protective role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril against gamma radiation induced organ toxicity in the rat

The present study was designed to evaluate the radioprotective efficacy of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril and the possible mechanisms of this radioprotection. This included the ability of prophylactic enalapril treatment to prevent or retard gamma radiation-induced organ toxicity and to protect tissue' antioxidant enzymes in the rat. Prior to irradiation rats were randomized to groups receiving enalapril or no treatment, in addition to a control group of non-irradiated, non-treated rats. Enalapril was administered intraperitoneally [0.1 mg/ kg body weight / day], 4 weeks before and 12 weeks after irradiation. Both groups were exposed to a single dose of 7GY gamma radiation. Irradiation induced significant elevations in the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine and serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], creatine kinase [CK], alanine amino transferase [ALT] and aspartate amino transferase [AST] compared to control values, indicative of renal, cardiac and hepatic injury. Also there was an increase in the serum levels of triglycerides, total cholessterol and LDL-cholesterol. On the contrary, HDL-cholesterol level was decreased. The heart, kidney and liver antioxidant enzymes including total glutathione peroxidase [total-GPX], glutathione reductase [GR] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activities were inhibited, while malondialdehyde [MDA] level in these organs was elevated, indicative of increased lipid peroxidation. These data confirm the role of oxidative stress in radiation-induced organ toxicity and points to the possible antioxidative mechanisms of the radioprotective action of enalapril, which might be mediated by improving the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the beneficial effect of enalapril on serum lipid profile is suggested to be an additional mechanism of radioprotection

Protective effect of vitamin E on chronic liver damage induced by carbon-tetrachloride [ccl4] in rats

The objective of this study was undertaken to determine whether a sustained increase in hepatic vitamin E could prevent or reduce the extent of CCl4-induced chronic-liver damage and the cirrhotic process. Free radicals affect virtually all aspects of biological existence by reaction and modification of structural, metabolic and genetic material. Studies were performed to examine the mechanisms for the protective effect of free radicals scavengers and to investigate whether the oxidative damage produced in the liver exposed to CCl4 in rats and to find out the effect of antioxidant vitamin E and its ability to protect cell membrane from lipid peroxidation mediated damage and its synthetic derivatives is able to prevent the onset of cell damage consequent to the induction of oxidative stress in different systems in vitro and in experimental acute intoxication with CCl4. 4 groups of male albino rats were studied. The first served as control, the second was fed vitamin E supplemented diet, the third was treated with CCl4 and the last group was treated with CCl4 and after that was supplemented with vitamin E diet

Lipid profile in middle aged psoriatic men

Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and different fractions of lipoproteins [alpha HDL], pre-B [VLDL] and [LDL] were determined in male psoriatics with skin surface area affection less than 50% [n = 20] and in male psoriatics with skin surface affection more than 50% [n = 20] as well as in twenty age-matched healthy males serving as control. Total serum triglycerides and pre-B lipoprotein levels were found to be significantly elevated in both psoriatic groups as compared to healthy control males. While there was a statistically significant decrease in the level of alpha lipoproteins in both psoriatic groups as compared to control group. It can be concluded that at least middle aged men with psoriasis have a tendency to hyperlipoproteinemia which correlates well with the extent of skin involvement. This plasma lipid pattern; hypertriglyceridemia, increased VLDL and low HDL make patients with psoriasis more prone to develop occlusive vascular disease than would be expected in normal population

Plasma catecholamines and immunoglobulin A in psoriasis

Plasma catecholamines [epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine] and serum I[g]A levels were determined in 20 patients with chronic generalized psoriasis, 11 patients with chronic localized psoriasis and in 14 healthy subjects of comparable age and sex group. The levels of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly increased in both psoriatic groups than controls, while plasma dopamine level was significantly increased in only psoriatic patients with generalized skin lesions. No significant differences were noticed in these levels between both psoriatic groups. Serum I[g]A level was significantly elevated in both psoriatic groups as compared to controls. Its level in both psoriatric groups showed also no significant difference. It could be concluded that; 1] stress in psoriatic patients produces a stronger activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system with enhanced release of catecholamines.2] raised plasma catecholamines in psoriatics may lead to immune changes; evidenced by the raised I[g]A level. Therefore, application of psychoneuriommunological treatment, relaxation therapy, hypnosis and/or biofeedback training is recommended for psoriatic patients

Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity and its relation to selenium status in chronic renal failure

Plasma selenium [Se] level and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase [GPX] activity were studied in 10 patients on maintenance hemodialysis [HD] group I], 10 uremic patients [group II] and 10 healthy subjects [group III]. Plasma Se levels and erythrocyte GPX activity were significantly lower in HD group [6.52+1.58 ug/dl for Se and 11 64 +/- 2.69 u/g H[b] for erythrocyte GPX] and in uremic patients [7.46 +/- 1.33 ug/dl, and 14.74 +/- 1.94 u/g H[b] respectively] vs the control group [9.97 +/- 1.2 ug/dl and 18.65 +/- 2.15 ug/H[b]]. A significant correlation was found between the two parameters in HD group [r=0.8939, p< 0.001]. These results confirm the existence of a defective antioxidant activity which may contribute to increased peroxidative damage to cells in chronic renal failure [CRF] with or without hemodialysis

study of trace metals in acute myocardial infarction

The study was carried out on 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction and another 15 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex as control subjects. All the studied cases were subjected to detailed history taking and clinical examination. Electrocardiogram, serum transaminases, lactic acid dehydrogenase were done, serum zinc and nickel were estimated on the second, sixth and tenth day after the onset of infarction. The results of the study showed significant decrease in serum zinc level within two days of the onset of infarction and gradual return to normal level within ten days. Hyperkalemia was also observed at the onset of infarction. The cause and significance of these results are tabulated and discussed