Vascular endothelial growth factor as an angiogenic factor in congestive heart failure

In order to evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] in the pathology of CHF, this study was conducted on 96 subjects [57 males and 39 females]. Sixty-eight of them had congestive heart failure of various etiologies [40 males and 28 females with an age ranged from 18 to 76 years with a mean +/- SD of 47.83 +/- 16.2] together with 28 apparently healthy individuals [17 males and 11 females with ages ranged from 18 to 65 years with a mean +/- SD of 33.2 +/- 11] as the control group. The patients were classified into five groups according to the etiology of congestive heart failure. All groups were subjected to history taking and clinical examination with a special emphasis on the symptoms and signs suggestive of CHF and manifestations of underlying, cause laboratory investigations [CBC, lipid profile, fasting and two-hour postprandial blood sugar, renal function tests, serum transaminases, ESR, antistreptolysin O titer, C-reactive protein and thyroid function tests], ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiography and abdominal sonography. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] serum level was determined by a commercially available ELISA test

role of Dimethyl Dimethoxy Biphenyl Dicarbozylate [DDB] in carbon tetrachloride [CCL 4] induced hepatotoxicity

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of dimethyl dimethoxy biphenyl dicarboxylate [DDB], a Chinese drug, in the prophylaxis against liver toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride [CCl4]. 120 male albino rats were included in this study and classified into 3 groups: Group 1 [40 rats] is a control group while groups two and three [80 rats] were chronically intoxicated with CCL4 [100 mu L/100g body weight] orally every day for four weeks. Out of these two groups, group three [40 rats] was treated with DDB [20 mg / 100 gm body weight] orally every day. Liver function tests were done at the end of the study to estimate the degree of hepatotoxicity and the protective role of DDB. The liver function tests included are serum ALT, serum AST, serum ALP, bilirubin [direct, indirect and total], total proteins, serum albumin and albumen globulin ratio. The results of the study revealed that chronic administration of CCL4 greatly affected the liver as indicated by severely liver functions, while DDB seems to have a protective effect against CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity reflected by greatly improved liver function tests