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Ivermectin is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiparasitic agent with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Although recent studies reported the possible anti-inflammatory activity of ivermectin in respiratory injuries, its potential therapeutic effect on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has not been investigated. This study aimed to explore the ability of ivermectin (0.6 mg/kg) to alleviate bleomycin-induced biochemical derangements and histological changes in an experimental PF rat model. This can provide the means to validate the clinical utility of ivermectin as a treatment option for idiopathic PF. The results showed that ivermectin mitigated the bleomycin-evoked pulmonary injury, as manifested by the reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, as well as decreased the inflammation and fibrosis scores. Intriguingly, ivermectin decreased collagen fiber deposition and suppressed transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibronectin protein expression, highlighting its anti-fibrotic activity. This study revealed for the first time that ivermectin can suppress the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as manifested by the reduced gene expression of NLRP3 and the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), with a subsequent decline in the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level. In addition, ivermectin inhibited the expression of intracellular nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1α (HIF-1α) proteins along with lowering the oxidative stress and apoptotic markers. Altogether, this study revealed that ivermectin could ameliorate pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis induced by bleomycin. These beneficial effects were mediated, at least partly, via the downregulation of TGF-β1 and fibronectin, as well as the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome through modulating the expression of HIF‑1α and NF-κB.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Bleomycin/toxicity , Fibronectins/metabolism , Fibrosis , Inflammasomes/metabolism , Ivermectin/adverse effects , NF-kappa B/metabolism , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism , Pulmonary Fibrosis/drug therapyABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the effect of Persea americana supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid profiles in ovariectomized rats fed with a high-fat diet and exposed to radiation. Methods: The control group was sham operated, while groups 2-5 were ovariectomized and fed a high-fat diet. Groups 4 and 5 were exposed to γ-radiation (1 Gy/week for 5 weeks) after ovariectomy. Groups 3 and 5 were treated with 1 mL/250 g/day of Persea americana for one month. Serum levels of estrogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins were measured. Additionally, hepatic oxidative stress, inflammatory and fibrogenic markers were evaluated. Results: Persea americana treatment reduced the oxidative stress markers as well as the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which in turn lowered hepatic fat accumulation. Moreover, it suppressed hepatic inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein) and downregulated pro-fibrogenic markers (transforming growth factor-β and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1). Conclusions: Persea americana provides protection against ovariectomy, and gamma radiation-mediated hepatic inflammation not only through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering effect but also by modulating the fibrogenic markers.
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Acquired or inherited or photoreceptor loss causes retinal ganglion cell loss and ultimately axonal transport alteration. Thus, therapies should be applied early during photoreceptors degeneration before the remodeling process reaches the inner retina. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of metformin on the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Eighteen adults male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Group I: normal vehicle control (n=6). Group II: ENU-induced photoreceptors degeneration (n=12) received a single intraperitoneal injection of ENU at a dose of 600 mg/kg. Rats in group II were equally divided into two subgroups:IIa: photoreceptor degeneration induced group and IIb: metformin treated group (200 mg/kg) for 7 days. Specimens from the optic nerve were processed for light and electron microscopy. In ENU treated group, the optic nerve revealed reduction in the diameter of the optic nerve fibers and thinning of myelin sheath with morphological changes in the glia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia). Caspase-3 (apoptotic marker), iNOS (oxidative stress marker) and CD68 (macrophage marker) expression increased. In metformin-treated group, the diameter of optic nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness increased with improvement of the deterioration in the glia. Caspase-3, iNOS and CD68 expression decreased. Metformin ameliorates the histological changes of the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by ENU.
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Acquired or inherited or photoreceptor loss causes retinal ganglion cell loss and ultimately axonal transport alteration. Thus, therapies should be applied early during photoreceptors degeneration before the remodeling process reaches the inner retina. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of metformin on the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Eighteen adults male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Group I: normal vehicle control (n=6). Group II: ENU-induced photoreceptors degeneration (n=12) received a single intraperitoneal injection of ENU at a dose of 600 mg/kg. Rats in group II were equally divided into two subgroups:IIa: photoreceptor degeneration induced group and IIb: metformin treated group (200 mg/kg) for 7 days. Specimens from the optic nerve were processed for light and electron microscopy. In ENU treated group, the optic nerve revealed reduction in the diameter of the optic nerve fibers and thinning of myelin sheath with morphological changes in the glia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia). Caspase-3 (apoptotic marker), iNOS (oxidative stress marker) and CD68 (macrophage marker) expression increased. In metformin-treated group, the diameter of optic nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness increased with improvement of the deterioration in the glia. Caspase-3, iNOS and CD68 expression decreased. Metformin ameliorates the histological changes of the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by ENU.
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Objective: To evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract as an adjunct treatment on lead acetate induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rabbits. Methods: Thirty-six male New Zealand White rabbits were assigned into two main groups. The first group (14 rabbits) served as normal control. The secondgroup (22 rabbits) was administered orally with lead acetate at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. At the 4th and the 8th week of treatment, 6 animals (3 animals at each period) of the second group were sacrificed while the remaining animals (16 rabbits) were assigned randomly into 2 subgroups (8 rabbits each): treated and non-treated. The first subgroup was orally given 1 mL phosphate-buffered saline for further 4 weeks while the second subgroup was administered orally with Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for the same period. Blood samples were collected to determine hematological and serum biochemical indices. Tissue specimens were collected from the liver and kidney for evaluation of the oxidant/antioxidant markers and for histopathological examinations. Results: Lead acetate exposure decreased the mean body weight gain, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and lymphocytes count. Moreover, it markedly increased counts of monocytes and platelets, serum enzyme activity, levels of creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Malondialdehyde level was markedly increased while the reduced glutathione content was significantly decreased in liver tissue of lead intoxicated-rabbits. Histopathological alterations were also noticed in the liver and kidney of lead intoxicated rabbits. Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract significantly improved hematological and serum biochemical parameters and histopathological structure of the liver and kidney. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract ameliorates hemato-biochemical and histopathological alterations caused by lead acetate and improveshepatic and renal functions.
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Objective:To better investigate the protective role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and Cymbopogon schoenanthus (CS) extract against the potassium dichromate (PDC)-induced oxido-nitrosative nephrotoxic insult in the experimental rat model.Methods:Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: The 1st group served as control; the 2Results:The PDC-induced nephrotoxic effect caused a depletion of renal oxidative scavengers glutathione, superoxide dismutase with consequent lipo-oxidative cellular membrane deterioration manifested by a rise in malonaldehyde, oxidized glutathione, myeloperoxidase and the concomitant increase in inflammatory response elements tumor necrosis factor α, nitric oxide, and interleukin 1 β. Moreover, the comet assay and increased 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine proved an accelerated apoptotic DNA fragmentation. These local renal changes were met with global altered blood biochemistry. The BCAAs and CS or their compiled administration showed an ameliorative effect against PDC-induced nephrotoxic in a synergistic pattern.Conclusions:Both BCAAs and CS or their combined administration afford potential competitors against renal insult induced by polyvalent anion pollutants in experimentally studied animals model. As a route for novel drug discovery, further investigation should be attempted to optimize their augmenting reno-protecting potential.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of two extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) flowers with yellow and pink/purple on brain oxidative stress and neuronal damage caused in rats by systemic rotenone injection.@*METHODS@#Rotenone 1.5 mg/kg was given three times per week alone or in combination with B. spectabilis flowers extracts (25 mg or 50 mg) via the subcutaneous route for 2 weeks. Brain concentrations of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide (nitrite), the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (Il-1β) as well as butyrylcholinesterase, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, were determined. Histopathology and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were also performed.@*RESULTS@#Rotenone resulted in significant increases of brain MDA (the product of lipid peroxidation), and nitric oxide content along with decreased brain reduced glutathione. There were also marked and significant inhibition of brain PON-1 and BChE activities and increased Il-1β in brain of rotenone-treated rats. B. spectabilis flowers extract itself resulted in brain oxidative stress increasing both lipid peroxidation and nitrite content whilst inhibiting PON-1 activity. The yellow flowers extract inhibited BChE activity and increased brain Il-1β. When given to rotenone-treated rats, B. spectabilis extracts, however, decreased lipid peroxidation while their low administered doses increased brain GSH. Brain nitrite decreased by the pink extract but showed further increase by the yellow extract. Either extract, however, caused further inhibition of PON-1 activity while the yellow extract resulted in further inhibition of BChE activity. Histopathological studies indicated that both extracts protected against brain, liver and kidney damage caused by the toxicant.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These data indicate that B. spectabilis flowers extracts exert protective effect against the toxic effects of rotenone on brain, liver and kidney. B. spectabilis flowers extracts decreased brain lipid peroxidation and prevented neuronal death due to rotenone and might thus prove the value in treatment of Parkinson's disease.
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OBJECTIVE@#To compare the degree of ameliorative effects of Melatonin (MEL), Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and Balanites aegyptiaca (BA) against hepatotoxicity induced by MTX for one month.@*METHODS@#Eighty adult male rats (Sprague Dawely) weighing (190 ± 10 g), were randomly divided into eight equal groups: Control, MTX, MEL, BA, UDCA, MTX + MEL, MTX + BA, MTX + UDCA. Liver function biomarker enzymes, liver tissue oxidative stress parameters, together with total antioxidant capacity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were determined. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examinations for TNF-α were also done.@*RESULTS@#MTX showed significant increase in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total and direct bilirubin, as well as TNF-α levels, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malodialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Whereas total protein, albumin, total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were significantly decreased in MTX treated group. These alterations were improved by MEL and BA treatment, whereas no improvement was noticed in UDCA treatment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#BA may be as promising as MEL in the hepatoprotection against MTX toxicity through their antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. In addition, it is not recommended to co-administer UDCA with MTX as it enhanced inflammation and damage to the liver.
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Objective To investigate the effect of two extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) flowers with yellow and pink/purple on brain oxidative stress and neuronal damage caused in rats by systemic rotenone injection. Methods Rotenone 1.5 mg/kg was given three times per week alone or in combination with B. spectabilis flowers extracts (25 mg or 50 mg) via the subcutaneous route for 2 weeks. Brain concentrations of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide (nitrite), the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (Il-1β) as well as butyrylcholinesterase, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, were determined. Histopathology and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were also performed. Results Rotenone resulted in significant increases of brain MDA (the product of lipid peroxidation), and nitric oxide content along with decreased brain reduced glutathione. There were also marked and significant inhibition of brain PON-1 and BChE activities and increased Il-1β in brain of rotenone-treated rats. B. spectabilis flowers extract itself resulted in brain oxidative stress increasing both lipid peroxidation and nitrite content whilst inhibiting PON-1 activity. The yellow flowers extract inhibited BChE activity and increased brain Il-1β. When given to rotenone-treated rats, B. spectabilis extracts, however, decreased lipid peroxidation while their low administered doses increased brain GSH. Brain nitrite decreased by the pink extract but showed further increase by the yellow extract. Either extract, however, caused further inhibition of PON-1 activity while the yellow extract resulted in further inhibition of BChE activity. Histopathological studies indicated that both extracts protected against brain, liver and kidney damage caused by the toxicant. Conclusions These data indicate that B. spectabilis flowers extracts exert protective effect against the toxic effects of rotenone on brain, liver and kidney. B. spectabilis flowers extracts decreased brain lipid peroxidation and prevented neuronal death due to rotenone and might thus prove the value in treatment of Parkinson's disease.
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Objective To compare the degree of ameliorative effects of Melatonin (MEL), Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and Balanites aegyptiaca (BA) against hepatotoxicity induced by MTX for one month. Methods Eighty adult male rats (Sprague Dawely) weighing (190 ± 10 g), were randomly divided into eight equal groups: Control, MTX, MEL, BA, UDCA, MTX + MEL, MTX + BA, MTX + UDCA. Liver function biomarker enzymes, liver tissue oxidative stress parameters, together with total antioxidant capacity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were determined. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examinations for TNF-α were also done. Results MTX showed significant increase in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total and direct bilirubin, as well as TNF-α levels, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malodialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Whereas total protein, albumin, total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were significantly decreased in MTX treated group. These alterations were improved by MEL and BA treatment, whereas no improvement was noticed in UDCA treatment. Conclusions BA may be as promising as MEL in the hepatoprotection against MTX toxicity through their antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. In addition, it is not recommended to co-administer UDCA with MTX as it enhanced inflammation and damage to the liver.
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Background: childhood obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in children and adults
Objectives: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum leptin level and the cardiac changes in normotensive obese children and to study the relationship between left ventricular mass index [LVMI] and serum leptin with the parameters of metabolic syndrome [MS] in obese children
Methods: this study was conducted in al Jeddani Hospital and Ibn Sina College Hospital in Saudi Arabia in the period from July 2012 to December 2013, and included 82 obese children. Their mean age was 10.2 +/- 2.8 years; they were divided into 25 obese children with MS and 57 obese children without MS, and 40 healthy age- and sex-matched children were also included in the study as a control group. All children were subjected to clinical assessment including standing height, body weight, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and blood pressure measurements. All children received an echocardiographic examination [2-dimensional, M-mode, Doppler, and tissue Doppler echocardiograpy] and laboratory assessment of serum leptin level, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA] index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- and low-density lipoprotein profile
Results: BMI, BMI standard deviation score, WC, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA index and the serum leptin level were significantly higher in obese children compared to control group [p < 0.05]. The LVMI were increased in the obese compared to the control group [p < 0.001] while left ventricle systolic and diastolic functions did not differ in obese versus control group [p > 0.05]. There was a significant positive correlation between both LVMI and serum leptin level in comparison to BMI, WC, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein in all obese children, especially the MS group. However, there was a significant negative correlation between both LVMI and serum leptin level in comparison to high-density lipoprotein
Conclusion: assessment of LVMI as routine echocardiographic examinations and serum leptin level might be a feasible and reliable method for the evaluation of obesity and its related cardiovascular risks during childhood that can predict metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance
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Objectives: knowledge of oral cancer affects early detection and diagnosis of this disease. This study aimed to assess the current level of public knowledge of oral cancer in Khartoum State, Sudan, and examine how demographic background factors affect this knowledge
Methods: this cross-sectional study involved 501 participants recruited by systematic random sampling from the outpatient records of three major hospitals in Khartoum State between November 2012 and February 2013. A pretested structured questionnaire was designed to measure knowledge levels. A logistic regression model was utilised with demographic background variables as independent variables and knowledge of oral cancer as the dependent variable. A path analysis was conducted to build a structural model
Results: of the 501 participants, 42.5% had no knowledge of oral cancer, while 5.4%, 39.9% and 12.2% had low, moderate and high knowledge levels, respectively. Logistic regression modelling showed that age, place of residence and education levels were significantly associated with knowledge levels [P = 0.009, 0.017 and <0.001, respectively]. According to the structural model, age and place of residence had a prominent direct effect on knowledge, while age and residence also had a prominent indirect effect mediated through education levels
Conclusion: education levels had the most prominent positive effect on knowledge of oral cancer among outpatients at major hospitals in Khartoum State. Moreover, education levels were found to mediate the effect of other background variables
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Background: Various populations of regulatory T cells play a central role in the development of peripheral tolerance to allergens. Culturing of CD4+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood of allergic patients with vitamin D induces the generation of stable IL-10 producing CD4+CD25+ Treg cells suppressing the proliferation of T helper cells obtained from the same patients. The immune regulatory role of vitamin D in allergic patients has been controversial and obviously needs a more clarifying research work
Aim of the work: to determine the percentage of induced T regulatory cells producing interleukin 10 after stimulation of T regulatory cells with cow milk allergen in the presence of vitamin D in culture. This aims to further in-vitro study the immune regulatory role of vitamin D in cow milk allergic patients
Results: there is association between decreased level of vitamin D and milk-allergy, as serum level of 25[OH] D3 was insufficient in 16 [80 %] patients [10- 29.9 ng/ml] while 4 [20%] patients were sufficient [30-100 ng/ml]. Addition of vitamin D, in culture, induces the production of CD4+ CD25hi Foxp3+ IL10+. Treg cells within peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PMNCs] isolated from allergic children who had insufficient vitamin D, but not in allergic children who had normal level of vitamin D
Conclusion: this work provides further evidence for an important role of 1,25[OH]2D3 as an immune-modulatory molecule and suggests that supplementation of vitamin-D-deficient individuals, who are reported to have reduced numbers of circulating and Foxp3+ IL10+ Treg cells, may represent an attractive therapy for enhancing endogenous populations of Treg cells in allergy
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Background: insulin resistance [IR] is a pathological condition characterized by inadequate peripheral tissue metabolic response to circulating insulin. It plays pathophysiological role in type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]. High dosage of fructose in the diet [60 g/100 g diet] may induce insulin resistance accompanied by deleterious metabolic consequences including hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Rice bran oil [RBO], is a rich source of antioxidants especially gamma-oryzanol, alpha-tocopherols and tocotrienols which contribute to high oxidative stability, longer shelf life than other edible oils and high antioxidant property against free radicals. The present work was undertaken to study if the addition of rice bran oil in rat's diets ameliorate the insulin resistance
Materials and methods: to achieve this target, plasma fasting glucose, serum insulin and calculated HOMA-IR, which assesse the presence of insulin resistance, was evaluated. Serum lipid profile [cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol [HDL] and low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol [LDL] was also evaluated. In addition, the oxidative stress was assessed through hepatic malondialdehyd [MDA] as an oxidative biomarker and the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase [SOD] was also estimated
Results: RBO ameliorated HOMA-IR, oxidative biomarker [MDA] and increased SOD activity
Conclusion: high fructose diet induced oxidative stress which lead to insulin resistance, this was ameliorated by addition of RBO
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Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in many developing countries including Egypt, Determination of the antigenic relationship between S. mansoni and its intermediate snail host [IMH] Biomphalaria alexandrina can open a new field for diagnosis and control of the disease. In the present study infected and non-infected B. alexandrina foot and visceral hump tissue as well as S. mansion crude Ag [SWAg] were fractionated using SDS-PAGE. It's specific and cross reacted protein fractions were determine using EITB versus experimentally prepared mice hyper immune sera [HIS] versus each antigen. After treatment of fractionated S.mansoni crude worm antigens [SWAg] versus HIS produced after vaccination of mice by the same Ag, 8 kda protein fractions ranged from 35-140 kda were reacted specifically. Treatment of fractionated B.alexandrina infected and non-infected foot and visceral hump Ag versus previous HIS revealed presence of common polypeptides bands between SWAg and non-infected snail antigens. The fraction at 135 kda, 68 kda, were detected in all cases, while that at 40-42 kda and that at 35 kda was diagnosed in SWAg and that of infected snails only. The fraction at 68 kda was reacted specifically between SWAg and all tested fractionated snail antigens either that of foot or visceral hump when they treated separately by HIS of mice vaccinated by each snail Ag separately. The fraction at 135 kda was common between SWAg and snail [infected and non-infected] visceral hump antigen. The fraction at the level of 110 kda was diagnosed in SWAg, in non-infected foot antigen and visceral hump Ag. The fraction at the level of 46-48 kda are common between SWAg and snail foot and visceral hump Ag after treated by HIS of mice vaccinated by foot Ag. Presence of common antigenic fractions between snail tissues and Schistosoma species can prefer an easily source of antigen valuable for diagnosis or vaccination as well as can he considered as new tool for determination to the snail IMH of new discovered trematode parasites
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Aim of the work: This work aimed to study the biochemical and histopathological changes in the kidney of male albino rats post exposure to 6Gy of gamma radiation and the protective role of transplanted bone marrow cells against damage induced in rat's kidney by a chemical carcinogen
Materials and Methods: In this study, forty eight healthy and active male albino rats about 120 grams in body weight were used. The animals were housed in plastic cages under normal temperature, pressure, humidity and good ventilation conditions during the whole period of experimentation. The animals were fed on a standard pellet diet and water
Results: Exposure of rats to gamma-radiation caused a significant increase in kidney function tests, decreased significantly the antioxidants with numerous histopathological changes in the rat kidney tissue. These changes were ameliorated by bone marrow transplantation either after whole body gamma-irradiation and/or Fe-NTA treatment
Conclusion: Bone marrow transplantation either after whole body gamma-irradiation and/or Fe-NTA treatment restored the kidney functions and ameliorated the oxidative stress and antioxidants markers. The histopathological observations showed amelioration in the structure of the kidney cortex. So, BM transplantation exerts some curative effects on the function and histological structure of kidney cortex of rats exposed to gamma-irradiation and/or Fe-NTA treatment
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Aim of work: this work aimed to study the biochemical and histopathological changes in the liver of male albino rats post exposure to 6Gy of gamma radiation and the possible protective effect of bone marrow [BM] transplantation on the liver tissues by a chemical carcinogen ferric nitrilotriacetate [Fe-NTA] or gamma- radiation in rats
Materials and methods: In this study, thirty six healthy and active male albino rats about 120 grams in body weight were used. The animals were housed in plastic cages under normal temperature, pressure, humidity and good ventilation conditions during the whole period of the experiment. The animals were fed on a standard pellet diet and water. Animals were categorized into six groups and served as the following groups: control, gamma irradiated[R], Fe-NTA, BM+R, BM + Fe-NTA and BM.+Fe-NTA+R
Results: the present results suggested that exposure to gamma-radiation or Fe-NTA induced a significantly disturbance in the liver functions and structure. They increased significantly the oxidative stress and decreased significantly the antioxidants tissues and they also increased necrotic and apoptotic cells in rat's liver tissue. Bone marrow transplantation either after whole body gamma-irradiation or Fe-NTA treatment restored the liver functions and structure. BT also ameliorated the oxidative stress and antioxidative markers. The histopathological observations recorded some amelioration in the apoptotic and necrotic evaluation in liver tissue
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The EMHJ was established in 1995 to provide a peer-reviewed platform for health professionals to share their research with the scientific community. The objective of this review was to examine EMR public health research trends, as reflected by EMHJ publications in 20 years [1995-2014], through secondary data analysis. Published articles were categorized according to EMR strategic priority areas [93%], i.e. health systems strengthening [25%]; reproductive and child health [22%]; communicable diseases [26%]; noncommunicable diseases [25%]; emergency preparedness [1.5%]. Most papers were original research articles [85 %], published in English [94 %], but just over half [52 %] mentioned obtaining a form of ethical clearance in the text. Six countries had each over 100 papers published during the study period, i.e. Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Pakistan. Half EMHJ publications during this period came from 4 countries only [Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan], which calls for further study to evaluate why other EMR nations are less well represented and how to encourage greater contribution from them over the coming years
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Professionalism , Research , PublicationsABSTRACT
Objectives: The literature has shown a negative impact of daytime sleepiness on the academic performance of medical students. This study explored the relationship between academic performance, sleep deprivation, and daytime sleepiness among Sudanese medical students
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 medical students from Omdurman University during the period from June to August 2014. Male and female students with excellent [A] and average [C] grades in the clinical phases of their studies were chosen. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire contained questions about the following: subjective feelings of insufficient sleep, feelings of sleepiness during class time, sleeping less than 6 h for six nights in a row, smoking status, medical or neurological diseases, and daytime sleepiness as assessed by the Epworth sleepiness scale
Result: A significant difference [p < 0.001] was found between the A [excellent] and C [average] groups regarding daytime sleepiness, insufficient sleep, sleeping less than 6 h per night, and falling asleep while reading [p < 0.005]. No significant difference was reported regarding snoring or the subjective feeling of sleepiness during study hours
Conclusion: Our study underscores the enormous effects of sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness on academic performance among medical students. Larger multicenter studies are needed to examine the causes and to implement preventive measures for the serious effects of these significant health problems