Hypoglycemic Activity of Artemisia herba-alba (Asso.) used in Egyptian Traditional Medicine as Hypoglycemic Remedy.

In vitro and In vivo screening of hypoglycemic activity of Artemisia herba-alba (Asso.) herbs emphasized its activity in hypoglycemic remedy. Further investigation on fractions of 70% ethyl alcohol extract of Artemisia herba-alba (Asso.) herbs revealed that the ethyl alcohol extract produces hypoglycemic effect more than any of its fractions. Four compounds were isolated and identified from fractions of 70% ethyl alcohol extract of Artemisia herba-alba (Asso.) herbs. These compounds were previously reported for their hypoglycemic activity.

Handling of insulin and C-peptide in nephrotic syndrome

In the present work handling of insulin was studied in experimental nephrotic syndrome which was induced in four groups of albino rats. Two of these nephrotic groups mere treated with captopril [Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor [ACE]]. In addition, two other groups were used as controls. Another group of nephrotic rats were studied for the role of the liver by comparing serum glucose, insulin and c-peptides levels in their portal veins with those in their inferior vena cava blood. The results obtained showed the following: There was a highly significant increase in insulin and peptide levels and decrease of glucose in arterial and venous blood of nephrotic rats when compared with controls. When captopril was administered to nephrotic rats there was increase in glucose level and a marked decrease of insulin and c-peptide in both arterial and venous blood. Thus catopril can ameliorate hyperinsulinism in nephrotic kidney by reducing serum insulin level in this disease. The hyperlipidemia of nephrotic syndrome which was shown in the previous work was accompanied by hyperinsulinism and increased c-peptide level, while glucose was decreased. This was explained by the suggested accompanying insulin resistance. This hyperinsulinemia is the cause of the hypoglycemia in this disease

study of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist as a marker of early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the serum level of IL- Ira in the blood of high risk neonates [with PROM >24 h.] as a predictor of sepsis before the clinical diagnosis. The study included 29 term neonates [15 males and 14 females, their mean value of gestational ages was 37.65 +/- 1.1 weeks and the birth weight was 2.9 +/- 0.5 kg]. They were subjected to full history, clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood count [CBC], C-reactive protein [CRP], blood culture and quantitative determination of serum IL-Ira levels by ELISA technique. Three consecutive samples were taken from each neonate: The first sample [A] was obtained immediately after delivery, the second sample [B] after 48 hours and the third [C] after 96 hours. The studied neonates were divided into two groups: Group I [septic group] included 15 neonates with proven sepsis and group II [healthy non-septic control group] included 14 neonates. Data suggested that the assessment of IL-Ira may be used as an early diagnostic tool in neonates with a suspicion of sepsis

Involvement of interleukin-13 and soluble Inter leukin-2 receptors in the clinico-pathological presentation of pediatric nephrotic syndrome

54 children with nephrotic syndrome and 17 healthy controls were included in the study, among cases studied 40 were males and 14 were females, 36 had history of hypertension and 12 cases had oedema at the time of sampling. Patients were divided into 4 groups, GP 1:10 cases were. steroid responsive in remission, GP 11:12 cases were steroid resistant during activity, GP III:18 cases were steroid dependent of low dose steroids and GP IV:14 cases were steroid dependent on high dose steroids. For all patients' full history, clinical examination and estimation of urinary proteins as well as serum level of IL-13 and sIL-R11 were done. The level of serum JL-13 was significantly lower in cases, compared to control, interquartile range [IQR] was II and 28 respectively [p<0.005] Comparison of the 4 groups revealed a highly significant correlation between groups II and I [p<0.0054]. groups II and IV [p<0.010], there was also a significant difference in serum IL-I 3 level in both sexes but no significant relation to presence of oedema or hypertension. There was a significant negative correlation between IL-13 and serum protein level [r =-0.2686, p<0.05]. On the other hand the serum level of slL-2R was significantly higher in children with NS compared to controls [1Q11=5000, 1244 respectively, p<0.005]. There was a significant difference between patients in GPI vs OP IV [p<0.0 126] and between OP II vs OP Ill [p<0.029] and a highly significant difference between OP II vs OP IV [p<0.0012]. There was no significant difference as regards sex, but a significant difference in children with oedema [p<0.0090] and a highly significant difference in those with hypertension [p<0.0015]. There was also a significant negative correlation between sIL-2R and steroid intake [r =-0.49, 2 0.03]. Results of renal biopsy had no significant correlation with either IL-13 or sIL-2R. In conclusion TL-13 was significantly lower in all studied groups compared to the control, indicating involvement of IL-13 in the pathogenesis of NS. SIL-2R is involved in pathogenic mechanisms involved in activation of NS so it can be used as a clue for disease activity. The exact role of inflammatory cytolcines in pathogenesis of NS in childhood needs further research work to reach proper understanding of the pathogenesis of this syndrome

Apolipoproteins in protein-energy malnutrition among Egyptian infants and children

This study included 64 infants and children with different forms of protein - energy malnutrition [PEM. They were classified according to wellcome's classification into simple underweight, marasmus, Kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor goups together with 16 comparable healthy infants and children as a control group. Anthropometric measurements including: weight, length, head circumference, mid arm circumference, skin fold thickness, arm area muscle circumference, arm a, muscle area and fat area beside biochemical tests including: complete urine and stool analysis, complete blood picture, total serum protein, serum albumin, total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high density lipoprotein - cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - cholesterol, apolipoprotein - A-I and apolipoprotein - B were done to all infants and children. The results showed that all anthropometric measurements were decreased in all forms of PEM but the decrease was more in marasmic group Also, the biochemical tests were decreased in PEM but more in kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor groups. Apo-A-I was the main biochemical test that decreased in simple underweight group. Apo B-was decreased in all PEM forms except simple underweight group and the decrease was markedly in kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor groups. Apo- A-I and B could be considered as good in-dicators of nutritional status especially apo-A-I which was proved to be of prime importance in the diagnosis of early cases of malnutrition