الفهرس 
AcknowledgementOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Arsenic is a standout amongst the most lethal metals derived from the natural environment. The major reason for human arsenic toxicity is tainting of drinking water. Arsenic trioxide is an inorganic arsenic that is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a known human carcinogen.
The current study aimed to illustrate of the adverse histological, developmental, morphological and biochemical effects of arsenic trioxide on mice postnatal infants using doses that are extremely lower than the estimated LD50. Also to explore the potential protective effect of graviola extract as a protectant against arsenic toxicity.
Female mice (CD1) were divided into 10 groups: control group, negative control group treated with arsenic trioxide solvent (HCL), three experimental groups treated with daily oral doses (0.3, 0.7 and 1 mg/kg/b.w.) of arsenic trioxide, Graviola group treated with (10 mg/kg/b.w.), negative control group treated with graviola solvent (DMSO), three experimental groups treated with the daily oral doses of arsenic trioxide alongside with graviola before pregnancy as a protectant. Specimens were morphologically examined at 21st day of postnatal development. The specimens were weighed and morphometric measurements were carried out for some parameters including crown-rump, ear, head length, head circumference, head height, fore limb, the lengths of all parts of hind limb and tail. Skeletal abnormalities were investigated in some other specimens. The histological investigations were recorded in liver, kidney of early and late stages of development. The pregnancy and birth rate per mother were recorded. Biochemical investigations were carried out at different stages.
The results of the current study can be summarized as follows:
1-Decrease in pregnancy rate and birth rate per mother in arsenic trioxide treated groups compared to control. There was a slight increase in these rates in groups treated with graviola.
2-There is decrease in body weight and crown rump length in the arsenic high dose treated group and decrease in head circumference, thigh and an increase in foot length of all treated groups.
3-An increase in tail measurements with the lowest dose, while the higher doses showed decrease.
4-Infants exhibited some morphological malformations such as growth retardation, curved tail, loss of hair deformed eyes and teeth in some groups.
5-Skeletal investigations showed poor ossification and deformation in the treated groups compared to control.
6-Some histopathological changes in liver and kidney during postnatal stages of development were recorded.
7-Biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, GST, NO, SOD and LPO levels of the different stages of development showed some changes in the treated groups compared to control.
8-The present study demonstrated that arsenic trioxide caused developmental, morphological, and histological and biochemical changes to mice embryos and postnatal infants. 9-The exposure of mice embryo to graviola leaf and stem extract at low dose before and during pregnancy didn’t completely protect embryos from arsenic trioxide toxicity.
10-The present study showed that the very low doses of arsenic trioxide caused severe malformations to the mice embryos and postnatal infants which is recommended to be considered during pregnancy and human concerns in water consumption.
11-Also graviola supplements may not be safe for pregnant women, the capsular supplement usage must be under medical control.
12-It is recommended to reduce the permitted levels of arsenic exposure to avoid congenital anomalies. Also usage of herbal medicine must be under strict control for better health and better achievement of the Egyptian vision of 2030.