Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on induced gastric ulcer in albino rats

This work was designed to study the protective effect of Alpha lipoic acid [ALA] on stress-induced gastric ulcers and to evaluate its effect on gastric secretions in rats exposed to cold restraint stress [CRS], The rats were divided into 2 main groups; [A] and [B] to study the effect of CRS on gastric secretion and ulceration, respectively, and their modulation by Alpha lipoic acid. Group [A] was subdivided into [4] subgroups each consisted of [10] Rats and received ALA in a dose of [50 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively] for [14 days]. Group [B] was subdivided into [3] subgroups each consisted of [10] Rats and received ALA in a dose of [50 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively] for [14 days]. The present study showed that, orally administered A LA, in a dose of [50 and 100 mg/kg/day] produced statistically significant reduction of the mean acid concentration and the mean acid output. The mean pepsin concentration was also significantly increased with [P<0.05]: ALA also, produced statistically insignificant reduction of the volume of gastric contents in comparison to the CRS group. ALA [50 mg/kg/day] also, reduced the incidence of ulceration, where the mean ulcer severity score and the ulcer index were significantly reduced with [P<0.05]. The preventive index was [48.8 4%] while ALA in dose [100 mg/kg/day] reduced the incidence of ulceration. The mean ulcer severity score and the ulcer index were insignificantly reduced with [P> 0.05]. With preventive index [28%]. These significant protective effects of ALA may be due to one or more of the following mechanisms; stimulation of PGs synthesis [one of the main inhibitors of gastric acid secretion], increase of the volume of gastric juice probably by an increase in gastric mucus and water secretion and as an antioxidant [ALA is considered as one of the most potent antioxidant, acts intra-and extra-cellular, recycling other antioxidants and possesses metal chelating activity]. It was concluded that; ALA used in the study showed statistically significant effect on all parameters of gastric secretion in comparison to the control group. They also significantly reduced the incidence of ulceration, the mean ulcer severity score and the ulcer index with a good preventive index. This protective anti-ulcer effect may be mediated through PGs whose synthesis is regulated by ALA

Effect of garlic on endogenous antioxidant enzymes and hyperlipidemia induced by cyclosporin - A in albino rats

In this work thirty adult male albino rats were used to study the effect of garlic on antioxidant enzymes and hyperlipidemia induced by cyclosporin A [CsA]. Rats were divided into three equal groups Rats of the first group [control group] were given 1 ml distilled water orally rats of second group were given [25 mg/kg] cyclosporin A intraperitoneally, rats of third group were given [25 mg/kg/daily] cyclosporin A intrapertioneally+garlic tablets 400 mg/kg/daily. At the end of experimental period [28 days] blood level of glutathion peroxidase [G.Px] superoxide dismutase [SOD] and plasma level of malonaldhyde, cholesterol, high density lipoproteins [HDL], low density lipoproteins [LDL] and triglycerides [TG] were determined. The study showed that cyclosporin A produce significant decrease G.Px, SOD, and malonaldhyde and significant increase plasma cholesterol, triglycerides LDL but insignificant changes in HDL as compared to control group. Also the study showed that garlic administration leads to significant increase G.Px, SOD and significant decrease plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL but insignificant changes in plasma malonaldhyde as compared to group treated by cyclosporin A

seasonal abundance of gerbillus pyramidum and their flea ectoparasites in Al Arish, North Sinai governorate, Egypt

The seasonal abundance and the flea ectoparasites of Gerbillus pyramidum were studied. The results showed that the jerboa was more common in summer [jerboa index 0.43] and least common in winter [jerboa index 0.35]. The overall male to female ratio was 4.2: 1. The flea ectoparasites were more common in autumn [flea index 10.5] and least common in summer [flea index 6.8]. The overall flea index was 8.75 and the majority of fleas [90.9%] was collected on male jerboa. The collected fleas in a descending order of abundance and flea index were: Xenopsylla cheopis [3.1], X. ramesis [2.7], Stenoponia tripectinata [1.4], Nosopsylla sinaiensis [0.9], Hopkinsipsylla occulta [0.6], and Pulex irritans [0.01]

Leishmania major in meriones sacramenti thomas 1922 in Nakhel, North Sinai Egypt

Leishmania major is a protozoal parasite of desert and savanna rodents, the vectors being mainly Phlebotomus [Phlebotomus] papatasi and very closely related species. Man is an incidental host, in whom usually it causes zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this paper, spot light survey was carried out in Nakhel to identify the role of animal reservoir[s] where a sudden outbreak occurred in Nakhel center. The trapped rodents were M. musculus, Meriones sacramenti and Gerbillus pyramidum. Three isolates were obtained from the ear and/or spleen of three M. sacramenti. Isoenzyme characterization of the isolates using five enzymes showed the isolates to be identical with the L. major reference strain. The results were discussed on the light of the work previously done in Sinai Peninsula