Biochemical effects of chronic abuse of ergogenic aids in rats

To investigate the potential health risks associated with recommended or overdoses of amino acids mixture such as Power Mix [PM], Branched Chain Amino Acids [BCAAs] or Ceratine [Cr] supplementation as ergogenic aids for short or long-term rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into two major groups; the first group was orally treated with the above mentioned supplements for six weeks [short-term], and the second group was treated similarly but for twelve weeks [long-term]. Each of the short- and long-term group was subdivided into seven subgroups which were treated as follows: PM [0.8 g/kg/day], PM [2.4 g/kg/day], BCAAs [0.2 g/kg/day]. BCAAs 0.6 g/kg/day], Cr [2 g/kg/day], Cr [6 g/kg/day] and controls [kept without treatment]. Plasma amino acids levels beside renal, thyroid, adrenal, and hepatic functions were estimated. Significant elevation in total amino acids concentration was found as result of feeding with the three dietary supplements. Results showed significant increase in serum creatinine level in rats ingested with these ergogenic aids except the low dose of PM given for short- or long-term. High doses of the three supplements given for both short- and long-term and low doses of BCAAs and Cr given for long-term caused significant elevation in serum uric acid level. Significant increase in serum NAG activity was observed among the three dietary supplements. Also, significant rise in serum AST and ALT activities was obtained after feeding the three dietary supplements except the low dose of PM given for short-term. Serum T3 level was significantly increased by feeding BCAAs or Cr in high doses for long-term. None of the three supplements exerted significant change in serum TSH and T4 levels. High doses of PM, BCAAs or Cr given for either short- or long-term caused significant increase in serum corticosterone and significant decrease in plasma ACTH levels. The three dietary supplements resulted in significant increase in cytosolic AST and ALT activities except the low dose of PM given for short- and long-term as well as low dose of BCAAs and Cr given for short-term. The three dietary supplement except low dose of PM fed for short-term, caused significant rise in mitochondrial AST activity. This study showed that supplementation of high-dose of PM, BCAAs or Cr given for long-term as ergogenic aids induced renal and hepatic damage as well hormonal disturbances

Comparative serodiagnostic tests for toxoplasmosis among sheep and goats in Giza governorate, Egypt

Toxoplasma gondii, is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite of warm-blooded animals. intracellular protozoan and is one of the most common parasitic infections of human, hi the present study diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii was directed towards the serological methods including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], and indirect hemagglutination assay [IHat]. The comparative serological examination of 320 sheep and 306 goats blood serum antibody body titres against Toxoplasma gondii were analyzed at 10 settlements in the Giza region, Egypt. The IHat showed the higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis 47.5% in sheep and 59.5%in goats respectively with antibody titres ranging front 1:20 and 1:640'. Also ELISA seropositive samples 44% in sheep and 55.5% in goat respectively. It could be concluded that the IHAT and ELISA tests are an efficient diagnostic tools for detection and selective diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats using local strain isolate in Egypt

potential role of some antioxidants from carotenoids and vitamins on biological and biochemical parameters of hyperlipidemic hamsters

This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of some antioxidants [carotenoids: lycopene and beta-carotene and vitamins: E and C] supplementation on some biological and biochemical parameters of male adult hyperlipidemic hamsters. Lipid profile, lipid peroxidation as MDA, blood and liver GSH, antioxidant enzymes [GPx and GR] and liver function enzymes [ALT and AST] were determined. Hyperlipidemic diet resulted in significant elevation in serum TC, LDL-C, TG, liver MDA and liver function enzymes ALT and AST, with concomitant reduction in serum HDL-C, blood GSH and liver GPx and GR enzymes activity. Supplementation by the Lycopene and vitamin C caused significant reduction in serum TC, LDL-C and TG with significant elevation in serum HDL-C. beta-carotene induced significant reduction only on TC and LDL-c vitamin E showed no obvious effect on lipid profile with highly suppressive effect on lipid peroxidation all individual antioxidants resulted in significant elevation in blood GSH, liver GPx and GR enzymes with concomitant significant reduction in liver MDA and serum ALT and AST

Preparation of 99mTc-carnosine and 99mTcO-[V]-DMSA complexes, biological distribution, and estimation of their gene anti- polymorphisms induced by gamma-irradiation

Two chelating agents [Carnosine and DMSA] were used to study their labeling conditions with technetium-99m followed by biological distribution investigation. Molecular studies were done via PCR/RFLP analysis of angiotensin II subtype II receptor gene for monitoring their antioxidant activity through free iron chelation leading to inhibition of Fenton reaction. Carnosine was labeled by mixing 4 mg with 30 mg glucose and 25 micro g SnCl2.2H2O, followed by pertechnetate and stand at room temperature for 60 minutes. Minor modification was done to prepare 99mTc[V]-DMSA tracer in one step, by adding pertechnetate solution to the lyophilized kit contains 1mg DMSA, 0.1 mg SnCl2.2H2O, and 30 mg glucose at pH 9. The biodistribution of the two tracers in normal and tumor-induced mice. The molecular investigation of the anti-oxidant activity of both carnosine and DMSA in 6 Gy gamma-irradiated rats using the anti-inflammatory angiotensin II subtype II receptor gene [AT2RG] as indicator. Carnosine and DMSA were labeled with Technetium-99m yielding 85% and 97%, respectively the ability of both tracers to localize in tumor sites but the priority to the 99mTc [V]-DMSA. Molecular studies showed strong antioxidant activity of carnosine but not enough to block radiation induced oxidative stress and Moderate antioxidant activity of DMSA was achieved by chelating free iron and iron released through oxidative stress. Maximum protection was achieved through the dual action of both DMSA and carnosine. moderate and high labeling yield were achieved for both 99mTc[V]DMSA and 99mTc-canosine respectively with higher selectivity of the former to tumor sites and maximum protection were achieved by the dual action of both chelating agents

Molecular identity of the electropharetic pattern and the major cross-reacting immunogens of toxoplasma gondii [RH strain] and neospora caninum

The complex electrophoretic profile of the antigenic components of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum was studied. T. gondii [RH strain] trophozoite's antigens were resolved by gel electrophoresis under denaturating condition. Resolved polypeptides were tested by immunoblotting against hyper-immune serum prepared in Boscat rabbits. Immunoblot analysis revealed 6 reactive bands, which are 158, 111, 102, 86, 55 and 33 kDa, out of 10 antigenic bands of the parasite. Concerning N. caninum trophozoite's antigens, immunoblot analysis revealed 5 reactive bands, which are 159, 119, 106, 97 and 39 kDa, out of 8 antigenic bands of the parasite. Cross reactivity trials between the 2 parasites explore 3 cross-reactive bands, indicating high antigenic similarity in between

Some biochemical screening tests of metabolic disorders in Egyptian children suffering mental retardation

The present study deals with investigation of the biochemical abnormality and the metabolic disorders which may be the cause or contribute significantly to the cause of mental retardation [MR]. The study included 203 mentally retarded children who were subjected to qualitative chemical tests on urine for the detection of certain defects in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Thin layer chromatographic detection of specific amino acids in plasma and urine, and the quantitative determination of urea, creatinine, ammonia and uric acid in plasma, argininosuccinase and argininase enzyme activities in erythrocytes; mucopolysaccharides and creatinine in urine were also investigated. It was found that in 92 patient, mental retardation is accompanied by metabolic disorders. These comprise disorders in amino acid transport [10.6%] urea cycle abnormalities [17.4%], generalized amino acid urea [10.8%], miscellaneous aminoacidopathies [25%] and defects in carbohydrate metabolism [26.1%]. The plasma levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in patients with disorders in aminoacid transport were unchanged indicating normal kidney function. Patients with urea cycle abnormalities showed deficiency in different enzymes controlling urea formation with elevation in plasma ammonia and decrease in plasma urea. Patient with carbohydrate metabolism disorders showed increased urinary mucopolysaccharides. These metabolic disorders were discussed on the basis of the findings obtained and the genetic defect that led to the respective metabolic disorder. According to results of this work, it is highly recommended to carry out genetic counselling in calculating the possibilities for recurrence risk of hereditary disorders and in detecting any metabolic abnormality to prevent the onset of mental retardation. Early detection of these cases and evaluation of specific treatment will be valuable for the management of these cases

Synthesis and biological activity of certain nicotinic acid derivations

A simple procedure for the synthesis of 3-ethoxy-carbonyl-4, 6- dimethyl-2-pyridine I is described. The reaction of I with NAOC2H5 affords the corresponding sodic derivative II, which reacts readily with certain alkyl and acyl halides to give the O-alkyl and O-acyl derivatives III. Structures of the reaction products were determined using both chemical and spectroscopic methods. Biological screening of some of the newly synthesized compounds revealed that they exhibit anti-hyperlipidaemic activity