RESUMO
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
RESUMO
To explore early changes in the predictors of bone turnover in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA]. To identify osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand [OPG/RANKL] ratio in the serum of the same patients and its relation to the parameters of joint inflammation and joint destruction. Seventy children with JIA and 30 healthy children individually matched for age, sex, race, and county of residence were included in this study. Serum levels of calcium [Ca], phosphorus [Ph], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], osteocalcin [OC], RANKL and [OPG] were measured. Urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline [DPD] was also done. All involved joints were assessed by plain radiography. Significant low serum concentrations of ALP and OPG was observed in JIA group, while there was a significant increase in serum level of RANKL and urine level of DPD compared to controls. OPG/RANKL ratio was significantly lower in JIA patients than in controls. OPG/RANKL ratio is correlated with most clinical characteristics, disease activity variables, JIA outcome measures and radiographic findings. DPD, RANKL and OPG/RANKL ratio, respectively, are considered as independent predictors of juxta-articular osteoporosis. OPG/RANKL ratio was the only predictor of bone erosion. The OPG/RANKL ratio could be an early predictor of increased bone resorption and a valuable biomarker for joint inflammation and bone injury in JIA patients