Influence of malt extract and marjoram oil on the neurobehavioral changes of scopolamine -induced demented rats

Dementia can result from Neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, toxic insults and sleep disorder. Alzheimer's disease [AD] is a progresstve degenerative condition that represents the most common cause of dementia. Scopolamine is a reference substance for inducing Alzheimer-like cognitive deficits in both man and animals Donepezil hydrochloride is highly selective for the CNS and is used for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease. Malt extract and marjoram oil are natural products used in folk medicine for the treatment of some psychiatric disorders. The present work aims to study the influence of malt extract and marjoram oil on the behavioral responses, cholinesterase activity, brain monoamines, malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione of scopolamine induced demented rats. The results show that scopolamine decreased the ambulation and rearing frequencies in the open field test. Norepinephrine, dopamine and reduced glutathione contents were also decreased. However, cholinesterase activity and malondialdehyde content were increased significantly. Treatment of demented rats with donepezil, malt extract or marjoram oil individually could normalize the effect of scopolamine on these measured parameters. Data revealed that malt extract and marjoram oil could play an important role in treatment of demented rats by improving the changed behavioral parameters, altered brain neurotransmitters, cholinesterase activity and oxidative biomarkers

Influence of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 containing oils on the neurobehavioral responses in male rats

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids affect growth vitality and mental state. They favorably affect atheroscieorosis, coronary heart diseases, inflammatory diseases and perhaps even behavioral disorders. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the possible effect of feeding rats a diet enriched with 5% of each flaxseed oil or sun flower oil [for 10 weeks]on the levels of brain monoamines and on the parameters of two behavioral tests[open field and swimming tests].90 male rats pups after weaning[21 days of age]were divided into 3 groups: group[1]control untreated, group [2] and [3] subjected to a diet containing [5% flaxseed oil or sun flower oil] respectively for 10 weeks. The results showed that both Omega-3 and 6 produced a significant increase in the levels of serotonin and dopamine. In the open field test omega-3 and omega-6 oils induced a significant increase in the grooming number whereas, induced a significant decrease in the rearing number. Application of swimming test to tested groups revealed that both Omega-3 and Omega-6 induced a significant decrease in latency time, The data showed that both Omega-3 and Omega-6 containing oils cause alterations In the brain functions and behavior in rats

Post menopasual women expectation and practice of using hormone replacement therapy

A random sample of 184 postmenopausal women was selected for this study according to the following criteria: An age 45-55 years, menopause at least two years, intact uterus and complaining from menopausal symptoms. The study found a significant higher expectation of women about the benefits and side effects of hormone replacement therapy [HRT] regarding prophylaxis against osteoporosis, cardiovascular and relieve of menopausal symptoms as well as withdrawal bleeding and breast cancer. Also, the study showed that the majority of women had positive responses about the effect of using HRT; while, the only compliances about using HRT were breast pain and skin reaction. The study also found a significant association between the positive responses of women using HRT and their marital status as well as between their family history about fracture, cardiovascular and psychiatric problems, while no association was found between positive women responses and their BMI

Visceral Leishmaniasis in children

Visceral leishmaniasis is a common tropical disease. This study was carried out on 85 patients during the period between October 1994 and December 1995 in Al-Salam Hospital at Sana'a, Republic of Yemen. Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in 82 cases on history, physical findings and laboratory tests with positive leishmania donovani bodies on microscopy of splenic aspirations and was suspected in three cases on clinical, hematological and biochemical grounds only. The commonest presenting clinical findings were fever [100%], splenomegaly [100%], anemia [100%], hepatomegaly [67.1%], abdominal distension [70.7%], anorexia [63.4%], respiratory [16%] and gastrointestinal symptoms [21.9%]. The consistent laboratory findings were anemia [mean Hb level 6.3 g/dl], neutropenia [mean level 2.1 g/dl] and low serum iron [mean level 26.4 mug/ml]. Bone marrow aspiration was positive for leishmania donovani bodies in 48.8% of cases, liver biopsy was positive in 47.3%, while splenic aspiration was positive in all cases [100%]. Both groups of patients [the confirmed 82 patients and the suspected 3 patients] were given sodium stibogluconate 20 mg/kg body weight IM for 30 days. After this regimen of treatment, all patients were reevaluated where the first group showed good clinical and laboratory response with negative splenic aspiration for leishmania donovani bodies, while the second group showed no response and further investigation proved illnesses [two cases were Schistosoma mansoni and one was tuberculosis]