fasting for 8-12 h. Serum was obtained to measure lipid criteria (total serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and Atherogenic index) and protein profile (total protein, albumin, and globulins). The results showed that the occurrence of dyslipidaemia (hypercholesterolemia, triacyleglycerolemia) increase in low density of lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, no-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations and atherogenic index and reduce the concentration of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) in fructose treated animals in addition to disturbance in protein profile (lowered in total protein and globulins level).PC treatment resulted in decreased changes in lipid profile, protein profile, and atherogenic index in rats, whereas fructose induced metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, using Phosphatidylcholine treatment in rats may reduce the changes of lipid and protein profiles and atherogenic index while fructose may lead to metabolic syndrome.

Lead has always been a health risk in developing countries. Lead severely affects liver function. Butyrate is effective in treating inflammatory disorders in animals. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether sodium butyrate mitigates lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity. In this research, 40 adult female albino rats were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups for a duration of 35 days as follows: group 1 served as a control, group 2 received sodium butyrate (SB) orally at 200 mg/kg daily, group 3 received lead acetate (LA) orally at 50 mg/kg daily, and group 4 received both SB and LA (SB+LA) orally. Blood was collected for complete blood picture (CBC) and some serum biochemical evaluations. Liver samples were collected for histopathological examination. The rats that exposed to lead acetate showed a significant (P<0.05) elevation in globulin, total bilirubin, total serum protein, and total white blood cells with a decrease in total red blood cells, haemoglobin, and packed cell volume, while weight gain shows a significant (P<0.05) decrease in this group. Histologically showed pre-vascular infiltration of the nuclear cell. Body weight of Rat's gavage with sodium butyrate showed a substantial (P<0.05) increase, as well as there, were improvements in red blood cells RBC, haemoglobin, and packed cell volume PCV with the normal histological structure of the liver and no pathological lesion in hepatocyte. The fourth group (SB+LA) showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, and total white blood cells, while other tests in this group showed nearly the control group as a result of the effect of SB. In conclusion, sodium butyrate consumption effectively reduces the harmful effects of lead acetate and prevents liver damage.

This study was performed according to FDA protocol to evaluate the developmental effects of carvedilol (P-glycoprotein inhibitor), methotrexate (P-glycoprotein substrate) and their combination at therapeutic doses on pregnant rats. Sixty Albino Wistar rats (40 female rats and 20 males) were allocated randomly into four groups orally administered 0.72 mg/kg carvedilol (Cv-treated group [TG]), 0.36 mg/kg methotrexate (MTX-TG), combined doses carvedilol+methotrexate (Cv+MTX-TG), and distilled water (control group) for 2 months in male and 2 weeks in female rats before mating and after copulation, then approval of pregnancy; dosing continued in female groups during pregnancy and lactation periods. Half of the animal groups were euthanized one day before parturition to study prenatal effects, while the other half left for parturition and lactation to study postnatal effect. The results of fertility index recorded in Cv-TG (71.43%), MTX-TG (42.46%) and Cv+MTX-TG (38.47%) was markedly lower than that in control (83.33%) group with lower gestation index was recorded in MTX-TG (80%) and Cv+MTX-TG (60%) than that in Cv-TG (100%) and the control group (100%). The result of resorbed and fetal death recorded a higher percent in Cv-MTX-TG in comparison with MTX-TG and Cv-TG; Cv-MTX-TG fetuses also recorded more anomalies, including hemorrhagic placenta, curved legs, and microcephaly during prenatal period. The postnatal effects showed that the Cv+MTX-TG group recorded a higher decrease in number of pups born, their weight, and increase in number of stillbirths in comparison with methotrexate followed by carvedilol groups in comparison with control group, while the result of viability index recorded (Cv-TG=98.15%, MTX-TG=93.93% and Cv+MTX-TG=76.19%) and lactation index (Cv-TG=77.36%, 83.87% and Cv+MTX-TG=75%). The postnatal anomalies were only recorded in Cv+MTX-TG included skull defect and ulceration, blindness, skin lesion, and alopecia in lactating pups. It is concluded that inhibition of P-gp by carvedilol might increase the placental passage and increase methotrexate concentration in fetal and pups’ tissue with consequence of increase toxic effect of methotrexate both in fetus and pups of Cv+MTX-TG group which might explain the present results of teratogenic study.

Paracetamol poisoning, whether intentionally or accidentally, is one of the main public health problems since the prevalence of its toxicity increased significantly in many countries. Currently, paracetamol is one of the primary causes of acute liver failure worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential prophylactic effect of omega-7 fatty acid in protecting male rats' livers from paracetamol-induced liver damage. Thirty albino male rats were divided randomly and equally into five groups and then treated as follows: Group 1 (negative control) rats were orally given liquid paraffin for seven consecutive days. Group 2 (positive control) rats were orally given liquid paraffin for seven consecutive days and a single injection of paracetamol (500 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day eight of the experiment. Group 3 rats were orally given omega-7 (300 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. Group 4 rats were orally given a single dose of omega-7 (100 mg/kg/day) for 7 days and a single injection of paracetamol (500 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day eight of the experiment. Group 5 rats were orally given a single dose of omega-7 (300 mg/kg/day) for 7 days and a single injection of paracetamol (500 mg/kg) intraperitoneally on day eight of the experiment. After 24 h of the endpoint of treatment (on day 9), blood samples were collected, and serum was prepared for the evaluation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). This study found that rats given paracetamol had a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10, whereas rats previously given oral administration of omega-7 fatty acid before injection of paracetamol resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.05) of these cytokines. Oral omega-7 fatty acid supplementation may help to prevent liver damage caused by paracetamol.

Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid, 16:1 n7) is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is found to have several beneficial effects. Cisplatin is commonly considered for the treatment of different carcinomas. Cisplatin therapy is restricted due to its nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin is thought to be associated with inflammatory reactions among other mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effect of omega-7 on cisplatin in rats. Thirty adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided randomly into five equal groups, rats of group 1 received liquid paraffin solution orally for 7 consecutive days, rats of group 2 received cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) by single intraperitoneal injection, rats of group 3 received omega-7 (50 mg/kg) by oral administration for 7 days consecutively and then followed by single cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneal injection on the eighth day, rats of group 4 received omega-7 (100 mg/kg) by oral administration for 7 days consecutively followed by single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg) on the eighth day, rats of group 5 received omega-7 only (100 mg/kg) orally for 7 consecutive days. On day 9, all animals were euthanized and then serum samples were utilized for assessment of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Treatment of rats with omega-7 had led to significant decline in the activities of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, and significant reduction in the level of IL-10. Omega-7 has an anti-inflammatory effect against cisplatin adverse effects.

Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. ‎Fluoroquinolones, particularly Levofloxacin, have garnered interest for their potential anti-cancer effects, primarily due to their high affinity ‎for metallic ions like copper. This affinity enhances their spectrum of activity and enables greater interaction with DNA in cancer cells, ‎thereby inhibiting proliferation. Building on our prior work, where we synthesized copper-modified Levofloxacin (MOLVX), this study ‎explores its therapeutic potential in treating precancerous colorectal lesions, known as Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF), in a murine model. Sixty ‎female Balb-C mice were randomized into six groups (n=10 per group). The first group served as a negative control and received no treatment. ‎The remaining groups were administered azoxymethane (AOM) at 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) twice weekly to induce ACF. Among these, the ‎second group acted as a positive control and received no further treatment. The third group was intraperitoneally administered doxorubicin at ‎‎16.2 mg/kg BW once a week for four weeks. The fourth group was treated with Levofloxacin at 25 mg/kg BW via oral lavage daily for four ‎weeks. The final two groups received daily oral lavage treatments of MOLVX at doses of 5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg BW for four weeks, ‎respectively. Histopathological analysis of ACF tissues, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, revealed a statistically significant reduction ‎‎(P<0.05) in ACF count among groups treated with MOLVX, doxorubicin, and Levofloxacin, compared to the positive control. Additionally, both ‎MOLVX-treated groups showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in proliferating cellular antigen (PCNA) levels. In conclusion, both MOLVX ‎dosages (2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg BW) demonstrated promising therapeutic efficacy against precancerous colorectal lesions in mice. However, ‎the 5 mg/kg BW dose appeared to be more potent.

This study aimed to investigate the potential protective role of Bifidobacterium (B.) infantis in alleviating ‎‎induced duodenal and colon inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). Female albino Wister rats ‎‎(n=24) ‎were randomized into four experimental groups: Control Negative, acetic acid-induced colitis (AA colitis), ‎B. infantis-treated (Bifido), orally gavaged with 1 mL of reference strain ‎B. infantis at 108 CFU/mL for four weeks prior to the induction of colitis,‎ and Bifido+AA ‎colitis. Colitis was induced via ‎intrarectal administration of 4% AA solution‎. Seven days post-colitis induction, blood samples were ‎obtained to assess protein levels, and histopathological evaluations were conducted on duodenal and ‎colon tissues. ‎Additionally, immunohistochemical assessments for B-cell lymphoma 2‎ (Bcl-2) in colon and ‎myeloperoxidase (MPO) in duodenum ‎sections were performed‎. Results revealed that B. infantis treatment significantly elevated serum albumin and total ‎protein levels in the Bifido and Bifido+AA colitis groups, approximating those in the Control Negative group. Histopathological and morphological changes of duodenum in AA colitis revealed ulceration of the mucosal epithelium, submucosal inflammatory cellular infiltration, tissue depression resulting in villus atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia. Additionally, ‎colonic crypt gland atrophy and goblet cells depletion were observed. Most of these changes were ameliorated in the Bifido and Bifido+AA colitis groups. Immunohistochemical analysis displayed marked immunopositivity ‎ of Bcl-2 in colon and MPO in duodenum sections of the Bifido and Bifido+AA colitis groups, indicating the antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory roles of B. infantis. This study demonstrates that B. infantis exerts a protective effect against AA-induced UC by normalizing serum protein levels, ameliorating histopathological alterations, and ‎modulating apoptotic and inflammatory markers. These findings underscore B. infantis as a ‎promising therapeutic agent for UC and warrant further research to elucidate the underlying ‎molecular mechanisms.