Effect of Nigella sativa oil on the hamster lymphocytes secondary to DMBA-induced carcinogenesis

This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of Nigella sativa L. [NS] oil, as immuno-stimulatory agent against DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch [HBP] carcinogenesis. This study was carried-out on eighty-five male golden Syrian hamsters divided into nine main groups. In animals of DMBA-treated groups, the left buccal pouches were painted with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times/week. Animals of NS-treated groups were given 5 mgs /day of NS oil orally. Other groups were given both NS and DMBA at the same time, 3 times/week. Before animals sacrificing, blood samples were withdrawn from the orbital sinus. Both buccal pouches were surgically excised, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaline, and processed for H and E stain. Topical application of DMBA in HBP induced immunosuppression through reduction of lymphocytes production and produced different grades of epithelial dysplasia. Administration of NS oil, significantly enhanced the immune system through increased lymphocytes production, and inhibited development of advanced dysplastic changes. These findings suggest that NS oil is a potential retarding agent of DMBA-induced HBP carcinogenesis possibly through enhancing the cell-mediated immune system

Expression of p53 following Nigella sativa Oil treatment in DMBA-induced :hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of Nigella sativa L. [NS] oil, as chemopreventive agent against DMBA- induced hamster buccal pouch [HBP] carcinogenesis. This study was carried-out on eighty-five male golden Syrian hamsters divided into nine main groups. In animals of DMBA-treated groups the left buccal pouches were painted with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times/week. Animals of NS-treated groups, were given 5 mgs/day of NS oil orally. Other groups were given both NS and DMBA at the same time, 3 times/week for 6 weeks. The animals were sacrificed by inhalation of high dose of ether. Both buccal pouches were surgically excised fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaline, and processed for H and E and p53 immunohistochemical stains. Topical application of DMBA in HBP, produced different grades of epithelial dysplasia, and over-expression of mutant p53. Administration of NS oil, inhibited the development of advanced dysplastic changes, and decreased expression of mutant p53. These findings suggest that NS oil is a potential retarding agent of DMBA-induced HBP carcinogenesis through down-regulating mutant p53 expression

Hepatitis C virus genotyping among different groups with positive serological evidence for HCV infection

Hepatitis C viral [HCV] infection, is a major health problem all over the world. HCV genotypes have been implicated in many: clinical aspects including the severity of liver disease, response to antiviral therapy and geographical distribution. A number of previous studies highlighted the magnitude of HCV infection in Egypt. In the current study we assessed the distribution of HCV genotypes, and the prevalence of HCV viremia among 204 Egyptian subjects classified into four high-risk groups as follows: HCV-associated chronic liver disease [n=144]. healthy blood donors [n=18], hemodialysis patients [n=14], and family contacts of index patients [n=28]. And for comparison HCV genotypes were also determined among 115 American patients chronically infected with HCV. HCV antibodies were assessed using 2nd generation [EIA]. HCV RNA was detected by nested RT-PCR. using primers specific to the 5 UTR region of the HCV genome. HCV genotypes were analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] and HCV viral quantitation was carried out using branched DNA assay [bDNA]. HCV viremia was demonstrated in 53% of the overall population, 42% were negative for HCV RNA while 5% showed indeterminate results. HCV genotype distribution revealed that the majority [72%] of our population was infected with type 4a. while type la and Ib were demonstrated in 4% and 15% respectively. HCV risk factors were given by 74% of the patients while 26% were unaware of any exposure to risk factors. More that 60% of the population were unaware of the duration, of their infection. Liver transaminases were significantly higher in HCV viremic patients compared to non-viremic ones. Both HCV viremia and HCV genotypes were statistically unrelated to the examined predictor variables i.e. age, gender, risk factors including schistosomiasis, duration of infection or liver histology. In the American population HCV genotype 1 was the most common genotype. The majority of patients reported duration of 10-20 years for their HCV illness. A tendency towards higher ALT and bDNA [levels was encountered in the American, patients comvared to the Egyptians

Steroid aerosols in asthmatic patients: when to stop?

Sixty nine asthmatic patients on steroid aerosols for many years were examined fully in the E.N.T outpatient at Suez general hospital. Throat Swabs were taken from the oropharynx for fungal culture. 46.3 percent showed positive fungal culture for candida. But frank thrush was only found in [8 .7 percent]. Vocal cord paralysis and weakness was found in 7.3 percent. This two groups of patients were advice to stop the steroid, aerosols be replaced by non steroidal ones