[ frequency of HBeAG and relation with serum level of aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B]

Hepatitis B virus is the most frequent cause of acute and chronic hepatitis in the world. HBeAg should be assessed in the carriers of hepatitis B virus for the viral replication status. HBeAg+ patients with elevated aminotransferase should be treated with antiviral agents. Our aim was to determine the frequency of HBeAg positivity and the level of hepatic aminotransferase in the HBsAg+ population. In a case-control study in 2006, 144 infected patients with hepatitis B virus were examined for the presence of HBeAg and the level of serum aminotransferase by ELISA and biochemical test. The patients were selected from Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad city. The frequencies of male and female in 144 hepatitis B infected patients were 94 and 50, respectively. They were between 2 to 85 years old with the mean of 37.4 +/- 2.3. Serum HBeAg was positive in 26 patients [18% of the total] with a mean serum AST level of 83 IU/L. HBeAg- group had a mean AST level of 56.2 IU/L. Statistical analysis showed a significant different in the mean serum levels of AST between two groups [p=0.007]. There was also significant difference in the levels of serum ALT between HBeAg+ [79 IU/L] and HBeAg- [73.7 IU/L] groups [P=0.018]. Based on our results the HBeAg positivity is associated with the increased level of liver enzymes. So the impact of HBeAg marker on serum level of hepatic aminotransferase in HBsAg+ patients should be assessed in future studies

[ effect of Nigella sativa extract on biochemical bone markers in osteopenic postmenopausal women]

The extract of the seeds of Nigella sativa [Ns] has been used therapeutically for centuries as a safe herbal medicine, and has been reported to have beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetic osteopenia and bone healing in animal models. In the present study, we examined the effect of Ns seed oil extract on biochemical bone markers in osteopenic postmenopausal women. In a placebo controlled clinical trial, 30 osteopenic postmenopausal women, aged 49-72 years, were randomized to either 3-month Ns [oil] treatment [3cc, 0.05 cc/kg/day p.o.] or placebo groups. In all subjects, calcium-D supplements [1 tab per day] were administered during the 3 month study period. At baseline and after 3 months CBC diff, liver and kidney function tests, and serum levels of calcium and phosphate and plasma levels of bone markers [including CTX, Osteocalcin and Bone-ALP] were measured. Twenty-two participants completed the 3 month study period [9 in the Ns group and 13 in the placebo group]. Women in the placebo group had relatively higher BMI in comparison with those in the Ns group. Other characteristics and bone markers levels were similar between two groups at the baseline. Plasma levels of bone markers including CTX, Osteocalcin and Bone ALP did not differ significantly between the Ns and placebo groups at the end of the 3 months neither did changes in bone markers over the course of study show statistically significant differences between the two groups. Although Ns oil was safe, no reports of adverse reactions were observed in this study, we found no beneficial effect of Ns treatment on bone turnover markers. Based on our results, we do not recommend it for the prevention or treatment of bone loss. However this needs to be further investigated in the long-term clinical trials and with larger sample sizes