methodological approach to beta-endorphin assay in biological samples

In this study, a methodological approach to B-endorphin in biological fluids [seminal plasma, blood plasma and serum] was done. Measurement of beta-endorphin was performed by immunoassay method [immunoradiometric assay [IRMA] and radioimmunoassay [RIA]], either directly or proceeded by extraction procedures, e.g. Sep Pak [C18], affinity columns of sepharose particles and HPLC. A recovery study of B-endorphin was done to assess the binding effect of endogenous proteins in test samples on assay performance. It can be concluded that measurement of B-endorphin in peripheral blood samples [plasma and serum] can be performed by a direct immunoradiometric assay without extraction methods. As regards the measurement of B-endorphin in seminal plasma by IRMA and RIA, it must be proceeded by acidification of the sample, boiling and extraction by Sep Pak [C18] cartridges

Microalbuminuria in diabetics with coronary heart disease

Microalbuminuria was determined in 40 patients with type II diabetes mellitus [10 without coronary heart disease [group I] and 30 with CHD [group II]] before and after exercise, using automated immunoprecipitin analysis. Microalbuminuria in group I showed significant increase before [P <0.05] and after exercise [P <0.001] when compared with control. Diabetic group with CHD showed significant increase in microalbuminuria before and after exercise [P <0.05]. Both patients in group I and group II showed in significant changes in microalbuminuria before and after exercise [P >0.05]. However, these results were obtained from a small number of selected diabetic patients with or without coronary heart disease

Sexual maturation in chronic opioids treated rats

This work was conducted to study the effect of morphine and naloxone administration during prepubertal period on sexual maturation, serum level of gonadotrophins, prolactin and sex hormones. Naloxone 2.6 mg/kg/8 h, injected SC to female rat from day 21, advanced the age of onset of puberty assessed in terms of vaginal opening and first estrus [33.5 vs 40.75/day in control]. Also, these animals showed significantly higher level of plasma FSH, IH, and estradiol. The number of ova released at first estrus, weight of ovaries and uterus were significantly higher. While, at age of 50 days, a number of indices of male sexual maturation viz. FSH, IH, testosterone, and weight of testis were significantly increased after naloxone [2.5 mg/kg/8 h SC], the same indices were significantly decreased after SC morphine injection in graded doses starting by 5 mg/kg to male rats from day 21. The time of first ovulation and vaginal opening was delayed in morphine dependent female rats [47.5 vs. 40.75 days in control]. Also, chronically morphine treated female rats had lower level of weight of ovaries and uterus, number of ova, H and estradiol at day of first ovulation

Role of prolactin metabolism in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis associated with sexual disturbances

Serum prolactin levels were assayed in 20 male patients with bilharzial liver fibrosis Also, LH and FSH were measured. Twelve male individuals with no known diseases which affect pituitary hormones constituted the control group Cases with hyperprolactinaemia [>20mg/ml] and associated with sexual disturbances [18 patients] were treated with bromocriptine [2.5mg tds for one month]. After treatment, serum prolactin levels were reassayed with revaluation of sexual disturbances. The treated cases showed improvement of the reproductive state in the form of increased libido and improved potency.This could be attributed to the significant decrease of serum prolactin levels to within reference ranges

Effect of chronic exposure to ammonia on hormonal profile in human and expermental rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to ammonia on the endocrine profile of a group of 22 subjects living in the vicinity of a fertilizer factory for over 5 years. Eight subjects living away from the factory constituted the control group. Also, the effects of ammonia exposure were studied in 10 rats exposed to ammonia at a fixed and constant concentration of 262 +/- 10 mg/m3 for 30 days. Eight rats not exposed to ammonia constituted the control group. The changes of the hormonal profile of the studied groups were more prominant in the animal group than in the human group especially as regards thyroid function tests. This points to the importance of hormonal follow up for those facing long-term periods of exposure to ammonia especially as regards thyroid function tests

Correlation between copper, zinc and sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in seminal plasma as a biological marker for spermatogenesis in male infertility

It is pointed out that some profound disorders developing in the infertile testis affect mainly the germinal cells. Degeneration of these cells, as recently reported, was associated with affection of sorbitol dehydrogenase [SDH] activity in seminal plasma. The objective of this study was to identify the alterations of SDH activities as well as the possible relationship between zinc and copper level versus SDH activities in human semen specimens with different sperm parameters. Our data show that the decrease of spermatozoal count and reduce motility in infertile specimens was accompanied by a significant decrease [<0.001] in both SDH activities and zinc levels. A significant increase [<0.001] was also noted in copper levels when compared to normospermic group. A positive correlation was found between SDH activity and zinc level [+ 0.61] and between SDH activity and copper levels [+0.51] in normospermic population. At the same time no correlation was found between SDH activity and trace elements studied in infertile men [Oligoathenoatheno and azospermia]. We can conclude that SDH could serve as a useful biochemical make for assessing testicular function and spermatogenesis in infertile men. Also this enzyme has no relation with zinc, copper levels in seminal plasma, of such population