Showing papers in "Journal of hygiene research in 1999"

[Effect of fluoride exposure on synaptic structure of brain areas related to learning-memory in mice].

Abstract: The learning-memory behavior was tested in mice on a Y-maze after drinking different concentration of sodium fluoride. The impairment on the structure of Gray 1 synaptic interface in the CA3 area of mice hippocampus were quantitatively analyzed by electron microscopy and computer image processing appliance. The main results are as follows: the learning ability of mice drinking high concentration of fluoride presented remarkable deterioration, the thickness of post-synaptic density (PSD) was decreased, and the width of synaptic cleft was remarkably increased. The results suggested that the impairment on the learning capability induced by fluorosis may be closely related with the pathological changes of synaptic structure in the brain of mice.

The protective effects of total flavonoids from Lycium Barbarum L. on lipid peroxidation of liver mitochondria and red blood cell in rats

Abstract: The protective effects of total flavonoids from Lycium Barbarum L. (TFL) on lipid peroxidation in mitochondria and red blood cells (RBC) induced by oxygen radicals produced by Fe2+ cysteine system were investigated. The mitochondria lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde, MDA) was significantly inhibited by TFL with a dose-response relation between the concentrations of 0.025 and 2.0 mg/ml, and the fluidity of mitochondria membrane was also protected effectively. It was observed by scan electron microscope, that the shape of RBC in the Fe2+ system was damaged significantly. The shape of RBC was remained with the addition of TFL.

Arsenic exposure of residents in areas near Shimen arsenic mine

Abstract: OBJECTIVES To investigate the levels of arsenic exposure of residents in the arsenic polluted areas near an arsenic mine. METHODS To analyse the arsenic levels in environmental samples and hair in the polluted areas and a control area. RESULTS In three villages of the polluted areas, arsenic levels in soil were 84.17 to 296.19 mg/kg, in river water 0.5 to 14.5 mg/L, in well water and tap water lower than 0.05 mg/L, in rice 0.196 to 0.620 mg/kg. Arsenic intake amounted 195 to 1129 micrograms/day. In the hair, the arsenic contents were from 0.972 to 2.459 micrograms/g, increasing with aging. CONCLUSION In the areas near Shimen arsenic mine, arsenic pollution was serious. The levels of arsenic exposure of residents were equal to or even over that of the severe cases of chronic arsenic poisoning reported domestically and abroad.

Effect of food composition of mixed food on glycemic index

Abstract: UNLABELLED In order to study the effect of protein, fat and dietary fiber on glycemic index(GI) of mixed food, the response of blood glucose and plasma insulin to nine diets with different components of food were tested by using glucose oxidase and radioimmunoassay. Glycemic index of 9 mixed foods show as follows, rice: 83.2 +/- 3.1, rice + stir fry pork: 72.0 +/- 14.0, rice + stir fry pork and celery: 57.1 +/- 11.2, rice + stir fry garlic sprout: 57.9 +/- 7.8, rice + stir fry garlic sprout and eggs: 62.8 +/- 16.7, steamed bread: 80.1 +/- 22.5, steamed bread + butter: 68.0 +/- 16.3, and steamed bread + beef: 49.4 +/- 22.8. Protein(P, beta 1 = -0.696, P < 0.01) and dietary fiber(Fi, beta 2 = -7.364, P < 0.01) can reduce the blood glucose response and were significantly related to GI. Fat also can inhibit the increment of blood glucose, but there is no significant relation with GI. When the co-ingestion of protein with carbohydrate, the serum insulin response increased greatly and the glycemic response reduced. The addition of fat can reduce the glycemic response without change in serum insulin. Dietary fiber can reduce the serum insulin response and inhibit the glycemic response. CONCLUSION Protein and dietary fiber of mixed food could markedly affect the glycemic index of foods and reduced the blood glucose response.

[Effect of fluoride-arsenic exposure on the neurobehavioral development of rats offspring].

Abstract: In order to explain the effects of fluoride-arsenic exposure on the neurobehavioral development of rats, a two generations-one nest reproductive test was used. Wistar rats were exposed to fluoride and arsenic for two generations. The results demonstrated that: with the increasing concentrations of fluoride and arsenic, the positive rates of early physiological development and nerve reflex were decreased obviously, and the abilities of learning and memory of the offspring were decreased, the swimming and enduring anoxia time gradually shortened. The pathological changes of brain under electron microscope were as follows: decreased number of nerve cells, irregular cell nucleus, organellae degeneration, and obvious decreased number of synapses. It was demonstrated that fluoride-arsenic displayed distinct damage on the nerve system of the offspring.

Effects of aluminum on the number of neurons granulovacuolar degeneration in rats

Abstract: Effect of aluminum on neurobehavior and the number of neurons in different domains of brain as well as granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD) in hippocampus were observed in Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection with aluminum chloride for 60d. The injection of aluminum at the dosage of 4.0 or 10.0 mg/kg could decrease active avoidance response and spontaneous motor activity in the shuttle-box test and the open field test significantly. Sections from cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus were detected with microscope after HE staining. Aluminum(10.0 mg/kg) could result in the decrease of neurons in cerebrum, Pukinje cells in cerebellum and pyramidal neurons in hippocampus. GVD of nerve cells in hippocampus were observed in each group, while the dosages of Al injected was 4.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, the number of GVD cells increased significantly. The incidence of GVD per 300 nerve cells was significantly related to the dosage of aluminum.

The effect of riboflavin on lipid peroxidation in rats

Abstract: In order to study the effect of riboflavin on lipid peroxidation in rats, randomized block design was used to study the effect of different riboflavin levels on the riboflavin status and lipid peroxidation of S.D. rats. The rats fed with riboflavin deficient diets for 6 weeks had higher levels of BGRAC, blood malondialdehyde and lower levels of GSH than those with riboflavin sufficient diets. The RBC SOD activity is also reduced in riboflavin deficiency rats. It is concluded that riboflavin deficiency increases the extent of lipid peroxidation.

[Relationship between homocysteine-induced apoptosis and teratogenesis in developing avian embryo].

Abstract: It has been hypothesized that homocysteine(HCY) can induce apoptosis at the organogenesis-stage of chick embryos and which can be the relationship between HCY and congenital defects of neural tube and heart. Exogenous D, L-HCY (4-8 mumol/embryo) was injected into the place near brain and the yolk of the day 4 embryos. Then they were harvested 2 days later and examined by flow cytometry, histopathology, electronic microscope, in situ end labeling of DNA strand break and methylgreen-pyronine double staining. The change of plasma HCY level of day 10 embryos was also inspected by HPLC analysis. The HCY injected at different position of embryos could result in heart and neural tube defects, which included ectopia cardis, hydropericardium, endocardial cushion defect, encephalocele, microcephaly, abnormal flexions and so on. HCY could apparently disturb embryonic cell cycle, suppress the synthesis of DNA and RNA of embryonic cells. Excessive apoptotic cells in brain and heart were observed in HCY\|treatment groups. It was discovered that mitochondrial damage could be described as an early event in cellular apoptosis of chick embryos. After 8 mumol of HCY was placed on the inner shell membrance, there was an obvious increase of plasma HCY concentration with a peak value of 80.58 mumol/L in 120 min, and followed by declining. On the other hand, 5 micrograms of folic acid given simultaneously with HCY could sharply curtail the rise in plasma HCY. It is concluded that HCY is a cytotoxin, inducing over apoptosis of embryos in some areas, which is coincident with the pathologic changes of neural system and heart. These findings show that there is a close relationship among HCY, apoptosis and birth defect in developing chick embryos. Mitochondrial dysmorphosis may be an important early event of apoptosis in embryos after exposure to HCY.

Study on the incidence of lactose intolerance of children in China

Abstract: 1168 healthy children of 3-13 years old were selected as subjects from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Haerbin. Total subjects were challenged by 25 gram lactose test. The breath hydrogen was determined, the symptoms of lactose intolerance were recorded. The results showed that the incidences of lactase deficiency of children of 3-5, 7-8 and 11-13 years old were 38.5%, 87.6% and 87.8% respectively. The incidences of lactose intolerance were 12.3%, 33.2% and 30.5% respectively. Lactase activity decreasing of Chinese children occurred at the age of 7-8 years old, and the symptom of lactose intolerance depended on lactose dose. But, there still are 39%-41.7% children with lactose maldigestion and 14%-16% children with intolerance symptom, after taking 50 gram milk powder (12 g lactose). The relationship between lactase activity and milk intake was not found.

Inhibitory effects of tea polyphenols and tea pigments on liver precancerous lesions in rats

Abstract: A liver precancerous model in rats was established with diethylnitorsamine(DEN) injected intraperitoneally as initiator and promoted by partial hepatectomy and injection of CCl4. The model was used to study the chemopreventive effect of tea polyphenols and tea pigments. A water solution of 0.1% tea polyphenols or tea pigments was given to Wistar rats as drinking water during the 56-day experiment period. A stable and sensitive early marker of liver cancer--GST-Pi positive foci or nodule was measured by a immunohistochemical method. Both tea polyphenols and tea pigments decreased the density and area of the GST-Pi foci. The expression of GST-Pi mRNA in chemical induced precancerous liver tissue was measured by Northern Blotting technique, and the expression of GST-Pi isoenzyme in liver tissue was detected by Western Blotting method. The results showed that both tea polyphenols and tea pigments effectively reduced the GST-Pi expression at both transcription and translation level. It is concluded that the inhibition of tea polyphenols and tea pigments on GST-Pi overexpression induced by chemical carinogen may be one of the mechanisms of their inhibition on the occurrence and progression of liver precancerous lesions in rats.

[Serum glutathione S-transferase activity as an early marker of thioacetimide-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice].

Abstract: The objective of this paper was to evaluate serum glutathione S-transferasethe (GST) in thioacetimide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of TAA (25-100 mg/kg) increased serum GST activity. The activity of GST was dose- and time-related to TAA. There was a good positive correlation between serum GST and serum alanine transaminase(ALT) activities. The content of reduced glutathione(GSH) and activities of GST, glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) were significantly decreased while serum GST activity induced by TAA was high. The results suggested that the reduced hepatic antioxidative function is one of the mechanism of TAA-induced hepatotoxicity, and serum GST activity is a sensitive and early marker in detecting TAA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Study on the hepatic toxicity of cerous nitrate in rats

Abstract: Rats were injected with a single dose of cerous nitrate Ce (NO3)3 (150 mg/kg) intra-peritoneally and killed at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours later. The results showed that the concentrations of protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver increased, but the concentration of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione sulfatransferase (GSH-ST) decreased after Ce3+ administration. The results suggest that lipid peroxidation in liver may be an early consequence of Ce3+ exposure and the decrease of GSH might be considered as the cause of lipid peroxidation.

Changes of neurobehavioral functions in workers exposed to manganese

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the neurotoxic effects associated with the level of airborne manganese in the work place. A cumulative exposure index(CEI) was calculated for each subject. The neurobehavioral test battery, in terms of choosing reaction time, finger tapping, digit symbol, stylus in hole, Benton visual retention and Santa Ana dexterity was applied in the study. The manganese exposed workers had slower motor and response speed, poorer visuomotor coordination and steadiness. There was a dose-response relationship tendency between the cumulative exposure index and the behavioral function. Hence the neurobehavioral test may be a sensitive method in detecting early changes in motor and cognitive function among manganese-exposed workers. The study also demonstrates that the cumulative exposure of manganese about 1 mg/m3 per year may induce subclinical signs of intoxication.

Effect of deoxynivalenol and aflatoxin G1 on apoptosis of human blood lymphocytes in vitro

Abstract: Effect of deoxynivalenol (DON) and aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) on human blood lymphocytes in culture were studied with flow cytometric DNA content analyses and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. DON and AFG1 are two of the predominant mycotoxins contaminating foodstuffs or residents in a high incidence of esophageal cancer in Cixian County, Hebei province. A typical sub-diploid apoptosis peak was demonstrated in lymphocytes treated with DON and AFG1. A significant dose-effect response and time-effect correlation could be found between apoptosis rates and mycotoxin concentrations (DON: 50-2000 micrograms/L and AFG1: 3.12-2000 micrograms/L) and the treated time (DON: 2-72 hours and AFG1: 2-24 hours). The lymphocytes treated with DON and AFG1 showed characteristic 'ladder' pattern in agarose gel electrophoresis. All results confirmed that DON and AFG1 could induce and accelerate apoptosis in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

[Glutathione S-transferase GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes and susceptibility to lung cancer].

Abstract: A 1:1 matched population-based case-control study was conducted in Xuanwei City, Yunnan Province, where the lung cancer mortality is among China's highest. In this study there were 86 newly diagnosed lung cancer cases and 86 matched control subjects with the same sex, fuel type used, and age(+/- 2 years). Buccal cells were collected from each subject to determine the genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1. It was found that the rate of GSTM1 null genotype was higher in the case group than in the control group, and its odds ratio was 2.39(95% CI: 1.25-4.56). The odds ratio became 2.62(95% CI: 1.33-5.15) when other possible confounding factors such as smoking, COPD, and the lifetime exposure to unvented fuel combustion (tons) were adjusted. No association was found between GSTT1 null genotype and lung cancer. The rate of GSTM1 null genotype in Xuanwei City was found to be similar to those of other Chinese populations.

Dietary intake of some micronutrients in different provinces of China

Abstract: Based on the data collected in 1992 China National Nutrition Survey, which covered 100,201 persons of all ages in 29 provinces, the dietary intakes of some micronutrients were calculated. The intake of calcium, retinal equivalent and riboflavin were the most insufficient nutrients; zinc, selenium and thiamin were close to (80%-90%) of Chinese RDAs. The intakes of niacin, ascorbic acid and vitamin E were sufficient. The regions in the northeast, northwestern and the southeastern inland were more at risk of nutrition deficiency. Dietary intervention or food fortification with some micronutrients could be used for improving the situation.

Changes in the pulmonary function of factory workers exposure to terephthalic acid

Abstract: The pulmonary function was examined in 140 workers exposed to terephthalic acid(TPA) and 70 controls in the same residence area as non-exposure workers. The exposed workers exhibited significant decrease in MVV, PEFR, V75, PEFR/H and V75/H(P < 0.05) in comparison with the controls. The decrease was found to be associated with increased TPA concentration by multiple regression analysis. The results of life table method analysis suggested that there was an exposure level-response relationship between accumulative TAP dust exposure and lower FEV1. According to the results reported here, an exposure limit for TPA dust was proposed to be 4.30 mg/m3.

Preliminary investigation on reservoir hosts of Borrelia burgdorferi in China

Abstract: From 1987 to 1997, the reservoir hosts of Borrelia burdorferi(B.b.) were investigated in 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China. Seroepidemiological findings indicated that cattle, sheep, dogs and rats from forest areas had a high antibody titer for B.b. (B31) with positive rates of 18.18%-32.61%, 17.12%-61.21%, 38.50-60.00% and 41.18%-86.05% respectively. Using BSK medium, 20 strains of B.b. were isolated from Apodemus agrarius, Clethrionomys rufocanus, Eutamias sibiricus, Rattus coxingi, Rattus norvegicus, Rattus edwardsi, Rattus confucianus, Rattus fulvescens and Caprolagus sinensis. These spirochetal strains were identified as B.b. by indirect immunofluorescence assay using species and genus specific monoclonal antibodies. Vertical transmission of B.b. was confirmed with B.b. isolated from foetuses of Apodemus agrarius and Rattus edwardsi. The results showed that lyme disease spirochetes, B.b., might be naturally maintained in an enzootic cycle by transplacental transmission. Apodemus agrarius and Clethrionomys rufocanus might serve as major reservoir hosts for B.b. in China.

Inhibitory effect of conjugated linoleic acid on human gastric carcinoma cell line

Abstract: The effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on human gastric carcinoma cell line (SGC-7901) were studied in cell culture. The four levels of CLA in medium were designed as 25, 50, 100 and 200 mumol/L, and the dissolvent control being ethane. The result displayed that CLA could inhibit the cell proliferation, cellular mitosis, cell clone formation and DNA synthesis and induce cellular differentiation of SGC-7901 cells.

Effects of pyrethroids on the glutamate uptake system in synaptic vesicle of rats

Abstract: In order to study the effects of cypermethrin and permethrin insecticides on the glutamate uptake of rat brain, brain synaptic vesicles and cypermethrin or permethrin were incubated with 3H-glutamate (37 KBq, 1 mumol/L). The radio activity was detected by a liquid scintillation counter. The results showed that cypermethrin and permethrin in the concentration of 10(-9)-10(-4) mol/L could inhibit the high affinity uptake of glutamate in the synaptosomes of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum in a dose-response manner. Cypermethrin was more powerful than permethrin at the same dose. It was concluded that glutamate uptake inhibition might play a vital role in the neurotoxicity induced by pyrethroid insecticides.

Distribution of lead in fetal rat tissue at different days of pregnancy

Abstract: In order to reveal the mechanism of the transplacental transfer of lead from mothers to fetus, tissues lead content of fetal rat at different days of pregnancy were determined and compared. Lead was administered to four groups of 4 week-old female Wistar rats for 50 days. The doses of lead were 0, 10, 50 and 200 mg/L in drinking water respectively. Rats were mated with non-lead-treated male rats. The pregnant rats in each group were then divided into four sub-groups by random. The pregnant rats in four sub-group of each group were sacrificed in turn at 10, 14, 17 and 20 days of gestation (dg). Blood lead of pregnant rats, lead burden of whole fetus, lead concentration of fetal brain, fetal liver and placenta were determined. Results indicated that lead concentration in fetal brain kept unchanged during the period of gestation, but lead content in whole fetus and fetal brain were increased with the days of gestation. But the lead concentration in fetus at 10 dg was higher than that at 14 dg. It seemed that higher lead absorption by the fetus was related to the newly emerged lead bonding-site in fetus, especially during the calcification of bones.

Experimental studies on the cancer chemoprevention of tea pigments

Abstract: A batch of short-term tests were used to examine the effects of tea pigments on three stages of carcinogenesis, i.e. initiation, promotion and progression. Forward gene mutation test and micronuclei test were used to study the initiation stage of carcinogenesis; metabolic cooperation test and mice ear test to study the promotion stage. Viability and growth ability of Hela cells in soft agar and S180 solid tumor test in mice were used to examine the effect of tea pigments on the third stage of carcinogenesis. The results showed that both tea pigments and tea polyphenols had significantly protective effects on initiation, promotion and progression stages in carcinogenesis. In vitro study showed that tea pigments and tea polyphenols could induce QR and GST activity in Hep G2 cells. Oral administration of 0.1% tea polyphenols and 0.1% tea pigments could increase GST activity in rat liver by 25% and 18% respectively, and this increase was accompanied by the significant increase of GST 1-1, 1-2 and 3-3 protein expression level in rat liver. Our results suggested that the anticancer effect of tea pigments was the same as that of tea polyphenols, and the anticancer properties of tea pigments might be mediated by activating the enzymes such as QR and GST, which play important roles in the detoxification and exclusion of carcinogen.

Effect of energy intake at breakfast on school performance

Abstract: In order to examine the effect of energy intake at breakfast on school performance, 151 grade three school children from four classes of two schools were sampled for this study. Children were randomly assigned to breakfast A or B on any given day. They were provided with breakfast with either high or low energy content at school over a period of 5 successive days. The remained foods were collected and weighed. Performance tests including addition, multiplication, number checking, logic, creativity, physical endurance, visual-analogue scales were applied at the third or fourth period of courses in the morning on Tuesday through Friday during the experimental week. The teachers involved in the study were blind to the kind of treatment. No significant effect of energy intake at breakfast on these performance indicators was found in this study.

[Effect of methyl tertiary butyl ether on the expression of proto-oncogenes and function genes].

Abstract: Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a new gasoline additive, which is used to increase the combustion of gasoline and to reduce the emission of harmful exhaust from automobile. The mechanism for the carcinogenesis of MTBE in animals is not clear. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the effect of MTBE on the expression of c-myc and p21 proteins in NIH3T3 cells. Dot hybridization method was used to explore the expression of c-myc gene and GST-P(glutathione S-transferase-P) gene in the of MTBE treated rats. The results showed that MTBE could enhance the expression of c-myc protein, but had no effect on p21 protein. MTBE could induce high expression of c-myc gene, and had no effect on the expression of GST-P gene. These results suggest that the high expression of c-myc gene induced by MTBE might be one of the mechanisms of its carcinogenicity in animal.

Effect of cerous nitrate on the activity of ATPase in tissues

Abstract: The effect of cerous nitrate on the activity of some ion-dependent ATPase such as Ca(2+)-ATPase, K+, Na(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase was studied in vivo. The results showed that Ca(2+)-ATPase, K+, Na(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was increased in rat liver, kidney and heart after recurrent intraperitoneal administration of low dose of cerous nitrate(1 mg/kg), but no changes happened for these enzymes activity after high cerous nitrate administration(50 mg/kg). The mechanism of the phenomena was discussed.

Lipid peroxide damage in retinal ganglion cells induced by microwave

Abstract: The determination of lipid peroxide damage in the primary cultured pig retinal ganglion cells induced by microwave can provide some experience on the effect of microwave and the protection from its damage Retinal ganglion cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to different intensities or time of microwave, and cultured for another 48 hours The content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected Results showed that the content of MDA was increased and SOD decreased after radiation After 48 hours in culture, the content of MDA recovered, and SOD increased It is concluded that microwave induced the lipid peroxide damage in primary cultured retinal ganglion cells These damages were recoverable in certain range of intensity or time

[Study on the existence, distribution and bioaccumulation of chlorophenols in crucian carps].

Abstract: Four representative chlorophenols (CPs) and their conjugates in fish tissues were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detector(GC-ECD). Crucian carps were exposed to water contaminated with CPs or not contaminated water separately at room temperature(22 +/- 5 C) for 96 h. If the contaminated water samples are continuously replaced at 24 h interval, the concentration of CPs can be maintained constant throughout the experiment. The presence of fish will not have influence on the concentration of CPs. The experiment results showed that both free and conjugated CPs existed in fish tissues. The total amount of these chlorophenols in fish tissues is bile > liver and kidney > muscle. The proportion of conjugated CPs increases with the number of chlorine atoms in each compound, nevertheless, the proportion of conjugated CPs in PCP is less than that of TCP. Conjugated CPs in bile are composed of glucuronide and sulfate ester conjugates, and glucuronide conjugate is over 93%. The bio-accumulation of CPs in fish tissues is expressed by bio-concentration factors (BCF). The BCF abstained from free CPs and their sulfate ester conjugate in bile has no correlation with the partition coefficient of 1-octanol/water system(Kow). On the other hand, a good correlation is observed between BCF and Kow abstained from glucuronide conjugate and total amount of CPs(r > 0.96). The bioconcentration factors(BCF) of CPs in bile are 2.0 x 10(3)-6.3 x 10(3).

Genotoxicity and lipid peroxidation caused by organic extracts of chlorinated drinking water in rats and HepG2 cells

Abstract: The genotoxic effects of chlorinated drinking water(CDW) extracts were examined in human HepG2 hepatoma cells, liver cells and polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) of bone marrow of Wistar rats by using in vivo and in vitro micronucleus(MN) test and single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The influence of CDW on the lipidperoxidation (LPO) in blood and tissue of rats was also studied. The results indicated a significant increase of the frequencies of MN in PCEs at the low concentration of CDW and in HepG2 at the high concentration of CDW. The increased DNA breakage caused by CDW was observed in rat liver cells and in HepG2 cells by using comet assay. The levels of malon dialdehyde(MDA) were significantly increased almost in all animals and in all organs tested. A dose-dependent increases of MDA were observed in rat liver. It was demonstrated that CDW extracts caused genotoxic and oxidative damage on animals.

Effect of aluminium on meiotic maturation of mouse oocyte in vitro

Abstract: The effect of aluminium nitrate on the meiotic maturation of mouse oocyte was studied in the culture of mouse oocyte. The results showed that aluminium nitrate could inhibit the extruding of the first polar body and the dose of 30 mg/L and 60 mg/L could affect the viability of mouse oocyte, but little impact on the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of oocyte. The results indicated that aluminium nitrate might be hazardous to the meiotic maturation of mouse oocyte.

Effects of alcohol and metabolite acetaldehyde on the proliferation of astroglial cells of fetal brain

Abstract: To explore the mechanism of the retardation and abnormality of nerve system development induced by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, 3H-TdR incorporation was used to study the proliferation of astroglial cells of fetal brain induced by alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde in vitro. The results showed that alcohol and acetaldehyde obviously restrain the proliferation of astrocytes. The effect of restrain induced by acetaldehyde is stronger than that by alcohol. Nerve system development retardation and abnormality resulted from alcohol is likely to be the restrain of proliferation induced by alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde.