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.

Clinical utility of procalcitonin in the prediction of cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: This study was initiated to assess procalcitoninas prognostic marker forcardiovascular complication in type2 diabetic patients

Subjects and methods: Forty type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease, forty type 2 diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease and twenty healthy control counterparts were included in the present study. Serum procalcitoninlevels were assayed and correlated with metabolic parameters.ROC curve analysis was also done for this biochemical marker

Results: The mean level of procalcitonin was 707.17+/- 99.19ng/l in diabetic subjects versus 881.30+/- 123.56ng/l for the cardio-diabetic subjects [P < 0.0001]. Procalcitonin levels were significantly amplified in the cardio-diabetic patients with increasing C-reactive protein [CRP], triglycerides [TG], fasting blood glucose [FBG],and cholesterol [P = 0.004, 0.0005, 0.002 and 0.01 respectively]. From ROC curve analysis, it was observed that the area under curve for procalcitoninwas 0.878. This finding indicates the good validity of the above biomarker as aprognostic factor for cardiovascular complication in type 2 diabetic patients

Conclusion: This study evidences the usefulness of measuring serum levels of procalcitoninin diagnosis of cardiovascular complication in type 2 diabetic patients

Chemerin novel biomarker as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective: The present study was aimed to assess chemerin as prognostic factor for cardiovascular complications in type2 diabetic patients

Patients and methods: Forty type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease, forty type 2 diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease and twenty healthy control counterparts were included in the present study. Chemerin levels were assayed and correlated with clinical pathological parameters. ROC curve analysis was also done for this biochemical marker

Results: The mean level of chemerin was 57.65+/- 15.69 ng/l in diabetic subjects versus 93.97 +/- 26.62 ng/l for the cardio-diabetic subjects [P < 0.0001].The chemerin levels were significantly elevated in the cardio-diabetic patients with increasing-reactive protein[CRP], triglycerides[TG], fasting blood glucose [FBG], glycated hemoglbin[HbA1C], micro-albumin and cholesterol [P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.005, P=0.04, P=0.011andP=0.0001 respectively]. From the ROC curve analysis, it was observed that the area under curve for chemerin was 0.877. This finding indicates the good validity of the above biomarker as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular complication in type 2 diabetic patients

Conclusion: It could be concluded that chemerin can be used as prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients

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

Antitumor Activity of Balanitoside Extracted from Balanites aegyptiaca Fruit.

The current study aimed at investigating the antitumor efficacy of balanitoside extracted from Balanites aegyptiaca fruit against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. The extracted balanitoside was proved by chemical analysis and LD50 of balanitoside was determined. Then, mice were injected intraperitoneally with balanitoside (10mg /kg b.wt) before and after EAC inoculation, to achieve preventive and therapeutic effects daily, for 9 days. The effects of balanitoside on the count of EAC cells and life span prolongation were studied; malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels as well as catalase (CAT) and caspase 3 activities were estimated. Cytological studies on EAC cells and histopathological examination of liver tissue were carried out. Treatment with balanitoside decreased EAC cell count for preventive and therapeutic groups. MDA and NO levels were decreased in liver and serum in preventive and therapeutic groups compared to positive control group. While CAT activity was increased in liver and plasma of preventive and therapeutic groups in comparison with positive control group. Caspase 3 activity in EAC cells, was increased in preventive and therapeutic groups in comparison with positive control group. Survivin expression in liver was decreased in preventive and therapeutic groups in comparison with positive control group. The present work indicates that balanitoside isolated from fruit extract of Balanites aegyptiaca may possess significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in vivo.