Sesame seed sensitization in a group of atopic Egyptian children

Background: There are no published data on the prevalence of sesame allergy/sensitization in Egypt

Objective: In this pilot study, we thought to estimate the frequency of sesame seed sensitization in a group of atopic Egyptian infants and children

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 90 patients with physician diagnosed allergic disease. The study measurements included clinical evaluation for the site and duration of allergy, history suggestive of sesame seed allergy, and family history of allergy, as well as skin prick testing [SPT] using a commercial sesame extract, and serum sesame specific IgE [SpIgE] estimation

Results: None of the studied patients reported symptoms suggestive of sesame seed allergy. Nevertheless, two children [2.2%] showed positive SPT response to sesame [wheal diameter >/= 3 mm above the negative control]. Only one of them had a wheal diameter which exceeded that of the histamine control. The serum sesame SpIgE exceeded 0.35 IU/ml in all subjects [range = 0.35 - 3.0 IU/ml; median [IQR] = 0.9 [0.6] IU/ml]. Serum sesame SpIgE was significantly increased in patients with history of recurrent urticaria [p=0.03]

Conclusion: Sesame seed sensitization is not uncommon in atopic Egyptian children. It can be associated with any clinical form of allergy and the causal relationship needs meticulous evaluation. Wider scale population-based studies are needed to assess the prevalence of sesame allergy and its clinical correlates in our country

Effect of flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds on calcium and phosphorus status of rats suffering from osteoporosis

This study was carried out to determine effect of two levels from flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and their combination on calcium and phosphorus status of rats suffering from osteoporosis. Sixty female rats [Sprague Dawley Strain] weighting an average of [200 +/- 10g] used in this study. The rats were divided into two main groups. The first main group [6 rats] was fed on basal diet as a [control negative group].The second main group [54 rats] fed on diet containing 100 mg [prednisone acetate] as source of glucocorticoid GC / kg diet to induce osteoporosis for two weeks. Then the second main group divided into nine subgroups [n=8 each] as follows: subgroup [1] fed on basal diet as a [control positive group], subgroups [2 and 3] fed on prednisone acetate diets containing [5% and 10%] flax seeds. Subgroups [4 and 5] fed on prednisone acetate diets containing [5% and 10%] pumpkin seeds. Subgroups [6 and 7] fed on prednisone acetate diets containing [5% and 10%] sesame seeds. Subgroups [8 and 9] fed on prednisone acetate diets containing [5% and 10%] combination of flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. The results revealed that, food intake, body weight gain%, serum [calcium and phosphorus], femur bone [calcium and phosphorus], bone mineral density BMD and bone mineral concentration BMC of all treated groups improved than that of the positive control group, especially the osteoporotic group fed on diet containing 10% combination of [flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds]. The Pathological examination of bone confirmed this results

Effect of flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seedson liver enzymes and kidney functions of rats suffering from osteoporosis

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of two levels from flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and combination on liver enzymes and kidney functions of rats suffering from osteoporosis. Sixty female rats [Sprague dawley strain] weighting an average of [200 +/- 10g] used in this study. The rats were divided into two main groups. The first main group [6 rats] was fed on basal diet as a [control negative group].The second main group [54 rats] fed on diet containing 100 mg [prednislone acetate] as source of Glucocorticoid GC/kg diet to induce osteoporosis for two weeks. Then the second main group divided into nine subgroups [n=6 each] as follows: subgroup [1] fed on prednislone acetate diet as a [control positive group], subgroups [2 and3] fed on prednisone acetate diets containing [5% and 10%] flax seeds. Subgroups [4 and 5] fed on prednisone acetate diet containing [5% and 10%] pumpkin seeds, subgroups [6 and 7] fed on prednisone acetate diets containing [5% and 10%] sesame seeds. subgroups [8 and 9] fed on prednisone acetate diet containing [5% and 10%] combination of flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. The results revealed that, food intake, body weight gain%, kidney functions [uric acid, urea nitrogen and creatinine] and liver enzymes [AST, ALT and ALP] of all treated groups improved than that of the positive control group, especially the osteoporosis group fed on diet containing 10% combination of [flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds]. The pathological examination of liver confirmed these results