Protective and therapeutic potentials of Dunaliella salina on aging-associated cardiac dysfunction in rats

Objective: To investigate the possible protective and/or therapeutic potentials of Dunaliella salina (D. salina) biomass, its carotenoid and polar fractions on cardiac dysfunction associated with D-galactose (D-GAL) induced aging in rats. Methods: Aging associated cardiac dysfunction was induced in rats by injection of D-GAL (200 mg/kg; i.p) for 8 weeks. D-GAL injected rats were treated with two regimens; protective regimen where D. salina biomass (250 mg/kg), its carotenoid (250 μg/kg) and polar (250 μg/kg) fractions were given orally for two weeks concurrently with D-GAL injection as well as treatment regimen where the three treatments were given orally for 28 consecutive days after D-GAL injection. Results: D-GAL injection for 8 weeks was accompanied with dramatic electrocardiographic changes as well as profound elevation in serum levels of homocysteine, creatinine kinase isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase in addition to the reduction of the cardiac content of glucose trasporter 4. D-GAL also induced reduction in cardiac superoxide dismutase activity and elevation of inducible nitric oxide synthetase and interleukin-6. On the other hand, oral administration of D. salina carotenoid fraction as well as the total biomass significantly attenuated the D-GAL-induced disturbances in the above mentioned parameters where the protective regimen appeared more successful in controlling the manifestations of cardiac dysfunction. The histopathological examination further emphasized the promising results. Besides, the HPLC analysis of the carotenoid fraction of D. salina revealed the presence of 2.31% β -carotene. Conclusions: D. salina carotenoid fraction as well as the total biomass ameliorate D-GAL-induced aging associated cardiac dysfunction which is attributed to the potent antioxidant activity of β -carotene.

Antidepressant-like effect of resveratrol in a subchronic model of depression

Depression is one of the most serious and common mental diseases with major negative social consequences. Transresveratrol [trans-3,5,4´-trihydroxystilbene] is a polyphenolic compound with a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. It has been detected in some fruits and herbs, including the Asian plant Polygonum cuspidatum. The aim of this study was to assess the antidepressant-like effect of transresveratrol in a reserpine subchronic model of depression. Depression-like behaviours were induced in rats by reserpine injection [0.25 mg/kg, subcutaneously] every 48 h, for 20 days. Transresveratrol [60 and 120 mg/kg] and fluoxetine [10 mg/kg] were administered orally daily during the 20 days of the study. Behavioural tests, namely, open-field test and forced swimming test, as well as brain neurotransmitters levels and antioxidant contents and liver functions, were assessed. Data revealed that transresveratrol improved the rats' behaviour in both the open-field test and forced swimming test, and also elevated the brain's neurotransmitter content, normalized the liver enzymes level, and improved the antioxidant status of both the brain and liver, compared with those of fluoxetine. The present study provided a clear evidence for the antidepressant-like of transresveratrol in the experimental model of depression. Further investigations are required to investigate the mechanism of action of transresveratrol as well as its applicability to be used as an antidepressant

Andropause phenomenon by measurement of serum free testosterone concentration in Iraqi healthy men. Age related study

To investigate the andropause phenomenon in Iraqi healthy subjects by evaluating serum free testosterone [FT] concentrations in association with age. This study was carried out at the Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, between February 2012 and October 2012. This cross sectional control subject's study included 251 healthy Iraqi men with an age range of 20-82 years. Subjects were divided into variant age groups, group 1 [20-40 years, n=16], group 2 [40-60 years, n=165] and group 3 [60-82 years, n=70], group A-1 [<50 years, n=137] and group A-2 [>/= 50 years, n=114], and group B-1 [<60 years, n=215] and group B-2 [>/= 60 years, n=36]. Serum FT concentrations were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results revealed significant negative correlation between serum FT concentrations and the age values of the studied subjects [r= -0.231, p=0.0001]. The mean [ +/- SEM] value of serum FT concentrations was significantly decreased in group 3 when compared with that of group 1 [p<0.009] and group 2 [p=0.031] as well as in group B2 than in group B1 [p=0.043]. This study found significant decline in serum FT level, the gold test for andropause phenomenon, in healthy male subjects in age-related changes and the cutoff at which such significant decrease occurred is at 60 years of age and above

Role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in hyperandrogenism and the severity of acne vulgaris in young males

To evaluate the association of growth hormone [GH], and insulin-like growth factor- 1[IGF-1] in the production of male sex hormones and the severity of acne in Iraqi male patients, and to assess their role in development of secondary hyperlipidemia in such patients. We conducted this case-control study and single-center measurement of hormones and selected biochemical parameters in a cohort of volunteer males in the Department of Biochemistry College of Medicine, Baghdad University, and in the Dermatology Department, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq, from January 2010 to November 2010. The mean serum levels of GH and IGF-1 of severe acne patients were significantly increased when compared with mild-, moderate acne patients, and healthy controls [p=0.0001]. Also, the mean serum total testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS] levels were significantly increased in severe acne compared with those of mild- [p=0.0001], moderate acne patients [p=0.005], and healthy males [p=0.0001]. The mean values of lipid parameters significantly differed in severe acne patients in comparison with other acne groups and controls [p=0.004]. The results also revealed a significant correlation between the studied parameters. The study showed a significant elevation of serum GH and IGF-1, which enhanced androgen hormone production and the development of severe acne. These patients may develop hyperlipidemia secondary to their hyperandrogenism

role of dyslipidaemia in pathogenesis of familial dilated cardiomyopathy and nonischemic heart failure

This study had been designed to evaluate the serum lipid profile concentrations in patients with familial dilated cardiomyopathy [FDCM] and nonischemic DCM, and search for a correlation between serum lipid concentrations and the severity of heart failure. This case controlled study was conducted in Department of Cardiology in Ibn Albitar Hospital, Baghdad and in Department of Physiological Chemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad from January 2005 to November 2005. Fifty-one patients DCM were included in this study, 7 patients with FDCM [40-70 years], and the remainder 44 patients with nonischemic DCM [19-72 years old]. Twenty-five healthy subjects [21-60 years] taken as a control group. Investigations included serum estimation of total cholesterol [Tch], triglyceride [TG], low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C], HDL-C/LDL-C ratio and Tch/LDL-C ratio in patient and control groups. Some of the echocardiographic parameters were also measured in all patients. The mean [ +/- SD] values of serum concentrations of Tch and LDL-C did not differ significantly between patient groups and controls. Serum TG concentration was significantly increased in patients with FDCM and nonischemic DCM when compared with healthy controls [p<0.018, p<0.011; respectively]. Serum HDL-C concentration was significantly decreased in nonischemic DCM patients compared with controls [p<0.0001]. An important significant correlations were also observed between the serum lipid concentrations and the echocardiographic values in patient groups. Our data revealed that lipid profile abnormalities, in particular high serum TG and low serum HDL-C concentrations, may contribute to the development of FDCM and nonischemic DCM

frequency of 21-alpha hydroxylase enzyme deficiency and related sex hormones in Iraqi healthy male subjects versus patients with acne vulgaris

To find out the frequency of nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia [CAH] due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency among Iraqi healthy male individuals versus male patients with acne vulgaris. This case-control study and single-center examination of hormone levels in a cohort of volunteers was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, and in the Physiological Chemistry Department of the College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq, from September 2007 to February 2008. The frequency of 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency in healthy male subjects was 1:43 [2.3%], while in male patients with acne vulgaris, this was 6:43 [13.95%]. Serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone [OHP] levels were statistically and significantly elevated in male patients with acne vulgaris compared with healthy male controls [p=0.020]. The serum total cortisol level was significantly reduced in patients with acne vulgaris in comparison with that of healthy controls [p=0.022]. These results support the necessity of inclusion of the 21-alpha hydroxylase enzyme activity [serum 17-OHP level] screening test in acne patients

Prediction of cerebral palsy in very low birth weight preterm infants: a comparative study between cranial ultrasound and brain MRI

This prospective study was carried out in the neonatal intensive care unit, El-Minia university hospital. Two diagnostic modalities, serial cranial ultrasound [US] scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] were performed once at near term on 38 very premature infants, "less than 32 weeks gestation" [20 males and 18 females] with very low birth weight [< 1500 g]. The aim was to compare both diagnostic modalities in identification of different brain injuries such as periventricular leucomalacia and intraventricular hemorrhage and to assess their value in early prediction of cerebral palsy [CP]. Infants were followed up by neurorehabilitation service up to 20 months corrected age, when all cases of CP can be diagnosed clinically. In the first group [8 patients with CP], MRI findings predicted CP cases with 87.3% sensitivity and positive predictive value of 70%. The corresponding figures for cranial US were 50% and 44.4% respectively. In the other group [30 infants without CP or with minor neurological abnormalities], MRI findings predicted neurologically normal infants [i.e. without CP] with 90% specificity and negative predictive value of 96.4%. The corresponding figures for cranial US being 83.3% and 86.2% respectively. It can be concluded that, though MRI is superior to cranial US for early prediction of CP; cranial US is still being used as a repeatable easy bed side diagnostic modality to demonstrate severe parenchymal lesions. MRI can be reserved for subtle lesions or cases with normal or controversial result by cranial US

Performance of cardiac imaging and a new cardiomarker assay for early detection of myocardial injury in asphyxiated term neonates

Myocardial ischemia of newborns is a well known syndrome and is usually related to perinatal asphyxia. Recognition of myocardial ischaemia is more difficult in neonates than adults; it can be clinically occult, especially when hypoxia is mild. Cardiac troponin T [cTnT] is a cardiac specific marker that can be used for early detection of myocardial injury. This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the diagnostic values of cardiac troponin T [cTnT], electrocardiography [ECG] and echocardiography in early detection of myocardial injury in term asphyxiated neonates. This study included 44 term infants [24 neonates with asphyxia and 20 controls]. Term neonates with asphyxia had significantly higher cardiac troponin t concentration than control healthy neonates of 0.20 +/- 0.09 versus 0.04 +/- 0.02 ng/ml [p<0.05] respectively. Finally, five out of 24 asphyxiated term group [20.8%] died during the first week of life. Significant negative correlations were found between cardiac troponin t and umbilical blood pH, base excess and Apgar score [r = -0.67, -0.83, -0.79, respectively; p < 0.01]. ECG changes of grades 3 and 4 suggestive of myocardial ischemia are present only in asphyxiated group with incidence of 50%. Four out of five patients died had grade 4 and one had grade 3 ECG changes. However, in control group, normal ECG was found in 90% and only grade 1 ECG alterations in 10%. Regarding, echocardiographic findings, fractional shortening [FS] was significantly lower in asphyxiated neonates than the control group. There was no significant difference between both groups as regards to cardiac index and cardiac output. Tricuspid regurgitation was observed in 12 neonates [50%]. Seven [29%] asphyxiated neonates developed clinical signs of heart failure. A significantly higher serum cTnT was found in asphyxiated neonates with heart failure than those without heart failure [P < 0.05]. The sensitivity and specificity of serum cTnT in detecting myocardial injury presenting with heart failure was 71.4% and of 33.3%, respectively. It is concluded that Serum cTnT is a useful new cardiac biomarker that can be used for early detection and estimation of the incidence of myocardial injury in asphyxiated term neonates. Reduced fractional shortening and tricuspid insufficiency in Echocardiography and grades 3 and 4 ECG changes are important indicators of severe myocardial damage

Heart rate variability in normal children and patients with congenital left to right shunt: time domain analysis based study

Three groups of subjects were included in this study. Group I: 50 subjects with no evidence of structural heart disease to study normal heart rate variability indices using time domain analysis in normal children. Group II included 30 patients with congenital left to right shunt with no evidence of heart failure. Group III included 20 patients with congenital left to right shunt and heart failure. All groups are both age and weight matched. Based on analysis of 24 hours ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring data we noticed no significant difference between group I and group II in all time domain indices while there was significant reduction of all indices in group three compared to other 2 groups [P <0.001 for both SDNN and SDANN and <0.01 for pNN50 and rMSSD] using one way ANOVA]. We concluded that, the presence of heart failure in patients with CHD augments sympathetic nervous system activity in those patients and is responsible for the genesis of arrhythmias in them

Risk of acute otitis media in relation to acute bronchiolitis in children

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and the etiology of acute otitis media [AOM] In children with acute bronchiolitis. Also to determine whether AOM occurring with acute bronchiolitis "Which mainly due to respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]" is accompanied with another pathogens "which usually found in the middle ear aspirate [MEA]" or not. Thirty-six children with acute bronchiolitis aged 3 to 18 months that were admitted to pediatrics department, El-Minia University Hospital during the period from September 2005 to December 2005 were included In this study. In patients with AOM at entry or developed AOM within 14 days, Gram-stained smears, bacterial cultures, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] were performed on middle-ear aspirates to detect the presence of bacterial pathogens and RSV respectively. Twenty children [55.6%] with acute bronchiolitis had AOM at entry or developed AOM within 14 days, 9 patients [25%] had developed otitis media with effusion, and only 7 patients [19.4%] remained free of both AOM and otitis media with effusion, throughout the 2-weeks observation period. Of 27 middle-ear aspirates [13 unilateral and 7 bilateral], bacterial pathogens were isolated in 23 [85%] [10 bacteria alone "37%" and 13 mixed bacteria and RSV "48%"], RSV was identified in 15 [55.5%] of middle ear aspirates [mixed with bacteria in 13 and RSV alone in 2 cases [7.5%]], so RSV was identified in 15 of 20 patients [75%] with AOM. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in 11 middle ear aspirates, Haemophilus influenza in 6, Moraxella catarrhalis in 4, Staphylococcus aureus in 2, Streptococcus pyogenes in one aspirate and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in one aspirate only. Of 20 cases of AOM, 15 [75%] responded clinically to usual dose of antibiotic [Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid and/or Cefotaxime]. Finally we concluded that bacterial AOM is a complication In most children with acute bronchiolitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza were the commonest organisms isolated from middle ear aspirate. RSV is identified in most cases of acute otitis media [75%] and mixed with bacterial pathogens. Accordingly, in patients with acute bronchiolitis and associated AOM, antimicrobial treatment is indicated

Serum carnitine levels in children with iron deficiency anemia

This study was designed to evaluate the carnitine serum levels as co-morbidity in apparently healthy children with iron deficiency anemia. Fifty four apparently healthy well nourished children [29 boys and 25 girls], their ages ranged from 9 months to 12 months with iron deficiency anemia were enrolled in the study. Twenty five healthy non anemic children with matched age and sex included as a control group. Malnourished children with iron deficiency anemia were excluded from the study. For all anemic children with suspected iron deficiency anemia as well as control group, we performed complete blood count [CBC] including measuring of hemoglobin [Hb] level, hematocrit% [Hct], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC]; serum ferritin, serum iron [SI], and total iron binding capacity[TIBC]. Serum total carnitine levels were measured by spectrophotometric method. Hb, MCV, MCH, serum ferritin and serum iron were significantly lower in patients with iron deficiency anemia than in control non anemic group [p < 0.001]. Serum carnitine levels were significantly lower in children with iron deficiency anemia than in healthy control group [p<0.001]. There was a significant positive correlation between hemoglobin and serum carnitine [r=0.84; p<0.001]. Also, we found a significant positive correlation between serum iron, serum ferritin and serum carnitine [r=0.91; p<0.001 and r = 0.9; P<0.001, respectively]. In conclusion, iron is required for biosynthesis of carnitine. Low serum carnitine levels in these children may be due to iron deficiency. Therefore, iron fortification of the diets of children seems to be essential not only to prevent iron deficiency anemia but also to avoid other possible effects of iron deficiency in the growing children, such as secondary carnitine deficiency. However, additional studies are still needed to ascertain the frequency of carnitine deficiency and the need for carnitine supplementation in children with iron deficiency anemia

Diagnosis and genetic susceptibility of pulmonary tuberculosis in children

This study consisted of 3 closely related parts; the first part included 70 children with pulmonary tuberculosis [TB], aged 2 - 10 years and 20 healthy children as controls. All were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination, chest x-ray and tuberculin test. Blood samples were taken to perform glutaraldehyde test and for detection of IgG antibodies against mycobacterium TB by ELISA technique using antigen A60. The sensitivity of glutaraldehyde test was 87.1% and its specificity was 90% with high significance, while the sensitivity of ELISA test was 48.6% and its specificity was 90%. In the second part of the study, sputum samples from 57 children recently diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis, were processed for microscopic examination of smears after staining for acid fast bacilli, culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium and nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Patients included in this part were divided into 3 groups. In a group of 20 children not-receiving antituberculous therapy yet, the results of smear examination and PCR were identical in 75% of cases. In 10% of cases culture was most sensitive, but in 25% of patients nested PCR was positive even when smear and culture were negative. In a group of 20 children receiving antituberculous therapy for less than six months, PCR positive results were obtained even when both smear and culture were negative. In a group of 17 children receiving antituberculous therapy for more than six months, positive PCR results were detected up to the 7[th] month of therapy. The third part of the study included the HLA [A, B, C loci] phenotyping in 25 cases out of 70 studied in the first-part, and 92 controls. The results showed higher frequency of the following HLA antigens among cases of pulmonary TB than the controls: A25[10], A26[10], AW66, B35, BW55, CW3, CW4 and CW5, and associated with increased relative risk [RR] above one and the etiologic factor for CW4 antigen was 0.408. On the other hand HLA- B5+ B18+ B35, B12, B27 were significantly higher among the controls than the cases. We concluded that glutaraldehyde test can be used as simple, rapid, inexpensive, not tedious test and was positive in cases of TB with malnutrition. Concerning ELISA test, it can be used as rapid serodiagnostic test which is reliable and relatively inexpensive technique for diagnosis of active pulmonary TB in children. Application of nested PCR assay could be used as a follow-up tool in monitoring of pulmonary tuberculosis in children. Regarding HLA antigens the results showed high frequency of the previously mentioned HLA antigens with pulmonary TB, which may indicate, increased susceptibility to pulmonary TB infection. On the other hand, high frequency of other mentioned HLA antigens among controls may indicate a protective effect of these antigens. Anyhow further studies are still needed to be done and on a wide scale to prove the association of HLA antigens and tuberculosis

Brainstem auditory evoked potedntial the normal and mentally retarded and its relationship to intelligence

This study selected randomly a group of mentally retarded children consisting of 33 male members ranging in age between 107-169 months in addition to 29 normal children matched for age and sex and served as controls. Subjects of both groups were free from hearing h and icaps and all were subjected to brain stem auditory evoked potential [BAEP] measurement. Raven progressive matrices test was used for the evaluation of intelligence aiming to find out any possible differentiating characteristics between normal and mentally retarded children as well as establishing the correlation if present between the level of IQ and brain stem evoked wave structure

Relevant biochemical changes in hepatomegalic patients with diabetes mellitus

Serum enzymes including aminotransferases [ALT, AST], Alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transferase, beside cholesterol, bilirubin [total and conjugated], as well as total protein and its electrophoretic fractions were measured in 59 hepatomegalic patients with diabetes mellitus, 108 diabetic patients with no hepatomegaly, and 50 subjects as a normal control group. Significant increases in the level of all of the measured enzymes as well as cholesterol were found in diabetics with hepatomegaly as compared to those with no hepatomegaly and the control group. A significant difference was found between total serum bilirubin concentration in hepatomegalic diabetics and controls, but not with diabetic patients with normal liver size. The serum albumin level was significantly lower, while alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta-, and total globulins were significantly higher in hepatomegalic diabetics than in the control group

Short versus long term effect of lithium on pituitary thyroid axis

Although the antithyroid effect of lithium is well known in thyrotoxicosis, there is no general agreement about its effect in euthyroid subjects. Furthermore, the duration of therapy may modify its antithyroid effect. In the thyrotoxic patients, short term use of lithium is effective and safe method to achieve euthyroidism. However, long term use needs close supervision and manipulation of the dose. In euthyroid patients even short term use of lithium is associated with subclinical hypothyroidism which is much more frequent than previously suggested and replacement thyroid therapy should be used from the start so as to avoid subclinical hypothyroidism and prevent fluctuations in the thyroid function that could induce affective disorders

Comparative study of combined therapy in simple obesity

Drug combinations used in small doses are as effective as full doses of individual drugs and produce less side effects. In term of potency, combination of fenfluramine and metformin in the most potent, but in term of absence of tolerance combination of diethyl propion and metformin is the least one to produce tolerance and is the best one to maintain the reduction in body weight. Fenfluramine and metformin combination is the best to be used in android obesity as it produces a significant reduction in W/H ratio which is also well correlated with the reduction in body mass index. Furthermore, it produces a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat [as measured by triceps skin fold and mid arm thickness]. So, a homogenous body fat redistribution can be achieved. The improvement in health indices [blood sugar, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and exercise tolerance] is well correlated with the reduction in body weight. Fenfluramine and metformin combination produces a highly significant improvement in blood sugar so this combination is good for diabetic obese, while fenfluramine and thyroid hormone combination produces significant improvement in serum cholesterol and triglycerides

Evaluation of the role of lipase activity on cholecystokinin release, gastric emptying and pancreatic secretion

These studies shown that lipase plays an important nutrient specific regulatory role on upper gastrointestinal functions which is dependent on the hydrolysis of fat into free fatty acids, thus stimulating the release of CCK. The studies showed also the high potency and specificity of THL as a lipase blocker. Since pancreatic lipase is the first enzyme to show a decrease in activity in patients with pancreatic insufficiency, the results of our study are important for evaluating some pathophysiological aspects of this disease. In the current study can be used in the pharmacotherapy of diseases related to dietary fat intake such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and their sequelae