Single centre randomized comparative trial of lateral internal sphincterotomy versus 2% diltiazem in chronic anal fissure

Background: Anal fissures are often encountered in surgical practice with surgery the gold standard management for chronic anal fissures. Recently the widespread use of pharmacologic agents for chronic fissures has increased. In our study we compare topical 2% diltiazem with lateral sphincterotomy with respect to symptoms such as relief of pain, ulcer healing, and side effects of treatments.Methods: A prospective comparative study, a total of 80 patients were randomized into 2 groups 40 each. Group A patients were subjected to open internal lateral sphincterotomy and group B to 2% topical diltiazem. The patients in both groups were followed up at 1st, 4th, 14th weeks and 6 months in OPD and were assessed for pain, sphincter tone and complications.Results: In group A (lateral anal sphincterotomy), patients achieved a good pain relief with a mean pain score of 1.98 by one week post procedure whereas group B (2% diltiazem) had taken 14 weeks to achieve similar pain relief (pain score of 1.5). At the end of 6 months, healing of fissure was noted in 100% of group A and in 90% of group B. 4 patients (10%) had recurrences in group B. Flatus incontinence was reported in 2 patients (5%) in group A although transient.Conclusions: Lateral anal sphincterotomy is superior to 2% diltiazem especially in healing of fissure, pain relief, quality of life and recurrence. Pharmacologic agents should be reserved for patients who are unfit or unwilling for surgery or can be used as a bridge therapy till sphincterotomy can be planned.

Correlation between Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Endoscopic, Histopathologic and Clinical Activities of Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction:Detection of activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) is vital for predicting treatment outcome. The assessment depends on clinical, serologic, and endoscopic findings. One of the noninvasive biomarkers for disease activity detection is serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL). Aim:To assess the relationship between NGAL and endoscopic, histopathologic and clinical activity of UC.Methods:This study wasconducted on 50 cases with definitive diagnosis of UC and 15 cases with normal colonoscopyexamination as controls.UC cases were considered active if Geobes score was ≥3.1.Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver and kidney function tests were done.Serum NGAL was estimated using ELISA technique. Results:UC caseswere classified into active group (n = 36) and inactive group (n = 14). In active UC cases, median value (IQR) of serum NGAL was significantly increased(101.15 (67.53 –156.40) ng/mL) compared to inactive cases (63.35 (60.98–65.20)ng/mL) and control group (24.80 (15.50 –31.50)ng/mL).Serum NGAL was well correlated with Geobes score, Mayo score, CRP and ESR.Serum NGAL at cut-off ≥ 63 can predict activity with sensitivity88.89%, specificity 85.71%, PPV 94.12% and NPV 75%.Conclusion:Serum NGAL is valuable noninvasive marker for assessment of UC disease activity

Bronchoscopic survillance during early postoperative period after lung transplantation

Background: Lung transplant has become an accepted modality of treatment of patients with end stage pulmonary disease, establishing protocols for improving survival in these patients is the need of the hour. The aim of this study was to assess the use of bronchoscopic surveillance during early post-operative period after lung transplantation.Methods: It is a hospital based retrospective study; the study was carried out in a lung transplant centre located in Chennai, India.  A total of eight cases of single lung transplantation were done during the period of one year. Six patients were selected based on the inclusion criteria and the use of bronchoscopy during the immediate post-operative period followed by bronchoscopy during the early hours of everyday for the first week and the success in reduction of immediate post-operative infection and observations has been analysed.Results: In analysis of all the six cases, the positive signs of early morning bronchoscopy done were identified, mucus plugs which contribute to significant hypoxemia and morbidity were not observed in any of the patients.  New patch was also not observed in any of these patients. Culture positivity from the donor lung carrying over to the recipient was observed in just one of these patients.Conclusions: This protocol based frequent bronchoscopy prevents ‘Surprise’ patches in the lungs. Performance of Broncho Alveolar Lavage on a regular basis avoided the possibility of infections developing by early screening and aided as a tool for identification of acute neo lung rejection.

Knowledge And Practice Of Breast Self-Examination Among Female Non-Medical Students In Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia (UKM) In Bangi

Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a process whereby women examine their breasts regularly to detect any abnormal swelling or lumps in order to seek prompt medical attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of BSE among female non-medical students in UKM, Bangi. A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered and validated questionnaire among 364 students. The results showed that only 37.1% performs BSE and 45% of the students have good knowledge. Age, marital status, using internet and pamphlets as source of information, personal, and family history of BC, were significantly associated with knowledge level of students. Practice of BSE was significantly associated with knowledge level. From multivariate analysis, BSE was more likely to be done among students with family history, students who using internet and pamphlet as sources of information, also among students with good knowledge. As conclusions, the practice of BSE is inadequate among the respondents in spite of most of them had heard about BSE. The results suggest the need of providing continuing educational programs to increase the knowledge level on BSE which in turn will have a positive effect on students to practice and motivate to perform BSE.

Neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among infants with neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia (NIH); compare G6PD-deficient and G6PD-normal patients regarding hyperbilirubinemia and need for exchange transfusions (ET); and assess risk factors for ET and kernicterus. METHODS: This is a case-control retrospective study. Medical records of NIH patients admitted to the Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between January 2007 and June 2010 were reviewed. Data on sex, age at presentation, hospitalization duration, need for ET, hemoglobin (Hb) level, reticulocyte count, direct Coombs test, serum total and indirect bilirubin levels, thyroid function, blood and urine cultures, G6PD status, and blood groups were collected and compared between the G6PD-deficent and G6PD-normal patients. RESULTS: Of 1,159 NIH patients admitted, 1,129 were included, of whom 646 (57%) were male. Among 1,046 patients tested, 442 (42%) were G6PD deficient, 49 (4%) needed ET, and 11 (1%) had suspected Kernicterus. The G6PD-deficient patients were mainly male (P<0.0001), and had lower Hb levels (P<0.0001) and higher maximum bilirubin levels (P=0.001). More G6PD-deficient patients needed ET (P<0.0001). G6PD deficiency (P=0.006), lower Hb level (P=0.002), lower hematocrit count (P=0.02), higher bilirubin level (P<0.0001), higher maximal bilirubin level (P<0.0001), and positive blood culture result (P<0.0001) were significant risk factors for ET. Maximal bilirubin level was a significant risk factor for kernicterus (P=0.021) and independently related to ET (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: G6PD deficiency is an important risk factor for severe NIH. In G6PD-deficent neonates, management of NIH should be hastened to avoid irreversible neurological complications.

Relative abundance of the major piercing-sucking pests andtheir associated natural enemies on coriander plants

The present work was carried out at Shotb and Abnoub locations, Assuit Governorate, Upper Egypt throughout two successive coriander growing seasons, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.The obtained results showed that coriander plants harbored 55 and 43 insect species belonging to 41, 31 families and 9, 9 orders in shotb and Abnoub locations, respectively. Among these species, [29, 26]; [6, 4]; [7, 4] and [16, 11] were recorded as pests, predators, parasitoids and pollinators and visitors in Shotb and Abnoub, respectively. The order Hymenoptera had the highest number of species [16, 13, species] followed by Diptera [9, 9 species] in both Shotb and Abnoub, respectively. Results also indicated that, regardless of the seasons, aphids [different species] were the most abundant piercing-sucking insect pests on coriander plants, representing 59.00 and 83.14 %, followed by T. tabaci which represented 38.12 and 15.57 % of the grand total of sucking pests. The Empoascae spp. and Campylomma spp. were less abundant and represented only an average of 2.09 and 0.09 % for Empoascae spp. and 1.10 and 1.19 % for Capylomma spp. of the grand total of piercing-sucking pests in Shotb and Abnoub locations, respectively. Concerning the relationships between abiotic and biotic factors with the aphid populations, results also indicated that the studied variables were together responsible for 58.49 % of the aphid population changes in Shotb location, while 64.57 % were recorded in Abnoub location. The change of the aphid populations varied with the plant age [23.46 and 39.73 %], maximum temperature [20.34 and 12.16 %] and natural enemies [4.76 and 4.21 %] in Shotb and Abnoub locations, respectively. Minimum temperature was found to be related with the population of aphid species only in Abnoub location [7.28 %]

Prevalence and predictors of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: does low zinc level play any role?

Introduction: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] is a frequent and life threatening complication ofcirrhosis. Several large studies have identified additional risk factors for the development ofSBP. Zinc deficiency has been found to be frequent in cirrhotic patients

Aim of the work: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency, possible risk factors and the roleof zinc in the development of first time and recurrent SBP

Methodology:A total of 176 cirrhotic ascetic patients admitted to the Hepatology Department in Sohag University Hospital were enroled in the study. SBP peritonitis was diagnosed throughhistory?taking and through examination and laboratory investigations, including ascetic fluidstudy and the detection of serum zinc level

Results: Of the 176 cirrhotic patients, SBP was diagnosed in 54 [31%]; in total, 40 patients [23%] had single and 14 [8%] had recurrent episodes of SBP. Out of the 23 studied clinical and laboratory variables, we found that the prolonged use of proton pump inhibitor [PPI][P = 0.001],lower prothrombin concentration [P = 0.03], ascetic protein level less than or equal to1 g/dl [P < 0.0001] and zinc deficiency [P = 0.001] were independent risk factors for the development of SBP in cirrhotic patients; using multivariate analysis, only low protein in ascites less than or equal to 1 and low zinc status were predictors of SBP

Conclusion: In our study, the frequency of SBP was 31%; overall, 23% of the patients had first?episodeand 8% had recurrent SBP. The use of PPI, low platelet count, ascetic protein content andzinc deficiency were the predictors for the development of SBP; only low protein in ascites less than or equal to 1 and low zinc status were independent predictors of SBP

Effect of prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A on the endometrium of albino rats: a histological and an immuno-histochemical study

Aim of the work: bisphenol A [BPA] is a synthetic monomer that is polymerized to manufacture polycarbonate plastic products and resins, including those used in food packaging and dental sealants. It is used in the manufacture of a great variety of products including: compact disks, food can linings, plastic windows, car parts, adhesives, protective coatings and powder paints. This work aimed to study the effect of prenatal exposure to BPA on the endometrium of female rats

Materials and methods: thirty adult female albino rats were divided into three groups: rats in group 1 served as a control [G1] and received an equal amount of sesame oil to those of the treated groups; those in group 2 [G2] were administered by gavage 5.0 microg BPA/kg/day [low-dose group]; the third group [G3] received 50 microg BPA/kg/day [high-dose group]. The female offspring of each group were weaned at day 21 and maintained until 3 months old. The uteri were dissected for the histological and immuno-histochemical examination

Results: low-dose group showed degeneration of the epithelial lining of the endometrium with focal patches of increased epithelial cell layers. The high dose group revealed cytoplasmic hydropic degeneration and pyknotic nuclei of the epithelial cells. Estrogen receptors showed a significant decrease of positive cells in low dose treated group and this decrease markedly accentuated in the high dose one. Positive nuclei for Ki-67 were markedly increased with increasing doses of BPA

Conclusion: BPA showed obvious endometrial degenerative and proliferative histological changes. Therefore, the use of this substance in food packaging materials and in the manufacture of substances liable to come into contact with food and drink should be phased out

Antioxidant Effect of Sepia Ink Extract on Extrahepatic Cholestasis Induced by Bile Duct Ligation in Rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of our study was to assess the complications of hepatic fibrosis associated with bile duct ligation and the potential curative role of sepia ink extract in hepatic damage induced by bile duct ligation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rattus norvegicus rats were divided into 3 groups: Sham-operated group, model rats that underwent common bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL rats treated orally with sepia ink extract (200 mg/kg body weight) for 7, 14, and 28 d after BDL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant reduction in hepatic enzymes, ALP, GGT, bilirubin levels, and oxidative stress in the BDL group after treatment with sepia ink extract. Collagen deposition reduced after sepia ink extract treatment as compared to BDL groups, suggesting that the liver was repaired. Histopathological examination of liver treated with sepia ink extract showed moderate degeneration in the hepatic architecture and mild degeneration in hepatocytes as compared to BDL groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sepia ink extract provides a curative effect and an antioxidant capacity on BDL rats and could ameliorate the complications of liver cholestasis.</p>

Prevalence of anaemia in preschool children in Karma Albalad area, Northern State, Sudan

Anaemia is a major childhood health problem in developing countries. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia, and some of its determinants, in preschool children in a rural village in the Northern State of Sudan. All children aged 3-6 years attending the 4 village kindergartens on the day of the study were enrolled. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using a questionnaire completed by parents, and blood samples were taken for haemoglobin measurement. Out of 163 children, 131 had anaemia [haemoglobin level < 11 g/dL], a prevalence of 80.4%. This figure is comparable to data from other developing countries. The prevalence of anaemia was not significantly associated with any of the studied demographic and socioeconomic factors [sex, economic status of the family, mother's literacy or family size] or health of the child [history of pica or number of attacks of malaria in the last year]. A campaign to tackle this serious health issue is urgently needed

Urgent need of nutritional strategy and innovated functional foods for athletes health and fitness

The present review discussed the biochemical and physiological changes as well as the different sorts of nutritional deficiencies and health hazards to which the athletes may be exposed in addition to the importance of production and evaluation of innovated functional foods for athletes. Ergogenic substances and phytochemicals of possible impacts on athletes are also discussed. Athletes need special nutrients and bioactive constituents before, during and after exercise to keep on their fitness and performance and to achieve successful results during their games. They also need to be healthy without any sort of nutrients' deficiency. So, it is important to study the necessary nutrients and functional food ingredients for athletes and incorporate them into ideal functional foods to achieve their performance and to keep them in a healthy state. Such functional foods must be evaluated in athletes through following up biochemical, physiological and anthropometric parameters reflecting nutritional status, oxidative stress, antioxidant state, immunity, fitness and performance. Functional foods for athletes differ according to the practiced games. These functional foods must correct any nutrient deficiency in athletes that may occur due to practicing sports. Proper athlete's nutrition is essential for continuity of his/her sports with a good health and without loosing fitness

Classical abdominoplasty with flank liposuction versus extended abdominoplasty

AbdominopIasly is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic surgery procedures. We have chosen comparison between two groups, group 1-25 patients who underwent classical abdominoplasty with flank liposuction which will stop the incision at the anterior/superior iliac spine.and groupII-25 patients who underwent extended abdominoplasty with lateral extension of the lower abdominal incision in the flanks as regards to patient satisfaction, scar length, lateral upper thigh sensation, dog ears, and skin redundancy.Fifty patients underwent cihdominoplasty between July 2009 and July 2012 The mean age of the studied groups of patients in this work was 35.36 in group I and 36.20 in group II and we had female to male incidence of 9:1.With inclusion criteria presented with abdominal deformities [Matarasso type HI]. In both groups there were no skin redundancy and dog ears, no step-off borders, the scar was narrow, the edges were coapted, there was no inflammation, the overall cosmetic result was excellent and the scar was optimum.Hypothesia in upper lateral thigh was [20%] group 7, [40%] group II and total [30%]. Unilateral loss of sensation in upper lateral thigh in group II was [4%] in group II,but there was no significant difference between the two groups as regards to hypothesia bilateral and unilateral, age groups and hypothesia, age groups and loss of sensation, and sex and hypothesisa and loss of sensation bilateral and unilateral. Patients usually seek abdominoplasty for abdominal wall laxity, excess skin, striae, or diastasis of the rectus muscles. Liposuction is a very affective treatment for recontouring localized fat and decreases the length of abdominoplasty scar and decreases complications such as hypothesia and loss of sensation in upper lateral thigh

Histological study on the effect of nicotine administration on the bone of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of vitamin E

Cigarette smoking is one of the major problems affecting the health of humans. Many studies have been conducted on different organs of the body, but only a few have been conducted on the effect of cigarette smoking on bone. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant supplement that might alleviate these hazardous effects on bone. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of nicotine on bone and whether the addition of vitamin E could protect the bone against nicotine-induced effects. Forty-five animals were used and divided into three groups comprising 15 animals each. Group I served as the control group. Animals in group II received nicotine. Animals in group III received nicotine in addition to vitamin E. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed and the femur bone specimens were dissected and processed. The specimens were subjected to histological study: H and E and scanning electron microscopy. Evaluation of bone mineral density using energy dispersive X-ray was also carried out. Statistical analysis was carried out for all data recorded. Animals of group II showed thinning out of compact bone and trabeculae of cancellous bone of the proximal end of the femur. An increase in adipocytes in adjacent bone marrow was also detected. Cracking and microfracture of bone were apparent, as well as irregular endosteal pores. There was decrease in calcium content in the bone. Group III showed improvement in the morphology of bone and mineral content. Statistical analysis confirmed these results. We concluded that nicotine has hazardous effects on bone, and vitamin E has a protective role against nicotine

Effect of crowding stress on lung and heart of the adult albino rats and the possible protective role of sulpiride

Exposure to crowding stress is associated with increased respiratory system morbidity, However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Thus, there is a need for more study of this harmful effect. Sulpiride had been shown to have a protective role against crowding stress on other systems but this role was not studied well on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Investigating the possible harmful effects of crowding on adult albino rats' lung and heart and the possible protective role of combined sulpiride treatment. The present study was carried out on 24 adult albino rats of local strain weighing 120 +/- 3 g which were randomly divided equally into Group 1[C, untreated negative control], Group 2 [Cr, crowding exposed or positive control] where rats were exposed to crowding in a cage [20x20x20 cm- 6 rats /cage] for 1 month, Group 3[D, sulpiride-treated] where the rats were exposed to sulpiride "0.028 mg/B.W./day" and Group 4 [Cr+D, crowding + sulpiride-treated]. Paraffin sections were prepared for histological, histochemical and morphometric studies. The data were statistically analysed. The rats exposed to crowding only or sulpiride only showed highly significant damaging changes on lung such as thickening in the interalveolar septa and obliteration of the alveoli, inflammatory cells infiltration within the pulmonary interstitium, peribronchiolar infiltration and fibrosis, thickening of the pulmonary blood vessels walls, interstitial collagen fibres deposition and apoptotic cellular changes. On the level of heart, significant decrease in the diameters of the myocardial muscle fibres with focal areas of necrosis, apoptotic changes and increased collagen fibres deposition was marked in sulpiride group. When crowding and sulpiride treatments were combined, the damaging effects were maximized on the lung and heart. These results provided evidence that crowding stress causes obvious lung and heart tissue damages. No protective role for sulpiride was proofed. This is because using sulpiride alone or in combination with crowding showed marked damaging effects on the lung and heart tissues

Occult hepatitis C virus infection in haemodialysis unit: a single-center experience

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] and/or hepatocytes in the absence of HCV RNA in serum, designated as 'occult HCV infection', has been a matter of controversy in the recent years. Occult hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection has not been investigated in haemodialysis patients. We investigated for the first time the prevalence of occult HCV infection in large cohorts of chronic hemodialysis [CHD] patients in a single heamodialysis center at Al-Taif, KSA. We enrolled 84 CHD patients, whose sera are negative for HCV markers. HCV RNA was tested in PBMC using a sensitive commercial real time assay. In this study, real-time PCR was used to test for the presence of genomic HCV-RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all of these patients. For comparison, 20 patients on HD with evidence of chronic hepatitis C virus infection were included as a control group. In CHD patients, occult HCV infection, determined by the presence of genomic HCV-RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMNCs], was found in 13.4 % of the patients; 83 % of these patients had ongoing HCV replication, indicated by the presence of HCV-RNA. Patients with occult HCV infection had spent a significantly longer time on heamodialysis and had significantly higher mean alanine aminotransferase levels during the 3 months before study entry. Compared to CHCV patients, those with occult HCV have less elevated bilirubin, AST and ALT. The prevalence of occult HCV infection was moderate in our CHD patients, and it did not appear to be clinically relevant. Further studies in other geographic populations with high HCV endemicity are required to clarify the significance of occult HCV infection in these patient groups

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Sudanese children

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a very heterogeneous lymphoproliferative disease with clinical and histological pattern different from children to adults. To characterize the clinical and pathological pattern of Non -Hodgkin`s lymphoma among Sudanese children. This study was undertaken prospectively on paediatric cases [[

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus Antibodies among pregnant women and it's correlation with spontaneous abortion in Khartoum state

Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that infects most people at some time during their lives. It becomes dormant for a while and may reactivate later. In pregnant women, intrauterine infection may be associated with congenital abnormalities, intrauterine growth retardation and intrauterine death of the fetus as well as late sequelae such as developmental delay, blindness and congenital deafness. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of CMV infection among women presenting with spontaneous abortion to major hospitals in Khartoum State and to find out the correlation between CMV infection and spontaneous abortion in the group under study. In this study a total of 180 spontaneously aborted females, and 80 normally delivered females [control] were included. Three mls of venous blood were collected from each subject under study in a plain container allowed to clot and after clot retraction centrifuged at 4000rpm. The sera were then separated and stored at -20c[degree] in a deep freezer. The stored sera were tested for CMV IgG and IgM antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [BIOTECH - ENGLAND]. In the case group, 176 [97.8%] women were positive for Anti-CMV IgG and 69 [38.3%] for Anti-CMV IgM. The CMV antibodies significantly co related with increasing age [P-value = - 0.0185], the number of abortion [P-value = -0.0177] and congenital malformation in children [P value= 0.037]. Seroprevalence of CMV antibodies was found to be 97.8% and 38.3% for IgG and IgM respectively. There was significant association between CMV infection and frequency of abortion, age and congenital malformation in children

64- row multislice computed tomography assisted percutaneous coronary intervention versus non-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion; a randomized controlled trial

The role of MSCT coronary angiography in assistance and guidance of PCI of CTO has been studied in multiple small registries and prospective studies but up till now there is no randomized trial testing this issue. We performed this randomized trial to study the effect of MSCT coronary angiography on the success rate of PCI of CTO and whether it decreases or increases the exposure to radiation and contrast media during PCI. Forty patients were randomized to direct PCI group and MSCT assisted PCI group [20 patients each]. Although MSCT gave a better understanding of the morphologic CTO characteristics and could predict accurately procedural failure, this was not reflected on the success rate and there was no difference between both groups regarding success rate, radiation exposure nor the used contrast media volume during PCI Moreover the patients in the MSCT group were exposed to an extra-dose of radiation and contrast media during MSCT examination. preprocedural MSCT coronary angiography before PCI of CTO did not affect the success rate of the CTO recanalization. MSCT is an excellent predictor of procedural failure of CTO recanalization but at the expense of high dose of radiation exposure and increased usage of contrast media volume

Effects of some antidiabetic medicinal plants on pancreas and liver of diabetic albino rats

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease which affects large number of population all over the world. More than 400 traditional medicinal plants have been recorded for helping in controlling such disease. This study investigated effects of some plants used in Saudi Arabia and some other Arab countries as antidiabetic agents. One hundred fifty adult male Albino rats were divided into six experimental groups each consist of twenty five rats. The first group was considered as a control group. The rest of groups were affected by induction of experimental diabetes by subcutaneous injection of Alloxan. The second group consisted of diabetic rats without any treatment. The third group was treated by the aqueous extract of mixture contains Foenugreek, Nigella and Termis seeds. The fourth group was treated with the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds, while the fifth group was treated with the aqueous extract of Foenugreek seeds. The sixth one was treated with the aqueous extract of Termis seeds with the administered dose of the plant extracts [100 mg/kg body weight].After four weeks of treatment, different biochemical parameters were performed including estimation of blood sugar level and serum insulin level. Pancreatic and liver samples were obtained and processed for microscopic and quantitative evaluation after staining the prepared sections with both heamatoxylin and eosin as well as a special stain for demonstration of the different pancreatic cells in the Islet of Langerhans. The usage of the mixture or each plant alone corrected the glucose level and insulin level. Microscopically there was definite decrease in the number and diameter of beta pancreatic cells in the diabetic group, while the other pancreatic cells were not affected [alpha and delta cells]. The use of medicinal plants in the different groups of this study greatly improved such cellular changes and the level of blood sugar level was corrected. The present results showed that the activity of the mixture was the best when compared with Nigella, Foenugreek and Termis seeds. The water extract of the mixture is the most powerful in amelioration hyperglycemia and most of all damage effects of Alloxan on the liver and texture, hematological parameters, and lipid profile. So it is advised to use the plant mixture as an antidiabetic agent rather than the use of each plant separately. Repeating such study with the use of variable doses may be helpful in better evaluation for the required doses

Protective role of Ficus benghalensis against isoniazid-rifampicin induced oxidative liver injury in rat

The present study was made to investigate the protective effect of methanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis L., Moraceae, on isoniazid-rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into six different groups; group 1 served as a control, group 2 received isoniazid and rifampicin (100 mg/kg, i.p.), in sterile water, groups 3, 4 and 5 received 100, 200 & 300 mg/kg bw, p.o. methanolic extract of F. benghalensis and group 6 received Liv 52. All the treatment protocols followed 21 days and after rats were sacrificed blood and liver were used for biochemical and histological studies, respectively. Administration of isoniazid and rifampicin caused a significant elevation in the levels of liver marker enzymes (p<0.05 and p<0.01) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p<0.001) in experimental rats. Administration of methanolic extracts of F. benghalensis significantly prevented isoniazid-rifampicin-induced elevation in the levels of serum diagnostic liver marker enzymes and TBARS level in experimental groups of rats. Morever, total protein and reduced glutathione levels were significantly (p<0.001) increased in treatment group. The effect of extract was compared with a standard drug, Liv 52. The changes in biochemical parameters were supported by histological profile. It is to be concluded that the methanolic extract of F. benghalensis protects against isoniazid and rifampicin-induced oxidative liver injury in rats.