Biological evaluation of some modified snacks

This investigation aims to assess the effect on health of some modified snacks prepared by addition of different food items known to be rich either in protein or compounds with health value. A basic formula based on snacks available in the local market was modified by adding each of eggs, whey protein, chickpea, soybean, wheat germ, carrot, orange peel or strawberry. The modified products were evaluated through assessment of their effect on lipid pattern and possible atherosclerosis by following the level of plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides, the state of oxidation stress through estimation of R.B.C's malondialdehyde [MDA] and plasma superoxide dismutase enzyme activity [SOD] and the state of the liver and bile duct through determining the level of gamma -glutamyl transferase [gamma -GT]. Groups of rats were given either the basic formula of snack or the modified ones together with a selectively high cholesterol level. It was observed that the modified formulas succeeded to protect against the increase in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Also they protect against the state of oxidation stress confirmed by decreased MDA level and with no hazard on the liver indicated by the normal or even low activity of gamma -GT. It is concluded that snacks available in the local market can be modified to better ones through addition of different food items. The modified snacks are of high protein content and can protect against hyperlipidemia and oxidation stress with no harmful effect on liver

Food consumption during Ramadan and its influence on serum lipid parameters

This investigation was done to assess the change in serum lipid parameters before and after fasting during Ramadan and to hold correlation between dietary consumption pattern and these lipid parameters. The study was done on 20 healthy volunteers, who abstain from food as usual during the holly lunar month. A dietary consumption sheet was implemented for each individual. Fasting blood samples were drawn from volunteers three times, once before, once after and the third after the end of Ramadan. Serum glucose, triacyl glycerols, total cholesterol, low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were estimated in samples. The results showed significant changes in serum lipid parameters and in most cases, they were dependent on the dietary consumption pattern. It was concluded that fasting during Ramadan, with the physiological requirement of energy sources, would have beneficial effect on lipid parameters and, in turn, upon the general health state of individuals

Assessment of erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes, copper and zinc in retinitis pigmentosa

The possible contribution of free-radicals in progression of retinitis pigmentosa [RP] was investigated by appraising the free radical scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase in 76 patients suffering from this disease compared to 20 healthy subjects as control. Blood haemoglobin and certain serum parameters viz., ceruloplasmin, total protein, albumin, globulin, vitamin E, copper and zinc were also estimated. This is to clarify their conceivable involvement in pathogenesis of RP. These parameters were additionally analyzed in blood, serum and retinal samples of control and UV-irradiated rabbits for comparison. Significant increased activity of erythrocyte SOD and catalase in RP patients with concomitant decrease of serum vitamin E and copper revealed an active role of these factors in the scavenging of free radicals that most probably associate RP. However, in RP patients haemoglobin and the other serum parameters remained relatively unchanged. The performance of erythrocyte scavenging enzymes and serum vitamin E antioxidant activity were significantly lowered in head-UV-irradiated rabbits. Meanwhile, retinal SOD and catalase activities were also reduced after deliberate exposure to UV. A strong relationship between the development of RP, environmental exposure to UV and the protective efficacy of SOD, catalase and vitamin E was suggested

comparative study between the effect of feeding casein or beans on blood sugar, serum lipids and insulin of diabetic rats

A comparison between the effect of dietary casein and beans on the blood sugar level and different serum lipid parameters of alloxan diabetic was done. The effect adding either carrot or orange residue to the beans diet was also investigated. Results showed that a significant decrease in blood sugar level of diabetic rats occurred when casein was replaced by beans in the diet. Lipid parameters namely serum cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids and phospholipids also were lower in rats on the beans diet relative to casein. The inclusion of either carrot or orange reside as an additional source of dietary fiber to the beans diet did not further improve the effect of beans in this respect. Serum insulin level was low in diabetic rats and did not change by feeding on any of these diets. Only carrot residue caused slight increase in insulin secretion. It was concluded that beans as a plant source of protein is mush preferred for diabetic rats than the animal source of protein such as casein. In addition, inclusion of either carrot or orange residue to the beans diet did not further improve its effect. In our previous experiments these two ingredients caused marked improvement on the effect of casein on diabetic rats

state of vitamin A and protein pattern in conjunctival and corneal disease

The vitamin A level, total protein and electrophoretically separated fractions in serum of patients suffering from conjunctival or corneal disease were analysed and compared with normals. Blood haemoglobin and dietary recall were also made. Absorption test for vitamin A was done for patients showing low serum vitamin A level. Results indicated a drop in serum vitamin A level in patients suffering from conjunctival xerosis with a diminshed rate of intestinal vitamin A absorption. The other conjunctival or corneal eye diseases show normal level of vitamin A. The level of serum alpha 2 -macroglobulin and transferrin was high. These two protein fractions help to strengthen the defense mechanism of the body and also to inhibit proteases, in particular collagenase in cases of comeal ulcer

use of lupinus termis and residues of orange or carrot for the dietary management of diabetes

The effect of replacement of casein with Lupinus termis in the diet of alloxan diabetic rats on hyperglycemia, serum lipid constituents and insulin level was studied. Rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan, divided into groups and put on diets based on either casein or Lupinus termis as a main source of protein. The effect of adding carrot or orange residues to the Lupinus termis diet was also investigated. The feeding period lasted for 4 weeks. Results revealed that replacing casein for Lupinus termis from the diet of alloxan diabetic rats reduced hyperglycemia. The derangement in lipid parameters found in diabetic rats was to a great extent corrected. Addition of orange residue further improved the pattern but carrot had limited effect. It is recommended to reduce the animal protein of diabetics and replace it with plant proteins such as that of Lupinus termis. In addition, it is possible to make use of residues from fruits or vegetable which are rich in fibre in formulation of food for diabetics

effect of feeding orange, carrot residues or radish on blood sugar, serum insulin and lipids of diabetic rats

The effect of feeding orange residue, carrot residue or radish on the blood sugar level, serum insulin and lipids of alloxan diabetic rats was studied. Results showed normal growth of rats, excluding nutrition deficiency. Carrot residue and radish lowered blood sugar level of rats to an extent near to the caused by including 20% cellulose in the diet. Orange residue caused a less marked effect. Orange residue or radish caused a marked increase in serum insulin level of diabetic rats. Addition of cellulose to the diet of diabetic rats, caused a reduction in serum total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids. A more or less similar effect was exerted by feeding carrot residue, orange residue or radish diabetic rats. The change in lipoprotein pattern in diabetic rats was more or less corrected by feeding radish. These results were discussed and it is recommended to include orange residue, carrot residue or radish in the diet of diabetics