Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Ameliorates the Harmful Effects of Dexamethasone Induced Diabetes on Liver and Pancreas of Adult Male Albino Rats

Aims:This study was done to clarify the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the harmful changes of liver and pancreas of adult male albino rats after dexamethasone induced diabetes.Place of Study:Faculty of medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.Methodology:Thirty two adult male albino rats weredivided into; group I (control), group II (Hyperbaric oxygen treated), Group III (induced diabetes -non treated group) and Group IV (induced diabetes + Hyperbaric oxygen treated group). Induction of diabetes was done by dexamethasone injection for ten days.Hyperbaric oxygen was given once per day for 5 sessions in group II and IV. The rats of all groups were sacrificed after the 20thday.Specimens of liver and pancreas were subjected to microscopic examination Results:Rats fromgroup III showed a highly significant increase of blood glucose compared to the controls. Treated rats in group IV showed highly significant decrease in bloodglucose compared togroup III. Hepatic steatosis and histopathological changes of pancreatic acini and islets of Langerhans were noticed in untreated diabetic rats. Group IV after Hyperbaric oxygen therapy revealed partial improvement of histological and ultrastructural effects of diabetes on the liver and pancreas.Conclusions:HBOT is partially effective in reducing blood glucose level and improving the hazardous effect of untreated diabetes on the histological and ultrastructuralarchitecture of the liver and pancreas of male albino rats

prevalence and the determinants of musculoskeletal diseases in emiratis attending primary health care clinics in Dubai

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in the Emiratis attending primary health care [PHC] clinics in Dubai. The secondary objective was to study the relationship between age, gender, and body mass index [BMI] and rheumatic diseases in the general population

Methods: The Prevalence of Rheumatic Diseases and Osteoporosis [PRO] in Dubai study was a cross-sectional study, which randomly enrolled Emiratis' aged between 18-85 years old who attended one of 13 PHC clinics between 2 January 2009 and 31 December 2009. Demographic and health data for all participants was obtained via a questionnaire. Participants that indicated positive answers had their responses validated by a rheumatologist and underwent a thorough locomotor examination

Results: The study included 3,985 participants with a mean age of 42.1 +/- 15.8 years. The majority [77.4%] were female. Lower back pain was the most prevalent problem in our study population [32.9%]. Knee osteoarthritis [OA] was the most common form of arthritis seen in our cohort [25.8%]. Overall, the prevalence of inflammatory arthritis was 3.1%. Age and BMI were associated with increased risk of knee OA and lower back pain

Conclusions: Rheumatic diseases are quite common in Emirati patients attending PHC clinics. Lower back pain and knee OA were the most common musculoskeletal diseases seen in our cohort. There is a need for more populationbased studies in the Middle East to have a better understanding of the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases in this region

Prioritizing high-risk practices and exploring new emerging ones associated with hepatitis C virus infection in Egypt

The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the risky behaviors and explore the newly emerging practices related to Egyptian habits that may lead to HCV transmission. From January 2011 until January 2012, a case control study matched on socio demographic factors was conducted comparing 540 hepatitis C patients and their contacts who were HCV serologically negative [102 subjects]. They were randomly selected from six governorates representing Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Middle and Canal regions. The questionnaire covered demographic data, risk exposures, behaviors, and practices for HCV infection. Focus group discussions were done with groups of professionals in Hepatology to discuss the observed emerging risk practices in Egypt. In univariate analysis, invasive medical procedures, wound stitches, illiteracy and marriage were significantly associated with HCV infection. Among women, delivery at home by traditional birth attendant was associated with 3 times [OR=2.91, CI=1.23-6.98] and 4 times [OR=3.94, CI=1.44-11.35] increase in HCV risk than delivery at hospital and by doctors respectively. Among males, shaving at barbershops was associated with 2 fold increase in the risk of infection [OR=2.6, CI=1.44-4.89]. Newly observed emerging risk practices were: sharing scarves' pins by veiled women in same houses, sharing loofah for personal cleaning and sharing toothpaste among family members. Increasing risk of HCV infection in Egypt reinforces the need for strict implementation of effective HCV prevention programs according to the prevailing risk behaviours

Fasting adiponectin in relation to the metabolic syndrome in patients with coronary artery disease

Metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease [CAD] are increasing worldwide. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and fasting serum adiponectin concentration in CAD patients is not well elucidated. The aim of present study is to explore the relationship between serum adiponectin concentrations and the presence of metabolic syndrome [MetS] among patients with CAD. Sixty five patients with CAD; defined as more than 50% stenosis in any segment by coronary angiography, and twenty five matched controls, were enrolled in this study. The study was carried out in Cardiology Department Assuit University hospital between October 2009 and July 2010. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteris. The blood samples including complete blood count, fasting blood glucose, liver function tests, creatinine, urea, adiponectin, high sensitive-C reactive protein [hs-CRP], insulin and lipids profile were obtained after overnight fasting. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] was calculated as: HOMA-IR = fasting blood glucose [mmol/l] x fasting serum insulin [micro U/ml]/22.5. Patients with CAD had significantly lower plasma adiponectin concentrations than those without CAD [P<0.013] and higher hs-CRP [P<0.009] and HOMA-IR [P<0.03]. Metabolic syndrome was present in 41 patients [63%] among CAD group. Fasting adiponectin values for these patients tended to decrease significantly in comparison to patients without metabolic syndrome [P value= 0.037]. Negative correlations were found between adiponectin and body mass index [BMI] [r=-0.205, P<0.05], waist circumference [WC] [r= -0.306, P<0.003], triglycerides [r= -0.222, P < 0.036] and hs-CRP [r= -0.223, P< 0.035] whereas a positive correlation was found between adiponectin and HDL [r= 0.273, P<0.003]. Also, adiponectin was significantly lower in patients with multi-vessel disease compared to other [P<0.05] whereas hs-CRP and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in patients with multi-vessel disease with [P<0.01 and 0.03] respectively. Serum adiponectin concentration is inversely correlated with metabolic syndrome among patients with CAD. Lower adiponectin concentration, and higher HOMA-IR and hs-CRP are associated with Cad and metabolic syndrome, and may be useful for risk stratification of CAD patients. The measurement of plasma adiponectin, HOMA-IR and hs-CRP levels may be useful for prediction of severity of coronary artery disease

Evaluation of self-poisoned patients in poison control centre of Ain Shams University as regards poisons, age and sex.[prospective study]

Self-poisoning is a common method of attempting suicide and its rate is increasing in recent years. It is the second common method of suicide after hanging in some countries especially in young people. The objective of this study is to evaluate the self-poisoned cases admitted to poison control centre [P.C.C] of Ain Shams University Hospitals within the period of 1/6/2003 to 31/8/2003. The most common poisons were studied and the percentage of self-poisoning to the total cases of toxicity admitted to the centre as regard age and sex, in relation to the poison used. Self-poisoned patients were classified according to the type of poisoning into thirteen groups; patients took insecticides [group I], patients took rodenticides [group II], patients took chemicals [group III], patients took CNS drugs [group IV], patients took analgesics [group V], patients took CVS drugs [group VI], patients took chest preparations [group VII], patients took endocrine drugs [group VIII], patients took GIT preparations [group IX], patients took vitamins and minerals [group X], patients took unknown poisons [group XI], patients took anti-infective drugs [group XII] and patients took mixed poisons [group XIII]. Age groups were classified into: < 15 years, 15-24 years, 25-34 years and >/= 35 years. From this study, it was concluded that self-poisoning is a major health problem in Egypt accounting for 19.85% of the total number of patients admitted to the PCC especially among young adult females. The majority of self-poisoned patients were in the age group 15-24 years [74.5%] with female to male ratio [2.1:1]. The most common substance taken was insecticides [34.6%] mainly organophosphorous followed by CNS drugs [13.9%]. The majority of cases had no past history of previous suicidal attempts, drug or alcohol abuse, chronic or fatal disease or diagnosed psychiatric history. Self-poisoning affects people with major life problems. It is recommended that in order to minimize the prevalence of self-poisoning, several points should be taken into consideration. There must be a plan for education about self-poisoning, its prevalence and risk factors in order to create awareness especially among families having young adults. There must be proper religious education in different types of media and trials to solve problems of groups at high risk [young adults, females, students]. Proper restrictions should be taken in pharmacies and shops from which pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical poisons can be easily obtained. Drugs must be given through written prescriptions and the doses and duration of treatment must be clear in order to limit the amount obtained

Photochemoprotective effect of green tea polyphenols against ultraviolet B irradiation induced skin damage in albino rats

Exposure of skin to solar ultraviolet radiation [UVR] is a major environmental factor that has serious adverse effects on the structure and function of the skin. UVR-induced free radicals contribute to inflammation and are implicated in photocarcinogenesis. The epidermal antioxidant defense system combats reactive oxygen species [ROS] induced oxidative damage; however, antioxidant levels decline following UVR exposure. An interesting strategy to improve photoprotection is to support the skin's endogenous antioxidant system with exogenous supplementation. Green tea polyphenols [GTP] have attracted considerable attention because of their skin photoprotective capability. The aim of this study was to investigate the Photochemoprotecive effects of systemic and topical green tea polyphenols [GTP] against UVR induced cutaneous oxidative stress, alteration of immune function and skin damage in albino rats. This study was carried out on one hundred ten adult albino rats divided into eight groups, 10 animals each, except group II which comprised 40 rats that was subdivided into 4 subgroups, each of 10 rats. Group I: negative control. Group II: positive control. Group III: UVR, low dose [180 mJ/cm 2]. Group IV: UVR high dose [280 mJ/cm 2]. Group V: UVR 180 mJ/cm 2 for animals received GTP orally. Group VI: UVR 180 mJ/cm 2 for animals received GTP topically. Group VII: UVR 280 mJ/cm 2 for animals received GTP orally. Group VIII: UVR 280 mJ/cm 2 for animals received GTP topically. Bifold- skin thickness was measured to assess cutaneous edema 24 h after the last UVR exposure, then rats were sacrificed and dorsal skin was obtained for antioxidant enzyme assay; Superoxide dismutase [SOD], Catalase [CAT], Lipid peroxidase [LPO], Glutathione[GSH] and Glutathione peroxidase [GPx]. Hematologic and immunologic studies included WBC count, neutrophils, eosinonphils, lymphocytes, CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells. histolopathological and ultra structural study of the skin was done. All these biochemical parameters showed evidence of UVR toxicity more with the high dose in the form of modulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes and inflammation, skin photoallergy and cutaneous edema. Furthermore, histopathological and ultra structural studies showed that UVR induced skin damage and mitotic changes. The data presented in this study demonstrate that whether systemically administered or topically applied GTP inhibited UVR - induced oxidative stress, cutaneous edema and contact hypersensitivity and offered favorable protective effects against ultraviolet radiation-induced skin phototoxicity in the rat model. Further studies on GTP oral consumption or topical applications to patients and people exposed to UVB irradiation are recommended

Role of curcumin and/or alpha tochopherol on naphthalene induced cataract, hematotoxicity, apoptosis of lens, kidney and brain in albino rats

Naphthalene is a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound that has wide industrial and commercial applications. Most exposure occurs through low dose chronic inhalation, dermal contact or ingestion. The aim of present study is to evaluate the possible protective effects of curcumin [CUR] and / or alpha tochopherol [vitamin E] on naphthalene induced cataract, hematotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and DNA fragmentation of the lens, kidney and brain in albino rats. This study was carried out on 120 adult rats, divided into 7 groups, one control group further subdivided into 6 subgroups and 6 test groups. Group la :negative control, group II that received naphthalene orally in a dose of 1 gm/Kg for 3 months, group III: naphthalene + curcumin [2.8 mg/kg], group IV: naphthalene + curcumin 5.6 mg/kg], group V: naphthalene + vitamin E [30 mg/kg], group VI: naphthalene + curcumin [2.8 mg/kg] +vitamin E and group VII: naphthalene + curcumin [5.6 mg/kg] + vitamin E. The animals were assessed for morphologic changes of lenses using slit-lamp microscope twice weekly during the first 8 weeks, then at weekly interval. After photographing the lenses, the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical parameters. Lenses, kidneys and brain were subjected to apoptotic and histological studies. The present study showed that naphthalene induced significant difference as regard to all hematological parameters [Hemoglobin level, methemoglobin, RBCs, reticulocytic, and platelets count] with significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Naphthalene induced DNA damage in the lens; kidney and brain tissues evidenced by increased mean percentage of apoptotic cells also histopathological changes of the lens and kidney. It was denoted that curcumin and vitamin E showed protective effects on naphthalene induced cataract, hematotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and DNA fragmentation. However, curcumin [low dose] showed significant results than curcumin high dose and when used with vitamin E a synergistic effect in counteracting the hematological, biochemical and apoptosis induced by naphthalene. It can be concluded from the results of these study that curcumin [low dose] induced remarkable protective effect on naphthalene cataract, hemolysis, nephrotoxicity, apoptosis and when vitamin E is used with curcumin, the optimum protection obtained. Further studies on CUR supplementation and alpha tochopherol to either workers in naphthalene factories or those that use naphthalene as moth repellant at home are recommended