Some biochemical aspects of suckling rats their mothers received different dose of sodium benzoate and nitrite

Fifty growing female albino rats [Spragus Dawley strain weighing 40-50g/each] were divided into 5 groups each of ten rats. One of them was fed on the diet free from any preservatives [control], two groups received acceptable and five folds sodium benzoate containing diet, while the last two groups received sodium nitrite at the acceptable and five folds level containing diet. Mature female rats were paired with normal males. Pregnant rats were separated and contained feeding the same diet. After delivery the pups were left for suckling until weanling. Suckling rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia. Blood samples were taken in dry clean centrifuge tubes from the hepatic portal vein, brain was removed and homogenate in saline solution immediately. The results cleared that the suckling rats developed in mother treated with both sodium benzoate and nitrite at both level showed slightly lower values of serum AST activity. The nitrite treated groups at both levels showed an increase in the activity of serum ALT enzyme. While the suckling rats received high dose of benzoate showed an increase in serum alkaline phosphates activity 61.8%. But the suckling rats received acceptable dose of sodium benzoate showed high decrease in serum bilirubin. Serum urea level was decreased in the groups treated with acceptable dose of benzoate. Furthermore, the suckling rats treated with any of the benzoate or nitrite doses showed remarkable increases of serum uric acid level. While the suckling rats developed in mothers treated with any of the high dose of sodium benzoate or nitrite and suckled from them induced a remarkable increase of serum creatinine level. The high dose of benzoate and nitrite induced a significant decrease of brain RNA content, while the high dose of nitrite showed a decrease of brain DNA contain

Iron and other nutrients status in the daily diet visually impaired Egyptian adolescents

Iron deficiency anemia results from insufficient iron intake or inability of absorptive mechanisms to extract sufficient iron from many foods. This work was conducted to evaluate the interaction effect of some nutrients on iron absorption. The sample comprised of 188 males and 255 females aged between 11-18 years [mean = 14.51 +/- 2.13 yrs] all of them had visual impairment and were students at Al Nour and Al Amal organizations in Egypt. Each surveyed subject was a target for 1-Evaluating the daily diet using 24 hours recall 2-Determinaing of Hemoglobin concentration. The sample featured a higher prevalence of anemic males 62% than females 58%. Although the mean value for daily iron intake was more than the requirement, only 1.8% of non -anemic females had taken the requirement. Protein and vit C were sufficient and the majority had taken the RDA. Both nutrients were enhanced iron absorption .Vit A and Cu were less than the requirement. The inhibitor factor [zinc] was less important because its mean value was insufficient. It must be taken into consideration in planning the menu that 1- Each meal contains iron enhancer and avoid an inhibitor one, 2-Introducing balance diet containing rich sources of Fe, Zn, Vit A and Cu such as 100 gm Halawah Tehiniah and 100 gm peanuts

Assessment of dietary adequacy of hearing and speech disabled children and adolescents in Egypt

In Egypt, disability is a neglected area as evidenced by the absence of reliable health related information. So detailed information on clinical, and dietary assessment was done. A total of 929 disabled children and adolescents aged between 6-20 years of both sexes at urban area from governmental disabled schools and establishments were enrolled in the study. Six governorates were chosen representing different geographical areas of Egypt. Clinically, the study showed that, the causes of disability occured by 67.2% and 25.5% in prenatal and post natal periods due to fever and other diseases respectively. More than half of the sample [68.4%] were consanguinous marriage, 20% of the sample was due to genetic diseases. The analysis of the daily diets showed that, most of studied hearing and speech disabled individuals had taken their requirements from protein, fat, vitamin B1 and B2, While there was lack in carbohydrates and energy. The lack in energy was increased by increasing the age. The subjects who had taken 100% RDA from energy were only 29% from males and 16.4% females in group 14 -

Parsley affected on glucose level and sera lipids in experimental animals

Parsley [petroselinum crispum] is one of the medicinal herbs to treat a wide variety of conditions. To investigate the effects of parsley as a source of some antioxidants on glucose level and sera lipids in experimental animals. Forty two male albino rats Sprague Dawely strain weighing 100-120g were housed individually in wire cages and all groups had similar total body weight. Diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups [7 rats/group] for "4" weeks. The first group served as normal control, fed standard diet only. The second group [positive control] was injected with alloxan. The last group fed parsley leaves after injected with alloxan. Hyperlipidemic rats were divided into groups for "4" weeks. Group A [Normal control] fed standard diet. Group B [positive control] fed hyperlipidemic diet. Group C fed hyperlipidemic diet and parsley leaves. Level of blood glucose and aminotransferase were determined in diabetic rats group and evaluated lipids profile in hyperlipidemic rats groups. Parsley affected diabetic groups, blood glucose and aminotransferase [ALT, AST and GGT] levels were decreased compared with positive control. While HDL level was increased in hyperlipidemic group and lipid profile levels decreased versus positive hyperlipidemic group. Parsley has an alleviative effect against liver function and lipid pattern in diabetic and hyperlipidemic rats