Sodium benzoate (SB) as an additive in various food products prevents the growth of microbes. Although SB is considered safe, many studies have reported adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dandelion extract on cell damage and hematological and biochemical disorders induced by SB in male albino rats. Different doses of SB (200 and 600 mg/kg) and ethanolic dandelion root extract (D) (40 mg/kg) were used in a 2‐week treatment of rats. Rat mortality and a higher frequency of behavioral alterations such as apathy, anxiety, and aggression have been reported at a higher dose of SB. Changes in urine pH, proteinuria, nitrituria, and bilirubinemia caused by SB were regulated by adding dandelion extract. Analysis of specific serum and urine parameters, as well as microscopic analysis of hepatocytes, showed liver and kidney failure. Anemia associated with hemolytic disorder due to erythrocyte impaired the presence of acanthocytes, and decreased values of erythrocyte blood count, hemoglobin concentration, average red blood cell size, hemoglobin amount per red blood cell, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were caused by SB treatment. As a dietary supplement, dandelion extract can be useful in the prevention of SB‐induced liver and kidney injury, and also a remedy against induced anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglycemia, and reduction of inflammatory responses.

The purpose of this study was to explore possible protective effects of vitamin D3 on serum glucose concentration, body weight and histopathology of pancreas and liver. Animals were divided into 3 groups: Control group (n=6), streptozotocin (STZ) group (n=6) and streptozotocin + vitamin D3 (STZ+D3) group (n=6). Rats in the STZ+D3 group starting from the 7th day of experiment were given vitamin D3 for 14 days. Glucose levels and body weight were measured on the 1, 7, 14 and 21st day of experiment. Qualitative histological analysis of pancreas and liver was done using the light microscope with a digital camera. Differences between the groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's posttest. Differences in repeated measures were tested using paired t-test. On day 14 and 21, blood glucose level in STZ+D3 group was significantly higher compared to the control group of animals but significantly lower than the glucose level registered in STZ group of rats. On day 14 and day 21, body weight in STZ rats was significantly lower compared to weight in STZ+D3 and control groups of rats. Morphological changes, such as shrinkage of islets, vacuolation of both endocrine and exocrine cells, were observed in pancreas of STZ group of animals but were nearly absent in STZ+D3 rats. Similarly, STZ+D3 group of rats showed preserved liver histoarchitecture. Obtained results suggest that vitamin D3 treatment reduces hyperglycemia, exerts beneficial effects on body weight and alleviates histopathological changes in pancreas and liver in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

ABSTRACT Endangerment of fish habitats worldwide is a global problem. Breeding fish in restocking hatcheries is important for bioconservation of many fishes. Analysis of biochemical and hematological parameters provides important information on spawning performance and fish health. Variations of different serum biochemical constituents and increase in body length and mass of West Balkan trout were analyzed during spawning and postspawning. High body weight deviations of males were found in both periods. The body length and weight of males is higher compared to females. After spawning, higher growth was observed in males. Biochemical values are higher in females in relation to males. Low values of glucose, chloride, and potassium are present in the spawning phase. Decreases in protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, AST, sodium, and calcium levels were found in postspawning. Serum biochemical constituents of females vary significantly compared to males. Serum markers indicate a strong association with metabolic processes, which allows for better nutritional control and management of environmental factors, especially the presence of organic particles in the broodstock.

Abstract Methadone eliminates heroin use, reduces death rates and criminality associated with heroin use, and improves patients’ health and social productivity. This study included long-term addicts who completed a methadone therapy program as well as relapsed patients. Liver and renal markers important for methadone metabolism were analyzed. Renal markers included urea and creatinine, while hepatic markers included total bilirubin, AST, ALT, γGT, and LDH as nonspecific but significant parameters of liver metabolism. The study included 34 male and 6 female heroin-dependent patients undergoing a rehabilitation program with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). During therapy, average values of all parameters remained within the reference interval but individual parameters in some patients were very high. Significant differences for urea (0.00) and very high individual variations in all parameters, especially γGT and LDH, were found in patients who were in relapse. Age of the patients did not show a correlation with the presence of significant differences in serum biochemical parameters during therapy. Prolonged use of methadone therapy stabilizes high variations of liver and renal markers. MMT achieves a stabilization of serum indicators relevant for methadone metabolism that correlates with the duration of consumption and the type of opioid substance. The most important hepato-renal markers as indicators of therapy success are γGT, LDH, and creatinine. The validity of former enzymatic tests (AST, ALP, and ALT) should be seriously reconsidered in terms of MTT treatment success and monitoring the health of heroin addicts.

Abstract Cadmium is a heavy metal, toxic even in trace amounts and its biological function in the human body has not been described to date. It is assumed that cadmium manifests in dose-dependent genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on many organs and tissue types. In this study, we have analyzed the biochemical parameters in the serum of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) after chronic in vivo exposure to cadmium. Adult animals were exposed to cadmium in the form of CdCl2 dissolved in water (0.20 mg/L) for 20 days. Significant differences between controls and exposed animals were found in 12 out of 13 analyzed biochemical parameters. Total bilirubin concentrations did not show any significant differences between the two groups. Exposure to cadmium has resulted in a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity, sodium and chloride concentration, as well as significant reductions in total proteins, albumins, globulins, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium concentration, and alkaline phosphatase activity. In this sense, chronic in vivo exposure to low doses of cadmium has induced severe changes in the levels of observed biochemical parameters and enzyme activity. Additionally, evident cytogenetic changes in the liver were also noted, where hepatocyte damage and even lack of organized nuclei, including nuclear fragmentation, clearly indicated ongoing apoptotic processes.