plasma level of selenium and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the activities of glutathione peroxidase lsoenzymes in colorectal cancer patients

Colorectal cancer represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is known that reactive oxygen species [ROS] are formed in excess in chronic diseases of the colon but the precise mechanisms of oxidative stress being induced in cancer cell and the role of ROS in colorectal cancer progression are still not exactly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the oxidative status of plasma as lipid peroxidation end products and the level of glutathione [GSH] in colorectal patients. The level of Selenium was also assessed by atomic absorption in association with the activities of GSH peroxidase isoenzymes [total, Se-dependent and non-Se-dependent]. Also the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] in plasma was assessed. The study was carried out on 30 colorectal cancer patients at different stages and grades and 10 healthy control subjects of matched age and sex. The results demonstrate that, colorectal cancer patients suffer from oxidative stress which is dependent on the grade and stage of the disease as indicated by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation end products, TNF-alpha and oxidized glutathione and by decreased levels of total and reduced GSH. Also, Se was significantly decreased in patients compared to control with the lowest level observed in grade III patients. This decrease in Se was associated with inhibited activities of total and Se-dependent GSH peroxidase while no change was observed in the activity of non-Se-dependent isoenzyme. Colorectal carcinogenesis is associated with serious oxidative stress and depletion of Selenium

status of antioxidant defences in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient patients. The role of antioxidants to ameliorate hemolytic crisis

In human, G6PD deficiency is the most common enzymopathy affecting over 400 million people throughout the world. It is associated with higher potential for oxidative damage due to chronic redox imbalance in red cells that often results in clinical manifcstation of mild to severe hemolysis. The NADPH product of G6PD is required for the reductive biosynthetic reactions as well as for the stability of catalase, and the preservation of the reduced form of glutathione [GSH]. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of G6PD in cellular antioxidant defense; the level of glutathione, catalase, NADPH and estimate the level of malondialdehyde which reflect the oxidative stress across the cell membrane. Also to study the effect of antioxidant treatment [vitamins C and E] to ameliorate high sensitivity of red cells to oxidative stress. This study was carried out on fifty G6PD-deficient children during the attack. The children were classified into two groups: Group 1: received blood transfusion only, and considered as an antioxidant-untreated group. Group 2: Received blood transfusion as group I in addition to antioxidant therapy [antioxidant-treated group], and healthy control subjects as control group, Our study proved that hemolytic attack in G6PD deficient patients is due to a concomitant impairment of the two main mechanisms of detoxification of H[2]O[2] in RBCs; GSH system and catalase. The most important finding in this study is the efficiency of treatment with a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C may improve antioxidant status in G6PD deficient patients and in reducing the symptoms of hemolytic crises

Improved purification and yield of antitetanic antiserum with the aid of caprylic acid

The aim of this study was to obtain highly purified antitetanic globulin by optimizing the conditions of extraction and purification. This was achieved through adjustment of the concentration of pepsin, the time of digestion, the value of pH and the concentration of caprylic acid. Our results indicate that the best conditions to obtain antitetanic antiserum are 0.5% caprylic acid, pH 3.3, 3.5 gm/l pepsin and 90 min for digestion

Degenerative joint disease: a new cartilage marker

The aim of the present study was to quantity COMP level in serum of patients with newly developed and late OA in attempt to the prognostic value of its serum measurement as a new cartilage marker. The study was carried out on thirty patients with OA diagnosed according to ARA criteria subdivided into 2 groups [IA and IB] representing early and late OA, and twenty healthy normal individuals as controls [II]. group IA, IB and II were subject to clinical evaluation, routine investigations and determination of serum Ca, phosphorus. uric acid, RF, and X-ray of the affected joints. COMP level estimation in serum was done to all patients and controls Serum concentration of COMP ranged from 1.53-2.1 microg/ml, 2.18-2.65 microg/ml, and -2.65 3.02 microg/ml in the control group, group IA and IB respectively. COMP serum levels is significantly increased in GIA and IB than control [p < 0001]. Also, the comparison is significant between IA and IB patients [p < 0.001] For uric acid, Ca, and phosphorus no difference could be demonstrated between IA and IB. Serum level of COMP is significantly higher in late OA, than early cases, yet both groups are higher than control. The determination of serum COMP may be tried as indicative of therapy in OA cases especially when using chondroprotective therapeutic agents