N-acetylcysteine potentially affects hepatic glutathione synthesis only under conditions of enhanced oxidative stress

N-acetylcysteine [NAC] has been widely investigated as a potentially useful protective and antioxidant agent in many pathological states. The present work was undertaken to further investigate the mechanisms of its protective effect in rats subjected to acute carbon tetrachloride [CCI4]-induced liver injury regarding its potential impact on hepatic glutathione stores. Four groups of rats have been employed; normal control, NAC-treated [40 mg/kg, i.p.], CCI4-intoxicated [0.5 ml/kg, i.p.] and NAC pretreated + CCI4-intoxicated group. Exposure to CCI4depleted reduced glutathione content and enhanced lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. However, total hepatic glutathione content was unchanged. This oxidative injury was accompanied by pronounced hepatolysis observed as an increase in serum alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST] activities as well as total bilirubin level. Pretreatment with NAC reduced oxidative damage of liver cells as observed by decreased membrane lipid peroxidation and increased reduced glutathione content in both normal and CCI4-intoxicated groups. However, total glutathione content was only elevated in the CCI4-intoxicated group and was accompanied by a significant decrease of the elevated serum ALT and AST activities as well as bilirubin level. Thus, beside its potential direct radical-scavenging properties and reduced glutathione-sparing effect, parenterally administered NAC can replenish glutathione stores, an action that is observed only under conditions of oxidative stress

Alpha lipoic acid protects against acute hepatocellular damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in vitro: comparison with N-acetylcysteine

Alpha lipoic acid [ALA] has been widely investigated as a potentially useful protective and antioxidant agent in various pathological states. Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in acute carbon tetrachloride [CCI4]-induced hepatotoxicity. In previous in vivo work, ALA has shown a potentially protective effect in acute CCI4-induced hepatotoxicity. The current work was designed to investigate whether this effect could be also manifested in vitro using isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension. This was carried out in comparison with one of the standard hepatoprotective agents viz., N-acetylcysteine [NAC]. Suspended hepatocytes were preincubated with either ALA or NAC for 30 min before being exposed to the hepatotoxin for n further 30 min. The hepatotoxicity was assessed by estimating the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], the enhanced formation of lipid peroxides and the depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione [GSH]. ALA showed a protective effect against the induced hepatocellular injury almost identical to NAC, as was evidenced by its inhibitory influence on LDH leakage, the enhanced lipid peroxide production, and depletion of GSH. These data show that the hepatoprotective effect of ALA is effective as NAC in vitro and seems to be mediated, at least in part, by its antioxidant properties

Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on oxidative stress status in rat kidney subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury

Renal ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] injury is a major cause of acute renal failure in both native kidneys and renal allografts. There is increasing evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen species [ROS] play a role in the pathogenesis of I/R injury in the kidney. This study was designed to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid [LA] on the alterations of oxidative stress status in rat kidney subjected to I/R injury. Wistar albino rats were allocated into Three groups; [1] sham operated control; [2] I/R group in which ischemia was induced by a right renal pedicle occlusion for 30 min followed by 10 min of reperfusion with contralateral nephrectomy; [3] LA + I/R group in which animals were pretreated with LA [100 mg/kg i.p.] for 7 days before I/R insult. At the end of the reperfusion period, animals were sacrificed. Kidneys were isolated for histological examination or determination of the renal malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and glutathione reductase [GR] levels/activities as oxidative stress markers. Kidney myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity and nitrite/nitrate [NO[x] content were assessed as indices of neutrophil infiltration and nitric oxide metabolism respectively. In addition renal lactate content, serum urea and creatinine levels were also measured. I/R injury caused marked increases in renal MDA level, lactate content and MPO activity, associated with significant decreases in GSH level, GPx and GR activities as well as NO[x] content. This biochemical derangement was accompanied by severe histological lesions. Pretreatment with LA significantly reduced the enhanced oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration and increased lactate content in the ischemic rat kidney. It also improved the histological alterations induced by renal I/R injury. So, It could be concluded that LA pretreatment effectively improved the antioxidant/oxidant imbalance associated with renal I/R injury in rats

Anaemia among schoolchildren in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt

A study was carried out during January/February 2001 in Deshna and Armant Districts of Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt, to establish the prevalence of anaemia among schoolchildren aged 6 to 11 years and define appropriate control interventions in the area. Haemoglobin levels were measured directly in schools using a portable spectrophotometer. The mean [SD] level of haemoglobin in 1844 schoolchildren in 37 schools was 12.79 [1.15] g/dL. Only 12% of children were below the WHO cut-off for anaemia for this age group [< 11.5 g/dL] and no cases of severe anaemia [< 7.0 g/dL] were detected. The low prevalence of mild to moderate anaemia indicates that mass iron supplementation is not justifiable, but routine monitoring of haemoglobin levels should be part of the public health activities in the schools

Brain mapping in suicidal and non-suicidal depressives

Reports and experience reveal the fact that 15% of major depressive patients will commit suicide. Do those suicidal depressives constitute a special sub-group of depressives? Can we predict by some markers those with high suicidal risk? CT findings, neuropsychological testing and EEC showed abnormalities in a sub-group of depressives. Previous findings have reported a low 5 HIAA of the CSF of suicidal or violent patients. Through BEAM studies, previous authors have attempted to separate paranoid and non-paranoid depressives and depersonalized and non-depersonalized depressives. This study is an attempt to differentiate between high risk suicidal and non-suicidal depressives through BEAM. Our study showed encouraging results in that, with more cases, more modifications and more statistical analysis regarding amplitude, power and distribution, we can develop a possible neurophysiological marker for high risk suicidal depressives thus giving better prophylaxis and caution. Our findings showed that 64% of suicidal depressives show the right parieto-occipital dysfunction seen in the non-suicidal depressives with temporal extension

Is it worth treating cases of heroin abuse as in-patients?

One hundred admissions of heroin abuse in a psychiatric unit were studied retrospectively for their compliance and adherence to hospital regimen. 64% ranged between 21-30 years of age, there were 92% males and students followed by merchants were the commonest population group [39% and 27%]. 71% of patients stayed less than three weeks which is the minimal period for hospital treatment and they discharged themselves against medical advice. 57% were admitted once, 22% twice, 12% thrice and 7% more than thrice. There is an obvious waste of psychiatric beds especially in developing countries where outpatient treatment of herion abuse is discouraged. These facts should outline the strategy for the treatment of herion abuse