Beneficial effects of L-carnitine administration on blood glucose, lipids and oxidative stress markers in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

L-carnitine, a naturally occurring vitamin-like nutrient is widely distributed all over the body. It is frequently used as a dietary supplement by physically active people as it plays a great role in energy production. Currently, there is a renewed interest in carnitine, and many physicians advised it to treat a variety of conditions especially those associated with metabolic disorders as diabetes mellitus. It plays a role in both glucose and lipid metabolism as well as it may have an antioxidant effect. In diabetes mellitus, poor glycemic control, dyslipidemia and increased lipid peroxidation have been associated with poor diabetic outcome. The present work aimed to study the role of L- carnitine supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism as well as to study its antioxidant effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Also, a histological study of the pancreatic tissues of all studied animal groups have been done to determine if L-carnitine has a regenerative effect on the diabetic pancreatic B-cells. The study carried on 28 adult male albino rat, divided into 3 groups: control group [group I], alloxan-induced diabetic rats [group II] and L-carnitine treated diabetic rats [group III]. After induction of diabetes in rats [by alloxan], L-carnitine was administered by IM daily injection of 100 mg/Kg body weight for 3 weeks. Serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid peroxide and nitric oxide were evaluated in all groups at the end of the experiment. Also, histological study of the pancreatic tissues of all studied animals groups have been done. After alloxan injection, all measured parameters were significantly increased in group II [p<0.001] in comparison to control group. Three, weeks after treatment of group III with L-carnitine, rats showed significant reduction in serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride [p<0.01] in comparison to non treated animals [group II]. In addition, there was significant reduction in serum levels of lipid peroxide and nitric oxide [p<0.01], Histological study of the pancreatic tissues showed morphological changes with degenerative destruction of islets of Langerhans of the pancreases of diabetic group [group II]. These degenerative changes did not showed any regeneration or improvement in the morphological structures of islets of Langerhans after L-carnitine treatment in group III. The study concluded that L-carnitine has a potential beneficial glucose and lipids lowering effects as well as an antioxidative effect in diabetic rats. Its glucose lowering effect is due to mechanism[s] other than regeneration of pancreatic B-cells, possibly may be through its antioxidant effects as well as increase cellular uptake and oxidation of glucose. So, [his cheap, relatively safe natural agent could be considered as a supplementary therapy for correction of the metabolic disorders associated with diabetes and to improve some of the neurological complications through its antioxidant effect. Further studies are needed before the efficacy of this treatment can be universally accepted

Role of specific clone of lymphocytes, [CD4[+] and CD8[+]] and the sympathetic activity in pathophysiology of altered immunity in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of high morbidity and mortality allover the world. The understanding of the pathophysiology of post-ischemic immune response is very limited. Cerebral ischemic stroke affects the normally well-balanced interplay of the 2 super systems: the nervous and the immune system. T-cell lymphocytes, [CD4[-], CD8[-]], may contribute to altered immunity associated with stroke. Increased sympathetic activity during ischemic stroke may have a role in altered lymphocytes function. The present study investigated the contribution of CD4[-] and CD8[-] and the sympathetic activity in altered immunity in ischemic stroke. Determination of CD4[-] and CD8[-] percentage in patient's blood was done by flowcytometry. Evaluation of sympathetic activity done by measuring urinary vanilmandelic acid [VMA] levels by spectrophotometry. The study also correlated the changes of these parameters with specific clinical and diagnostic variables in stroke. The study showed that CD4[-] and CDS percentage were significantly lower [p<0.001], while CD4[-] /CD8[-] ratio was significantly higher [p<0.001] in patients than controls. There was also significantly increased [p<0.001] mean urinary VMA excretion levels [mg/day] in patients compared to control group. Significantly lower CD4[-]% and CD4[-] /CD8[-] ratio and higher CD8[-]% were found in patients with recurrent stroke or history of transient ischemic attacks, progressive strokes and large size of infarction in comparison to other comparable patients. The study indicated that patients with ischemic strokes may have altered immunity and sympathetic over-activity which may be one of the mechanisms by which modulation of immune response can be induced after stroke. This brain-immune interaction after stroke may have protective, destructive, or regenerative effects in the brain, therefore the development of therapeutic strategies is not straightforward, and must take all these factors into consideration

Alterations in thyroid gland size and functions in cirrhotic patients: relationships with splanchnic haemodynamics

Thyroid dysfunction has long been reported in liver diseases. But limited informations are available on thyroid size and the involvement of thyroid hormones in the haemodynamic alterations of cirrhosis. To 1] study changes in thyroid gland volume and functions in different grades of liver cirrhosis. 2] Investigate the relationship of thyroid hormone levels to changes in the hepatic and splenic haemodynamics in cirrhotic patients. Thirty-six cirrhotic patients with different disease severity were chosen according to Child- Pugh classification [12 Child class A, 12 Child Band 12 Child C]. Twelve healthy controls were included in the study. For all subjects, serum levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH levels were measured. An ultrasound scan of the thyroid was done for measuring thyroid volume. A colour Doppler ultrasound scan of the abdomen was performed for measuring portal vein diameter [PVD], cross sectional area, maximal velocity [PV V max], mean velocity [PV V mean], blood flow rate [PV BFR] and congestion index [CI]. Hepatic and splenic arteries resistive indices [HA RI, SA RI] were also studied. Total thyroid volume was increased in patients compared to healthy controls and it significantly increased with progression of the disease from Child A to C. Mean serum levels of free T3 [FT3], free FT4 [FT4] and TSH were significantly decreased in patients compared to healthy controls. However, they were not correlated to thyroid volume. FT4 had a significant negative correlation with PVD, PV BFR and CI, while FT3 had a significant positive correlation with PV V max. Total thyroid volume showed a significant negative correlation with PV V max and positive correlations with both CI and HA RI. Thyroid volume is increased in cirrhotic patients independently from thyroid hormones status. Low FT4 values of cirrhotic patients may participate in arterial vasoconstriction present in hepatic and splenic arteries. FT4 levels are directly correlated with Doppler parameters of portal hypertension

Effect of training programs on some pulmonary functions and physical work capacity of students of faculty of physical education of Assiut University

This study included 400 students of Faculty of Physical Education of Assuit University of both sexes. It was carried out to study the effect of the Faculty training program on some pulmonary function test, maximum oxygen consumption [VO[2max]], physical work capacity [PWC[170]], ratio and oxygen saturation. The study showed the following: Pulmonary function test values: at the start of the studying year, the mean values of pulmonary function test showed non-significant change in all studied groups after Karpman test on comparing with those before it [males and females]. The values of male and female students significantly increased with training progress [from the start of the training period till the end of twenty week]. The values of the fourth year [male and female] students were significantly higher than that of the first year students. The values of male students were higher than that of the female among all studied grades. Physical work capacity [PWC[170]] and VO[2max]: the mean values of [PWC[170]] and VO[2max] of all students [male and female] were progressively increased with training period from the start of the studying year to the period of ten weeks after the start. After that, no significant changes could be recorded on comparing with that after twenty week. The mean values of the fourth year students were the highest while the first year values are the lowest both in male and female students, The mean values of male were higher than that of the female in all studied groups. The ratio [PWC[170] to the weight]: the mean values of the ratio [PWC[170] to the weight] of both male and female students increased progressively with the training period till the end of the twenty weeks, The mean values of female ratio were higher than that of the male in all studied groups. Oxygen saturation: the mean values of both male and female students were not affected by training progress. The mean values of oxygen saturation of male students were significantly higher than that of female students. There was non-significance decrease in oxygen saturation in both male and female students after Karpman test

Blood levels of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 during normal menstrual cycle

Nitric oxide [NO] is a free radical gas synthesized from L-arginine by a class of specific enzymes known as NO synthases, and inducible NO synthase isoforms. Nitric oxide synthase activity has been identified in the human uterus and has been thoroughly studied in pregnant women. All three NO synthase isoforms are thought to play an important role in the maintenance of uterine quiescence during gestation, and inducible NO synthase is involved in the induction of cervical ripening before labour. However, few studies have examined the role of NO in the normal menstrual cycle. Endonthelin-1 [ET-1] might play a role in endometrial bleeding and /or repair, as previously reported. In the present study, the serum levels of NO, estradiol [E2] and plasma levels of ET-1 were measured in menstrual follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle to evaluate their role in menstrual cycle. This study included twenty unmarried females with regular menstrual cycles ranging from 27 to 30 days. The levels of serum E[2] and plasma ET-1 were measured by ELISA, and the serum NO were estimated by chemical method. Our results showed that serum levels of E[2] were significantly increased during luteal phase compared with menstrual and follicular phases, whereas plasma levels of ET-1 were significantly higher during menstrual phase compared with follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Serum levels of NO did not show significant change during the three phases of the cycle. ET-1 levels were negatively correlated with E[2] while no significant correlation between ET-1 and NO and between NO and E[2]. It can be concluded that ET-1 may play an important role in menstruation and E2 inhibits secretion of ET-1. While NO shows no relation to ET-1 and E[2]

Lesional skin vascular endothelial growth factor levels correlate with the clinical severity in patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis to cement is a common occupational skin disease. It is a delayed-type hypersensitity reaction with Th1 type cytokine response. Interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] is recognized as the main effector cytokine in contact hypersensitivity [CHS]. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] might be involved in persisting erythema and edema in eczematous skin. Human VEGF is a multifactorial cytokine that not only promotes angiogenesis but also enhances vascular permeability and participates in chronic inflammation. Thirty two building workers with chronic allergic contact dermatitis due to occupational exposure to cement and twenty healthy controls were included. The severity of eczema was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity index [EASI]. VEGF and IFN-gamma in serum and skin lesions were measured in patients and healthy controls. Patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis showed significantly elevated levels of serum and lesional skin levels of VEGF compared to healthy controls [p=0.005 and p=0.001 respectively]. They also had significantly higher serum and tissue IFN-gamma levels compared to controls [p=0.007 and p=0.001 respectively. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between skin tissue levels of VEGF and EASI score in patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis [r=0.86, p=0.001]. VEGF and IFN-gamma might play a role in the pathogenesis of cement allergic contact dermatitis. Lesional skin VEGF levels could be an indicator of the severity of eczema