Protective effect of resveratrol on acrylamide-induced renal impairment.

BACKGROUND: Acrylamide (ACR) has a wide range of uses. It possesses a renal impairment effect. The work aimed to study the possible protecting role of resveratrol (RVS) over the ACR-mediated renal impairment in rats. The suggested underlying mechanisms participating in such protection were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley adult albino rats were divided into three groups: control, ACR, and RVS. After 4 weeks, the kidney was removed and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies. The activity of tissue oxidative (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and anti-oxidative (glutathione [GSH]) markers were assessed. RESULTS: Acrylamide induced glomerular renal affection in the form of shrinkage and distortion of the glomeruli with wrinkling of their basement membranes and widening of the urinary spaces. Degenerative tubular changes were markedly present in the proximal convoluted tubules. The necrotic tubular cells exhibited cytoplasmic vacuolation with desquamated epithelial cells within the tubular lumen. ACR increases the deposition of collagen fibres in the basement membrane of the glomerular capillaries and induced thickening of the basement membranes of the renal corpuscles and renal tubules. The administration of RVS affords high protection to the kidney. The glomeruli and renal tubules were nearly normal. The content of collagen fibres and the periodic acid Schiff reaction of the basement membrane of the renal tubules were 70% and 19% lower linked to the ACR group. The creatinine and urea levels decreased by 51% and 47%. RVS induced such a protective role through its antioxidant effect as the MDA level decreased by 45%, while the GSH level increased by 83% compared with the ACR group. CONCLUSIONS: Acrylamide causes structural and functional disorders of the kidney. It induces kidney damage through oxidative stress and apoptosis. With the use of RVS, normal kidney architecture was preserved with little structural changes. Adding, functional kidney test became normal. RVS exerts its protective effect through its anti-apoptotic and antioxidant features.

Concomitant administration of sitagliptin and rutin improves the adverse hepatic alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats: an overview of the role of alpha smooth muscle actin.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the commonest worldwide metabolic conditions, is believed to be associated with an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. Sitagliptin is an oral anti-hyperglycaemic drug that blocks dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). Rutin is a polyphenolic natural flavonoid which has antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity. The aim of the present work is to elucidate the concomitant effect of sitagliptin and rutin on the deleterious alterations in the liver of experimentally induced diabetes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty adult male albino rats, weighing 170-200 g were used. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): group 1 (control group), the other four groups (groups II, III, IV and V) received a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin, 65 mg/kg body weight to induce diabetes; group II (diabetic), group III (diabetic and rutin administered), group IV (diabetic and sitagliptin administered), and group V (diabetic with sitagliptin and rutin concomitantly administered). Haematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, periodic acid Schiff, immune-histochemistry: a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), histomorphometric analysis, liver enzymes and oxidants/anti-oxidants; malondialdehyde/glutathione and were done. RESULTS: Distorted hepatic architecture, dilatation, congestion of sinusoids and central veins as well as cytoplasmic vacuolations were remarkable changes in the diabetic group. There was extravasation of blood, diffuse fibrous tissue formation, increase in the mean values of liver enzymes, oxidative markers and a-SMA expression in the same group. The aforementioned changes were ameliorated in groups III and IV. Concomitant administration of sitagliptin and rutin resulted in marked enhancement of these hepatic alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of sitagliptin and rutin has an ameliorating effect on the hepatic deterioration induced by diabetes, which is better than either sitagliptin or rutin alone.

Toxoplasma IgG. & IgM. antibodies. A case control study.

This study includes 62 cases of spontaneous abortions and 75 cross matched non pregnant multiparous women as controls. Micro-ELISA test was done to measure Toxoplasma IgM & IgG antibodies. Out of 62 aborting women, 26 gave positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies, more than 45 Eu/ml and 28 gave positive anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies, more than 40 Eu/ml without statistical significant difference. There was a significant difference between aborting women and the controls as regards IgG & IgM antibodies. IgG antibodies, showed statistical significant difference between those with no history of abortions or I-2 abortions versus those with 3 or more abortions. The infection was more among aborting women in rural than urban areas whom suffered poor hygienic measures and awareness about the mode of transmission of Toxoplasma infection. The results were discussed.

Importance of E. histolytica antigen in serodiagnosis and follow up of patients with amoebic liver abscess.

This study is composed of a community based study and a hospital based study. The community based study was conducted on 200 apparently healthy individuals randomly chosen from rural areas. They were examined clinically, sonographically and parasitologically for E. histolytica cysts and by ELISA for circulating amoebic antigen. They were negative for antigenaemia at 1/16 which was considered the diagnostic titre of amoebic hepatitis. The hospital based study was carried out on 27 patients suffering from amoebic liver abscess (ALA). Circulating amoebic antigen was detected in 66.66% of them before treatment which decreased to 14.82% two months after treatment. There was no significant association between the diameter of the abscess and the level of circulating amoebic antigen. It was concluded that the circulating amoebic antigen may be useful for the diagnosis and follow up of amoebic liver abscess patients.

Some immunological studies on amoebiasis.

Studies of immunoglobulins pattern in 64 patients with different clinical symptoms of amoebiasis revealed that IgG showed no rise in patients with acute amoebic dysentery and asymptomatic cyst passers, while it was significantly increased in patients with active hepatic amoebiasis. IgM, IgA and IgE were significantly increased in both acute amoebic dysentery and active hepatic amoebiasis, but no significant changes in asymptomatic cyst passers. ELISA (depended on level of IgG) was valid and reliable in diagnosis of active hepatic amoebiasis (100%), IHAT (depended on level of IgM) gave 72.7% and 46.9% in patients with acute amoebic dysentery and active hepatic amoebiasis respectively.

The relation between ABO blood groups, HLA typing and giardiasis in children.

A total of 455 children were chosen randomly and surveyed for giardiasis by stool examination using several techniques. A case control study design was adopted where 91 cases of giardiasis (symptomatic and asymptomatic) and 101 children giardiasis free were examined. ABO blood groups and HLA typing were investigated. It was concluded that blood group A was more susceptible to giardiasis especially asymptomatic form, while blood group B was less susceptible to giardiasis. On the other hand, there was no association between AB or O and giardiasis. But, there was a strong association between HLA A10, A11, B5, B7 and B17 phenotypes and symptomatic giardiasis and an association as well between HLA B7, B17, Bw14 and Bw40 and asymptomatic giardiasis.

Impact of the current National Bilharzia Control Programme on the epidemiology of schistosomiasis mansoni in an Egyptian village.

In a population-based study in the Nile Delta of Egypt, the modified Kato thick smear technique was used to study the epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni. After 2 years of implementation of the National Bilharzia Control Programme by the Ministry of Health, the general prevalence dropped from 47.2% to 21.9%. The peak prevalence rate has shifted downwards in magnitude (40.4% compared to 72.1%) and backwards over the age scale (5-14 in contrast to 15-19 years age group). Redistribution of various infection grades has taken place. More than three-quarters (75.6%) of the infected individuals have light infections in contrast to only one-fifth (20%) 2 years ago. The mean egg count for the entire sample population has dropped significantly (P < 0.05) from 128 to 17 eggs/g stools with no significant difference between males and females. This positive impact can be attributed largely to the case finding and treatment component of the programme. However, the incidence rate remained nearly the same before and 2 years after implementation of the programme (18.7 and 18.1%, respectively). The non-changing high incidence rate indicates that the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the population concerning water contact have not yet changed. Insufficient improvement in environmental sanitation may be a contributing factor. Continuation of serious efforts in case finding and treatment is recommended, with special emphasis on schoolchildren. This should be coupled with an intensive health education programme.