Role of Endogenous Bone Marrow Stem Cells Mobilization in Repair of Damaged Inner Ear in Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The utilization of the stem cells is widely used in the last few years in different fields of medicine, either by external transplantation or endogenous mobilization, most of these studies still experimental on animals; few were tried on human as in the spinal cord injury or myocardial infarction. As regard its use in the inner ear, stem cell transplantation was examined in many previous studies, while the mobilization idea is a new method to be experimented in inner ear hair cell regeneration. The present work assessed the possibility of mobilizing endogenous bone marrow derived stem cells (SCs) in rats using granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to induce regeneration and repair to experimentally damaged inner ear hair cells by Amikacin injection. METHODS: The study included thirty adult Sprague Dawley male rats. Experimental induction of inner ear damage was done by repeated intratympanic injection of amikacin sulfate. Mobilization of bone marrow SCs was provoked by subcutaneous injection of GCSF. Cochlear integrity, induction of hearing loss and functional recovery of sensory hearing loss were assessed using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAEs). The morphological alteration and recovery of the organ of Corti was assessed histologically using the light and scanning electron microscopes. RESULTS: After six month duration, there was improvement in 50% of the sensorineural DPOAE results. Functional recovery coincided with the repair of structural components of organ of Corti. CONCLUSIONS: SCs mobilization by G-CSF is a promising alternative method for replacement therapy in sensorineural hearing loss.

Prevalence and patterns of hearing impairment in Egypt: a national household survey

We conducted a national household survey to estimate the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Egypt. From 6 randomly selected governorates [Alexandria, Dakahlia, Luxor, Marsa Matrouh, Minia and North Sinai], 4000 individuals were screened for hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss was 16.0% with no significant sex differences. There were significant differences between the age groups and governorates: Marsa Matrouh had the highest prevalence of hearing loss [25.7%] and North Sinai the lowest [13.5%]; those >/= 65 years had the highest prevalence [49.3%], but it was also high in those aged 0-4 years [22.4%]. Otitis media with effusion [30.8%] was the commonest cause of hearing loss, followed by presbycusis [22.7%]

Gradual monitoring the antioxidant and antineoplastic effects of soybean and Nigella sativa during hepatocarcinogenesis

Objectives: Trials are continually undertaken to investigate the antioxidant and the antitumor activities of a long list of promising natural and synthetic compounds. This study was designed to investigate, in a stepwise manner, the antioxidant and antihepatocarcinogenic effects of soybean [SB] and Nigella sativa [NS] in rats endogenously producing dibutylnitrosamine [DBN]

Materials and Methods: To establish this goal, rats were randomly divided into four groups, each containing 48 animals. Group I [control], group II [dibutylamine [DBA]+NaNO3], group IH [DBA/NaNO3 + SB treated] and group IV [DBA/NaNO3 + NS treated]. Markers of oxidative stress [reduced glutathione [GSH] and nitric oxide [NO]] and the levels of HER-2/neu, bcl-2 and p53 proteins were investigated in rat's liver after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months

Results: The obtained data revealed an improvement in the status of oxidative stress represented as the compensation of GSH levels after 2 and 4 months and reduction of NO levels after 2 months in rats protected by SB or NS, respectively. The data revealed a significant improvement in the levels of HER-2/neu protein after 6 anti 4 months in rats protected with SB and NS, respectively. Also, both SB and NS offered and simultaneous improvement in the levels of bcl-2 after 2 months in both groups. Although, the level of p53 protein was ameliorated compared with the carcinogen control rats, it was maintained in a lower levels compared with the time matched points of the normal controls until 12 months

Conclusion: The data suggested that sustainable oral feeding of SB and NS antagonized the oxidant and neoplastic effects in DBA/NaNO3-induced hepatotocarcinogenesis and required a vaxiable time to completely normalize the level of the investigated parameters

toxic effect of prolonged ultram administration on cerebral cortex of albino rats. Toxicological and histological study

Ultram [Tramadol] is a widely used opioid analgesic effective in treating both acute and chronic pains and has acceptable adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cerebrocortical toxicity resulting from one month and two month Ultram administration in to albino rats using biochemical and histological parameters. The study was carried out on 25 adult male albino rats divided into: control group received 0.5 ml /day saline orally by orogastric tube for two months, a short-term Ultram-treated group that received a dose of 30 mg/kg/day [1/10 LD50] for one month orally and a long-term Ultram-treated group that received the same dose for two months. The study revealed that Ultram administration caused a significant elevation of serotonin level in the cerebral cortical tissues of rats which was directly proportional to the duration of Ultram admistration. Histologically, there were many changes in the organization and ultrastructure of neurons in the different layers of cerebral cortex associated with an increased response of the supporting neuroglial cells. Intense neurological tissue lesions were more evident with the two months Ultram dosing than with one month. The correlation between the biochemical results and the histological findings proved that Ultram induced neuronal lesions could be mediated by the elevated cerebrocortical serotonin level which gives serious alarms for reconsidering the rush towards the excessive use of ultram

Tracheobronchial aspirate proinflammatory cytokines: early predictors of chronic lung disease in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

The objectives of the present study were to investigate if early measurements of proinflammatory cytokines in tracheobronchial aspirate fluid from neonates with respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] could be used to early predict chronic lung disease [CLD]. This is in comparison with other risk factors including gestational age, birth weight, prenatal steroid, mode of delivery, duration of exposure to FiO[2] >0.21, peak inspiratory pressure [PIP] and duration of ventilatory support, air leaks, patent ductus arteriosus [PDA], and intraventricular hemorrhage [IVH]. Thirty-six preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation with RDS were mechanically ventilated and days 2 and 7 - measurements of concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and the interleukins IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were made, using enzyme immunoassay techniques. Echo-Doppler and head ultrasonography studies were done for each patient. Each patient was followed-up for 28 days. Ten patients developed CLD, six patients died before the elapse of 28 days, and 20 patients experienced uncomplicated course of RDS. Infants who developed CLD had significantly increased concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and IL-6 on days 2 that persist by day 7. TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1beta concentrations correlated significantly with lower gestational age, birth weight, time spent on a ventilator, duration of supplemental oxygen, maximal PIP, symptomatic PDA, and appearance of air leak. IL-6 cut-off point level of 650 pg/ml at day 2 predicts CLD with accuracy of 100%, and IL-1beta cut-off point level of 165 pg/ml at day 2 predicts CLD with accuracy of 100%. In conclusion, increased concentrations of tracheobronchial aspirate fluid proinflammatory cytokines could be the most valuable early predictor of CLD and will assist in selecting infants for early interventions including corticosteroid treatment or more selective blockage of components of inflammation

role of acoustic rhinometry in septoplasty

Acoustic rhinometry is a technique presenting a shock wave to the nasal airway and then measuring the reflected sound, a profile of the tross sectional area through each side of the nose may be obtained. A group of 16 patients with recent traumatic septal deviation were examined by acoustic rhinometry before and after septoplasty. The results of these patients were compared with control normal subjects. All of patient group showed an objective improvement in the nasal functions after surgery appeared in the measurements of the acoustic rhinometry including the nasal resistance, nasal volume and the minimum cross sectional area. Also the effect of nasal decongested drops on the nasal functions was evaluated in comparison to septoplasty and the results showed that nasal drops effects may be taken as an indicator for the expected success of septoplasty

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in portal hypertensive gastropathy among infants and children

Thirty patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy and 20 controls were subjected to history and clinical examination, upper G.I. endoscopy and taking antral and body biopsies from the stomach, pathological examination of specimens for histology and H. pylori. The results indicated that H. pylori prevalence was significantly higher in patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy than in the control group. H. pylori was significantly more prevalent in age below five years than above five years. There was no significant relation between prevalence of H. pylori and different grades of varices, hematemesis, melena or previous endoscopy. However, more prevalence was observed in cases having moderate and severe gastropathy. H. pylori was observed in cases having moderate and severe gastropathy. H. pylori was more prevalent in patients with recurrent abdominal pain and/or diarrhea than those without pain or diarrhea