BACKGROUND: Ichthyophthiriasis induced by a freshwater teleost pathogen “Ichthyophthirius multifiliis” is one of the most important parasitic diseases with substantial economic losses to the aquaculture industry. Although malachite green, copper sulphate, formalin, and chloramine-T have been used to treat ichthyophthiriasis, there are  no chemicals that can be used safely and effectively to control this parasitic disease. As a result, application of natural, safe and strong components to prevent ichthyophthiriasis is of great importance. Objective: The aim of the present research is to determine the short-term effectiveness of tannic acid (TA) on the parasite theronts of I. multifiliis. Methods: In this study, TA as a main phenolic acid at different concentrations (0.0-7.0 mg/L) was applied to determine its acute toxicity against I. multifiliis theronts in various exposure times (1-3 h). The results were also statistically compared to the findings obtained from the control treatment and the positive control sample (15mg/L  formalin). Results: There was a significant and direct correlation between TA concentration and exposure time in order to enhance the mortality rate of I. multifiliis theronts. An increase in levels of TA and exposure time in the studied ranges can significantly intensify the mortality number (P<0.05). The used natural phenolic constituent similar to 15 mg/L formalin led to a significant reduction in number of these theronts (> 80%) at 60 min. Conclusions: Use of a standard phenolic agent such as TA at higher concentration and longer exposure time can potentially decrease the number of I. multifiliis theronts and control ichthyophthiriasis.

BACKGROUND: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are used in many commercial products, including paints, sunscreens and edible products, and can be used directly and indirectly in aquaculture. Due to the widespread application of these nanoparticles, the investigation of their possible effects on aquatic organisms is necessary. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the histopathological effects of waterborne TiO2NPs on the gills, liver and intestine of Caspian trout. METHODS: In this study, 126 fish (27.46±4.3 g) were tested in six concentrations of TiO2NPs (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L) for 4 days. At the end of the experiment, tissues were evaluated to determine the effects of tissue damage caused by TiO2NPs. RESULTS: The 96-h exposure to TiO2NPs did not cause fish mortality. Accordingly, investigated TiO2NPs are classified as "relatively non-toxic". The most important tissue changes caused by short-term exposure to TiO2NPs were hyperplasia and hypertrophy, lamellar fusion, necrosis in gills; foci of melanomacrophage deposits, aggregation of blood cell, hepatocytes with pycnotic nuclei, vacuolation, necrosis in liver; thickening of lamina propria, erosion of villi and necrosis in intestine. CONCLUSIONS: Although TiO2NPs are relatively non-toxic,  due to the tissue damage observed, these nanoparticles can be harmful to Caspian trout.

Recombinant bovine interferon alpha (rBoIFN-α) has been demonstrated to have antiviral activity. However, no conduct of acute or chronic toxicity tests has been reported. Specific pathogen-free Sprague Dawley rats were administered doses at different concentrations through intraperitoneal or intravenous injection. After the administration (single for an acute toxicity test over 14 days or daily for a sub-chronic toxicity test over 30 days), the rats’ behaviour and other indicators and the degree of toxic reaction were continuously monitored. Blood was collected for haematological and serum biochemical examinations. At the end of the experiments, the rats were sacrificed for necropsy and histopathological tissue analysis. The external performance, behaviour characteristics, and changes in body temperature and body weight of the rats in each subgroup were comparable to the normal control subgroup. Except for a few cases, there were no lesions in the viscera’s pathological structures, and the blood parameters and biochemical indicators were not noticeably different from those of the control subgroup. This study suggests that rBoIFN-α seems to be safe for rats, and its use may foster the development of the cattle industry in China by protecting livestock health.

Recombinant bovine interferon alpha (rBoIFN-α) has been demonstrated to have antiviral activity. However, no conduct of acute or chronic toxicity tests has been reported.

The pathogenicity and acute toxicity of Lactobacillus (L.) pentosus PL11 from eel (Anguilla japonica) were investigated using male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. The pathogenicity of L. pentosus PL11 was examined after treating the rats with 10∨11 CFU/mL, 10∨9 CFU/mL or 10∨7 CFU/mL doses of L. pentosus PL11 culture or 0.85% NaCl (Control) intragastrically. For acute toxicity studies, rats were treated with dried culture broth of L. pentosus PL11 at doses of 5,000 mg/mL, 2,500 mg/mL, 1,250 mg/mL or 625 mg/mL or Lactobacilli MRS broth (Control), and clinical signs or mortalities were monitored for two weeks. The results of the present investigation revealed no mortalities or obvious clinical signs in rats administered with the live bacterial cultures or dried culture broth at any investigated dose level. Also, no significant differences were observed in net body weight gain, gross pathological findings, feed and water consumption and body temperature among the different treatment groups and between the treated and control rats. It can be concluded from the above findings that L. pentosus PL11 is a safe probiotic strain with potential as feed additive to increase the feed efficiency or health of fish.

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of CKD-602 by a single intravenous dose in Beagle dogs. The test chemical was administered intravenously to male and female Beagle dogs at dose levels of 0.3, 0.5, or 2.5 mg/kg. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period following the administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. All males and females of the 2.5 mg/kg dose group were found dead between the fourth and seventh day after the injection.

Studying of toxicity of enterosorbent produced the basis of mixture of filtering pulvis of perlite, kizelgur and activated carbon was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus by the example of healthy white mice of both sexes with body weight of 18-25 grams. Animals were divided in three groups. The tested substance was entered insitu to ventricle on an empty stomach after 12-hours of absolute diet. The first group animals were administrated the enterosorbent in doze of 5 g/1 kg, the second group animals - 2,5 g/1 kg. Glucose content increased from 3,8 +/- 0,47 to 4,3 +/- 0,17 mmol/l on the 30-th experimental day and decreased on 8,2 % on the 60-th experimental day. Cholesterin and triglyceride content lowered on 9,5 % and 11,1 %,respectively. Enzymes concentration of aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase decreased from 120,0 +/- 3,87 up to 117,0 +/- 2,58 units/l and from 396,3 +/- 3,78 to 345,3 +/- 2,97 units/l, respectively. Urea increased from 3,7 +/- 0,16 to 3,9 +/- 0,17 mmol/l on the 30-th experimental day. Research results showed that mixture of filtering pulvis after the single oral administration in dose of 2,5-5 g/1 kg did not cause mice death. The analyzed mixture could be referred to the class of low-toxic substances. The mixture did not have irritation action and did not render chronic toxic action on the experimental mice

Investigation of acute sub-acute toxicity of preparative forms (herbal infusion, tincture liquid extract and pulvis) of marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) by the example of laboratory animals was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. White mice of both sexes with body weight of 18-20 g and white rats with body weight of 180-200 g were used in the experiment. Experimental preparations were administrated on empty stomach after 12 hours of absolute diet. The animals were supervised in course of 14 days. All changes in behavior were registered. Calculations of parameters of acute and average toxicity of all analyzed forms were presented. Research results showed that all analyzed preparative forms could be referred to the substances hazard category 4 (low-hazardous substances) with lethal dose 50 more than 5000 mg/kg of live weight. It was determined that the analyzed preparative forms proved to be highly effective against strongylatosis (Strongylata) of gastro-intestinal tract of sheep and calves

Results of studies of acute and chronic toxicity of control samples of long acting boluses on the basis of fenbendazole for the treatment of strongylatosis (Strongylata) of gastro-intestinal tract of cattle realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus were presented. White rats and mice were used for studying of acute and chronic toxicity of the prolonged anthelmintic. The preparation was tested in doses of 400; 800; 1200; 1600; and 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Prolonged anthelmintic was administrated introgastrally in the form of suspension. Preparation was reduced to fragments before application. White rats with body weight of 80-100 g were divided in three groups and were used for testing. Bolus of prolonged activity was reduced to fragments and mixed with feed before application. Rats ate the preparation during 30 day in dozes of 250 mg/kg, 375 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg. Study of acute toxicity of preparation established that LD0 for white mice was 400 mg/kg; LD16 - 620 mg/kg; LD50 - 1080 (1062,7 / 1097, 3) mg/kg; LD84 - 1660, LD100 - 200 mg/kg. Signs of animal toxicosis were revealed in shakiness, depression, whiteness of visually accessible mucous coat, cramps. Catarrhal-haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and numerous effusions of blood on mucous coat of digestive tract were established at postmortem examination. There were no morphological changes in tissues of lungs, heart, liver and nephros. Eating of prolonged anthelmintic with feed during 30 days did not render toxicological influence on rats. There were no signs of intoxication, physiological deviations and no animal death. Research results showed that the analyzed prolonged anthelmintic could be referred the substance hazard category 3