Modulatory effect of the red sea soft coral extracts on hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogenic agents in rat model

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the presence of pharmacologically active components in the aquatic environment. Soft corals are prominent reef organisms in the Red Sea and are prolific sources of terpenoids, especially cembranoid diterpenes. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of the extract from the aqueous MeOH [80%] extract of each of the three Red Sea soft corals: Sinularia polydactyla, Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and Xenia macrospiculata on hepatic toxicity induced by the carcinogenic agents 7, 12 dimethyl benz [a] anthracene [DMBA] and 12-Otetradecanoyl phorbol-13- acetate [TPA] in adult female rats. The results revealed that the liver functions were markedly improved and the levels of tumor markers as well as the inorganic free radical "NO" in serum were significantly decreased as a results of the treatment with three coral extracts. Moreover, treatment of DMBA and TPA-intoxicated groups with the coral extracts resulted in significant reduction in hepatic oxidative stress in concomitant with significant elevation in hepatic SOD activity as compared to the group intoxicated with DMBA and TPA only. Serum estradiol and corticosterone levels were high significantly decreased in the groups intoxicated with DMBA and TPA and treated with the three extracts compared to the group intoxicated with DMBA and TPA only. The soft coral Xenia macrospiculata extract, exerted the highest potential to inhibit hepatotoxicity induced by the tested carcinogenic agents. Each of the soft coral extracts has played a vital role in modulating the severe hepatotoxicity caused by the administration of the two carcinogenic agents DMBA and TPA. The liver functions were significantly promoted beyond normal status, while the hepatooxidative stress was markedly depressed. These results may provide new concept for development of effective therapies for some diseases involving hepatotoxicity

Dimiethyl-4,4' -dimethoxy-5,6,5',6' dimethylenedioxybiphenyl-2,2' -dicarboxylate [DDB] reduces the burden of alcohol-induced liver toxicity

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for hepatitis that may lead to alcoholic cirrhosis, a major cause of death in many parts of the world. DDB is a hepatoprotective drug which is mainly used for treatment of chronic persistent and active hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of DDB against alcohol-induced liver injury and free radical generation in rats. Fifty male rats were divided into five treatment groups and treated for 4 weeks with alcohol 7.9 g/kg b.w. and DDB 50 mg/ kg b.w. during or before alcohol administration. The results revealed that alcohol administration resulted in a significant increase in MDA, NO, IL-1 alpha, TNF- alpha, leptin, cholesterol, TG, LDL-cholesterol, ALT, procollagen III, Pi-GST, bilirubin and estradiol Whereas, it caused a significant decrease in CAT, SOD, GPX and testosterone. Treatment with DDB during or before alcohol administration resulted in a significant improvement in all the tested parameters and succeeded to restore their values towards the normal values of the control Moreover, treatment with DDB during alcohol administration was more effective than the treatment before alcohol administration.

Reflection of some hormones and bio-elements changes on bone mineralization in hemodialyzed chronic renal failure patients

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between bone mineralization and kidney dysfunction in patients on regular hemodialysis and whether there is any effect of hemodialysis on some essential trace elements that affect the bone strength. The study was carried out on 20 subjects suffering from chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis [HD-CRF] and 20 matched healthy subjects as a normal control group. A significant decrease in serum calcium, calcitonin and aldosterone levels was detected in HD-CRF group as compared with the corresponding levels in the normal control group. Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in serum total alkaline phosphatase activity and total protein level in HD-CRF group as compared with their respective values in the normal control group. Oxidative stress was assessed by estimating some trace elements [Se, Cu, Zn and iron] as well as NO in serum. The results showed a significant increase in serum NO and iron levels concomitant with a decrease in serum Se, Cu and Zn levels in HD-CRF patients as compared with the normal control ones. In conclusion, a physiological distress is often detectable in HD-CRF patients. This includes the disturbance in the hormonal and trace element status that strongly affects bone mineralization