Effect of increase in antioxidants supplementation on kidney tissue of mice subjected to fractionated dose of gamma-irradiation

Although there is little doubt that antioxidants are a necessary component for good health, no one knows if supplements should be taken and, if so, how much. To investigate the increase in antioxidants supplementation, a group of mice feeding on a diet containing 20% soybean was used as control group. The control group treated with 5% Nigella sativa and Antox drug [3 mg/mouse/day] either alone or in combination for 15 days. Another control group was treated with the same antioxidants and subjected to 1 Gy of gamma- irradiation x 5 times day after day. In kidney tissue the levels of malonaldehyde [MDA] and reduced glutathione [GSH] were estimated. Also, the histopathological changes were recorded. 5% Nigella sativa revealed a little decrease in MDA level and a highly significant decrease in GSH in kidney tissue while the exposure to fractionated dose of gamma-irradiation predicted a highly significant decrease in MDA and a highly significant increase in GSH level. Gastric intubations of Antox drug showed a highly significant increase in MDA and GSH levels in kidney tissue either alone or in addition to fractionated radiation exposure. Combined treatments of Nigella sativa and Antox drug showed a highly significant decrease in MDA level and a highly significant increase in GSH level in kidney tissue in comparison to the control group. Histopathological changes showed that treatment with 5% Nigella sativa and Antox drug either alone or in combination revealed toxic effect on kidney tissue. However, their treatments prior to radiation exposure showed ameliorating effect. Our findings indicated that we must use the antioxidants under control or under oxidative stress

Significance of telomerase activity, C-erbB2, malondialdhyde and NO as biological markers in urine of bladder cancer patients

At the National Cancer Institute [NCI], Cairo, Egypt, bladder neoplasm constitutes 30% of all cancers. Evaluation of urinary markers may hold a promising method for detection of bladder neoplasms with higher sensitivity and specificity, for follow-up in order to regulate the interval of cystoscopic examination, reduce the burden and discomfort of patients amid enhance the opportunities to excise the tumor preceding muscular invasion. The present study aims to evaluate the possible diagnostic role of telomerase activity, C-erbB2, malondialdehyde and NO in the urine of bladder cancer patients. Eighty urine samples were taken from 3 groups of individuals; 1] Ten healthy age matched control subjects, 2] Twenty schistsoma haematobium infested patients and 3] Fifty pre-operative bladder cancer patients. Urine samples [50mL] were collected and subjected to the assay of telomerase activity in urine [TAU], it was measured by PCR-ELISA technique using the telomerase repeat amplification protocol [TRAP], malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were determined spectrophotometrically and C-erbB2 was measured by ELISA technique. TAU was increased in 72% of bladder cancer cases, it was normal in bilhazial non malignant group compared to controls. Its increase in bladder cancer patients with bilharzial infection was statistically insignificant compared to non bilharzial cancer group. TAU of bladder cancer patients were increased in ascending manner with grades of the tumor [GI = 62.5 +/- 16.7, GII = 66.64 +/- 9.37 and GIII = 163 +/- 51]. Malondialdehyde level was increased in bladder cancer patients with bilharzial infestation than those without bilharziasis, but the difference was statistically insignificant. C-erbB2 expression was increased in 27% of bladder cancer patients; while no single case of the bilharzial group showed positive C-erbB2 expression. As regard the stage of tumor NO level in bladder cancer patients showed statistical significant difference between stage I. II amid stage III [p = 0.04]. There was only a statistically significant positive correlation between telomerase and C-erbB2 in bladder cancer patients [r = 0.456 and p = 0.005]. The study of telomerase activity in the urine of bladder cancer cases may be used as an indicator for early detection of this disease. Further studies should be done to evaluate the possibility of using telomerase as one of the most important tumor markers

Studies on possible factors involved in invasion and metastasis of the tumour cells

The protease, Plasminogen activator and collagenase activity levels have been demonstrated in 8 human bladder cell lines of both normal and tumour origin mainly transitional cell carcinoma [T.C.C.]. Marked increase in the activities of the protease, collagenase could be observed in cell homogenate of the above mentioned cell lines of the malignant origin. Meanwhile Plasminogen activator showed less activity in the cell homogenate of the tumour origin and markedly increase in their culture media

N-acetyl transferase phenotype activity levels in normal bilharzial infected and bladder cancer patients in Egypt

In this study, n-acetyl transferase activity levels was determined in 16 cases of control normal healthy subjects, 16 cases of bilharzial infested subjects and 20 cases of bilharzial bladder cancers. Thirteen out of 16 cases of normal healthy subjects showed slow acctylators [81%]. In bilharzial patients, all the cases were almost slow acctylators 100%]. Meanwhile, in bilharzial bladder cancer patients, 14 out of 20 cases showed slow acctylation capacity [70%]

Hibiscus pigment, a specific stain for nuclear chromatin

A new nuclear stain was prepared as a crude extract of Hibiscus subdariffa, and was found to have a wide application on different types of cells. The stain works at an acid PH [2.0], Chromatin stained red when treated directly with the extract, and turned blue when this was followed by lead nitrate. Methods of staining and purification of an acetone insoluble, but water sluble, crystalline fraction of the red pigment of hibiscus flower have been described and called [Hibiscin]