ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus [D.M] is a disease with a high and increasing prevalence. Insulin-producing cells [IPCs] generated from mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] have shown immense potential for therapy. This study aimed to compare the differentiation potential of 2 kinds of MSCs obtained from human bone marrow [BM], and umbilical cord blood [UCB] into IPCs. In addition, their therapeutic efficiency to control streptozotocin [STZ] - induced diabetic rats was investigated. MSCs were isolated from human BM and UCB, expanded and differentiated to IPCs. The Cells were evaluated by flow cytometry analysis for MSCs markers, RT-PCR for insulin gene expression and ELISA detection of C-peptide release. IPCS were transplanted into the liver of diabetic rats and then evaluated by weekly measurement of the fasting blood glucose [FBG] levels, and detection of in vivo release of C-peptide. This study demonstrated that FBG levels were reduced in diabetic rats transplanted with IPCs, but in rats transplanted with UCB-derived cells were significantly lower than in those transplanted with BM-derived cells. The amount of C-peptide released from transplanted IPCs derived from BM-MSCs and UCB-MSCs was non-significantly different. The results indicate that UCB- MSCs and BM-MSCs are promising stem cell sources for IPCs that help in the development of a new strategy for treatment of D.M. However, transplantation of IPCs derived from UCB brings better results than BM-derived cells
ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is the most common cause of oligoanovulation, infertility, and hyperandrogenism in women and characterized by abnormal folliculogenesis. The androgen receptoe [AR] is present in the ovary in almost all stages of folliculogenesis and has been suggested to play a proliferative role for follicular development but the role of androgen signaling through the AR in the pathophysiology of PCOS is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of androgens during folliculogenesis by determining AR mRNA expression in granulosa cell [GC] of human antral follicles in PCOS patients and controls and correlate that with the hormonal characteristics of the corresponding follicular fluid. The current study included 40 patients with PCOS and 30 women with normal ovulatory function attending the Fertility Unit in Mansoura University Hospital. The follicular fluid [FF] levels of sex steroids were assayed via high performance liquid chromatography. RNA was extracted from GC of all cases and controls. cDNA and amplification of a gene region from 1648 to 2055 bp of human androgen receptor was carried out by one step RT-PCR. The PCR product size of 400 bp was electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel. The results revealed that the F F levels of testosterone, androstenedione, 3alpha-androstanediol, 17 OH progesterone and progesterone were significantly higher in patients with PCO than the control group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in AR expression in patients with PCO than the control group. It could be concluded that androgen signaling through AR plays an important role in GC development and is required for the optimal performance of female reproduction, but that excessive androgen signaling might lead to abnormal follicular growth seen in polycystic ovary syndrome
Subject(s)
Follicular Fluid/chemistry , Androgens , Receptors, Androgen , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methodsABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate changes in plasma malondialdehyde, total thiol concentration and total antioxidant activity in newly diagnosed Graves' disease and toxic multinodular goiter patients prior to antithyroid treatment and after restoration of stable euthyroid state. Forty subjects were included in this study. Thirty patients with hyperthyroidism, which were classified into two groups, the first [group I] Comprised 15 patients with hyperthyroidism due to untreated Graves' disease, and the second [group II] Comprised 15 patients with hyperthyroidism due to untreated toxic multinodular goiter. Ten patients of each group were treated pharmacologically with antithyroid drug carbimazol [30 mg/day for 8 weeks]. Total thyroxin [T4], total triiodothyronine [T3], TSH, malondialdehyde, total thiol concentration and total antioxidant activity were estimated before initiation of treatment. After apparent attainment of euthyroid state, all tests were repeated for ten of the patients with Graves' disease and ten of the patients with toxic multinodular goiter. The results of this study revealed that there were a statistically highly significant increase in plasma malandialdehyde [MDA], a significant decrease in plasma thiol and very highly significant decrease in total antioxidant activity in both patient groups when compared to healthy controls. After treatment, plasma MDA levels were highly significantly decreased and total antioxidant activity was very highly significantly increased in both patient groups when compared to control one. As regard thiol, it was significantly increased in group I only. From this study it could be conclude that, intensification of lipid and protein peroxidation process and the impairment of plasma antioxidant activity in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease or toxic multinodular goiter confirm the presence of oxidative stress and the disturbances in the antioxidant systems might be an indicator of patients' susceptibility to free radical damage. So, supplementation of antioxidants as an adjuvant to medical antithyroid treatment could help to prevent oxidative damage in hyperthyroid patients. Also, we suggest that measuring oxidative stress parameters could be a better way of follow up of thyroid state improvement both from the chemical and economic point of view
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to find out if hyperlipidemia can cause hearing affection and to evaluate the sensitivity of extended high frequency audiometry in early detection of hearing impairment. Audiological evaluation in the form of conventional pure tone air and bone conduction hearing threshold at octave frequencies was done. Extended high frequency hearing threshold audiometry measurement in dB-SPL at 9-18 KHz frequencies was also performed. Triglycerides had less damaging effect on hearing than cholesterol, however combined elevation had more drastic insult. LDL/HDL ratio is an important risk factor in hearing affection. LDL/HDL ratio <3 is a low risky affecting hearing at extended high frequencies at and above 11 KHz. LDL/HDL ratio between [3-6] is a moderate risky affecting hearing at and above 8 KHz. LDL/HDL ratio >6 is high risky, affecting hearing at all conventional and extended high frequencies. It was recommended to use extended high frequencies as a sensitive tool to detect early hearing affection in cases of hyperlipidemia. Treatment of hyperlipidemia should begin long before the evidence of diminished hearing in the high frequencies. Diet control should begin early in life as possible