Cardioprotective activity of polysaccharopeptides extracted from pleurotus ostreatus mycelium in a doxorubicin-rat model

The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible abatement of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in the rat by polysaccharopeptides extracted from the culture broth of Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium. It was found that polysaccharopeptides given as protection before doxorubicin intoxication normalized the levels of serum total creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, in addition to malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the heart tissue. Nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were persistently reduced in the heart tissue, while interferon-gamma concentration was insignificantly changed, compared to controls. Light microscopic examination of haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the left ventricles showed normal structure of the cardiac myocytes, except for a slight but significant decrease in their thickness, compared to controls. Pretreatment with mycelial polysaccharopeptides provided a potential protective effect against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress in rats

Immunoglobin G subclasses concentrations in low birth weight infants treated with intravenous immunoglobulins

To evaluate the use of intravenously administered immunoglobulin [IVIG] for improvement of IgG subclasses deficiencies, IVIG was administered in a protocol designed to maintain serum IgG subclasses concentrations within a normal level. The study consisted of 45 preterm low weight newborn infants, who were divided into two groups: group A included 20 preterm newborn of body weight less than 1 kg and group B of newborn infants of body weight more than 1 kg, a ten reference control group who did not receive IVIG were also analyzed. IVIG was given in a dose of 500 mg/kg to infants weighing greater than 1 kg, and 700 mg/kg to those weighing less than 1 kg at birth. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy resulted in a significant increase in concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 subclasses [P < 0.0001, P < 0.02 and P < 0.001] respectively in infants with body weight less than 1 kg whereas there was a significant increase in serum levels of IgG1, and IgG2 subclasses [P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001] respectively in infants with body weight more than 1 kg. Our preliminary observations suggest that administration of [IVIG] can improve the IgG subclasses deficiencies in low weight new born infants

Biochemical effects of lead pollution in male albino rats

Lead pollution is considered as one of the major risk factors for pregnant women and children. In addition to its dangerous effect on growing youth, lead can accumulate in different organs in the human body. The biological effects of lead exposure in drinking water at different lead doses on male albino rats were investigated. Lead was given to rats in drinking water at 100, 500 and 1000 ppm for 7 weeks. It was observed that lead content was increased in kidneys, liver, brain, RBC's and serum by 26.7, 9.2, 10.7, 12.3 and 5.4-folds respectively at 1000 ppm lead dose compared with control group. It was observed that kidney accumulated very high concentration of lead as compared with other organs with a concomitant increase in serum creatinine in all lead exposed groups with the possibility of producing chronic renal failure. AST, ALT and creatinine were significantly increased by increasing the lead exposure dose. Also, the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase [delta ALAD] was significantly decreased by increasing lead exposure with a concomitant significant decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrite levels but with non-significant decrease in iron indicating the possibility that chronic lead exposure could produce anemia