Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Adult Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms in a Locality in Upper Egypt

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is gaining importance in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms. Diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation of esophageal dysfunction and pathological findings in the absence of other causes of tissue eosinophilia. Our study was designed to evaluate EoE prevalence in patients with UGI symptoms in our locality (El-Minia, Egypt). METHODS: This single-center, cross-sectional study recruited all patients with UGI symptoms who agreed for endoscopic evaluation. Esophageal biopsy samples were obtained and histological evaluation for the presence of eosinophils was performed for every patient. EoE was defined when at least 15 eosinophils were present in a single high-power field, in the absence of other causes of esophageal eosinophilia. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2015, 218 of 476 adult patients with UGI symptoms underwent upper endoscopy after giving consent. Among the 218 patients, only 4 (1.87%) had the diagnosis of EoE based on the presence of eosinophils in esophageal biopsies and exclusion of other causes of esophageal eosinophilia. Three patients with EoE presented mainly with dysphagia (75%) and/or other UGI symptoms, such as heartburn. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low prevalence of EoE in our locality. The diagnosis of EoE should be considered in patients with dysphagia and/or heartburn.

Molecular mechanisms of the anti-obesity potential effect of Moringa oleifera in the experimental model

Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the potent anti-obesity effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) ethanolic extract and to clarify the link between these mechanisms and the associated metabolic and vascular risks in the experimental model of visceral obesity. Methods M. oleifera ethanolic extract was orally administered at 600 mg/kg body weight in obese female rats daily for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment, body weight was determined, and the atherogenic index, coronary artery index, glucose level, insulin resistance status, liver and kidney functions were assessed. Also, the mRNA of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in visceral adipose tissue was determined by quantitative real time-PCR. Results The results showed that M. oleifera extract down-regulated mRNA expression of leptin and resistin, while it up-regulated adiponectin gene expression in obese rats relative to untreated obese control counterparts. This amelioration of genes expression was paralleled by a reduction in body weight and improvement of the atherogenic index and coronary artery index, as well as glucose level and insulin resistance value without adverse effects on liver or kidney functions, versus the untreated obese control ones. Conclusions It is reasonable to assume that the anti-obesity, anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties of M. oleifera are mechanistically achieved via working directly on the adipokines of the visceral adipose tissue. Therefore, M. oleifera may be a good therapeutic candidate for the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, transforming growth factor-ß1 and lymphotoxin-α genes polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis / Polimorfismos dos genes metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase, fator de crescimento transformador β1 e linfotoxina-α e susceptibilidade à artrite reumatoide

ABSTRACT Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a widely prevalent autoimmune disorder with suggested genetic predisposition. Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect the pattern of genetic polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1 T869 C) and lymphotoxin-α (LT-α A252G) in patients having rheumatoid arthritis and correlate these patterns to disease activity and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF), and osteopontin. Methods: A total of 194 subjects, 90 controls and 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were genotyped for MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C, TGF-β1 T869 C and LT-α A252G polymorphisms using a methodology based on PCR-RFLP. Also serum levels of TNF-α, osteopontin and BAFF were measured by ELISA kits. Results: The CT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677 T and GG genotype and G allele of LT-α A252G are associated with the risk of RA and with higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is association between MTHFR C677 T and LT-α A252G genes polymorphisms and increased risk of RA in this sample of Egyptian population.

RESUMO Antecedentes: A artrite reumatoide é uma doença autoimune amplamente prevalente com sugerida predisposição genética. Objetivos: Detectar o padrão de polimorfismo dos genes metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase (MTHFR C677 T e A1298 C), fator de crescimento transformador β1 (TGF-β1 T869 C) e linfotoxina-α (LT-α A252G) em pacientes com artrite reumatoide e correlacionar esses padrões com a atividade da doença e os níveis séricos de fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α), fator ativador de linfócitos B (BAFF) e osteopontina. Métodos: Foram genotipados 194 indivíduos – 90 controles e 104 com artrite reumatoide – à procura de polimorfismos dos genes MTHFR C677 T e A1298 C, TGF-β1 T869 C e LT-α A252G com uma metodologia baseada na PCR-RFLP. Mensuraram-se também os níveis séricos de TNF-α, osteopontina e BAFF com kits de Elisa. Resultados: O genótipo CT e o alelo T do MTHFR C677 T e o genótipo GG e alelo G do LT-α A252G estão associados ao risco de AR e a níveis mais elevados da citocina pró-inflamatória TNF-α em pacientes com artrite reumatoide. Conclusão Os achados do presente estudo sugerem que há associação entre os polimorfismos dos genes MTHFR C677 T e LT-α A252G e um risco aumentado de AR nessa amostra da população egípcia.

Gastrointestinal disturbances and immune response to gluten in pervasive developmental disorders

Objectives: Gastrointestinal symptoms are a common feature in children with pervasive developmental disorders, drawing attention to a potential association with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. However, studies to date regarding the immune response to gluten in Pervasive Developmental disorders and its association with celiac disease have been inconsistent

Subjects and Methods: This cross sectional case control study included 45 patients aged 3 to 12 years [with or without gastrointestinal symptoms] diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorders according to DSM- IV TR, Childhood Autism Rating Scale [CARS] and Gallium test for autistic characters. EEG was done to diagnose epilepsy. They had been regularly attending out patient clinic of center for care of children with special needs, institute of postgraduate childhood studies; Ain shams University, Egypt for at least one year. Forty five apparently healthy children of matched age and sex were recruited as a control group. Serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM class antibodies to gliadin were measured by using EL1SA methods

Results: A total of forty five autistic children with confirmed diagnosis aged between 3 to 12 years were studied. They were 36 males and 9 females with male to female ratio 3.5:1. The mean age of introduction to cereals was 6 months [range 4- 8 months]

The main gastrointestinal symptoms as abdominal distension was present in 20 patients [44.4%], constipation in 16 patients [35.6%], chronic diarrhea in 8 patients [17.8%], vomiting in 9 patients [20%], anorexia in 19 patients [42.2%], iron- deficiency anemia that does not respond to iron therapy in 24 patients [53.3%], feeding difficulties in 10 patients [22,2%]. None of the autistics examined were positive for IgA and IgG antibodies tested, and 60% patients showed high serum levels of IgM antibodies to gliadin

Conclusion: The increased anti- gliadin antibody response and its association with GI symptoms points to a potential mechanism involving immunologic and/or intestinal permeability abnormalities in affected children. Immunological detection of, IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies dass to gliadin are useful tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease

Effects of carboplatin on histological, histochemical and cytogenetical changes in albino rat

Adult albino rats were treated for one week with carboplatin [40 mg/ kg body weight intraperitoneal daily] and the changes in the tubular apparatus of the kidney were investigated employing histological and enzyme-histochemical The effects were the following: The brush borders of the proximal tubules were stuch together and disintegrated; oedema and degeneration of cells were observed and the cytoplasm of cells showed a decrease ofATPase and non-specific esterases. The collagen and reticular fibers were dislocated and disintegrated. Carboplatin caused significant increase in the total number of chromosomal aberrations including structural and numerical anomalies

Antitoxic effect of Nigella sativa [experimental study]

In attempting to find drugs effective in preventing and remedying ototoxic injury caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics, Nigella Sativa was selected from the traditional Egyptian herbal medicine and the effect on the pattern of gentamicin ototoxicity in guinea pigs was observed. The results indicated that Nigella Sativa possessed the definite effect of protecting the guinea pigs cochlea. Observation of renal morphology showed that it also protected the kidney against toxic nephritis of gentamicin