A study on the antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in adult male albino rats / Estudio sobre la actividad antioxidante del ácido rosmarínico contra la toxicidad hepática inducida por tetracloruro de carbono en ratas albinas macho adultas

SUMMARY: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a manufactured chemical and does not occur naturally in the environment. CCl4 is a clear liquid that evaporates very easily. It has a sweet odor. CCl4 is toxic to the mammalian liver and is hepatocarcinogenic in both rats and mice. Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) is commonly used as a spice and flavoring agent in food processing. It is known for its antioxidant properties. The present study aims to investigate the antioxidant activity of rosmarinic acid (RA) on CCl4-induced liver toxicity in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. Group I (control group). Group II animals received RA at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day by oral gavage for 4 weeks. Group III animals received CCl4 intraperitoneally at a dose of 3ml/kg twice weekly for 4 weeks. Group IV animals received CCl4 Plus RA. At the end of the experiment, liver specimens are processed for histological, immunohistochemical, EM and biochemical studies. Administration of RA deceased the elevated serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), elevated MDA level and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax) induced by CCl4. It increased reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also improved the histological and ultrastructural changes induced by CCl4. It appears that Rosmarinic acid has protective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity as indicated by biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural results.

RESUMEN: El tetracloruro de carbono (CCl4) es un producto químico fabricado y no se encuentra de forma natural en el medio ambiente. CCl4 es un líquido transparente que se evapora fácilmente; tiene un olor dulce. CCl4 es tóxico para el hígado de los mamíferos y es hepatocarcinogénico tanto en ratas como en ratones. El romero (Rosmarinus officinalis) se usa comúnmente como condimento y agente aromatizante en el procesamiento de alimentos. Es conocido por sus propiedades antioxidantes. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la actividad antioxidante del ácido rosmarínico (RA) sobre la toxicidad hepática inducida por CCl4 en ratas albinas macho adultas. Se dividieron cuarenta ratas albinas macho adultas en 4 grupos con 10 ratas en cada grupo. Grupo I (grupo control). Los animales del grupo II recibieron AR a una dosis de 50 mg / kg / día por sonda oral durante 4 semanas. Los animales del grupo III recibieron CCl4 por vía intraperitoneal a una dosis de 3 ml / kg dos veces por semana durante 4 semanas. Los animales del grupo IV recibieron CCl4 Plus RA. Al final del experimento, las muestras de hígado se procesaron para estudios histológicos, inmunohistoquímicos, EM y bioquímicos. La administración de AR eliminó las enzimas hepáticas séricas elevadas (AST, ALT y ALP), el nivel elevado de MDA y la inmunoexpresión de la proteína proapoptótica (Bax) inducida por CCl4. Aumentó el glutatión reducido (GSH), glutatión peroxidasa (GSH-Px), la superóxido dismutasa (SOD) y la inmunoexpresión de la proteína antiapoptótica (Bcl2). También mejoró los cambios histológicos y ultraestructurales inducidos por CCl4. El ácido rosmarínico puede tener efectos protectores contra la hepatotoxicidad inducida por CCl4, tal como lo indican los resultados bioquímicos, histológicos, inmunohistoquímicos y ultraestructurales.

Evaluation of the Sublay Mesh Repair Outcomes in Different Types of Ventral Hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Ventral hernia repair is one of the challenging surgical operations over time. Several surgical techniques for mesh repair have been described (onlay, inlay, sublay, and underlay repairs). It is suggested that sublay mesh repair has the lowest recurrence and surgical site infection in open anterior abdominal hernia repair. This study aimed to analyze the pros and cons of the sublay mesh in ventral hernia repair to evaluate the significance of this technique as a treatment modality. Hospital stay, acute postoperative complications, and the recurrence rate were the main areas of investigation. METHODS: A retrospective study on 79 patients with ventral hernias who were operated on with sublay mesh repair between January 2015 and December 2018 was conducted. Patients were admitted through the elective route. The study included fit patients with first-time ventral hernias (primary and incisional). Recurrent hernia, patients with decompensated cardiopulmonary disorders, and bleeding disorders were excluded from the project. The project pro forma includes patient's demographics, operative details, length of stay, postoperative complications, and follow-up up to 12 months. RESULTS: All patients underwent open mesh repair using the sublay technique. The ventral hernia was five times more common in females than males. The mean age of presentation was 44.8 years old. The mean operating time was 67 minutes and a one-day hospital stay. Paraumblical and incisional hernias represented the majority of cases. The component separation approach was added in three cases (3.7%). Simultaneous cholecystectomy was performed in two cases (2.5%). Only six cases (6.3%) developed wound-related complications, while two cases (2.5%) had a recurrence. CONCLUSION: The sublay mesh repair is a perfect choice for the repair of ventral abdominal hernia. It is associated with a smooth and short hospital stay and the least incidence of complications and recurrence.

Skin Graft Versus Local Flaps in Management of Post-burn Elbow Contracture.

Introduction Contracture is a pathological scar tissue resulting from local skin tissue damage, secondary to different local factors. It can restrict joint mobility, resulting in deformity and disability. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of skin grafts compared to local flaps to reconstruct post-burn elbow contractures. These parameters included regaining function, range of movement, recurrence, and local wound complications. Methodology A retrospective study reviewed 21 patients for elbow reconstruction over 12 months. Only patients with post-burn elbow contracture were included. Other causes, including previous corrective surgery, associated elbow stiffness, and patients who opted out of post-operative physiotherapy, were excluded. Patients were categorized according to the method of coverage into three groups: graft alone (G1), local flap (G2), or combined approach (G3).  Results Females were three times at higher risk to suffer a burn injury, while almost half of the cases were children. Scald injury represented 81% of burn causes. G1,2,3 were used in 47.6%, 42.9% and 9.5% of cases retrospectively. The overall rate of infection was 28.6%. Hundred percent graft taken was recorded in 83.3 % of cases; however, flap take was 91.1%. After 12 months of follow-up, re-contracture was 60% and 22.8% in G1 and G2; however, the satisfaction rate was 70% and 100% in both groups retrospectively. The overall satisfaction was 85.7% in all groups. Conclusion Grafts and local flaps are reasonable options for post contracture release; however, flaps are superior. Coverage selection depends on the lost tissue area and exposure of underlying deep structures. Physiotherapy and patient satisfaction are crucial in the outcomes.

Assessment of the possible protective effect of lycopene on monosodium glutamate-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rat

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), known as AJI-NO-MOTO, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamate is one of the most common amino acids found in nature, and is the main component of many proteins and peptides of most tissues. Glutamate is also produced in the body and plays an essential role in human metabolism. MSG is commonly used as a flavor enhancer. Lycopene (LPN) is a member of carotenoids, and it is an antioxidant substance found in tomato, and in other red fruits, and vegetables. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of LPN on MSG-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats. 40 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. Group I (control group). Group ІІ animals received lycopene orally in a dose of 4 mg/kg b.w. per day for 14 days. Group ІІI animals received MSG subcutaneously in a dose of 4 mg/g b.w. per day for 14 days. Group ІV animals received MSG Plus LPN. At the end of the experiment, kidney specimens were processed for histopathological, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies. Administration of lycopene decreased elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), induced by MSG. It increased the immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by MSG. MSG has toxic effects on the kidneys as indicated by biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical results. Lycopene has protective effects against MSG-nephrotoxicity by reducing elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, kidney damage, and apoptosis

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Histological study of the protective role of ginger on piroxicam-induced liver toxicity in mice.

BACKGROUND: Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used in rheumatic diseases. It has analgesic and antipyretic activity, and is one of the drugs being introduced in clinical practice. Piroxicam-hepatotoxicity has been reported as one of its principal side effects. Several natural antioxidants were found to be effective against drug induced toxicity. Ginger is known by its antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects. The present study aimed at studying the protective effect of Ginger on Piroxicam-induced histopathological changes in livers of male mice. METHODS: Forty adult mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I served as the control group. Group II received Ginger orally in a dose of 200 mg/kg per day for four weeks. Group III received Piroxicam intraperitoneally in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg per day for four weeks. Group IV received (Piroxicam + Ginger). At the end of the experiment, liver functions were estimated and then the liver was removed, and sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies. RESULTS: Administration of ginger decreased elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), induced by piroxicam. It increased immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by piroxicam. CONCLUSION: Piroxicam has toxic effects on the liver as indicated by biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical results. Ginger has protective effects against piroxicam-hepatotoxicity by reducing serum marker enzymes, liver fibrosis and apoptosis.

Effect of pycnogenol and spirulina on vancomycin-induced renal cortical oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy in adult male albino rat.

Vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity has been reported to occur in 5%-25% of patients who were administered with it. Several natural antioxidants were found to be effective against drug-induced toxicity. We evaluated the possible protective effects of spirulina and pycnogenol alone or in combination on vancomycin-induced renal cortical oxidative stress. Forty-nine rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: group I, control; group II, received spirulina 1000 mg/kg per day; group III, received pycnogenol 200 mg/kg per day; group IV, received vancomycin 200 mg/kg per day every 12 h; group V, (spirulina + vancomycin); group VI, (pycnogenol + vancomycin); and group VII, (pycnogenol + spirulina + vancomycin). At the end of the experiment, kidney functions were estimated and then the kidneys were removed, weighed, and sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical studies. Administration of spirulina and pycnogenol alone or in combination decreased elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde, and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), autophagic marker protein (LC3/B), and inducible nitric oxide synthase induced by vancomycin. They increased reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). They also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by vancomycin. The combination therapy of spirulina and pycnogenol showed better protective effects than the corresponding monotherapy.