Ameliorative effect of citrus peel extract on castration-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney of rats.

The present work aimed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of citrus peel in the redox status of liver and kidney in castrated rats. Twenty four Wistar albino rats were used. They were divided into 4 groups (n = 6). Group I was used as control. Group II was castration group, Group III was normal rats treated with citrus peel and Group IV was citrus peel castration group. Liver and kidney function and oxidative stress markers were measured. In addition, histopathological changes of liver and kidney were examined. Castration enhanced lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in both liver and kidney with concomitant reduction in glutathione. In addition, castration caused liver and kidney injuries as indicated by histopathological changed of the liver and kidney with a disturbance in the functions of liver and kidney. Citrus peel protected liver and kidney through decreasing the oxidative stress stimulating the antioxidant defense system. From the present results, it can be concluded that the decrease in liver and kidney damages during citrus peel treatment may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress overproduction and maintenance of antioxidant defense mechanisms of this extract.

Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the epididymal duct in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) / 대한해부학회지

This study was conducted to underscore the spatial distribution of some biologically active proteins within the epididymal duct in the dromedary camel. Paraffin-embedded sections from different regions of epididymis were stained by conventional histological techniques and by immunohistochemistry. A battery of primary antibodies against six proteins (S100, alpha smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA], connexin-43 [Cx43], galactosyltransferase [GalTase], angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE], and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were used. The epididymal epithelium consisted of five cell populations: principal, basal, apical, dark, and halo cells. The histochemical findings indicated the absence of binding sites for VEGF and Cx43. The principal cells (PCs) showed variable immunoreactivity (IR) for ACE, S100, and GalTase throughout the whole length of the duct. The apical surfaces of most PCs (at the caput) and some PCs (at the corpus) exhibited intense ACE-IR, whereas those at the cauda displayed alternating negative and strong immunostaining. Similarly, moderate S100-IR was found in cytoplasm and nuclei of all PCs at the caput, few PCs at the corpus, and several PCs alternating with negative PCs at the cauda. In contrast, only some PCs showed weak to strong GalTase-IR in different regions. Apart from negative to weak positive S100-IR, basal cells failed to show IR for all other proteins. Apical cells displayed strong IR for ACE, S100, and GalTase with some regional differences. The peritubular and vascular smooth muscle cells revealed strong alpha-SMA-IR in all regions. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of different proteins in camel epididymis showed similarities and differences to other mammalian species. The region-specific topographic distribution of different proteins and cell types might indicate that the caput and cauda are metabolically more active than that of the corpus.

Visual function evaluation of Egyptian beta-thalassemia major patients on long-term desferal therapy

The success of the iron chelator desferal [DFO] in the treatment of beta - thalassemia is limited by its lack of bioavailability. Also, high dosage has been associated with toxicity of the eyes, ears and others. To investigate a possible subclinical visual neurotoxicity, 30 Egyptian p-thalassemia major [BTM] patients on long-term, recommended DFO dosage were studied using visual evoked potentials [VEPs] and electroretinogram [ERG]. We also aimed to clarify the relation of the possible abnormalities to various clinical, hematologic and biochemical parameters. Ten healthy age - matched individuals were enrolled as controls. Sixteen/30 [53.3%] patients showed subclinical abnormalities using VEP and/or ERG. Nine/30 [30%] had VEPs abnormalities, 10 [33.3%] had ERG abnormalities and 3 [10%] revealed abnormalities by both methods. An interesting observation was the significant association of abnormal VEP and MALE sex [P=0.0002]. No significant correlation was found between neurophysiologic abnormalities and all data studied as: age, frequency of blood transfusion, DFO dosage/ duration, splenectomy, CBC values; S. ferritin, Serum Copper, S. Zinc and S. vitamin E. A single patient could have subclinical DFO-induced visual toxicity using VEP as his "toxicity" index [TI] was high [0.078]. the abnormalities can not be mostly attributed to long-term DFO therapy. Serial visual monitoring [including VEP and ERG] of all BTM patients is warranted. It is worthwhile to compare the long-term toxicity of the oral chelating agents [e.g. L 1 and ICL670] with that of DFO before definite conclusions are drawn on any visual neurotoxicity and its relation with the disease state or drug therapy

Role Of Eosrnophils In Enteropathies

Mucosal eosinophils increase in a number of gastrointestinal diseases that are often associated with altered epithelial barrier function, including food allergic enteropathies and inflammatory bowel diseases. Although eosinophils are known to secrete biologically active mediators including granule proteins, their role in gastrointestinal diseases is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of eosinophils on intestinal barrier function. Epithelial barrier function was determined in a coculture of eosinophils and T84 epithelial cells and in a murine model of T helper [Th] type 2-mediated colitis. Coculture conditions resulted in decreased transepithelial resistance [TER] and increased transepithelial flux. Cell- free coculture supernatants contained a>/=5-kDa soluble factor that also diminished TER; these supernatants contained the eosinophilgranule proteins major basic protein [MBP] and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin [EDN]. T84 barrier function decreased significantly when basolateral surfaces were exposed to native human MBP but not EDN. Additional studies identified downregulation of the tight junctional molecule occludin as at least one mechanism for MBP action. MBP-null mice were protected from inflammation associated with oxazolone colitis compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, MBP decreases epithelial barrier function and in this manner contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Autoimmunity to human heat shock protein 60 and its possible relation to chlamydia pneumoniae infection in the development of coronary atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory disease in which both oxidized lipids and infectious agents are incriminated as possible contributors. Recent evidence has suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary atherosclerosis. Heat shock proteins [HSPs] have also been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis by induction of an autoimmune process. The study was carried out to highlight the possible role of these autoantibodies in the development of atherosclerosis and evaluate their possible association with chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in young patients with severe coronary artery disease [CAD]. The study included 85 individuals attending the outpatient clinic of Nasr City Insurance Hospital. They were divided into two groups; the first group included 65 middle-aged [32 - 50 years old] non-diabetic males suffering from stable angina and having angiographic evidence of CAD [CAD group], and the second group included 20 similar male patients but with no angiographic evidence of CAD [non-CAD group]. All patients were subjected to complete history taking, thorough physical examination as well as measurement of their blood pressure. Sera was obtained from each patient and divided into 2 aliquots; for the measurement of human HSP60 antibody levels and the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibodies by the ELISA technique. Serum human HSP60 antibody levels and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG seropositivity percentage were significantly higher in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group [p < 0.001]. Significantly higher levels of serum human HSP60 antibodies were found with hypertension as well as with age [p < 0.05]. However there was no correlation between the antibody levels of serum human HSP60 and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG seropositivity within the CAD group [p = 0.375]. In conclusion, high levels of human HSP60 antibodies and chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection might be independent risk factors in the development of coronary atherosclerosis

distribution of cholinesterase enzyme in the oesophagus and trachea of baladi rabbit as revealed by cholinesterase technique

The distribution patterns of specific cholinesterase enzyme positive nerve fibers were described in both esophagus and trachea of Baladi rabbit. The lining epithelium of the esophagus was found free from cholinergic nerve fibers. While, that of the trachea showed cholinergic intraepithelial nerve fibers. The submucosa of both esophagus and trachea were richly supplied by cholinergic nerve fibers and plexuses surrounded the blood vessels and secretory adenomeres of esophageal and tracheal glandular elements. The intermuscular area of the esophagus was found richly supplied by positive nerve plexuses and fibers