Dalia A. Mandour

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a man-made fluorinated compound employed in a variety of industrial and civilian applications. Due to its long elimination half-life and promotion of oxidative stress and inflammation, it is one of the most abundant organic contaminants. The present study was designed to determine the cytotoxic effect of PFOS on adult male rat cardiac tissue and to assess the cardioprotective role of the flavonoid quercetin (Que), which possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Twenty-four adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: Group I (Control). Group II (Que) received Que (75 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) by oral gavage. Group III (PFOS group): supplemented orally with PFOS (20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) and Group IV (PF OS/Que). The rat heart was processed for histological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression studies. The PFOS group showed histological alterations in the myocardium that were partially reversed by the administration of Que. The inflammatory biomarkers (TNF, IL-6, and IL-1), lipid profile, TSH, MDA, and serum cardiac enzymes (LDH and CK-MB) were all altered. These findings collectively suggest that PFOS had adverse effects on the cardiac muscle structure, and these effects were alleviated by quercetin, which is a promising cardioprotective flavonoid.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (E-cigs) are marketed as an alternative and replacement domain to the traditional cigarette smoking in many societies for the rescue of smoking cessation. Nevertheless, the vape of E-cigs produce different harmful chemical compounds and carcinogens. Aim: To clarify the histopathological changes that may take place in rat’s tongue after exposure to E-cigs and to assess the possible amelioration of such changes after giving up vaping. Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups. Control group: exposed to fresh air for 4weeks. Exposed group: exposed to smoke vapor of 1ml burnt E-liquid for 1 hour, 5 consecutive days/ week for 4 weeks. Withdrawal group: exposed to the same dose and duration of smoke vapor like group 2 then left without exposure for another 4 weeks. By the end of the experiment, animals were weighted and the tongue was excised and processed for hematoxylin& eosin and Alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff’s staining and for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical study. Also, serum malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity were determined. Results: E-cigs exposure hampered the cytoarchitecture of the tongue with loss of some papillae and hyperkeratosis of the others along with increased PCNA immunoreactivity and its area percentage. Also, E-cigs exposure led to redox imbalance. Obviously, stoppage of E-cigs exposure resulted in partial amelioration of histological and biochemical changes. Conclusion: E-cigs vaping produced proliferative changes that impose a metaplasia in the tongue and their withdrawal revealed some degree of improvement.