Biochemical and histological impacts of high doses of local and imported Nigella sativa administered to female rats

This study was conducted to compare between Syrian and Egyptian Nigella sativa [NS] seeds for some chemical characteristics, total phenolic contents; the percentage of the antioxidant activity and to evaluate the effect of high doses of NS crushed seeds or their extracted oils on some blood biochemical parameters as well as the architecture of liver and kidney tissues. The following results [on a dry- weight basis] were obtained for Syrian and Egyptian variety respectively, ash 3.21 and 4.57%, protein 22.3 and 22.4%, fixed oil 35.0 and 36.0%, carbohydrates 32.8 and 34.05% and essential oil 0.3 and 0.9%. The major unsaturated acids in the crude fixed oil extract of NS seeds were linoleic acid followed by oleic acid while palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid. The compositions of the essential oils, of the two examined samples contain the same constituents with different concentrations. Thymoquinone is more abundant in the Egyptian variety meanwhile, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, carvacrol, alpha- terpineol, eugenol, beta-caryophillene and cavone are more abundant in the Syrian variety. The blood biochemical results revealed that the supplementation of NS crushed seeds of the two varieties or their extracted oils, with high doses showed some changes on liver functions [ which evaluated by the hepatic enzymes activity assay of ALT and AST], lowering cholesterol and triglycerides levels and displayed no effect on albumin, total protein and urea levels. A significant increase in ALP enzymatic activity was obtained that could be attributed to the effect of progesterone hormone, whereas female rats were employed to conduct the biochemical study. Meanwhile, the histological examinations for liver and kidney tissues revealed pathological changes that could be attributed to the presence of high amount of thymoquinone, this finding could explain the significant increase in lipid proxidative index as evaluated in the term of plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] especially after the administration of the Egyptian variety of NS

Ultra structural and biochemical studies on the effects of natural and synthetic anti-fibrotic drugs on liver of schistosoma mansoni infected mice when given with anti-schistosomal treatment

Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most prevalent causes of liver fibrosis in Egypt. Liver fibrosis is the result of an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins of the liver. This progressive process is mainly characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells [HSCs]. Colchicine is a well known drug used for treating liver fibrosis, however higher doses cannot be used due to its toxicity. Silymarin is a natural acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antifibrotic effects of colchicine [when given alone or combined with Silymarin] on liver of schistosomal infected mice model, treated with antibilharzial drug [Mirazid]. Ninety mice were divided into 6 groups [15/group], the first served as non-infected control and the second as infected control. The infected mice of the 3[rd], 4[th], 5[th] and 6[th] groups were given mirazid, mirazid and colchicine, mirazid and Silymarin and mirazid, colchicine and Silymarin respectively. Histological [Light and Electron microscopical analysis] and biochemical tools were used. The current work showed that best results were achieved in group of animals treated with mirazid and administered combined colchicine and Silymarin. Electron microscope examination showed HSCs returned to approximately resting phase. Hepatocytes revealed normal appearing picture with normally seen microvilli surface. This was confirmed by light microscopic examination. Biochemical analysis of some liver functions [Total proteins, albumin, GGT, ALP and LDH], was in parallel with the histological results. We concluded that activation of HSCs may play a key role in the progress of Schistosoma induced hepatic fibrosis, and the use of Silymarin, colchicine combined with antibilharzial drug reduces this activation

Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic hemodialysed patients: endoscopy findings and non-invasive detection

Objective: We aimed to evaluate dyspeptic hemodialysed patients regarding upper endoscopy findings and HP status. Also to determine the accuracy of several tests, including culture, histology, rapid urease test, serology and Hp stool antigen to screen for H. pylori infection in dyspeptic hemodialysed patients and evaluate the success of eradication therapy in patients with ESRD

Patients and methods: 44 patients with ESRD on regular hemodialysis and 40 dyspeptic patients with normal renal function as a control group were included in the study. All patients underwent upper endoscopy with biopsy intake for HP histopathology, culture and rapid urease test [RUT]. HP positive result was based on histopathology and or culture. HpSA, and Hp-lgG were also performed. HP infected patients were scheduled to undergo 7-day triple therapy and the success of eradication therapy was investigated

Results: 20 of ESRD patients [54.5%] and 25 patients of control group [62.5%] were proven to be infected with HP. The endoscopy findings of the gastroduodenal mucosa in dialysis patients were similar to that of controls, as was the incidence of peptic ulcers. Dialysis patients had a significantly lower prevalence of H. pylori infection than control subjects. In the histological study. H. pylori-positive patients had significantly higher inflammation and activity scores than H. pylori-negative patients for both dialysis patients and controls. The culture technique provided sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 54.9, 100, 100 and 70.6%, respectively. The CLO test provided sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 98, 90.0, 92.1 and 98.9%, respectively. The histology provided sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 93.4, 90.6, 90.5 and 94.0 %, respectively. The serological test of IgG antibodies yielded sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 96.0, 64.0, 78.6 and 95.9%, respectively. For the detection of HPSA using FemtoLAB yielded sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 86.0 100, 100, and 91.0%, respectively, using Premier Platinum yielded sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 58.0, 86.0 92.0 and 53.0%, respectively, simple rapid test yielded sensitivity. specificity. PPV and NPV of 61.0% 78%, 74.0% and 67% respectively

Conclusion: Upper GI abnormalities are common among HD patients. Biopsy proven antral gastritis is the most common histological diagnosis among these patients and is highly associated with H. pylori infection. Prevalence of H.pylori infection in HD patients is similar to those with normal renal function undergoing endoscopy for dyspepsia. FemtoLAB HpSA is a noninvasive reliable. inexpensive, and reproducible test for diagnosis and follow up of eradication of HP infection in ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis. Detection and treatment of HP improved dyspeptic symptoms in ESRD patients on hemodialysis

Magnetic resonance imaging in Crohn's Disease : evaluation of activity - correlation with Crohn's activity lndex

Background: The frequent and periodic evaluation of crohn's disease [CD] activity is vital in planning the proper therapy, surgical or pharmacological, monitoring drug effects and detecting post-operative recurrence. The evaluation of inflammation is currently based on a combination of clinical symptoms, physical findings, laboratory parameters, endoscopy and various radiology studies. So far, an absolute reference method to assess disease activity doesn't exist, and many parameters are used by the physicians

Objective: We investigated magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] as a tool to evaluate CD activity in newly diagnosed and follow up patients in correlation with clinical and laboratory markers represented by crohn's Disease Activity lndex [CDAI]

Patients and Methods: This study included 27 patients with proven CD. Twelve patients were included in their 1st month from initial diagnosis. Fifteen patients were regular follow up. Patient evaluation included: careful clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, colon ileoscopy, and if needed barium studies. MRI evaluation was performed at the level of the pathological bowel-loops for the following parameters: bowel-wall thickness [WT]; wall enhancement [WE]; and wall signal on T2- W [SPIR] images

Results: Clinically active disease with CDAI score above 150 was noted in fifteen patients. All 27 patients had ileal CD. Ten patients had ileocolonic CD. One patient had gastric in addition to her ileocolonic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] findings were: WT was normal in all patients with inactive disease, while in patients with active disease WT was mild in 2 patients, moderate in 4 patients, and severe in 9 patients. WE was normal in 10 patients, and mild in 2 patients of the inactive disease patients, while mild in 8 patients, and severe in 7 patients of the active disease patients. In inactive disease patients T2Wsignal was mild in 1 patient, and absent in 11 patients, while it was high in 7 patients, and mild in 8 patients of the active disease patients. Statistically significant correlation was noted between WT and CDAI, WE and CDAI, and T2W and CDAI. Also, significant correlation was noted between WT and WE, and T2W and WE

Conclusion: MRI can play a larger role in the clinical assessment of CD activity. MRI has shown good accuracy in detecting the inflammatory changes of CD and in differentiating non-active form active disease

Thyrotoxicosis and hypomania in adolescence

In this article the literature on thyrotoxicosis and hypomania is reviewed. It is not convincingly clear whether hypomania enhances thyrotoxicosis, thyrotoxicosis enhances hypomania or both are controlled by the same factors; genetic, environmental or a combination of both. A case of an adolescent girl who suffered from hypomania and thyrotoxicosis is presented