Protective effect of natural honey against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

AIMS: The protective effects of natural honey against acetic acid-induced colitis were investigated in rats. METHODS: Honey and glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose mixture were administered, orally and rectally, daily for a period of 4 days. Induction of colitis was done on the third day using 3% acetic acid. Animals were killed on day 4 two hours after administration of the dose and colonic biopsies were taken for macroscopic scoring, histopathological and biochemical studies. RESULTS: Honey dose-dependently afforded protection against acetic acid-induced colonic damage. There was almost 100% protection with the highest dose (5 g/kg) used while glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose mixture produced no significant protective effect. Also, honey prevented the depletion of the antioxidant enzymes reduced glutathione and catalase and restored the lipid peroxide malondialdehyde towards normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are required to explore the active ingredients responsible for the antioxidant effect of honey and its therapeutic potential in humans.

Hepatic manifestations of Wilson's disease: frequency and pattern in Saudi patients.

Seven symptomatic patients with Wilson's disease have so far been diagnosed at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, over the last six years. On family screening, another three asymptomatic patients were found to be affected. Five of the symptomatic patients had clinical features of liver disease on initial presentation and was preceded by renal dysfunction in another patient. The remaining patient presented with neurological features. Six patients had Kayser-Fleisher ring. Abnormal liver function tests were found in half of the patients. Ceruloplasmin was reduced in 7 of 10 patients. Serum copper and urinary copper estimations were most useful diagnostic laboratory tests. Morphological alteration was found in all 9 patients who had a percutaneous liver biopsy. All patients were treated initially with D-penicillamine and clinical response was noted in seven, of whom one developed neurological manifestations while receiving the treatment. D-penicillamine was replaced by zinc sulfate in 3 patients who developed thrombocytopenia. The data suggest that Wilson's disease may not be rare in Saudi Arabia. For early detection and prompt treatment, the disease should be suspected under appropriate clinical circumstances especially in young patients with liver diseases. Close relatives of such index patients should be routinely screened.