Metformin versus silymarin as hepatoprotective agents in mice fibrotic model caused by carbon tetrachloride.

OBJECTIVES: To study metformin hepatoprotective effects compared to silymarin on hepatic fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Liver fibrosis in mice was achieved by intraperitoneal injection of 2mL/kg of CCl4 dilution in olive oil [1:9 (v/v)] twice a week for 7 weeks followed by oral treatment with metformin (250mg/kg/day) or silymarin (100mg/kg/day) (a standard hepatoprotective drug). The changes that follow liver fibrosis were assessed by measurement of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin stain, special stains, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunostaining, measuring oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, NOx and MnSOD) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) in liver. RESULTS: Liver fibrosis was obviously developed in mice after intraperitoneal injection with CCl4 for 7 weeks. Both silymarin and metformin treatment exhibited a significant decrease in the fibrotic changes and similarly an increase in endogenous antioxidants. Interestingly there is a significant difference between silymarin and metformin regarding both efficacy and potency. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antifibrotic effects of metformin in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice, but silymarin is more beneficial.

Pathogenicity of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Naturally Infected Poultry in Egypt.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 has been endemic in Egypt since 2006, and there is increasing concern for its potential to become highly transmissible among humans. Infection by HPAIV H5N1 has been described in experimentally challenged birds. However, the pathogenicity of the H5N1 isolated in Egypt has never been reported in naturally infected chickens and ducks. Here we report a 2013 outbreak of HPAIV H5N1 in commercial poultry farms and backyards in Sharkia Province, Egypt. The main symptoms were ecchymosis on the shanks and feet, cyanosis of the comb and wattles, subcutaneous edema of the head and neck for chickens, and nervous signs (torticollis) for ducks. Within 48-72 hrs of the onset of illness, the average mortality rates were 22.8-30% and 28.5-40% in vaccinated chickens and non-vaccinated ducks, respectively. Tissue samples of chickens and ducks were collected for analyses with cross-section immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR for specific viral RNA transcripts. While viral RNA was detected in nearly all tissues and sera collected, viral nucleoprotein was detected almost ubiquitously in all tissues, including testis. Interestingly, viral antigen was also observed in endothelial cells of most organs in chickens, and clearly detected in the trachea and brain in particular. Viral nucleoprotein was also detected in mononuclear cells of various organs, especially pulmonary tissue. We performed phylogenetic analyses and compared the genomic sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA) and nonstructural proteins (NS) among the isolated viruses, the HPAIV circulated in Egypt in the past and currently, and some available vaccine strains. Further analysis of deduced amino acids of both HA and NS1 revealed that our isolates carried molecular determinants of HPAIV, including the multibasic amino acids (PQGERRRK/KR*GLF) in the cleavage site in HA and glutamate at position 92 (D92E) in NS1. This is the first report of the pathogenicity of the HPAIVH5N1 strain currently circulating in naturally infected poultry in Egypt, which may provide unique insights into the viral pathogenesis in HPAIV-infected chickens and ducks.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in four different areas of rat brain.

BACKGROUND: The use of mobile phones is rapidly increasing all over the world. Few studies deal with the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on monoamine neurotransmitters in the different brain areas of adult rat. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR on the concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata of adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult rats were exposed daily to EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, modulated at 217 Hz) and sacrificed after 1, 2 and 4 months of daily EMR exposure as well as after stopping EMR for 1 month (after 4 months of daily EMR exposure). Monoamines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) using their native properties. RESULTS: The exposure to EMR resulted in significant changes in DA, NE and 5-HT in the four selected areas of adult rat brain. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure of adult rats to EMR may cause disturbances in monoamine neurotransmitters and this may underlie many of the adverse effects reported after EMR including memory, learning, and stress.

Hydrophilic lecithins protect milk proteins against heat-induced aggregation.

In the present study, the heat-induced interaction between whey proteins and casein micelles was studied. To that end, the particle size distribution of 5.5% (w/w) casein micellar dispersions was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy as a function of both the whey protein concentration and heating time at 80 degrees C. The results clearly indicated that heat-induced aggregation of the casein micelles only occurred in the presence of whey proteins. In an effort to overcome the heat-induced interactions between whey proteins and casein micelles, the influence of different soybean lecithins was investigated. Comparing native to hydrolysed, as well as hydroxylated soybean lecithin, it was observed that the heat-stabilising effect of the lecithins was directly related to their hydrophilicity: whereas native soybean lecithin had hardly any beneficial effect, highly hydrolysed as well as hydroxylated soybean lecithin largely prevented heat-induced casein micelle aggregation in the presence of whey proteins. From experimental observations on the heat-induced decrease of whey protein solubility both in the absence and presence of hydrolysed lecithin, it was deduced that the latter may stabilise the exposed hydrophobic surface sites of heat-denatured whey proteins. Dynamic surface tension measurements indicated that the heat-stabilising properties of lecithins were mainly determined by their critical aggregation concentration.

Breast feeding and infant growth, a follow-up study in Menoufia, Egypt.

PIP: Staff from a maternal and child health (MCH) center in urban Shebeen El Kom and from an MCH center in rural Om-khnan in Menoufia Governate, Egypt followed 200 newborn infants for 6 months. The mean birth weight stood at 3.3 kg, mean birth length 50.2 cm, mean head circumference at birth 34.5 cm, and the mean mid arm circumference at birth 10.2 cm. Infants which were exclusively breast fed lost 14 percentiles of weight for age from birth-6 months while those which were exclusively formula fed lost 18 percentiles. On the other hand, those which received solid food in addition to breast milk gained 24 percentiles. Similarly, exclusively breast fed infants lost 6 percentiles of length for age and exclusively formula fed infants lost 8 percentiles. Infants which breast fed and had solid food supplements gained 14 percentiles. In addition, breast fed infants regardless of solid food supplementation maintained their percentiles for age for head circumference while formula fed infants lost 8 percentiles. The reduced growth velocity in formula fed infants may be due to dilutions of formula and an increased incidence of infections, especially gastroenteritis. After 3-4 months of lactation, the breast milk yield fell in the mothers who exclusively breast fed their infants which may have caused a reduction in growth velocity. No group of infants experienced an increase in protein energy malnutrition. Even though there was a reduced growth velocity in these infants, research shows that breast fed infants maintain a better health status and have fewer infections than nonexclusively breast fed infants. In fact, no evidence exists that shows more rapid growth of normal neonates to be desirable.^ieng

Use of pethidine as an intravenous regional anesthetic.

Pethidine 100 mg in 30-40 ml saline was given in a group of patients by the conventional technique of intravenous regional anesthesia. Fourty percent of the patients did not feel any form of pain or discomfort, 26.7% experienced only vague sensations which did not call for additional drugs but 13.3% felt some form of pain or discomfort for which diazepam was given and was enough for surgery to be completed. In the rest of the patients (20%) there was intolerable pain for which patients were given general anesthesia. This last category was operated upon for recent fractures or digital conditions and it is known that intravenous regional anesthesia using conventional local anesthetics for such patients usually fails. In a control group in which 30-40 ml saline without pethidine were injected, there was complete failure of the technique.

Hepatic histochemistry after chloroform effects of pretreatment with an enzyme inducer.

Chloroform anesthesia induced some histochemical changes in hepatic lobules in the form of diminution in succinic dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities accompanied by an increase in alpha esterase activity. In this respect more manifest changes were observed as a result of the delayed effect of chloroform as well as after administration of the inducer.

Plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol in bilharzial and non-bilharzial individuals during halothane and nitrous oxide anaesthesia.

The effect of stress of anaesthesia and surgery was studied in non-bilharzial and bilharzial individuals. Estimation of ACTH and cortisol was carried out by the radio-immunoassay (RIA) technique. The level of ACTH and cortisol was found to be lower in unanaesthetized bilharzial subjects than in normal individuals. Under the effect of anaesthesia and surgery the elevation in the level of both hormones was also lower in bilharzial than in non-bilharzial patients. The response to the stress of anaesthesia and surgery was more marked during halothane than during nitrous oxide anaesthesia.

Anaesthesia for condylectomy: a technique for blind nasal intubation.

A method of blind nasal intubation, using a muscle relaxant, has been described. The method is recommended in the absence of upper respiratory tract obstruction. If the anaesthesiologist does not have enough courage to administer a relaxant in the presence of ankylosis of the jaw, he can induce anaesthesia by an inhalational agent and if obstruction is not detected a muscle relaxant can safely be given to make intubation more easy and less traumatic.