Relationship of SICAM-1 and SE-selectin to obesity measures in an Egyptian female sample

To evaluate circulating levels of sICAM-1, and sE-Selectin as indices of endothelial activation in a sample of obese young Egyptian females. Thirty obese and 30 non-obese premenopausal females were included in the study. They were subjected to complete clinical examination, and measurement of body mass index [BMI] and waist/hip ratio [W/H ratio]. Laboratory measurements included serum cholesterol [TC], serum LDL and HDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides [TG] and body fat%. Serum sICAM-1 and sE-Selectin concentrations were measured with ELISA technique. The treatment program included balanced low calorie food regimen and daily exercise therapy for 45-60 minutes at the intensity of 70-85% of maximum heart rate. Obese patients were reassessed after 3 months. Results: Obese females had significantly higher DM1, TC, LDL cholesterol, TG, body fat% and plasma levels of sE-Selectin and sICAM-1. HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in the obese group. Highly significant correlations were found between sE-Selectin and BMI, W/H ratio, TC, LDL cholesterol and body fat%. There was a significant correlation with TG, while sICAM-1 significantly correlated with BMI, TC and LDL cholesterol. A negative significant correlation was found between HDL cholesterol and CAMs. After treatment program, serum levels of sE-Selectin, sICAM-1 were significantly lowered with significant reductions in BMI, TC, LDL cholesterol, and TG and body fat%. Circulating levels of sE-Selectin and sICAM-1 are related to anthropometric and metabolic measures f obesity. sE-Selectin showed the strongest association with central obesity. Combined weight reduction, physical activity resulted in decrease in sE-Selectin and sICAM-1 levels

Therapeutic value of low energy laser with and without photosensitization in wounds infected with staphylococcus aureus

The worldwide rise in antibiotic resistance has increasing negative influence on wound healing. This has necessitated the development of novel antimicrobial and healing aid strategies. Low energy laser therapy [LELT] has been shown to be one of the promising new methods in this aspect. To evaluate the effect of LELT with and without a photosensitiser on infected wounds in guinea pigs. A triangular wound in the dorsal aspect of 60 guinea pigs was made and infected with staph. aureus. They were randomly divided into 4 groups after 24 hours. Group I was treated daily with LELT [dose: 43.2j/cm2] and toluidine blue O [TBO] as a photosensitiser at a concentration of 12.5 microg/ml. Group II received LELT only at the same dose as in group I. Group III was treated conventionally with Betadine-soaked sterile gauze daily. Group IV had no treatment to act as a control. LELT with TBO produced significantly the best results compared to the other 3 groups with regard to anti-bacterial activity, purulence reduction and wound healing rate. This effective, safe, painless and non-touch technique deserves to be considered in the management of wounds infected with staph. aureus