Human portal serum stimulates cell proliferation in immature Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni were incubated in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, 10% human portal venous or 10% human peripheral venous sera in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in order to measure differences in cell proliferation. The rates of cell proliferation as expressed by BrdU labelling indices (BLI) were determined as a function of time of incubation by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody to BrdU. Compared to schistosomula cultured in the presence of RPMI plus 10% fetal calf serum, BLIs were increased by 60% in the presence of human portal, but not in peripheral serum. This stimulatory effect was substantially reproduced by a fraction of portal serum with a molecular weight range between 1 and 50 kDa. However, in the presence of human peripheral venous serum, either whole or fractionated, schistosomula showed no significant difference compared to RPMI plus 10% fetal calf serum alone. Furthermore, human portal serum fractions of molecular weight greater than 50 kDa also revealed no significant difference relative to control. The results indicate that portal venous serum component(s) of a molecular weight range higher than most simple nutrients can greatly stimulate the rate of cell proliferation of Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula.

The effect of some beverage extracts on intestinal iron absorption.

The effect of some beverage extracts namely anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, karkade and tea, on the absorption of iron was tested in tied-off intestinal segments of rats. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was calculated in terms of an absorption index. The tannin, phytic acid and ascorbic acid contents of these beverages were analysed. The results show that anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, arranged in decreasing order of their effect, promoted the absorption of iron. Karkade did not exert an appreciable effect while tea inhibited absorption. The results are discussed in relation to the content of these beverages of tannins, phytic or ascorbic acids. It is recommended to offer these beverages to children and also to adults as a preventive agent to iron deficiency anemia. Also can be used for the preparation of bioavailable medicinal iron.

The influence of ascorbic acid and lactose on the interaction of iron with each of cobalt and zinc during intestinal absorption.

The effect of ascorbic acid and lactose on the interaction between iron and each of zinc or copper during intestinal absorption was studied in normal and iron-deficient rats. It was found that addition of cobalt to the iron dose inhibited absorption of iron to 42% in normal rats and to 46.7% in iron deficient ones. The presence of zinc with the iron dose also inhibited absorption of iron to 34.6% in normal rats and to 32.2% in case of the iron deficient ones. The addition of ascorbic acid to the combined dose of Fe + Co enhanced absorption of iron by five times in normal and in iron deficient rats. In case of the combined dose of Fe + Zn the enhancement was four times in normal rats and six times in iron deficient ones. The addition of lactose to the combined dose of either Fe + Co or Fe + Zn corrected the inhibiting action of either cobalt or zinc on iron absorption. Based on these findings, it is recommended that ascorbic acid and lactose be added to therapeutic multimineral preparations.

Improvement of Supramine and development of new food mixtures for the young. I. Improvement of Supramine.

Supramine, a food mixture produced in Egypt by El-Nil Pharmaceutical Company supported by UNICEF. The product suffers from two problems: It is not well liked by the children, and its shelf life is relatively short. Studies were made to overcome these problems. Pretreatment of the ingredients such as cooking, autoclaving or roasting markedly improved palatability of the product. Adjustment of the conditions of the enzyme action increased hydrolysis of the starchy material making the product more soft and digestible. Formulation of new mixtures gave the chance to the produce to satisfy the wish of a wide sector of the consumers. The heat treatment made to the ingredients minimized contamination and prolonged shelf life of the product.

Improvement of Supramine and development of new food mixtures for the young. II. Development of new food mixtures for the young.

Four high-protein food mixtures for feeding the young were formulated from locally available and relatively cheap legumes and cereals. Protein content of these mixtures ranged from 17.2 to 20.3 g%. Amino acid composition showed agreement with the FAO provisional pattern except for sulphur amino acids. Analysis of the mineral content of the prepared mixtures indicated the necessity of supplementation with zinc and phosphorus to meet the physiological requirements of the consumers. Palatability studies showed that these mixtures are acceptable and with good taste. It is planned to produce these mixtures on an industrial scale after biological and economic evaluation.

Red blood cells amino-acid pattern in protein energy malnutrition and the effect of oral dosing with single amino acids.

R.B.C.'s amino acid pattern was investigated in control and PEM subjects. The effect of oral dosing with cysteine, tryptophan and lysine on total amino acid nitrogen level of R.B.C.s was also studied. Results revealed that in moderate and severe kwashiorkor the total essential and non-essential R.B.C.'s amino acids were decreased. In 2nd grade marasmus the total R.B.C.'s amino acids in general showed lower values than normal. After oral administration of the tested amino acids, the transport index calculated as the level of maximum value of the total R.B.C.'s amino acids reached to the fasting level was lower in malnourished cases relative to controls except in 2nd grade marasmic cases given tryptophan or lysine. This criteria was considered to indicate lower rate of amino acid transport to R.B.C.s due to lower concentration in plasma or shift of transport mechanism from active transport to exchange diffusion.

Serum and urinary amino acid pattern in schistosomal infection among Egyptians.

The amino acid pattern in plasma and urine of Bilharzial Egyptian patients with different degrees of complications was investigated. The results obtained showed that in mansoniasis, accumulation of amino acids in the circulation is due to derangement in liver function which retards the utilization of amino acids in protein synthesis particularly in the advanced stage of the disease. This is also in part due to liver cell degeneration which parallel the severity of the infection. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is partly an overflow type, while in severe cases urinary tract tissue degeneration may be a participating factor. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is due to haematuria and urinary tract tissue degeneration.

Binding of copper to mucosal transferrin and inhibition of intestinal iron absorption in rats.

1. The chromatographic elution patterns on Sepharose 6B of the supernatant from mucosal homogenates prepared 10 min after administration of copper into duodenal segments in vivo, indicate that copper is bound preferentially in the fraction of mucosal transferrin. 2. In iron deficiency the amount of 64Cu-copper taken up into the duodenal mucosa is more than two times higher and the amount bound to proteins of the supernatant is also increased to approximately the same degree whereas the amount transferred into the body is diminished to one fourth. 3. In the iron deficient group 64Cu-copper was also bound to a fraction which contains probably metallothionein. 4. The distribution of copper in the supernatant was changed due to a simultaneous administration of iron; the amount of copper bound in the transferrin fraction decreased in favor of the metallothionein fraction and another copper binding fraction was eluted between the transferrin and the metallothionein fraction. 5. Copper in a tenfold molar excess inhibited the iron absorption; simultaneously, the iron bound in the iron binding fractions of the supernatant was remarkably diminished. 6. The results suggest that the affinity of copper to two mucosal iron binding proteins, transferrin and metallothionein, is at least partly responsible for the inhibitory effect of copper on iron absorption in iron deficiency.

The role of mucosal iron binding proteins in adaptation of iron absorption during protein deficiency and rehabilitation.

1. A state of protein deficiency has been produced in rats by feeding a low protein diet, thereafter a period of rehabilitation with a normal protein but a low iron supply followed. 2. For characterization of the iron metabolism during both periods haemoglobin, total iron binding capacity, liver non-haemin iron, intestinal iron absorption and the uptake of 59Fe in the liver was determined. 3. Under these conditions the amount of 59Fe incorporated into the mucosal transferrin and the ferritin fractions has been measured. Both fractions were obtained from the supernatant of a mucosal homogenate after chromatography on sepharose 6B. 4. In anemia due to protein deficiency the typical increase of 59Fe incorporation into the fraction of mucosal transferrin--usually occuring in iron deficiency--could not be observed. This coincides with the absence of an increased iron absorption. Moreover a decrease of iron absorption is observed, which is associated with a decreased 59Fe ratio of transferrin/ferritin-fraction. 5. After normalization of the protein supply the ratio of 59Fe incorporated into the mucosal transferrin and ferritin fractions was changed remarkably in favor to transferrin together with a several fold increase of the intestinal iron absorption. 6. The conclusion is drawn that mucosal transferrin and ferritin enable the body not only to adapt the absorption to a higher but also to a lower requirement as it is the case in protein deficiency.

Salivary amino acids and proteins in normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children.

Amino acids and proteins in whole saliva of normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children were investigated. 16 amino acids, 7 of them are essential, could be detected in saliva of normal infants. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the existence of 10 protein components in saliva of either normal or malnourished infants. In oedematous cases, salivary aminoacids, particularly the essential ones, were increased as well as most of the protein components. In non-oedematous cases, the pattern was more or less normal, but in 3rd grade marasmus, amino acid and protein components of saliva were somewhat increased. The conclusion was drawn that such increase is mainly due to tissue degeneration which is more marked in oedematous than non-oedematous form of the disease.

Mucosal transferrin and ferritin factors in the regulation of iron absorption.

1. A standardized decompensation and recompensation of iron homeostasis has been produced by a change-over from normal to iron deficiency and back. 2. Under these conditions the 59Fe uptake into transferrin and ferritin of the mucosal "cytosol" and SDS treated "membrane" fraction has been measured together with the 59Fe amount transferred into the body. 3. The increase of the intestinal 59Fe absorption due to a progressive iron deficiency is associated with an increase of the 59Fe uptake into the mucosal transferrin of the "cytosol" and the "membrane" fraction; the reverse is observed with regard to mucosal ferritin. 4. Three days after the re-establishment of normal conditions the 59Fe absorption was lowered to normal values, while the 59Fe uptake into mucosal ferritin achieved again normally high values. 5. The high apparent rate of absorption in iron deficient animals decreased during the last 50 min after injection of the 59Fe labelled test dose. The 59Fe content in the ferritin fraction increased simultaneously, whereas the 59Fe content in the transferrin fraction remained the same. 6. The conclusion is drawn that the intestinal iron absorption is regulated by both mucosal iron binding proteins. Mucosal transferrin is responsible for the increase of absorption in iron deficiency while mucosal ferritin is responsible for the inhibition of iron absorption when the iron homeostasis recompensats.

Vitamins content of fruits and vegetables in common use in Egypt.

The vitamin content, namely vitamin C, carotene, riboflavin and nicotinic acid, of some popular vegetables and fruits was determined. It was found that the green parts of the plants were the most rich in these four vitamins. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Helba) was the richest of all vegetables and fruits in vitamin C (207 mg%). Scandicium stellatum (Shabat contains the highest value for carotene (57.3 mg%). Solanum tuberosum (Batatis) was the richest in riboflavin (0.3 mg%) and Pisum sativum (Busselah) in niacin (1.8 mg%).

Effect of authentic and natural vitamin C and carotene on amino acid absorption.

The effect of vitamin C or carotene either from authentic or natural sources on absorption of lysine, glycine and methionine was evaluated. Results revealed that maximum absorption of these amino acids was reached at different intervals from the orally given dose. Addition of ascorbic acid enhanced amino acid absorption and this effect was maximum in case of methionine. Carotene brought about variable effect to the three amino acids tested. Pepper, parsley, or orange juices did not affect the extent of intestinal lysine absorption. Pepper juice enhanced absorption of methionine in contrast to orange and parsley. Glycine absorption was markedly enhanced by addition of orange juice. Ascorbic acid suppelementation to dietary constituents is recommended for better utilization of proteins.

Serum and urine amino acid pattern under the effect of carbon disulfide intoxication.

The effect of carbon disulphide intoxication on amino acid pattern was studied. Five groups of rats were treated with carbon disulphide through intramuscular injection of 0.05 ml CS2 in 0.2 mg olive oil/rat/day. A number of rats were sacrificed after receiving 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 injections. As a result of intoxication, a state of hypoaminoacidemia and hyperaminoacidurea affected all the amino acids investigated, but to variable extent. Of value to add that stoppage of carbon disulphide leads to improvement of the amino-acid pattern in group six, compared to the other groups.

Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) in Egypt: comparative study of the electrolyte pattern in plasma and erythrocytes.

The electrolytes sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined in both plasma and erythrocytes of 300 PCM subjects and 26 parallel healthy controls. The results obtained revealed that: The level of plasma sodium was lower than normal in all PCM cases except in marasmic kwashiorkor. The RBC's sodium content was more or less not affected. Plasma potassium level was markedly lower than normal in all groups of malnourished subjects. RBC's potassium was significantly lower than normal in severe K.W.O. and marasmic kwashiorkor, while it was high in 3rd grade marasmus. Magnesium level was lower than normal in both plasma and RBC's in all malnourished subjects. Calcium level dropped in plasma and was elevated in RBC's. Estimation of RBC's minerals may be useful in reflecting the concerned changes in tissues of PCM subjects.

Intestinal absorption of iron alone and in combination with authentic or natural vitamin C and carotene.

The effect of vitamin C and carotene derived from authentic or natural sources on intestinal iron absorption was studied. Vitamin C caused slight enhancement to iron absorption, while carotene hindered it. The three juices tested, namely orange, parsley and pepper, which were found to be rich in these two vitamins, hindered intestinal iron absorption to different extents. It was recommended that patients suffering from iron deficiency are not supplied with nutrients rich in carotene particulary during iron therapy.

Effect of vitamin C and carotene on the absorption of calcium from the intestine.

The effect of vitamin C or carotene either in the authentic form or naturally occurring as in orange, parsley and pepper juices on calcium absorption was studied. Results obtained revealed that ascorbic acid, orange and pepper juices enhanced intestinal calcium absorption. Carotene and parsley proved to be without effect.

Intestinal and renal tubular amino acid absorption in oedematous forms of protein-calorie malnutrition.

The level of total amino acids was determined in plasma and urine in cases suffering from ocdematous forms of PCM before and after receiving a single dose of each of cysteine, tryptophan and lysine. The increase in plasma amino acids following dosing was less in malnourished cases than in controls. Fasting urinary amino acid content in malnourished subjects was higher than in controls and so was also the ratio of urine amino acids collected after dosing to the fasting level. As the study revealed that protein depletion inhibits intestinal absorption and tubular reabsorption, parenteral administration of amino acids is recommended during treatment to escape intestinal loss. Excess oral protein should be given in food to compensate for losses via the gastro-intestinal and renal tracts.

Effect of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) on spermatogenesis in rat testis.

In this work 60 male albino rats were subjected to a feeding experiment aimed to study the influence of protein free and reduced diets on normal function of rat testes. It was shown that the PEM exerts adverse effects on testicular function, the nature and severity of these effects depend on the duration of the deficiency state. Histological examination of rat testis, revealed that the spermatogenesis is arrested at spermatogonium stage in rats fed on protein free diet, and at primary and secondary spermatocyte stage in rats fed on normal but reduced diet.