Ultra structural and biochemical studies on the effects of natural and synthetic anti-fibrotic drugs on liver of schistosoma mansoni infected mice when given with anti-schistosomal treatment

Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most prevalent causes of liver fibrosis in Egypt. Liver fibrosis is the result of an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins of the liver. This progressive process is mainly characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells [HSCs]. Colchicine is a well known drug used for treating liver fibrosis, however higher doses cannot be used due to its toxicity. Silymarin is a natural acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antifibrotic effects of colchicine [when given alone or combined with Silymarin] on liver of schistosomal infected mice model, treated with antibilharzial drug [Mirazid]. Ninety mice were divided into 6 groups [15/group], the first served as non-infected control and the second as infected control. The infected mice of the 3[rd], 4[th], 5[th] and 6[th] groups were given mirazid, mirazid and colchicine, mirazid and Silymarin and mirazid, colchicine and Silymarin respectively. Histological [Light and Electron microscopical analysis] and biochemical tools were used. The current work showed that best results were achieved in group of animals treated with mirazid and administered combined colchicine and Silymarin. Electron microscope examination showed HSCs returned to approximately resting phase. Hepatocytes revealed normal appearing picture with normally seen microvilli surface. This was confirmed by light microscopic examination. Biochemical analysis of some liver functions [Total proteins, albumin, GGT, ALP and LDH], was in parallel with the histological results. We concluded that activation of HSCs may play a key role in the progress of Schistosoma induced hepatic fibrosis, and the use of Silymarin, colchicine combined with antibilharzial drug reduces this activation

Effect of cimaterol-induced muscle hypertrophy on calcium-dependent proteinase and calpistatin activities in young lambs

The aim of the present study was to reveal the possible relationships between cimaterol-induced hypertrophy of skeletal muscle and the activity of micromolar -Ca2- dependent proteinase [uM CDP], millimolar - Ca2+ - dependent proteinase [mM CDP], and their specific inhibitor [calpastatin]. 200 mg /kg/day of Cimaterol in milk replacer for 21 days increased mM CDP. The increased activity of calpastatin indicated that Cimaterol-induced muscle hypertrophy may be attained in part by reduction of the proteolytic activity of myofibrillar protein

Effect of the combination of both testosterone and trenbolone with 17 b-estradiol on protein metabolism

The present investigation was designed to evaluate the anabolic potency of both Testosterone propionate and Tronbolone acetate combined with 17 beta-estradiol. The implantation of trenbolone acetate-17-beta-estradiol combination [Tr-E] induced a marked elevation in nitrogen retention and creatinine level in urine more than that following the i.m. injection of testosterone propionate-17-beta-estradiol combination [T-E]. No significant change in urinary urea was observed in both groups

Biochemical changes in serum and hepatic proteins and nucleic acids following implantation of trenboloneestradiol combination

The present investigation was conducted in order to reveal the changes in serum and hepatic proteins due to the administration of Trenbolone-Estradiol combination. The implantation of 10, 30 and 50 mg/Kg B.W. of Trenbolone acetate-17 beta-Estradiol [Tr-E] combination induced a marked elevation in liver total protein and globulin contents in the groups that received 30 and 50 mg/Kg B.W. whereas liver albumin relatively showed a less apparent increase in the same groups. On the other hand, serum total proteins and globulin showed no appreciable changes, whereas, albumin content exerted a well marked enhancement in the groups that received 30 and 50 mg/Kg B.W. Liver RNA concentration was significantly promoted, whereas the change in liver DNA content was limited. No appreciable changes were observed in both serum and liver contents in the group that received 10 mg/Kg B.W