Effect of Myrtus communis extract against hepatotoxicity induced by monosodium glutamate and acrylamide in male rats

Background: Myrtle leaves extract [ME] has many antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress. The current study was conducted to determine whether ME can possibly exert hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against monosodium glutamate [MSG] and acrylamide [ACR] that induced toxicity in rats

Objectives: Our experiment was carried out to examine the effect of Myrtus communis extract against hepatotoxicity stimulated by monosodium glutamate [MSG] and acrylamide [ACR] in male rats

Materials and methods: Rats were randomly assigned into eight groups, containing six each as following: group 1: rats received dist. water [control]; group 2: rats were orally administered myrtle extract [ME] [300mg/kg b w] daily for 7 wks.; groups 3, 4 and 5: rats were orally administered MSG [100mg/kg b w], ACR [20mg/kg b w] and [MSG + ACR] respectively daily for 6 wks.; groups 6, 7 and 8: rats were orally administered ME daily for seven days alone then associated with MSG or with ACR or with [MSG+ACR] respectively for 6 wks

Results: Our results proved that the treatment with MSG and/ or ACR resulted in a significant rise in TL, TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, TB and MDA. However, marked reduction in HDL-C, TP, Alb, GSH, TAC, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px. On the other side, the administration of ME improved the deviations resulted from MSG and/or ACR as confirmed by the marked improvement of antioxidants

Conclusion: It is concluded that ME could protect the liver against damage induced by MSG and ACR

Hemochromatosis C282Y gene mutation as a potential susceptibility factor for iron-overload in Egyptian beta-thalassemia patients

Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most frequent cause of primary iron overload that is associated with HFE gene's mutation especially the C282Y mutation. The interaction between hemoglobin chain synthesis' disorders and the C282Y mutation may worsen the clinical picture of betathalassemia major [b-TM]

Aim: To establish the prevalence of the C282Y mutations in Egyptian b-TM patients and to address its adverse effects

Methods: Two-hundred and five b-TM patients were recruited and divided into two groups based on their serum ferritin [SF]; group I [N = 125] [SF 2500 ng/dl]. All patients were subjected to clinical and laboratory assessment with special emphasis on iron overload complications. Genotyping was assessed by polymerase chain reaction for detection of C282Y mutation in HFE gene

Results: The C282Y mutation was not detected in the studied b-TM neither in homozygous nor heterozygous state. There were several iron overload complications including cardiac complication [9.1%], liver disease [36.6%], delayed puberty [56.6%], primary [35.71%] and secondary amenorrhea [21.42%], short stature [27.3%], diabetes [3.4%], neutropenia [9.7%], arthralgia [10.2%], gastrointestinal [21.1%], depression [2.9%] and others [12.05%]. Group I showed a statistically significant lower rate of taking iron-rich diet when compared to group II. Group II showed significant longer mean duration of disease, higher total transfusion rate per life, lower mean HbF% level, higher mean HbA% level, and higher rate of elevated liver enzymes than patients with SF

Conclusion: The C282Y mutation was not detected in the studied cohort of Egyptian beta-TM patients neither in homozygous nor heterozygous state in spite of manifestations of iron overload complications

Effect of designing and implementing a teaching program for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery on their quality of life

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery has become established as a powerful therapy for prolonging survival and improving the quality of life of certain subsets of patients with coronary artery disease. Patient education is a vital component of cardiac rehabilitation. It aims to improve quality of life, ensure continuity of care and promote adherence to health care treatment plans. Aim of the study was of there folds, designing, implementing a teaching program and evaluating its effects on the quality of life of patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A quasi-experimental research design. The research was conducted at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital. Sixty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients were divided into two equal groups [the study and control group]. The study group was exposed to the designed patient teaching program and quality of life index scale was measured for both group, pre, immediate postoperative and three months after operation. The study group patients demonstrated total improvement in their quality of life index score [183.5 +/- 68.5] preoperatively to [243.5 +/- 68.3] three months after operative. A highly significant difference was documented between study group quality of life index score [243.5 +/- 68.3] versus [201.4 +/- 54.1] for the control group subjects three months after operative. The patients who participated in the teaching program demonstrated an improvement in their cognition, and practices of self-care and quality of life index score compared with the control group. A further research is recommended to study the effect of patient education program on the cost effectiveness, decreasing hospital readmissions and hospital stays, improving the personal quality of life and minimizes complications of illness and therapies

Antioxidant defense of pycnogenol against glycerol induced acute renal failure in mice

The present study aims to demonstrate the efficiency of pycnogenol as a protector in male mice against hazards effect in kidney functions induced by glycerol. Mice were received i.m. injection 50% glycerol [8ml/ kg b.wt] 30 minutes prior to glycerol administration, other group received orally pycnogenol [400mg/ kg b.wt] over a period of 12 hours. Lipid peroxidation products [MDA, PC], non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant [GSH, CAT, SOD] were estimated, in addition serum protein, urea, createnine concentration as well as serum Na, K levels were determined. It seems that rhabdomyolysis effect caused by glycerol can be controlled to some extent by pycnogenol administration

Role of melatonin in modulation of oxidative stress induced by delta-aminolevulinic acid in adult male albino rats

Delta-aminolevulinic acid [ALA] is a heme precursor that accumulates in acute intermittent porphyria [AlP] due to enzymatic deficiencies in the heme biosynthetic pathway, its accumulation has been associated with several symptoms because it works as an endogenous source of reactive oxygen species, which can exert oxidative damage to cell structures. The present work was designed to examine the ability of melatonin, a well known antioxidant and a free radical scavenger secreted from the pineal gland, to revert ALA-promoted damage in brain, liver and kidney of rats. The present data demonstrated that chronically ALA-treated rats [40 mg / kg body wt day after day for 14 days] exhibited very highly significant increases in malondialdehyde [MDA] and protein carbonyl [PC] whereas the level of glutathione [GSH] was significantly diminished in the tissue homogenates of all tested organs [brain, kidney and liver]. Among antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione reductase [GSH-Rd], glutathione-S-transferase [GST] activities were significantly diminished by ALA treatment. Intraperitoneal injection of melatonin [10 mg / kg body weight, every day for 14 consecutive days] significantly ameliorated all the tested parameters. Melatonin moderately increased SOD, CAT, GSH-Rd and GST activities, thereby counteracting the oxidative stress induced by ALA. Nevertheless, exogenous ALA caused a strong net rise in MDA and PC and a significant decrease in GSH when given together with ALA, melatonin antagonized these effects and largely protected the integrity of tissue structures. From the present data, the protection of melatonin against ALA oxidative stress is obviously, so it is well recommended to use melatonin in patients suffering from symptoms related to ALA accumulation

Residual behavior of fenarimol fungicide on cucumber and pepper fruits grown under greenhouse conditions

The degradation rates and residue levels of fenarimol fungicide, used to control powdery mildews, were studied in greenhouse grown cucumber and pepper fruits. The role of some household processes in removal of detected residues from treated vegetables was also investigated. The results demonstrated that the initial deposits of fenarimol in cucumber and pepper fruits were 0.38 and 0.61 ppm, respectively. These residues decreased steadily by time until reached to non-detectable level and 0.07 ppm after 15 days from treatment, respectively. The calculated half-life values proved the rapid decline of fenarimol residues in cucumber fruits as compared with pepper fruits [25.92 and 89.84 hours, respectively]. Preharvest interval [PHI] of 1.6 and 3.6 days from spraying must be followed before human consumption of fenarimol-treated cucumber and pepper fruits, respectively. Concerning the effect of some household processes in removal of detected residues, the obtained data revealed that peeling was the most effective process; since it removed 92.10 and 75% of the detected fenarimol residues from cucumber fruits after one and 24 hour post treatment, respectively while washing and soaking exhibited great efficiency in decontamination of fenarimol residues from pepper fruits [75.41 and 79.66%] by washing process and [73.77 and 88.14%] by soaking process after the aforementioned intervals, respectively

Comparison between the chemical composition and radical scavenging activities of essential oils of leaves, flowers and fruits of callistemon lanceolatus DC grown in Egypt

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves, flowers and fruits of Callistemon lanceolatus were analyzed by a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer [GC/MS]. The oil yields were 0.68%, 0.52% and 025%, respectively. Thirty six compounds were identified in leaf oil, while thirty four compounds were identified in both the flower and fruit oils. 1, 8-Cineole was the main component in the three oils in percentage 87.83% in leaf oil, 73.79% in flower oil and 40.89% in fruit oil, followed by p-menth-1-en-8-o1 which is present in higher percentage in fruit oil [4.30%] than in leaf oil [2.92%]. The flower oil was characterized by its high content of alpha-pinene [27.16%] and cis-asarone [9.68%].In vitro radical scavenging activities of these oils obtained by DPPH [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl] assay, were also evaluated between 5 and 20 mg/ml. The scavenging activities of the oils were time dependant, since the activities increased 2-4 folds after 30 minutes. At 20 mg/ml, leaf, fruit and flower oils showed good capacities to act as a non specific donor of hydrogen atoms or electrons, quenching 91.6, 71.5 and 52% of the radicals, respectively. The IC50 of the oils were 7.6, 11.8 and 19.1 mg/ml, respectively

Chemical and biological investigation of fruit volatile oil of the Egyptian platycladus orientalis L

Objectives: To isolate the volatile oil from Platycladus orientalis fruits and evaluate its cytotoxicy against five human tumor cell lines. The antimicrobial activities of the oil were evaluated as well

Methods: The volatile oil was hydrodistilled from P. orientalis fruits. The chemical composition of the volatile oil was monitored by GC/MS analysis. The cytotoxic activity of the oil against five human tumor cell lines was determined using sulorhodamine B assay at concentrations ranging from 1.00- 10.00 micro g/ml. The antimicrobial activity of the oil against sixteen microbial strains was tested using agar diffusion method

Results: The tested oil showed very potent cytotoxic activities against lung carcinoma, brain tumor, breast carcinoma, and liver carcinoma [IC50 = 0.6, 0.7, 0.7 and 0.9 micro g/ml, respectively], and a significant effect against cervix carcinoma [IC50= 2.8 micro g/ml]. The oil had significant antibacterial effects against C. pseudotropicalis [35 mm] and R. minuta [25 mm] and E. coli [27 mm]. The oil had moderate antifungal activities against B. allii [20mm], equal activities against A. niger and A. flavus [15 mm], and the least activity was against M. phasioli [13 mm]. GC/MS of the oil revealed that the monoterpenoids constituted the highest percentage of the oil composition [84.15%]. The sesquiterpenes amounted to 15.78%, while diterpenes was found in a very low percentage [0.07%]. The major compound was alpha pinene [30.89%], followed by 4-terpineol [19.16%] and alpha-cedrol [9.28%]

Conclusion: There is a very potent cytotoxic activity of the oil against all tested human cell lines. The oil had also a significant antimicrobial activity and a moderate antifungal activity

Plasma Ghrelin level; anorexigenic and orexigenic mediators in patients with end stage renal failure on hemodialysis

Anorexia-associated malnutrition is a severe complication that increases mortality in hemodialysis [HD] patients. Ghrelin is a recently-discovered orexigenic hormone with actions in brain and stomach. We analyzed, in 22 HD patients, the possible relationship between ghrelin and appetite regulation with regard to other orexigens [NO3] and anorexigens [cholecystokinin [CCK], leptin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide [GIP]. All orexigens and anorexigens were determined in plasma. Eating motivation was evaluated using a visual analog scale [VAS]. The patients were divided into three groups: those with anorexia [n = 8], those with obesity associated with high intake [n = 5], and those with no eating behavior disorders [n = 9]. A control group of 10 healthy volunteers was also evaluated. Mean plasma levels of ghrelin were high [4101 +/- 1233 mg/mL], with the patients showing values above the control group range [1920 +/- 451mg/mL]. Patients with anorexia had lower ghrelin level and higher CCK and GIP levels than did the other patients. Patients with anorexia also had an early satiety score and low desire and pleasure in eating on the VAS and diet survey. We observed significant positive linear correlations between ghrelin and albumin [r = 0.43, p < 0.05], growth hormone [r=0.66, p < 0.01], NO3 [r = 0.36, p < 0.05], and eating motivation [VAS]. At the same time, negative relationships were observed between blood ghrelin and GIP [r = -0.42, p < 0.05], insulin [r = -0.4, p < 0.05], and leptin [r = -0.45, p < 0.05]. Ghrelin levels were not related to levels of CCK. Ghrelin plasma levels are elevated in HD patients. Uremic patients with anorexia show relatively lower ghrelin plasma levels than the levels seen in obese patients or in patients with normal appetite. The role of ghrelin in appetite modulation is altered in uremic HD patients, and that alteration is possibly associated with disorders in insulin and growth hormone metabolism

Monitoring of aflatoxins in Egyptian hot chili prepared for export using GPC as a new cleanup technique and reversed phase-HPLC

New method was developed for determination of aflatoxins BI, B2,G1 and G2 in hot chili using gel permeation chromatography [GPC as a new clean up technique. High performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] connected with fluorescence detector was used for determination of the four types of aflatoxin. The method was tested on different levels of fortified samples of hot chili [6 sample for each level] and the limit of detection [LOD] was [0.5 ph]. The average recoveries of aflatoxins from different levels [2,4,10 and 50 ppb] varied between 87 and 107%. The reproducibility expressed as relative standard deviation was less than 20%. The method showed to be linear from the limit of quantitation [2 ug/kg] up to 50 ug/kg level. The four types of aflatoxins were determined in fortified samples by extraction with acetonitrile and purified by GPC, [[Bio bead - SX 3 gerl] was used as stationary phase and hexane: ethyl acetate [1:1] as mobile phase]. Drivatiztion of B1 and G1 were obtained by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid [TEA] in a pre-column step. Quantitation of aflatoxins is carried out using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with isocratic mobile phase water/methanol/acetonitrile [65:25:15%]. The detection was done at excitation and emission wavelengths of 360 and 440 nm respectively. This method wss used for monitoring of aflatoxins in 87 hot chili samples prepared for export. Only aflatoxins B1 and B2 were detected and all samples were free from any traces of G1 and G2. Sixty samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and only 20 samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B2. The minimum amount of B1 and B2 was 0.5 ppb LOD], while the maximum amounts were 78.95 and 5.21 ppb respectively. The means were 18.57 and 1.80 ppb for B1 and B2 respectively. Forty six samples were violated with aflatoxin B1 depending on EU MRL limits [2 ppb] when 27 samples were violated depending on CODEX-MIRL limits [5 ppb]

Study of antioxidant effect of selenium on female rats treated with contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy

Selenium is an essential trace mineral in the human body. it is an important part of antioxidant enzymes [Glutathione peroxidase] that protects cells against the effect of free radicals. Contraceptives are capable of inhibiting ovulation and successfully control fertility. Estrogen replacement therapy [ERT] is a wide spread treatment in postmenopausal women to alleviate climatic complaints. It has also been applied in the prevention of osteoporosis. The present study aims to follow-up antioxidant enzymes status of normal adult and ovariectomized female albino rats treated with contraceptive. Selenium was orally administered in therapeutic dose of 50 micro g/kg.b.wt/day, oral contraceptives [estrogen 0.54 and progesterone 2.7 micro g/kg.b.wt/day] and intramuscular injection of ERT 90 micro g/kg.b.wt/day for 30 days. Repeated medication with selenium caused very highly significant increase in super-oxide dismutase [SOD], reduced glutathione [GSH], glutathione reductase [GSH-R], glutathione S-transferase [GST] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] and decline in lipid peroxidation [LPO]. Contraceptives and ERT caused significant reduction in SOD, GSH, GSH-R, GST, GSH-PX and significant increase in LPO. When selenium was administered with contraceptive or with ERT, a slight increase was noticed in the different antioxidant parameters studied except for LPO which recorded a significant decrease.

Effect of selenium on lipid profile of rats treated with contraceptives or certain hormone replacement therapy

Selenium play a vital part in many metabolic functions while new researches increasingly suggest it is relevance to disease prevention. Contraceptive are capable of inhibiting ovulation and successfully controlling fertility. Estrogen is a wide spread treatment in post menopousal women to alleviate climatic complaints. The present study planned to achieve three goals. First one: aims to investigate some biochemical study on lipid content and side effect that occur from repeated administration of drugs [selenium, contraceptive and estrogen replacement therapy] in experimental animals. Follow up the effect on repeated administration [accumulation doses] of contraceptive on rats. Second the effect of selenium on antioxidant to amelioration any hardard effects if present. Third of them of lipid profile. Selenium was orally administered in therapeutic dose [50 micro g/kg/day], contraceptive [estrogen 540 micro g/kg/day, progesterone 2.7 micro g/kg/day] and estrogen replacement therapy [90 micro g/kg/day] to adult female albino rats ovarectomized female rats for 30 days. Repeated medication with Selenium caused significant reduction in total lipid [T.L], Triglycerid, [T.G.], total cholesterol [T.Ch.], HDL, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and serum estradiol. Contraceptives and estrogen replacement therapy revealed very highly significant increase in T.L, T.G. T.Ch, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and estradiol When selenium was administered with contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy, noticeable amelioration was recorded in lipid profile a slight increase was noticed in the different studied lipid parameters.

Pharmacokinetics of complexed copper in rats: characterization of biochemical and cellular responses

Pharmacological effects of copper complexed to organic ligands have been a subject of intensive investigation during the last decade. Among these complexes is Copper[I]-[Nicotinic acid][2] Cl, [CuCl[HNA][2]], which proved to be effective anti-inflammatory drug [1]. However, the distribution of elementary copper among plasma and tissues following the administration of this drug was not yet understood, therefore, this study was conducted. A dose equivalent to 8 mg/Kg body weight of CuCl[HNA][2] suspended in saline-L-ascorbic acid [0.5%] was given orally to albino rats. Results obtained denote that the administered complex was absorbed in its intact form and underwent several metabolic processes leading to the accumulation of copper in magnitudes up to three folds in some rat organs. In the first two hours postabsorption, copper concentrations reached a plateau in rat organs and systemic circulation. Basal concentrations were almost restored within three days in plasma and most organs except the liver which retained copper as much as double or triple its initial concentration. However, copper uptake and release in brain and heart were characterized by being relatively slow. Although, lipid peroxidation products [TBARS] and some minor hepatotoxic features were observed at the first day post-administration, no signs of impaired liver function were detected. Activity levels of plasma transferases, ALT and AST were not significantly changed. This investigation also revealed that, 0.8 mg CuCl[HNA][2] / Kg body weight is a safe therapeutic dose of this drug

Chemical and physiological studies on Anise hyssop [Agastache foeniculum pursh] and hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L] plants grown in Egypt as new spices

Two years trials were carried out to evaluate the anise hyssop [Agastachefoeniculum Pursh] and hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L] plants as new sources ofessential oil in Egypt. Changes in growth, oil production and oilconstituents of anise hyssop and hyssop were determined during their lifecycles. The yields of fresh herb and oil of hyssop and anise hyssop reachedtheir peaks at the flowering stage of growth, July and August, respectively. The two major components of anise hyssop herb oil were methylchavicol [62.31%]and limonene [8.46%] which accounted for approximately 70.77% of the totalanise hyssop herb oil grown in Egypt, while hyssop herb oil was characterizedby high content of beta-pinene [19.60%], pinocamphone [19.20%] and camphor[16.3%]

Biochemical and histological effects of verrucarin Y-toxin on adult male mice liver

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of verrucarin J-toxin on serum biochemistry and on light and electron microscopic structures of the liver of adult male mice. Treated mice was injected intraperitonealy by toxin in a single dose of 0.9 mg/kg [group A] and 0.5 mg/kg body weight [group B]. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4, 6 weeks [10 each] and compared to toxin free control [C] group. Results indicated that glucose level was significantly different in the treated groups [A, B], which were injected for 2 and 4 weeks than control [C] group. But there was no significant difference in 6 weeks. Plasma levels of triglycerides or cholesterol were significantly higher in both treated mice than control. Many histological changes occurred in the liver cells of both treated groups [A and B] after 2 and 4 weeks. The hepatocytes were engorged with glycogen. The nuclei and cell organelles are markedly affected. After 6 weeks from treatment many hepatocytes were, somewhat similar to the control

study of some factors triggering febrile seizures in children

Febrile seizures [FS] represent a common pediatric problem. The pathogenesis of FS is not yet clear. This study was designed to evaluate the role of some clinical and laboratory data as possible triggering factors for FS. The study included 117 patients and 100 age and sex-matched controls [febrile children without seizures]. Both groups were subjected to full history and clinical examination as well as evaluation of some laboratory data as serum iron, sodium, potassium, calcium, lead, zinc, and histamine. EEG was also performed for patients with FS. The results of the present study revealed that patients had significantly higher temperature levels at the time of admission [38.85 +/- 0.60 °C] than controls [38.16 +/- 0.45 °C] [p < 0.002]. Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of significantly lower serum levels of iron, sodium, calcium, zinc and histamine in patients than among controls. Patients with recurrent FS rather than those with single FS had significantly younger age of onset of 1[st] FS [13.80 +/- 6.37 and 19.53 +/- 10.88 months respectively, p < 0.05], and higher percentage of positive family history of FS [44.83% and 25% respectively, p < 0.02] as well as lower serum sodium levels [133.26 +/- 2.76 and 136.81 +/- 3.2 mmol/L respectively, p < 0.001]. We concluded that higher temperature levels, low serum iron, sodium, calcium, zinc and histamine could play an important role as triggering factors for FS. Younger ages at onset of 1[st] FS, positive family history and hyponatremia are possible important factors in pathogenesis of recurrent rather than single FS

Patient satisfaction with health care: the case of five multisectorial hospitals

This study was conducted to assess patient satisfaction with health care in five selected multi-sectorial hospitals and identify its relationship with certain demographic characteristics and hospital- related variables. A sample of 269 patients of both sexes was selected from medical and/or surgical wards of the hospitals. Data were collected by means of patient satisfaction rating scale [PSRS]. Sixty items tool covering seven dimensions of patient satisfaction were developed and tested by the investigators as well as demographic and hospital related data sheet

Nurses perception of and satisfaction with work empowerment factors

A random sample of 175 and 167 nurses was selected from one university hospital and one Ministry of Health Hospital, respectively. Data were collected by the work empowerment factors scale [WEFS]. Factor analysis revealed six meaningful work empowerment factors represented in 45 items including [1] organizational effectiveness, [2] leadership, [3] work incentives, [4] work relationships, [5] nature of work and [6] personal conduct. Nurses showed low to moderate degrees of satisfaction in relation to factors No. 1, 2 and 3 showing a significant difference in the degree of satisfaction between nurses of the two studied hospitals. All nurses showed a moderate degree of satisfaction with items 4 and 5. However, the university hospital nurses showed a high degree of satisfaction with item 6, while the Ministry of Health nurses showed a moderate degree of satisfaction. No significant difference was found between the two studied groups of nurses in relation to factors 4, 5 and 6

Pachydermoperiostosis [idiopathic clubbing and periostosis]

Pachydermoperiostosis is described in a 22 year old male presenting with clubbing of the digits, periosteal new bone formation, coarse heavy features and hyperhidrosis of the hands and feel. The roentgenologic findings are reported, differential diagnosis discussed and the literature briefly reviewed