Alteration in erythrocyte membrane lipids of chronic lead intoxicated male rabbits and their modulation with vitamin E

Membrane lipids specially fatty acids appear to be one of the critical target associated with lead intoxication. The aim of our research was to elucidate the changes in erythrocyte membrane fatty acids composition, cholesterol and phospholipids [that may affect different aspect of cell structure and function] under the effect of chronic lead toxicity and their modulation with vitamin E. For this purpose forty two male new-Zealand rabbits of 2-3 months old, average body weight 2-3 kg were randomly divided into three equal groups, each of 14 animals. The first group [GI] kept as control. The second group [G II] received orally lead acetate [l/20 of L.D.50] daily for 90 days. The third group [G III] administrated orally [lead acetate + vitamin E] daily for 90 days. Heparinized blood samples were obtained from all groups, plasma was separated and used for determination of lipid peroxidation [L. malondialdehyde]. Red blood cells were processed for determination of cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acid composition in erythrocytes membrane. Our data revealed significant increase in plasma MDA level [P < 0.001] and erythrocyte membrane cholesterol [P < 0.05] in lead intoxicated group, which decreased after vitamine E treatment. Whereas a significant decrease in membrane phospholipids [P < 0.05] and alteration in fatty acid pattern which also modulated by vitamin E supplementation

Nutritional anaemia is predisposing factor for hair loss among Egyptian female students Intervention [part II]

This intervention study was conducted on 220 Egyptian female students suffering from hair loss. Age of the students ranged from 12 to 18 years, all student groups [case + control = 340] were subjected to an interviewing questionnaire. All students were subjected to careful history taking, physical examination, dermatological examination and blood analysis. The diseased females [220] were given iron supplementation in a dose 6 mg elemental iron/kg/day divided into 2-3 doses between meals for 6 months. The interval was 6 months extending from the beginning of May 2002 to the end of October 2002. After this period all females subjected to revised careful history taking, physical examination, dermatological examination and blood analysis. The study revealed the highest negative correlation coefficient between the percent of Hb, iron and ferritin and the percent of number of hair falling/day. The results showed the highest positive correlation coefficient between the percentage of Hb, ferritin and iron and the percent of hair density. Also, the study revealed positive correlation coefficient between the level of Hb, ferritin and iron and% of hair growth

Study of lipid metabolism in infant of diabetic mothers [I.D.M.][gestational and insulin - depended]

IDM are relatively new population group which started its existence due to revolutionary changes in the treatment and control of DM during pregnancy. D.M. has an important influence on carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism in the diabetic mothers [whether IDDM or GDM] which can affect the neonatal lipid metabolism. The aim of this study is to investigate and verify the changes of lipid metabolism in IDM. The alterations in lipid metabolism depends on the lipid and lipoprotein fraction as well as the type of D.M. the changes in lipid metabolism in the newborn is affected by maternal factors, including the degree of hyperglycemia, the type of diabetes, its control the weight of the mother ad newborn characteristics [especially macrasomia] as well as excessive fetal insulin secretion. However, this may lay a role in the development of diabetes and atherosclerosis in the adult life. This study was performed at Bab El-Sharyia University hospital. It included 100 neonates divided into 3 groups. Group I contained 25 neonates of IDDM mothers. Group II involved 25 neonates of GDM and group III, 25 neonates of healthy mothers. All groups were subjected to thorough history, examination and investigations [CBC, blood sugar, lipid profile [T.C. TG, LDLs, HDLc/HDLc ratio were [S.S] higher in both infants of type 1 [IDDM] and group II [GDM] compared to group III control group. Furthermore, Apo, B/LDLc ratio was significantly lower in IDM [group I and II] than the control [group III]. The blood glucose levels were also lower in IDM compared to the control group. There was also S.I. difference in the TC, TG which may be attributed to the good control of DM in the pregnant mothers. However, the Apo-B/LDL ratio was increased in IDM which is considered atherogenic indicators. In conclusion, diabetes in pregnant women causes a tendency to LDL hypercholesterolemia in the offspring. Our recommendation that, these infants should be longitudinally followed up to assess whether this observation has an increased risk for atheroscherosis at advanced ages or not

IL-10 gene expression as a marker for detection of protective immunity levels with irradiated cercarial vaccine against experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection

Cercariae were obtained in a large number from the maintained life cycle of S. mansoni. They were attenuated at different doses [20 Kr, 50 Kr,60Kr, 70 Kr and 80 Kr] of gamma radiation. Laboratory bred Swiss Albino mice were classified into 7 groups. Five groups were immunized with +/- 500 S. mansoni cercariae. Two groups were used as positive and negative controls. All animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks. Spleen cell proliferative responses to Phytohaemagglutinin [PHA] were assessed in all groups. IL-10 was measured by ELISA in serum and splenic cells secretion in vitro. RNA extracted from freshly isolated liver cells was analyzed for detection of m RNA of IL-10 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]. The results showed augmentation of proliferative cell from the spleen in all vaccinated groups except with 80 Kr. irradiated cercariae group. The highest percentage of lymphocytes transformation was recorded among the mice immunized with 60 Kr. irradiated cercariae. After challenge, splenic reasponses in all groups declined progressively to the control level. IL-10 secretion from spleen cells of all vaccinated groups increased after challenge with the least level in 60 Kr. immunized challenged group IL-10 m RNA expression was higher among 60 Kr. immunized with irradiated cercariae group than 70 Kr. one, but with no expression among 80 Kr. cercariae immunized ones

Effect of dietary fiber of potato peel on the rheological and organoleptic characteristics of biscuits

Potato peels of different varieties were studied to evaluate their capacity as a source of dietary fiber in biscuits Potato peels were about the same as wheat bran in direct density, but their hydrated - density was poor but potato peels were better than wheat bran in the diversity of particle size. The rheological properties of doughs supplemented with 5% and 10% potato peels were slightly higher than the control dough. Doughs with potato peels required a longer time to hydrate. The semi - hard sweet biscuits [type peit - pier] containing 0.5 and 10% potato peels had decreased stack weight. Sensory scores [smell and flavour] of potato peel supplemented biscuits were higher than those of the control

Enrichment of rawani cake with green algae as a source of tryptophan

The drum dried green alga Scenedesmus acutus was evaluated chemically and biologically. The toxicological aspects were also concerned. The chemical analysis of algae showed that it contains 44.8% protein and 3.27% nucleic acids [dry weight]. Although it is deficient in sulfur amino acids [methionine and cystein] yet tryptophan reached a concentration of 1.6gm /16gm T.N. which represent a good score of essential amino acid. Therefore, this alga could be used as a supplement of tryptophan to the corn flour. The main results for the biological evaluation of Sc.a cutus were: PER [1.9], NPR [2.7], NPU [68.14%], DC [86.40%] and BV [81.46%]. Toxicological evaluation of the green alga showed no toxic effects during the experiments Results of Rawani cake supplemented with different levels of alga [2, 5, 10, or 20%] indicated that supplementation with 2% was more palatable to the consumers than the others

Two cases of human ophthalmomyiasis

Myiasis is a subject of medical and veterinary importance. This paper reports two human cases of ophthalmomyiasis due to Oestrus ovis and Wohlfahrtia magnifica

utilization of chlorogenic acid-free sunflower protein isolates in baking short breads

Sunflower protein isolates without chlorogenic acid [CGA-free] were evaluated as protein source for baking shortbreads. The two protein isolates were analyzed either by sodium hexa meta phosphate [SHMP] or by alkali for their amino acid content. The nitrogen solubility of alkali protein isolate [P.I.] was higher than the [SHMP] at around neutral pH. The protein isolates were characterized by gel filtration and found to contain three protein fractions. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two major bands of low mobility as well as two faint bands of higher mobility were observed. Wheat flour was supplemented with sunflower CGA-free P.I. at levels of 5% and 10, and the rheological properties of wheat flour were improved by adding 5% [SHMP] P.I. There was a decrease in the diameter [cm] and spread ratio of supplemented shortbread with [SHMP] P.I. compared to shortbread containing alkali P.I. as well as the control. Shortbreads contained 5% alkali P.I. scored the same on most organoleptic parameters than non-fortified shortbread. The lysine content of wheat flour was increased by adding sunflower protein isolates and the digestibility of fortified shortbread samples was also improved

level of IgG and IgM in pneumocystis carinii infection

Sputum examination for detection of P. carinii can be substituted for more invasive techniques, especially in debilitated patients. There was an increase level of IgG and IgM in patients with P. carinii pneumonia [PCP] in the serum and sputum. But the frequency of these immunoglobulins among the general population limits their value in the diagnosis of pneumocystosis