Possible protective effect of camellia sinensis [green tea] against acrylamide induced testicular damage in albino rats

Acrylamide is a proved toxin for testicular function, found in food when heated for long period of time. Green tea [Camellia sinensis] is a potent antioxidant; the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of green tea extract against the toxic effects of acrylamide in rat testes. acrylamide was administered orally by gastric gavage to rats in different doses and also the extract of green tea was administered orally to different groups of animals in combination with the acrylamide. The weight of animals, testosterone hormone level and histopathological effects upon testicles were evaluated. Testosterone hormone level in serum was significantly decreased in those with acrylamide toxicity either in low or high dose. The histopatological findings were in the form of thickening of the tubuler epithelium and degenerations of germ cells. All findings significantly improved with the co administration of green tea extract with the acrylamide. Green tea extract reversed all the toxic effects of acrylamide even in high dose for long period [90 days]. green tea extract is a potent antioxidant antidote for the acrylamide toxic effects upon testicular function

Interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and markers of oxidative stress in neonatal sepsis. the effect of exchange transfusion

The present study included 43 newborn infants with clinical signs of neonatal sepsis [29 full-term and 14 pre-term with a ratio of 27/16]and another 19 apparently healthy neonates of matched age and sex were considered as controls [with a ratio of 12/7, 16 full-term and 9 pre- term]. All the studied neonates were clinically assessed. The serum levels of C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], nitric oxide [NO], lipid peroxide [LPO], superoxide dismutase enzyme [SOD], blood picture, blood culture and arterial blood gases were all estimated for all the studied neonates on admission and 24 hours post-exchange transfusion [Ex-T] for 27 neonates who showed signs of severe sepsis. It was concluded that neonatal sepsis is a serious event that is associated with an activation of cytokine network and the release of injurious oxidative elements. Exchange transfusion is not sufficient alone to improve the outcome of neonatal sepsis

Role of hormones and insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] in the development of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus

This study revealed a significant reduction of insulin mean values in all diabetic patients. The reduction was more significant in vascular- complicated NIDDM than complicated and in vascular- complicated patients with more than five years disease duration compared with non- vascular complicated patients. Glucagon mean values showed a significant reduction in patients with positive family history, those with less than five years disease duration and in NIDDM patients compared with controls. The vascular complicated IDDM patients showed a significant reduction of the mean level of ACT compared with non-vascular group. Significantly increased mean levels of growth hormone were found in all groups compared with the controls. Significant elevation of prolactin level was observed comparing negative and positive family history and comparing vascular and non- vascular complicated NIDDM patients. Significant reduction of IGF-1 levels was found comparing diabetic patients with controls, patients with less and more than five years disease duration with controls and with those with less than five years duration and comparing IDDM with controls or with NIDDM patients