Hmed Ben Nasr

Publications (5) View all

• Article: Nephrotoxic effect of tetradifon in rats: a biochemical and histomorphometric study.

  Riadh Badraoui, Hmed Ben Nasr, Rim Louati, Feriel Ellouze, Tarek Rebai
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  ABSTRACT: The effects of subchronic exposure to tetradifon on biochemical related kidney toxicological parameters [creatinine (CRT), urea, and uric acid (UA)] were examined. Oxidative stress in kidney tissue was also assessed by measuring vitamin C (VitC) content and antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)]. Tetradifon was administered orally to 12 rats at a cumulative dose of 24.3 mg/kg for 12 weeks. Twelve additional rats, no treated, have served as control. Control and treated animals were sacrificed after 6 or 12 weeks. For each group, kidneys were examined for morphometric changes. Results showed that tetradifon induced significant increases in CRT and urea, and decrease in UA. Morphometrically, while mean glomerular volume decreased percentage of sclerosed glomeruli increased in treated rats. Index of interstitial fibrosis was significantly higher. Moreover, renal antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GPx) activities and VitC content decreased. We concluded that tetradifon possessed nephrotoxic by promoting kidney morphometric and functional damage and depleting renal antioxidant defense system in rats.
  Experimental and toxicologic pathology: official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie 01/2011; 64(6):645-50. · 1.43 Impact Factor
• Article: Endocrine disruption and ovarian morphometric responses in rats following exposure to tetradifon.

  Riadh Badraoui, Nouha B Abdelmoula, Nozha Feki, Hmed Ben Nasr, Tarek Rebai
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  ABSTRACT: We have investigated whether exposure to tetradifon causes ovary injuries, disrupts folliculogenesis in rat and whether ovary hormones (estrogen and progesterone) to be affected by this endocrine-active agent. Female rats were exposed orally to a dose of 28.9 mg/kg/day for 6 or 12 weeks. After sacrifice, ovary glands were examined for morphometric changes. The serums were used to determine levels of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. Results showed no sign of toxicity. However, tetradifon promoted a significant increase in the percentage of atretic follicles in the 12-weeks treated rats. Number and the diameter of mature follicles (tertiary and preovulatory) were markedly diminished together with a reduction of the relative weight of ovaries. Compared with controls, the treated rats exhibited significant reduction in serum 17beta-estradiol and progesterone levels. These results suggest an endocrine disruption by tetradifon which may interfere with ovarian follicles development in rat.
  General and Comparative Endocrinology 09/2009; 166(2):268-72. · 3.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Clinical pathology alterations in pregnant and non-pregnant rats following scorpion envenomation.

  Hmed Ben Nasr, Brad Bolon, Serria Turky Hammami, Zouhier Sahnoun, Kamel Jamoussi, Amina Lahyani, Khaled Mounir Zeghal
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  ABSTRACT: Scorpion envenomation is a growing problem in many countries, especially among women and children. Existing diagnostic criteria are not sufficiently specific to allow antivenin administration in the absence of a confirmed scorpion sting. This study was performed to evaluate conventional haematological and serum chemical measurements as potential indices of scorpion envenomation. Adult, cycling nulliparous and near-term primiparous, white Wistar rats received a single subcutaneous injection of crude venom (600 µg/kg) from the Buthidae scorpion (Buthus occitanus tunetanus). All envenomed rats were observed for external signs and symptoms of toxicity until necropsy, which entailed terminal blood collection at either 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 hr after venom administration (n = 6 per reproductive state per time-point) for evaluation of selected clinical chemistry and haematological analytes. Control cohorts (matched for age and reproductive state) received saline injections subcutaneously and were necropsied at 0.5 hr. Almost all envenomed rats but no control animals displayed physical symptoms of intoxication, including agitation, mastication with hypersalivation, and/or vocalizing. Reproducible alterations in clinical pathology parameters were lacking in venom-treated rats regardless of reproductive status, although modest but significant Rho correlations suggested that mild haemoconcentration, haemolysis, renal function deficits and possibly coagulation difficulties developed over time.
  Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology 09/2009; 105(4):228-35. · 2.18 Impact Factor
• Article: Some biological effects of scorpion envenomation in late pregnant rats.

  Hmed Ben Nasr, Hammami Serria, Selma Chaker, Badraoui Riadh, Sahnoun Zouheir, Jamoussi Kamel, Rebai Tarek, Zeghal Khaled
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  ABSTRACT: Scorpion envenoming is less studied during gestation; however, it may induce various biological disturbances in maternal organism and hypothetical ones on their fetuses. The scope of this report was to elucidate some biological effects of such poisoning in late pregnant rats. Hence, TBARS levels in maternal lung, placental and fetal pulmonary and hepatic tissues and dam's biochemical blood parameters (glucose, creatinine, 17-beta estradiol, progesterone, blood nitrogen urea, sodium and potassium maternal plasma concentrations) had been evaluated after saline (G1), and scorpion venom (G2: 30 min and G3: 60 min) injections in 22nd day pregnant rats. Histological microscopic examination of these tissues was also carried out in HE-stained paraffin sections. In addition, the mean arterial blood pressure following the envenomation variations was measured in three rats from the same pool. Our results showed that Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom induced significant increase in maternal, placental and fetal tissues lipid peroxidation, concomitant with blood pressure elevation. Maternal plasma creatinine, estradiol and progesterone concentrations levelled up significantly after 30 min or later (60 min) after the venom injection. Except for a probable pronounced oedema and few congestions in maternal lungs and degenerative aspects of trophoblast cells, all examined tissues showed a conserved structure. These results suggest that scorpion envenomation may induce gestation process disturbances and threatens both mother's and fetus' well-being.
  Experimental and toxicologic pathology: official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie 02/2009; 61(6):573-80. · 1.43 Impact Factor
• Article: [Effects of Buthus occitanus tunetanus envenomation on an experimental murine model of gestation].

  Hmed Ben Nasr, Serria Hammami, Georges Mion, Zoheir Sahnoun, Fakher Chouaiekh, Tarek Rebaï, Mondher Kassis, Max Goyffon, Khaled Zeghal
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  ABSTRACT: Scorpion envenoming is less studied in pregnant victims. In this work, the effect of Buthus occitanus tunetanus on parturition in late pregnancy was studied in an animal model. Four groups of six primigravid female rats, each one at the 22nd day of pregnancy, were used. The first two groups had received an intra-peritoneal injection of 500 microg/kg of Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom or a physiological saline solution and left until foetal delivery. Then, the time elapsed until the first pup delivery and that separating the first and latest ones were measured. The other two groups served for the uterine electrophysiological activity exploration. Rats were anaesthetized, artificially ventilated and had received an intraperitoneal injection of 500 microg/kg of Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom or a physiological saline solution. Our results showed a significant increase of the latency to foetal delivery, labour time, and uterine contractile activity in envenomed rats compared to controls. Such signs are usually seen in dynamic dystocia. It was concluded that Buthus occitanus tunetanus envenoming might induce a dynamic dystocia, when it occurred in late pregnancy.
  Comptes Rendus Biologies 01/2008; 330(12):890-6. · 1.53 Impact Factor