Effect of atorvastatin [ATOR] on the cardiac muscle fibres in hyperlipidemic adult male albino rats [structural and biochemical study]

Atorvastatin [ATOR] used as a cholesterol-lowering drug. Ator is one of statins widely used, commercially available and increasingly used day by day. Few studies and limited data were existed on atorvastatin induced histological and ultrastructural changes in the cardiac muscle fibres. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxicity of the human equivalent therapeutic doses of Atorvastatin on cardiac muscle fibres in induced hyperlipidemic adult male albino rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were used in this study, the rats used weighing [150 +/- 10] gm. Rats were divided into groups, Group one [5 rats], served as the control group [C] .Other twenty five rats were subjected to high fat diet [25% fat and 2% cholesterol] for 3 weeks and then they subdivided into three groups. Group two [five rats] was considered as a hyperlipidemic group [H].Group three, treated group one [T1] [ten rats] received atorvastatin[Ator 20mg] [1.5 mg / day / rat]for three weeks, by the end the third week five rats were sacrificed and other five rats were considered as the recovery group one [R1], they received normal diet only for another three weeks. Group four, treated group two [T2] [ten rats] received Atorvastatin [Ator 20mg] [1.5 mg / day / rat]for other six weeks, by the end of the 6[th] week five rats were sacrificed and other five rats were considered as the recovery group two [R2], they received only normal diet for another six weeks. At the end of each step of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and specimens of cardiac muscle fibres prepared by different methods for light and electron microscopic studies. Also blood sampling was obtained forthebiochemical study. The histological data obtained from the different groups showed many changes, in hyperlipidemic group [H] indistinct and distorted

striation and separation of cardiac muscle fibres, vesicular nuclei, presence of myofibroblasts with congested and dilated blood vessels, loss of some nuclei and condensation of nuclear chromatin with normal mitochondria were detected. Treated group one [T1] showed that cardiac muscle fibres restored their striation with separated and splitted myofibres and pyknotic nuclei, increased myofibrobasts ,lymphocytic infiltration ,congested blood vessels and mitochondrial vacuolation with disorganization of their cristae. In treated group two [T2] patchy loss of striation was observed with splitted cardiac muscle fibres ,pyknotic nuclei of cardiomyocytes, margination of nuclear chromatin ,congested blood vessels, lymphocytic infiltration, swelling of mitochondria with disorganization of their cristae. In recovery group one [R1] cardiac muscle fibres restored their striation. In recovery group two [R2] cardiac muscle fibres restored their normal architecture. The statistically evaluated data showed a significant difference in parentage of collagen and optical density of PAS + ve materials in the different groups when compared to the control group specially in T2.The laboratory evaluated data showedsignificant increase inlevels of cholesterol [C], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein- cholesterol [LDL-C], Very low density lipoprotein [vLDL], Atherogenic index[AI] and decrease in high density lipoprotein- cholesterol [HDL-C] between the control and the hyperlipidemic group. Administration of ATOR to the treated groups induce significant decrease inlevels of C, TG, LDL-C, [vLDL], [AI] and increase of HDL-C when compared with the hyperlipidemic group .Also there were significant decreasein levels of C, TG, LDL-C and increase of HDL-Cin recovery groups when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Administration of ATOR for long time led to adverse degenerative effects on structure of the cardiac muscle fibres, although it has a potent lowering effect on lipid profile in hyperlipidemia

Study of the possible cardioprotective effects of insulin, ATP, and [L]-arginine against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was carried out to investigate the possible protective effects of insulin, ATP, and [L]-arginine on cardiac dysfunction in experimental isoproterenol [ISO]-induced myocardial infarction [MI], aiming at achieving useful means for protection and therapy against MI. Wistar rats of both sexes were allocated into five groups: the control group, the untreated MI group, and MI groups treated with insulin, ATP, or [L]-arginine. All rats were subjected to ECG recording, and plasma levels of troponin I and triglycerides were determined. The isolated perfused hearts, according to Langendorff's preparation, were studied; the left ventricular weight [LV] was determined, and the LV per body weight ratio [LV/BW] was calculated. The percentage mortality and total arrhythmia were significantly reduced upon treatment with ATP and [L]-arginine. The ST segment elevation was significantly reduced in insulin-treated rats. The QRS duration and QT[o] intervals were significantly decreased in ATP-treated and [L]-arginine-treated rats, and the QT[c] interval was significantly shortened in all three treated groups. The levels of plasma triglycerides significantly reduced on treatment with insulin and ATP. In the three treated groups, the peak developed tension baseline value and maximal response were significantly increased when compared with the untreated group. In addition, the half-relaxation time baseline value was significantly decreased in the treated groups when compared with the control group. The myocardial flow rate baseline value and maximal response were significantly increased on [L]-arginine treatment. The LV weights and LV/BW ratios were significantly increased in all three treated groups. Insulin, ATP, and [L]-arginine were variably effective in partially modifying the ISO-induced MI insults and offered partial protection against ISO-induced myocardial damage

West Nile virus existence in humans and mosquitoes in Alexandria Governorate

West Nile virus [WNV] is a zoonotic mosquito-transmitted arbo-virus belonging to the genus flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of WNV in human cases with fever of unknown etiology and to study the immune status to WNV among healthy humans. In addition, the prevalence of WNV in Culex mosquito vectors was estimated. The study included 210 patients [with undiagnosed acute febrile illness for more than 2 days; admitted to Alexandria Fever Hospital during a period of one year], 200 healthy humans [volunteer blood donors accepted for donation at Alexandria Regional Blood Bank] and 200 mosquito pools [from six administrative districts of Alexandria]. WNV antibodies of the 1gM and lgG types were detected in patients and healthy humans using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], respectively. WNV was detected in mosquito by virus isolation on Vero cell culture. WNV 1gM antibodies were detected in 56 [26.7%] patients, while WNV lgG antibodies were detected in 42 [21%] out of the 200 healthy humans. WNV was isolated from 27 [13.5%] out of the 200 mosquito pools. Patients in the age groups 20- and 40- had the highest percentages of WNV 1gM antibodies. The highest WNV gM antibodies positivity rates occurred in spring and in fall seasons. Male samples had significantly higher percentage of the IgG antibodies than female samples [25.6%Vs 13.3%]. Conclusion: WNV should not be overlooked in diagnosis of fevers as the main problem may be not due to the disease itself but the economic consequences from the hospitalization of indeclinable numbers of patients. WN disease can be difficult to monitor; almost unpredictable and appearing unexpectedly, this disease has to be surveyed and the viral circulation rapidly detected so that the sanitary authorities can take protective measures

Cardiac abnormalities in patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis: role of parathormone

The study was conducted at Kasr Al-Aini University Hospital between December 2001-December 2003 on 42 patients [19 males and 23 females] with a mean age of 43 +/- 10 years. All patients have established end stage renal disease and on regular haemodialysis at the dialysis unit at Kasr El Aini Teaching Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups according to their serum parathormone [PTH]: Group A includes 11 patients with normal serum PTH ranging between [12-71Pg/dl], group B includes 15 patients with target PTH range [3-4 folds the upper limit of normal 210-280 Pg/dI]. Group C includes 16 patients with high serum PTH [higher than target range >280Pg/dl]. All patients have a target urea reduction ratio [URR] >65% i.e. >1.3 Kt/v indicating efficient dialysis. The mean age of patients in the different groups showed no significant difference. Assessment of the traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis regarding arterial blood pressure, serum lipid profiles showed that the mean arterial blood pressure was significantly higher [p<0.05] in group C when compared to group B and highly significant when compared to group A [p<0.01]. Serum LDL cholesterol was significantly higher in group C patients compared to group A [p<0.01] with no significant difference in relation to group B. Serum HDL was significantly lower in group C compared to group A and B [p<0.01]. Also group B showed highly significant decrease in serum HDL compared to group A [p<0.01]. Serum triglycerides was significantly higher in-group C compared to group B, A with a p value [0.05, 0.01] respectively. The principal serum correlates with parathormone that are calcium and phosphorus were compared between the three groups. Serum calcium was found to be highly significantly lower in group C compared to group B and A and also in group B compared to group A with a p value <0.01]. Also serum phosphorus was highly significant higher in-group C compared to group B and A and also in-group B compared to group A with a p value [<0.01]. Resting ECG ischaemic changes was observed in 6/16 patients in group C compared to 2/15 patients in group B, while no resting ECG changes was observed in group A. Assessment of the systolic functions of the heart by echocardiography showed that the ejection fraction [EF] was significantly higher in group B compared to group A, while in group C the EF was significantly lower compared to group A and B [p<0.01]. As for diastolic functions [E/A] ratio, the only significant difference was found between group C and A [p<0.05]. Structural alteration was studied by assessment of the interventricular system thickness [IVS] and left ventricular mass. Patients with group C showed a highly significant difference compared to group A and B [p<0.01] being higher in group C. Left ventricular mass was also significantly higher in group C compared to group A and B [p<0.01] with no significant difference between group A and B. As regards valvular and soft tissue calcifications patients with group C showed significantly higher calcific valvular lesions compared to group A and B [p<0.01]. Correlation between PTH, calcium and phosphorus and different variables showed that PTH and serum phosphorus was significantly positively correlated with mean arterial blood pressure, triglycerides Total cholesterol, left ventricular mass and interventricular septum thickness while calcium showed significant negative correlation with the same variables [p<0.01]. As for cardiac ejection fraction, serum PTH and phosphorus showed significant negative correlation while serum calcium showed significant positive correlation with the same variables [p<0.01]. In conclusion alteration of serum PTH level with calcium, phosphorus homeostasis in patients with renal failure may play an important role in potentiation of the classic risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity in addition to its direct effect on structural and functional alteration of the myocardium in these patients making control of such metabolic derangement an essential target for the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity in these patients

Biocompatible dialysis membranes and oxidative stress in patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis

Oxidative stress has been shown in [ESRD] patients specially those receiving regular haemodialysis [HD] in relation with an increased production of toxic free radicals due to membrane-induced complement leukocyte activation. An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants has been suggested in uremic patients on HD. The respective influence of uremia and dialysis procedure has not been evaluated. Studies that have probed into the mechanism of oxygen radical production have implicated the bio-incompatibility of dialysis membranes. The effect of different dialysis membranes on lipid, lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity in ESRD patients on regular HD was studied. One hundred subjects were selected; 20 healthy controls, 20 chronic renal failure [CRF] patients on conservative drug management and 60 CRF patients on maintenance HD [20 dialyzed by polysulfone, 20 by hemophan and 20 by cuprophane membranes]. All patients were matched for age, sex, gender and etiology of ESRD and HD patients for duration of dialysis. In addition to routine tests [Hb% and creatinine clearance in healthy control group and CRF patients on conservative management], total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein [HDL-C] and low density lipoprotein [LDL-C], apolipoprotein A [Apo A], apolipoprotein B [Apo B], serum malondialdehyde [MDA] and plasma total antioxidant status [TAS] were estimated. MDA was significantly higher and TAS was lower in uremic patients treated conservatively or by HD than in controls. MDA was significantly higher in HD than CRF patients on conservative management with least significant difference in HD patients treated by polysulfone followed by hemophan and then cuprophane membrane, while only cuprophane group showed lower levels of TAS compared to CRF patients on conservative management. HDL-C and Apo A was higher in polysulfone and hemophan than cuprophane group while triglyderide was lower. Polysulfone group showed lower levels of LDL-C than both cuprophane and hemophane groups thus providing less atherogeflic lipid profile. There was a positive correlation between Hb% and TAS and a significant negative correlation between MDA and Hb%. There was a significant negative correlation between TAS and duration of dialysis in HD patients. In CRF patients on conservative management we obtained a significant positive correlation with TAS and a significant negative correlation with MDA

Effect of permethrin on the experimentally induced diabetes and on its management with some antidiabetic drugs

The aim of the present work was to study the influence of permethrin [a synthetic pyrithroid insecticide] on the experimentally induced diabetes and on the antidiabetic effects of some may be faced by man, as it is equivalent to 10 times, the acceptable daily intake. Male Albino rats were divided into 2 main groups, control group [fed normal diet] and permethrin treated group [fed diet containing 21.7 ppm, permethrin] for 30 days. At the day 31, the animals of each group were subdivided to 8 groups as following 1- No further treatment. 2- Treatment by insulin [10M U/100gm S.C.]. 3- Treatment by glibenclamide [0.5 mg/kg, orally]. 4- Treatment by metformin [71.4 mg/kg. Orally] 5- Treatment by alloxan [120 mg/kg, S.C.]. 6- Treatment by alloxan + insulin. 7- Treatment by alloxan + glibenclamide. 8- Treatment by alloxan + metformin. The obtained results regarding blood glucose level showed that 1- Permethrin increased blood glucose level by 17.882%. 2- In normally fed groups [control], insulin and glibenclamide reduced the blood glucose level by 58.078% and 73.496%, respectively while metformin showed no effects 3- In permethrin treated groups, insulin and glibenclamide reduced the blood glucose level by 32.768% and 79.871%, respectively, while metformin slightly increased this level by 5.510%. 4- Alloxan induced increase in blood glucose levels by 88.435% and 69.154% in control and permethrin treated animals. 5- In case of experimentally induced diabetes, both insulin and glibenclamide, caused an equal decrease of glucose level in control and permethrin treated animals. On the other hand metformin induced a decrease in blood glucose level of normally fed animals but not in permethrin treated animals

Study of anti-galactose inhibitable adherence lectin IgM as diagnostic tool in acute amoebic diarrhea

Humoral IgM, IgG and mucosal IgA response to recmbinant cystein rich portion [designated LC3] of the entamoeba histolytica galactose inhibitable adherence lectin 170KDa subunite were determined in pateints with acute diarrhea. One hundred subjects presented with acute diarrhea subdivided into two groups; 46 pateints with positive foecal GIAP antigen group la and 54 with negative foecal GIAP antigen group Ib. We found that the pateints with amoebic diarrhea group la had anti-LC3 IgM and IgG 68.75%; 69.2% respectively compared with zero percent* in non-invasive amaeba [E. dispar] infestation. Serum anti-LC3 IgG antibodies can differentiate subjects with invasive amoebiasis after one-week duration of illness from those with E. dispar and controls [9.9%]. However, the long life span of IgG led to false positive results especially in endemic areas like Egypt. In conclusion, the early detection of anti-LC3 IgM antibodies is helpful in diagnosis of recent E. histolytica infection

Effect of base type and volatile oils on the transdermal delivery characteristics of captopril

In this study, different topical formulations using oleaginous, emulsion and water soluble bases containing 1% [w/w] captopril were prepared by the fusion method. The penetration behavior of captopril from these preparations was studied through excised rabbit skin. The influence of the base type as well as some of the volatile oils on the mechanism and transdermal delivery characteristics of the drug was investigated. At the end of experiments, the percentages of the drug transported were 89.66, 83.18 and 63.87 from emulsion, oleaginous and water soluble bases, respectively. The addition of volatile oils to the oleaginous base delayed the transport of the drug in the following order of magnitude: Thymol < menthol < methyl salicylate < cinnamaldhyde < camphor. This inhibition was significant in case of alcoholic [menthol] and phenolic [thymol] monoterpenes, whereas other oils exhibited no significant effect

Physical therapy in chronic obstructive lung disease [COLD] in some Egyptian industries

Fifteen workers with COLD from a jute and hemp plant, and Twenty three workers with chronic obstructive. They were assessed by ventilatory function tests and then subjected to special physical therapeutic pulmonary exercises namely postural drainage, chest percussion, vibration and cough enhancement. Reevaluation of the symptoms after physiotherapy showed improvement as all symptoms were less severe after therapy than before it [Table 2]. There was significant increase in FEV1% [p< 0 .01] where the mean FEV1% increased from 57.07 before physiotherapy to 70.76 after treatment. The FCV% showed insignificant increase after treatment [Table 4] but the values of FVC% already good before starting treatment. The rate of change in FEV1% with physical therapy among smokers did not show significant correlation with the duration of exposure. So, we can recommend physiotherapy for all workers showing obstructive bronchitis whether they are smokers or non - smokers and whether exposed to jute dust for short or long periods. We conclude that, physiotherapy is beneficial in cases of chronic abstructive bronchitis in the nitrate fertilizer industry, especially those working in the packing section who were exposed to the cacium nitrate test. Smokers and non - smokers benefit from physiotherapy, but non - smokers showed better degree of improvement. All the age groups showed improvement with physiotherapy

relationship between maternal moderate exercise and fetal well being during the third trimester of pregnancy

Thirty healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy were subjected to moderate exercise. Both the maternal measurements [heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure] and fetal measurements [fetal breathing, fetal movements and fetal heart rate] with umbilical arterial resistance indices [systolic/diastolic, pulsatility index and resistance index] were taken before and after maternal exercise. The obtained data indicated that there was significant increase in maternal heart rate, respiratory rate and in systolic blood pressure with an insignificant decrease in diastolic blood pressure, and concerning fetal parameters, there was a significant increase in fetal breathing, fetal movement, fetal heart rate. In the mean time there was insignificant decrease in systolic to diastolic ratio, pulsatility and resistance indices in the umbilical artery. The above findings suggested that moderate maternal exercise was safe for both the mother and her fetus during the third trimester of pregnancy in healthy women