Anti-inflammatory role of piperine against rat lung tissue damage induced by gamma-rays

Background: Radiation induced acute lung damages are refractory side effects in lung cancer radiotherapy [RT]. Prospective study investigates the possible role of piperine [Pip] as anti-inflammatory agent against gamma-rays-induced lung tissue lesions in an applicable rat model

Materials and Methods: Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Control, rats were administered the vehicle by gastric tube for 6-weeks, Pip-treated, [each rat received 40mg Pip/kg body-weight; once daily, orally for 6weeks], irradiated, [animals subjected to a single dose of whole body gamma-rays [12Gy], and Pip-treated and irradiated, [each rat received the Pip-dosages, then one hour later after the last treatment, rats were exposed to 12Gy gamma-rays

Results: The administration of Pip to rats pre-irradiation was significantly abolish the radiation-induced alleviation in lungs catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [PGx] activities and reduced glutathione [GSH] content and significantly limited the elevation in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] and interleukin-6 [IL-6] levels compared to irradiated group. The histopathological findings in lung tissues of irradiated group, showed partial desquamation of bronchiolar epithelial with peri-bronchiolar round cell infiltration and serous exudates, in some cases lung presented sero-fibrinous pneumonia with emphysema and collapse of some alveoli with thickness of inter-alveolar septa, while in Pip-treated and irradiated group, lung tissues showed minimum injury with or without few degenerative changes

Conclusion: Pip acts as a potent scavenger of free radicals to prevent and/or ameliorates the harmful effects of gamma-rays. To our knowledge, this is the preliminary report of Pip mediated gamma-rays induced lung inflammation in-vitro

Protective role of ferulic acid against the damaging effect induced by electromagnetic waves on rat liver and intestine tissues

Background: the increasing use of mobile phones in daily life causes many concerns about their effects on human health. Therefore, this work was designed to study the effects of exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic waves [EMW] on the liver and intestine of male albino rats and the protective role of ferulic acid [FA] against these harmful effects

Materials and Methods: twenty-four male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: 1] control group, 2] treated group given FA, 3] irradiated group exposed to 1800 MHz EMW and 4] treatedirradiated group given FA then exposed to EMW. Biochemical analysis and histopathological examination were performed

Results: a significant increase in serum activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, and serum levels of interleukin [IL]-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was shown in the irradiated group, while IL-10 was significantly decreased. There was a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase and total antioxidant capacity in the tissues of liver and intestine of this group as well as some histopathological changes. All these serum and tissues parameters and histopathological changes were improved in the group treated with FA before exposure to EMW

Conclusion: prolonged exposure to EMW emitted from mobile phones might produce harmful effects in the liver and intestinal tissues of albino rats. These effects can be prevented by FA administration, which may be protective against tissue damage induced by EMW through the suppression of oxidative stress

microbiology of vaginal discharge and the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in a cohort of non-pregnant women in Kuwait

To examine the microbiology of vaginal discharge and to estimate the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and its association with sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of non-pregnant women in Kuwait. Retrospective study conducted during a six-month period [November 2009 - April 2010]. The gynecology outpatient clinic at the South Ardyia Health Unit, Farwania, Kuwait. Retrospective evaluation of medical records of 668 women, who attended the gynecology outpatient clinic at the South Ardyia Clinic, Farwania, Kuwait complaining of vaginal discharge during the study period. Retrospective review of the files for complaints, history, clinical examination and investigations of the vaginal discharge. A retrospective microbiological study of the infective etiology of vaginal discharge, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and its association with sexually transmitted infections. Microbiological causes of vaginal discharge accounted for 43.4% of cases. The commonest causes were bacterial vaginosis [prevalence = 18.9%] and candida infections [prevalence = 11.8%]. There was no significant association of bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections. Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest microbiological cause of vaginal discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted disease