Evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and B cell lymphocyte/ leukemia 2 [Bcl-2] protein levels in vitreous humor and serum of patients with proliferate diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy [DR] is one of the most common microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the proliferative stage of DR, neovascularization on the retina and the posterior surface of the vitreous occur. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] is considered to be the most potent factor for retinal neovascularization. Several hypotheses were thought to be involved in the endothelial cell survival activity of VEGF; among them is its ability to induce antiapoptotic proteins like B-cell Lymphocyte/ Leukemia 2 [Bcl-2]. Aim of the study was evaluating the levels of VEGF and Bcl-2 protein in the vitreous humor and sera of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy [PDR]. The patients group included twenty five type 2 diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy and subjected to vitrectomy, and fifteen non-diabetic individuals subjected to vitrectomy for various non proliferative ocular diseases were taken as a control group. All the participants were subjected to a thorough physical examination and full ophthalmologic evaluation. Laboratory investigations included measurement of serum levels and activities of glucose, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases [ALT and AST], as well as the percentage of whole blood glycated hemoglobin [HbA[1c]. The VEGF and Bcl-2 were measured in the vitreous humor and sera of all studied subjects using enzyme immunoassays. The VEGF and Bcl-2 levels were found to be significantly increased in the vitreous humor of patients with proliferative DR when compared to their corresponding control group [p=0.001 andp-0.003 respectively]. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was noted between both groups regarding serum values of both VEGF and Bcl-2 [p> 0.05]. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between serum Bcl-2 and serum VEGF in the patients group [r= 0.463, p= 0.020]. The significantly higher values of VEGF and Bcl-2 in the vitreous humor of patients with PDR, with the lack of such findings in their sera, suggest that both factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease, and support the hypothesis that their increased levels in the vitreous is attributed to intraocular synthesis, in response to retinal hypoxia and ischemia, rather than to serum filtration. Furthermore, the significant correlation between both VEGF and Bcl-2 in serum of PDR patients could be related to the VEGF ability to induce pathological angiogenesis in PDR through the up regulation of the anti apoptotic protein Bcl-2 that promotes new vessels survival rendering their vitreous levels high which would probably be reflected on their serum levels as neovascularization is the main pathology in the PDR

Effect of ginseng extract on some hormonal and immunological parameters in male new zealand white rabbits

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Ginseng extract on some hormones, influencing immune responsiveness as Triiodothyronine [T3] Thyroxine [T4], Cortisol and Growth Hormone [GH] and some immunological parameters including total protein, albumin, globulin [alpha, beta, gamma] and immunoglobulins [IgM, IgG] in male white New Zealand rabbits. Fourteen healthy rabbits were assigned to two groups; the control groups, received physiological saline while the other one administrated 50 mg/kg b.w. of Ginseng extract [that dissolved in saline solution] daily for three months. Results showed that Ginseng consumption induced increment in both levels of p1asma thyroid hormones [T3, T4] as well as total serum proteins, globulin, gamma globulin and IgG. Though it lowered levels in plasma Cortisol and IgM and did not alter GH level. These findings indicated that the beneficial effect of using Ginseng as immunostimulant, however, through its direct effect on immune parameters or indirect effect on hormones that potentiate immune response

Biochemical, haematological and parasitological evaluation of Nigella sativa efficacy against nematode in sheep as compared with albendazole

Twenty six balady sheep were used to compare the efficacy of Nigella sativa with albendazole against nematodiasis. The blood and faecal samples were collected from all animals just before treatment and after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment. Parasitological examination revealed the presence of Trichostrongylus sp. [100%], Haemonchus sp. [75%], Ostertagia sp. [50%] and Oesophagostomum sp. [25%]. The present results revealed that, anthelmintic efficacy was on 14th day for albendazole and on 21 st day for Nigella sativa Nematode infestation leads to significant increases in serum activities of AST, ALT and ALP, in addition to significant decreases in total protein and albumin. However, the parasitism resuited in significant decreases in serum levels of Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca and P as well as significant decreases in RBCs, Hb and PCV values associated with significant increases in TLC, neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes count with significant decrease in lymphocytic count. These parameters began to corrected toward normality on 7th day post-treatment with albendazole or Nigella sativa. The data declared a good efficacy of albendazole and Nigella sativa respectively where the derangements were, corrected on the 7 th day. The use of Nigella sativa in correct dose as anthelmintic drug may reduce egg counts and can overcome parasitic infestation in sheep