Hepatoprotective effect of C-phycocyanin against carcinogenic Di-methylnitrosamine substance

Hepatotoxicicity of dimethylnitrosamine [DMNA] and counteraction effects by phycocyanin were evaluated in an experiment using male rats [100-120g] for each. Six groups 10 animals for each were selected. All animals were intraperitonally injected. The first one injected with saline phosphate buffer serve as control. The second injected with phycocyanin at the dose [300 mg/kg body weight]. The third with dimethylnitrosamine at the dose [10mg/kg body weight]. The fourth injected with C-PC then one week later injected with DMNA, where the fifth injected with DMNA THEN one week later injected with CPC. The last one injected with a mixture of C-PC and DMNA. All the animals were housed for 30 days then, sacrificed .Blood and plasma were collected and prepared for biochemical analysis. Liver was excised and subjected to histopathological examination. RESULTS showed that cpc inhibited the increases in plasma ALT; AST by DMNA.AMNA also caused obvious decreases in both protein and albumin to the minimum levels. Moreover DMNA induced a marked reductions in the antioxidant enzymes activities in serums of rats especially superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. The percentages of their activities were less than their controls by 31%and 48%respectivelly. The previous activities were elevated to normal levels as the animal exposed to injection with C-PC. Regarding to the production of immunoglobulin, it could be obvious that DMNA suppress IgM and IgG to the minimum levels [62 and 52%] less than their irrespective controls. IgA was also decreased to the level of 32%. C-PC injection after DMNA has antagonistic effects to the serious response of DMNA. It enhanced the production of immunoglobulin more than control animals with special references to IgM. Histopathological examination confirmed that DMNA has hepatotoxicity since, the hepatocytes showed vascular and nuclear degeneration with different sign of congested blood sinusoids andVon Kupffer cells. The pathological responses of DMNA were dimensioned with the administration of C-PC where hepatocytes appeared normal with normal vesicular nuclei. The cells had well distinct endothelium of the central vein, normal cytoplasm constituents with no congestion in the sinusoid

diagnosis and prevalence of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in apparently healthy children and adolescents with cirrhosis

Subclinical or minimal hepatic encephalopathy [SHE or mHE], in con-to hepatic encephalopathy is not associated with overt neuropsychiatric symptoms but rather with subtle changes detected by special psychomotor and/or neurophysiologic tests. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the validity of the neuropsychological and neurophysiological to diagnose SHE in children and adolescents with liver cirhosis. Furthermore, to detect its prevalence in a specific period. A prospective controlled study was applied on 23 patients [10 males and 13 females with mean age 10.24 +/- 3.87 years] with different etiologies of liver cirrhosis through the period from August 2002 to August 2003. Fifteen healthy and adolescents with matched age, sex and education standard, included as a control group. All patients and controls were subjected to thorough clinical evaluation, laboratory tests of liver functions, neuropsychological assessment using the Egyptian version of Wechsler intelligence tests, visual and mapping analysis of electroencephalographic records and event related potential [P300] testing. Patients and controls were age and sex matched d showed no significant difference in periods of education. Serum bilirubin and prothrombin time were significantly affected in patients compared with controls. Verbal, performance and full scale IQ were all significantly affected in patients compared with controls; a cut off point of abnormal test performance was seated at scaled score 2 SD below th mean of the controls. Patients have sigr4flcant slowing in EEG back ground activity compared to controls [P=0.001]; a cut off point for diagnosis of slow activity was seated at 6.8 C/S. Prevalence of SHE among cirrhotic patients was 47.8% by applying two abnormal neuropsychologic tests and 65.2% by applying two abnormal psychologic tests together with significant slowing of EEG background activity. Prevalence of SHE among patients with Child-Pugh class B/C cirrhosis was significantly higher than that recorded in patients with class A cirrhosis [P<0.05] Event related potentials [P300] mean wave latency and mean wave amplitude showed no significant differences between patients and controls however, cirrhotic patients with SHE had significant prolongation of mean P300 wave latency than patients without SHE [P=0. 031]. Clinical follow up [5 +/- 1 .64months] revealed that two out of fifteen mHE diagnosed patients died after 3 and 5 months from initial testing and the two were Child-Pugh class C and overt encephalopathy was precipitated by sepsis. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is quite prevalent in our patients [65.2%] and the diagnosis can be ascertained by special neuropsychological and/or neurophysiological tests. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is thought to predict the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy, thus it is clinically relevant

Diagnostic yield of clinical, electromyographic and pathologic studies in muscle disorders

Muscle diseases are classified into two major groups, i.e.; myopathic which also includes muscle dystrophies and neurogenic. Investigations of muscle disease include clinical biochemistry, electromyography, muscle and cytogenetics. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of clinical biochemistry, eletromyographic and pathologic in different muscle disorders-further more to detect the prevalence of different muscle disorders in our locality in a specific period. Sixty patients with generlized hypotonia and hyporeflexia [40 males and 20 with ages ranged from 2 months to 13 years were studied consequatively in addition to 15 healthy controls of matched age and sex for comparison in certain aspects. All cases were subjected to: a] thorough clinical and neurological evaluation, b] assessment of serum creatine kinase, c] electromyography and d] muscle biopsy from the most affected for histologic and histochemical studies. Frequency of muscle disorders was pathologically as: 41.7% in muscle dystrophies, 25% in congenital myopathies 8.3% in inflammatory myopathies and 25% in spinal muscle atrophy. Clinically; muscle dystrophies were found in 41.7%, however with difference in subtypes. Congenital myopathies were suggested in 30% of cases inflammatory myopathies in 8.3% and spinal muscle atrophy in 20% Electromyographic studies were compatible with the pathologic results in all cases of myopathies and spinal muscle atrophy. All cases of muscle dystrophies were evaluated as myopathic disorders. Serum creatine kinase was highly significantly elevated in the group of muscle dystrophies, significantly elevated in inflammatory myopathies and mildly elevated in spinal muscle atrophy as compared with controls. Clinical biochemistry and pathologic compatibility was found in 92% of dystrophinopathies group, 88% of myopathyies and 80% of neurogenic muscle atrophy .Apart from the group of muscle dystrophy, the EMG yield was compatible with the pathologic diagnosis of all cases of myopathies, and neurogenic muscle atrophy. Thus all measures considered concordant in diagnosis of muscle diseases

Study of nucleated red blood cells for evaluation of fetal asphyxia

Our purpose was to determine whether a relationship exists between the presence of nucleated red blood cells [NRBC], the timing of perinatal asphyxia and the severity of hypoxic insult. Nucleated red blood cells from 27 single full term asphyxiated neonates were compared with cord blood NRBC of 30 full term non-asphyxiated newborns. Our patients were classified into 3 groups according to the degree of neurological impairment suggestive of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [mild: group I, moderate: group II and severe: group III]. The first and highest nucleated red blood cells value and the time to NRBC disappearance were assessed. Asphyxiated neonates exhibited a significantly higher number of nucleated red blood cells per 100 white blood cells [median=120 and range: 5-835] than did the control group [median=1 and range: 0-8] [P=0.001]. Newborns with severe neurological impairment [group III] had significantly higher cord blood nucleated red blood cells than group II and I [P=0.001 for each]. The time of clearance of nucleated red blood cells from the peripheral blood was significantly longer among patients of group III than in group II and I [median value of nucleated red blood cells on the 7[th] day was 0.0/range 0-10 in group I, 11/range: 0-80 in group II and 122/range 0-500 in group III]. Meconium stained amniotic fluid was significantly present more in group III than groups II, I [P=0.001]. Correlation studies revealed highly significant positive correlations between cord blood nucleated red blood cells, cord blood pH, and degree of neurological impairment [P=0.001 in both]. In this limited study, counting of nucleated red cells appear to identify the presence of fetal asphyxia and correlated well with the severity of asphyxia. The peak value of nucleated red blood cells and the time of clearance together with the presence of meconium stained amniotic fluid can help in determining the time of fetal injury. In general, the closer the birth was to the asphyxial event, the lower the number of nucleated red blood cells

Plasma trace element levels in infants and children with refractory epilepsies

To study the effect of long term use of antiepileptic drugs [AED] on plasma trace elements and the evolution of refractory seizures. Twenty three children were chosen to have persistent disabling seizures despite trials of all major anticonvulsants, alone and in combination, and with the highest doses the patient can tolerate. They were 13 males and 10 females with age range 2-14 years. Preliminary investigations were done to exclude cases with secondary seizures and those with low plasma levels of antiepileptic drugs. All of the patients were subjected to: thorough clinical and neurological evaluation, neuroimaging studies and assessment of plasma trace elements levels [Selenium, Copper, Magnesium and Zinc] using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. According to the clinical and electroencephalographic patterns, the selected patients were subdivided into: cases with partial seizures including those with secondary generalization [group I] and cases with primary generalized seizures [group II]. Ten healthy children of matched age and sex were tested for plasma trace elements as a control group. Then after all of the patients were supplemented with trace elements medications [3-5ug/kg/day related to selenium] for three weeks and the response was followed up for 12 weeks. Plasma trace elements showed no significant differences between the 2 patients' groups [unpaired t-test, p>0.05]. Meanwhile, one way ANOVA showed significantly lower levels of selenium in all of the patients compared to the controls [p<0.001]. Correlation studies revealed a highly significant negative correlation between selenium levels and duration of AED [r = -0.81 and p=0.00]. Response to trace elements therapy was variable: complete response [cessation of seizures] in 25% of group I vs 33% of group II, partial or no response in 75% of group I vs 67% of group II. Response to trace elements has no significant associations with the type of sex, frequency and severity of seizures. The long-term use of AED may lead to trace element deficiencies with subsequent neuronal damage and evolution of resistant states. We recommend trace element supplementation especially selenium in patients under long term use of antiepileptic drugs

Extraction of phytotoxin substance from Cyanobacteria Microcysts aeruginosa and its toxicity on the blood of albino rat

Toxin in the form of sodium salt was extracted from lyophilized algal cells by 0.1 M sodium carbonate-sodium bicarbonate at pH of 8.5. The extract was purified from pigments by using n-butanol and freed from high molecular weight impurities by dialysis. Chemically, the toxic substance exhibit a peptide nature. Chromatographic investigation after the extract indicated that the toxin contained ornithine, serine, arginine, threonine, alanine, valine and leucine, and amino acids. An aqueous solution of the dialyzable fraction, after purification, was used to determine the LD50, it was equal to 9.51 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were taken 24 hours after intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injections in albino rats. Intraperitoneal injection markedly decreased red blood cell count and hemoglobin contents, more than a subcutaneous injection. Such depletion may be related to the destruction of erythrocytes. With both injections the activities of both S-ALT and S-AST enzymes were higher than the control samples