Smoking as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] in patients with chronic hepatitis in Egypt

Incidence of primary liver cancer has increased in the last two decades and many risk factors that lead to this type of cancers known, as regards chronic viral hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, aflatoxines, oral contraceptive pills, alcohol and smoking. This study is applied to evaluate whether smoking is a risk factor for hepatocelluar carcinoma [HCC] in patients with chronic hepatitis in Egypt or not. A case control study was conducted on 95 patients with HCC and 105 patients as a control subjects matched for sex, age +/- 3 years were interviewed in the general medical and surgical wards of same hospitals in which the HCC patients were seen. A full history with special emphasis on special habits especially smoking either cigarette or tobacco and classified into light, moderate and heavy smokers. Routine laboratory tests, viral hepatitis markers, Alfa feto protein, abdominal U/S and liver biopsy were conducted for every each patient. The study revealed that chronic hepatitis B and C infection, cirrhosis and heavy smoking are common etiologies for HCC among Egyptians. Also the study revealed the importance of repeated follow up for patients with chronic hepatitis by abdominal US, for detection of hepatic tumors in early stages

Effect of beta-carotene on murine schistosoma mansoni infection

The major gap of our knowledge of human resistance to schistosomiasis, the identity of effector mechanisms and target stages of parasite life cycle are questions that can be effectively addressed in animal model [Chen and Mott, 1989]. Beta-carotene, is an important micronutrient with anti-oxidant capacity widely distributed in leafy vegetables, carrots, red and yellow fruits [Bendich, 1993]. Flighty mice were included in this study to show the protective effect of beta-carotene on S. mansoni infected mice through parsitological, serological and histopathological parameters. Sacrification of mice was done 9 weeks post infection. Although beta-carotene did not protect any mice from getting S. mansoin infection, yet it reduced worm burden to about 20% and significantly reduced hepatic and intestinal tissue egg load and exert immunomodulatory effect on bilharzial granuloma which was manifest in reduction of mean granuloma diameter, more circumscription, less inflammatory cellular contents. So we recommended, the administration of beta-carotene as an adjuvant with antibilharzial therapy