Chromium (Cr) toxicity, even at low concentrations, poses a significant health threat to various environmental species. Cr is found in the environment in two oxidation states that differ in their bioavailability and toxicity. While Cr(III) is essential for glucose metabolism, the oxyanion chromate Cr(VI) is mostly of anthropogenic origin, toxic, and carcinogenic. The sources of Cr in the environment are multiple, including geochemical processes, disposal of industrial waste, and industrial wastewater. Cr pollution may consequently impact the health of numerous plant and animal species. Despite that, the number of published studies on Cr toxicity across environmental species remained mainly unchanged over the past two decades. The presence of Cr in the environment affects several plant physiological processes, including germination or photosynthesis, and consequently impacts growth, and lowers agricultural production and quality. Recent research has also reported the toxic effects of Cr in different aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Whereas some species showed sensitivity, others exhibited tolerance. Hence, this review discusses the understanding of the ecotoxicological effect of Cr on different plant and animal groups and serves as a concise source of consolidated information and a valuable reference for researchers and policymakers in an understanding of Cr toxicity. Future directions should focus on expanding research efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying species-specific responses to Cr pollution.

Toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) can lead to serious liver injury. The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effects of oregano oil (Origanum minutiflorum extract oil) against CCl4‐induced liver injury. Two doses of oregano oil were used in the experiment: a low dose (LD; 20 mg/kg) and a high dose (HD; 60 mg/kg) during 2 weeks. CCl4 caused severe liver damage, nucleolus destruction in hepatocytes and cytogenetic changes in the nucleus. Indirectly, CCl4 causes decreased protein synthesis and significantly high creatinine and urea values. Hematological disorders have been recorded, such as decreased RBC and hemoglobin concentration, increased WBC and deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. Both doses of oregano oil had protective effects. Improved protein synthesis and high globulins level, creatinine and urea were found in both groups. Cytogenetic changes in the nucleus of hepatocytes were reduced. A high dose of oregano oil had maximal protective effects for RBC, but a very weak effect on hemoglobin synthesis. Also, WBC and lymphocyte values were low. Origanum stimulates protein synthesis and recovery of hepatocytes after liver injury, reduces the deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. High doses of oregano oil decreased WBC and lymphocytes which may lead to a weakening of the immune response. However, high doses are more effective against severe platelet aggregation than low doses, suggesting an effective treatment against thrombocytosis.

An adult female hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus, was found in a city traffic zone with serious injuries, most likely from a vehicle impact. Rapid diagnostics, including X-ray imaging, were performed at the veterinarian clinic to rescue the animal. Due to multiple traumatic injuries and poor prognosis, the animal was anesthetized for blood sampling and then euthanized. Polycythaemia, platelet aggregation, rare megakaryoblasts, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, and a high red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) count were found in peripheral blood. Eosinophilia and the physiological phenomenon of emperipolesis were detected in the femur bone marrow, while the liver biopsy confirmed the extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH). It has been noted that acute hypovolemic shock results in rapid changes in haematological and biochemical parameters. Given the increased vulnerability of small mammal fauna due to expanding urbanization, this finding may significantly improve care for their welfare and conservation.

In the current study, we assessed the hematological/biochemical alterations, histopathological changes in the liver, and blood cell disorders in Wistar rats exposed to a toxic concentration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and the potential protective effect of a 30‐day oral extract of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, AM). The concentration of AM (3.38 mg/kg) obtained by quantitative purification from AM fruit showed the highest antioxidant activity (AOA) in vitro and was used for oral ingestion. In addition to high AOA, high values of total phenols (85.334 mg/g), total phenolic acid (606.95 mg/g), total flavonids (22.10 mg/g), and total anthocyanins (11.01 mg/g) were recorded in chokeberry extract. CCl4 treatment caused serious liver injury, hepatocyte and blood cell impairment. AM extract given to rats before CCl4 application had a moderate hepatoprotective effect in comparison to after CCl4 application. White blood count and leukocytes were significantly altered by CCl4, however, the protective role of AM in leukocyte disorders was not established. A high number of microcytes, stomatocytes, anisocytes, and hemolyzed erythrocytes during CCl4 exposure was reduced by AM extract. Flower erythrocytes in the AM + CCl4 group were recorded. Supplementation with chokeberry extract without CCl4 caused hyperproteinemia and hyperalbuminemia. Although the results indicate a weak protective role for AM, it is nevertheless important for improved erythropoiesis and regulation of the development of anemia. The hepatoprotective role of AM was moderate, and the immune response was not proven. Daily consumption of chokeberry extract can improve health. However, the results of our study showed that the ingestion of AM extract at this dose with the highest AOA would have more effective effects if the supplementation were significantly increased.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is known to have hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. During the two‐month CCl4 exposure of Wistar rats, propolis extract (PE) and royal jelly (RJ) were added in order to test the potential protective effect against hepato‐renal injury. Ketonuria, proteinuria, high creatinine and urea levels are the result of CCl4‐induced nephrotoxicity. Severe disorders of hematological indicators indicate anemia; high values of leukocytes indicate inflammatory condition. Cytogenetic impairments in hepatocytes, aggregation of platelets, and hypoproteinemia indicate severe liver impairment. Results suggest a more significant protective role of RJ compared to PE. Both extracts regulated proteinuria, ketonuria, hypoproteinemia and reduced platelet aggregation in the hepatic circulation. The increase in the number of erythrocytes (RBC) suggest protective effects against anemia; the decrease in the number of leukocytes can be linked to anti‐inflammatory effects. PE and RJ have a beneficial effect against hepato‐renal injury, anemia and anti‐inflammatory conditions caused by CCl4.

Sodium benzoate (SB) as an additive in various food products prevents the growth of microbes. Although SB is considered safe, many studies have reported adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dandelion extract on cell damage and hematological and biochemical disorders induced by SB in male albino rats. Different doses of SB (200 and 600 mg/kg) and ethanolic dandelion root extract (D) (40 mg/kg) were used in a 2‐week treatment of rats. Rat mortality and a higher frequency of behavioral alterations such as apathy, anxiety, and aggression have been reported at a higher dose of SB. Changes in urine pH, proteinuria, nitrituria, and bilirubinemia caused by SB were regulated by adding dandelion extract. Analysis of specific serum and urine parameters, as well as microscopic analysis of hepatocytes, showed liver and kidney failure. Anemia associated with hemolytic disorder due to erythrocyte impaired the presence of acanthocytes, and decreased values of erythrocyte blood count, hemoglobin concentration, average red blood cell size, hemoglobin amount per red blood cell, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were caused by SB treatment. As a dietary supplement, dandelion extract can be useful in the prevention of SB‐induced liver and kidney injury, and also a remedy against induced anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglycemia, and reduction of inflammatory responses.

Background/Aim. For the first time, we evaluated and presented the socio-demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients from Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods. This retrospective, single-centre study included 159 RT-PCR verified COVID-19 patients (92 mild/moderate; 67 severe/critical) consecutively hospitalized at the General Hospital "Prim. dr Abdulah Nakaš" in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data on admission were retrospectively obtained from each patient's electronic medical record and patient files by two experienced physicians. Results. 43.4% of the patients belonged to the age range of 46-65 years; 71.1% were men, and 68.6% had comorbidities; hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (100%), followed by diabetes (91.7%) and ischemic heart disease (35.8%). The leading clinical symptoms were fever (87.44%), tiredness (77.8%), and body/muscle aches (70.3%). There was significant reduction of blood oxygen saturation (p = 0.005), and significant elevation of D-dimer (p = 0.003), CRP (p = 0.044), and fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.047) in the severe/critical patients group compared to mild/moderate group. Conclusion. Older age, the male gender, confirmed comorbidities, decreased blood oxygen saturation, increased levels of CRP, D-dimer, and fasting plasma glucose, together with symptoms of chest pain/shortness of breath and/or diarrhea occurred more frequently in severe/critical than mild/moderate COVID-19 patients.

The purpose of this study was to explore possible protective effects of vitamin D3 on serum glucose concentration, body weight and histopathology of pancreas and liver. Animals were divided into 3 groups: Control group (n=6), streptozotocin (STZ) group (n=6) and streptozotocin + vitamin D3 (STZ+D3) group (n=6). Rats in the STZ+D3 group starting from the 7th day of experiment were given vitamin D3 for 14 days. Glucose levels and body weight were measured on the 1, 7, 14 and 21st day of experiment. Qualitative histological analysis of pancreas and liver was done using the light microscope with a digital camera. Differences between the groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's posttest. Differences in repeated measures were tested using paired t-test. On day 14 and 21, blood glucose level in STZ+D3 group was significantly higher compared to the control group of animals but significantly lower than the glucose level registered in STZ group of rats. On day 14 and day 21, body weight in STZ rats was significantly lower compared to weight in STZ+D3 and control groups of rats. Morphological changes, such as shrinkage of islets, vacuolation of both endocrine and exocrine cells, were observed in pancreas of STZ group of animals but were nearly absent in STZ+D3 rats. Similarly, STZ+D3 group of rats showed preserved liver histoarchitecture. Obtained results suggest that vitamin D3 treatment reduces hyperglycemia, exerts beneficial effects on body weight and alleviates histopathological changes in pancreas and liver in STZ-induced diabetic rats.