Histological study of the protective role of curcumin versus ginger on renal corpuscles of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice

Carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] has long been known as a model toxicant. Antioxidants are used to antagonize the deleterious action of free radicals. Numerous reports suggest that both curcumin and ginger have antioxidant effects. This work was carried out to compare between the possible protective roles of curcumin and ginger on renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated adult male albino mice using light and electron microscopes. A total of 45 adult male albino mice were used for this study and were divided into four groups: group I served as the control group. Group II received 0.2 ml/kg CCl[4] subcutaneously twice a week for 4 weeks. Group III received CCl[4] and curcumin concomitantly at a dose of 80 mg/kg once daily orally for 4 weeks. Group IV received CCl[4] and 1 ml of ginger at a dose of 24 mg/ml once daily orally for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, renal specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic study. Morphometric analysis was also carried out on electromicrographs to evaluate for filtration barrier integrity. Renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated mice showed shrunken, lobulated, and hypercellular glomeruli with podocytic affection and mesangial cell proliferation. Morphometric analysis displayed disruption of filtration barrier integrity. Both curcumin and ginger resolved most of these morphological alterations. However, ginger was proven to be more potent than curcumin. Concomitant administration of ginger with CCl[4] has a more protective effect than curcumin on the renal corpuscles of adult male albino mice

Effect of aflatoxin-B1 on rat cerebellar cortex: light and electron microscopic study

Introduction: Aflatoxin contamination of foods is a worldwide problem, especially in developing countries. The effects of aflatoxins on the cerebellum are not well studied

Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible neurotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats

Materials and methods: A total of 30 adult female albino rats were used. They were divided into two groups. Group I [10 animals] was allowed water ad libitum and fed a standard diet [negative control]. Group II [20 animals] was administered 5 ml aflatoxin B1 orally by a gastric tube every week for 8 consecutive weeks. Samples from the cerebella were taken and processed for light and electron microscopic investigation

Results: Light microscopic examination of the cerebellar cortex of aflatoxin-treated animals showed its prominent neurotoxic effect on the Purkinje cell layer, with less effect on the granular and molecular layers. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells were more abundant in the three cortical layers of treated animals compared with the control animals. Ultrastructural study of the cerebellum of the aflatoxin-treated group showed dilated Golgi complex and accumulation of secondary lysosomes in association with nuclear shrinkage and irregularity within Purkinje cells. Many myelinated nerve fibers and nerve cell processes in the molecular and granular layer belonging to the affected nerve cells showed degenerative changes

Conclusion: It could be concluded according to this study that aflatoxin B1 has a neurotoxic effect on the cerebellar cortex of adult female albino rats

possible protective role of curcumin on the toxic effect of nicotine in the lung of adult male mice: histological study

Nicotine is an alkaloid that is responsible for most of the dangerous effects of cigarette smoking on the human body. Curcumin is a component of turmeric that is a yellow spice derived from the plant Curcuma longa and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimalignant properties. The aim of this work is to study the protective role of curcumin against the cytotoxic effect of nicotine on the lungs of adult male mice using light and electron microscopes. Thirty adult male mice were used in this study. They were divided into three groups. The first group was considered as the control, the second group received a subcutaneous injection of nicotine at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day for 1 month, and the third group received a subcutaneous nicotine injection at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day and oral curcumin at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day for 1 month. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and specimens of the lungs were extracted and processed for examination by light and electron microscopy. In the nicotine-treated group, thickening of the interalveolar septa with narrowing of air spaces was observed, thick abnormal elastic fibers and many collagenous fibers were deposited in lung interstitium, and an apparent increase in the number of pneumocytes type 11 cells with exhausted lamellar bodies was observed. Concomitant administration of nicotine and curcumin resulted in partial recovery from these toxic effects. Curcumin can be used to decrease the harmful effects of nicotine on the lungs in both active and passive smokers

Ultrastructral study of rat lung alveoli after silica inhalation

Silicosis is a fibronodular lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing crystalline silica [silicon dioxide]. To investigate the changes in the lung alveoli after silica dust inhalation on the ultrastructural level in rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were used and divided into 2 groups [15 animals each]; the l[st] group [Group I] served as a control group, silica dust [SiO[2]] was administrated by inhalation to the 2[nd] group [Group II] [10 times daily for 6 weeks]. Lung specimens were processed for study by electron microscope. After silica treatment, features of thickening of the interalveolar septum by cellular and connective tissue infiltration were manifested. Ultrastructural changes were observed in the form of cellular abnormalities represented by degeneration, vacuolation, dilatation of the rER and clarification of the cytoplasm of type II pneumocytes. Cellular infiltration by neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, mast cells and macrophages was also observed. Furthermore fibrosis manifested by collagen deposition has been found. Silica is directly cytotoxic to pulmonary target cells. We should always remember that if it is silica, it is not just dust and avoid exposure

Percutanous ablative therapy for HCC: a comparison of three modalities

This study was performed on 78 patients having liver cirrhosis with 91 focal hepatic lesions detected by ultrasound and proved histopathologically to be HCC [biopsy and/or fine needle aspiration cytology; FNAC]. They were 70 males and 8 females their ages ranged between 37 and 75 years old. Patients were classified into three groups, Group A was formed of 32 patients with 37 focal lesions where they received RFA. Group B encountered 25 patients with 26 focal lesions and they received PAI Group C included 21 patients with 28 focal lesions were treated by PEI. Complete ablation was assessed by re-biopsy and/or FNAC, triphasic CT and AFP serum level. As regards the outcome of therapy in group A, complete ablation was achieved in 14/18 [78%] for lesions

Genetic distance and heterogenecity between quasispecies is a critical predictor to IFN response in Egyptian patients with HCV genotype-4

HCV is one of the major health problem in Egypt, where it is highly prevalent. Genotype 4 is the most common genotype of HCV and its response to treatment is still a controversy. HCV genotype 4 quasispecies diversity within the 5' untranslated region [5'UTR] was studied in a series of 22 native Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus with no previous treatment who satisfied all NIH criteria for combined treatment of pegylated IFN and ribavirine and was correlated with the outcome of treatment. The study also included 7 control patients with no antiviral treatment. HCV sequencing was done using the TRUGENE HCV 5-NC genotyping kit. At the 48[th] week of treatment, 15 patients [68%] showed virological response. Whereas HCV-RNA was still detected in 7 patients [32%] in this period; of those, 6 experienced a partial virological response followed by viral breakthrough during treatment. Only one patient did not show any virological or chemical response. The four females included in this study were all responders. There was a significant correlation between the response rate and lower fibrosis [p=0.026] as well as the total number of mutation spots [including all the insertions, deletions, transitions and transversions] [p=0.007, p= 0.035]. Patients who responded to interferon treatment had statistically significant less number in both transitions [p=0.007] and the genetic distances between the quasispecies [p= 0.035]. So, viral genetic complexity and variability may play a role in the response to IFN treatment. The consensus alignment of all three groups revealed no characteristic pattern among the three groups. However, the G to A transitions at 160 was observed among non responders who need further study to confirm this observation

Apoptosis and markers of oxidative stress during phototherapy of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

The aim of this work is to look for apoptosis and markers of oxidative stress during phototherapy of neonates complaining of hyperbilirubinemia in order to know the optimum type, dose and duration of phototherapy application, so as to avoid unnecessary prolonged exposure of the neonate to the laser light and its hazards. The plan was to assess apoptosis in circulating lymphocytes, malondialdehyde serum level [MDA] as a significant marker of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes e.g. superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathion peroxidase [GPx] in various phototherapy light wavelengths. The results revealed that the serum antioxidant enzymes were higher in the control group than in the neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Apoptosis and serum MDA were higher in neonates after exposure to phototherapy. Blue light has the greatest ability to reduce serum bilirubin, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis, followed by the combined and then the white light. Combined light is better regarding reduction of bilirubin than the white light. Phototherapy has no or little and variable effects on antioxidant enzymes

Conclusion: The use of phototherapy in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia needs an intelligent judgment, giving more care to the type of light used and period of exposure. The various types of phototherapy light have different effects. 30 we recommend more expansion of the use of combined blue and white light, more than the blue light or the white light alone, as it has less side effects and satisfactory serum bilirubin reduction. More researches should be done for more elucidation of the effects of phototherapy on neonates, whether these effects are permanent or not and whether they have any clinical harmful effects

new echocardiographic scoring of pulmonary valve for the prediction of the out come of balloon pulmonary valvualoplasty in children

Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is the treatment of choice for moderate to severe pulmonary stenosis in children. Abnormalities of valve-annulus-trunk structure could possibly determine the outcome after balloon valvuloplasty. The purpose of our study is to show the value of echocardiography In the prediction of the outcome of balloon valvuloplasty in children with pulmonary valve stenosis 104 patients [58 females and 46 males], their age ranged between 1-14 years with a mean of 6.49 +/- 4.4 years were included in our study. All patients had valvular pulmonary stenosis with pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve > 50 mmHg. All cases were subjected to balloon valvuloplasty, The morphologic features of pulmonary valve-annulustrunk structure were quantified by echocardiography and scored as follow a-Valve mobility 0, 1 or 2, b-Valve thickness 0,l or 2. c-Post stenotic narrowing 0,1 or 2. d-Post-stenotic dilatation 0 or 1 e-Diastolic deformity of sinus of valsalva 0 or 1, The total echocardiographic score ranged between 0 and 8. Balloon valvuloplasty was performed one day after echocardiographic examination. The follow up of our cases was done one day and 6 months after valvuloplasty by continuos wave Doppler for estimation of pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve. The studied cases were classified into two groups : Group I, when the gradient across the pulmonary valve immediately after valvuloplasty was 35 mmHg [successful] and group II, when the gradient was > 35 mmHg [unsuccessful]. There was a significant decrease in the transpulmonary valvular gradient [from 90.19 +/- 28.37 to 31.65 +/- 21.56 mmHg] with further reduction of gradient at follow up study after 6 months [to 26.65 +/- 11.92 mmHg]. The echocardiographic scoring of pulmonary valve was higher in group II [6.21 +/- 1.37] than in group I [2.7 +/- 1.29]. Patients with score less than two showed optimal results. Those with score more than four had a poor outcome, while very poor outcome was observed in patients with score more than six. The echocardiographic scoring can predict the outcome of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in children with pulmonary valve stenosis

Carotid atherosclerosis as a predictor for positive exercise electrocardiogram in hyperlipidemic asymptomatic patients

Eighty one hyperlipidemic subjects were included in this study. All of them were subjected to a maximum exercise test and carotid duplex scanning. Twelve of them had done coronary angiography. The prevalence of positive, negative, border line and inconclusive exercise ECG was 32.1%, 51.8%, 8.6% and 7.4%. The prevalence of normal and diseased carotid arteries was 59% and 41%, respectively, with higher incidence of minimal lesion [23%] than that of moderate [16%] or/and severe lesions [1.2%] in the asymptomatic hyperlipidemic patients. The prevalence of positive exercise ECG was found to be three times greater in patients with lesions more than 16% diameter stenosis than in patients with normal carotid arteries. Globally, patients with carotid atherosclerosis had two times the risk of having a positive exercise ECG compared to the group with normal carotids in the asymptomatic hyperlipidemic subjects. So, carotid atherosclerosis is an independent risk factor for asymptomatic CAD and may be a useful marker in the selection of patients who mostly benefit from systematic screening by exercise ECG

Transnasal butorphanol a new method for operative pain relief in low abdominal gynecological operations

30 female patients of ASA [American Society of Anesthesiologists] physical status I and II scheduled for lower abdominal gynecological surgery, were studied in a comparative prospective trial to compare the efficacy of transnasal and intravenous butorphanol for postoperative pain relief. The patients were divided randomly into two groups. Group I [15 patients] received 2 mg transnasal butorphanol, while group II [15 patients] received 2 mg intravenous butorphanol. The drug in both groups was given when the pain score reached 7. Pain was evaluated at 10, 30 and 60 minutes and then hourly till the pain returned to pre-drug level using the visual analogue scale [2]. For the patients in group I arterial blood gases were measured both preoperatively and after 30 minutes of drug administration to monitor any effect on respiration. For the same group, ECG was monitored continuously and arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the same intervals as pain score. Also, level of consciousness was noted. The study showed significant pain relief for transnasal butorphanol which was comparable for the intravenous route in both efficacy and onset of action, while the duration of analgesia was significantly longer for the transnasal route than the intravenous route. The most frequent side effect was somnolence 80% of patients

Doppler echocardiographic determination of pulmonary pressure: a simultaneous doppler catheterization study in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary artery pressure [PAP] was estimated by both catheter and Doppler techniques in 23 patients with pulmonary hypertension. All patients had tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation. Utilizing different methods for estimating [PAP], the pulmonary regurgitant flow velocity method was used to estimate mean [PAP] and diastolic [PAP]. A good correlation was found between this method and cardiac catheter, p< 0.01, the sensitivity was 90% and specificity was 95%. Tricuspid regurgitant flow velocity method for estimation of systolic [PAP] showed high accuracy with systolic [PAP] determined by catheterization, p < 0.01 and sensitivity was 92% and specificity was 95%. Using time peak velocity of pulmonary flow [AT] to measure mean [PAP], there was a tendency for over estimation in patients with [AT] 80 msec., On the other hand patients with [AT] < 80 msec. showed 80% sensitivity and a 98% specificity for detection of elevated [PAP]. So peak tricuspid velocities provided unexpectedly difficult record in some patients but when successful, it provides excellent prediction of pressures. Recording of mean [PAP] from [AT] of pulmonary artery wave form was very easy but accuracy was limited was limited to whom [PAP] was high. In contrast, pulmonary regurgitation velocities were easily obtained and provided high accuracy results

Antihypertensive and lipid lowering effects of doxazosin a new selective alpha 1 adrenergic inhibitor

The alpha adrenoceptor antagonist doxazosin has been given to 50 essential hypertensive patients of both sexes. Once daily dose treatment with doxazosin at the end of 12 weeks significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly improved lipid pattern [total cholesterol, HDL: total cholesterol ratio and triglycerides] and was well tolerated. Sex had no effect on the results of treatment