Neuro-immunohistochemical and molecular gene expression variations during hibernation and activity phases between Rana mascareniensis and Rana ridibunda.

Low temperatures and the lack of food during the winter lead the marsh frog Rana ridibunda and the grass frog Rana mascareniensis to hibernate in order to survive. The present study aimed to investigate the cytoarchitecture of brain sub-regions affected by the thermal cycle's fluctuations during the hibernation and activity period, besides the regional distribution quantitative expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Pax6 transcriptional factor, the molecular gene expressions of some heat shock proteins, uncoupling protein, and metallothionein. The two frog species were isolated from the field during summer and hibernation time in winter. During hibernation it was notable the destitution of degenerated, pyknotic and vasogenic neurons in different brain areas with high rate nearby the pallium. The immunohistochemical expression of Na+/ K+-ATPase and Pax 6 is decreased during hibernation in different brain sub-regions in the two species suggesting their tendency for energy conservation strategy during hibernation. Additionally, RT-qPCR recorded the up regulation of a number of heat shock protein genes during hibernation with sharing increase between two species for hsp90 besides and the non-significant expression in summer and hibernation periods for hsp47 for both species. Moreover, uncoupling protein (ucp1and ucp2) and metallothionein genes in olfactory bulb were with significant up regulation during the hibernation suggesting that these proteins possibly have a protective effect against reactive oxygen species ROS. So, brain adaptations to low temperature play a crucial role in coordinating stress responses. The present study shed light on the importance of the olfactory bulb in the thermoregulation and sensation of temperature elevations during the hibernation period and defended by the expression of heat shock proteins and uncoupling proteins preventing the cellular damage and proteins misfolding. Neuronal energy production and regeneration activities among amphibians are markedly reduced with decreasing body temperature.

Antidiabetic and Liver Histological and Ultrastructural Effects of Cynara scolymus Leaf and Flower Head Hydroethanolic Extracts in Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

This study aims to investigate the effect of hydroethanolic extracts of Cynara scolymus (C. scolymus) leaf (CLHE) and C. scolymus flower (CFHE) on the hepatic histopathological lesions and functional biochemical changes induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The rat model of T2DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in a dose of 60 mg/kg for 15 minutes following nicotinamide (NA) (60 mg/kg). The rats were allocated into four groups: group 1 (negative control), group 2 (diabetic control), group 3 (diabetic rats supplemented with 100 mg/kg/day CLHE), and group 4 (diabetic rats supplemented with 100 mg/kg/day CFHE). Treatment with CLHE and CFHE, for the study duration of 28 days, significantly improved the deteriorated hepatic glycogen content, glycogen phosphorylase, glucose-6-phosphatase activities, serum fructosamine levels, lipid profile, aspartate transaminase activities, and alanine transaminase activities as well as serum insulin and C-peptide levels. The elevated liver lipid peroxidation and the decreased activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly alleviated. The elevated expression of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α in the liver of diabetic rats was significantly reduced by treatments with CLHE and CFHE. NA/STZ-induced T2DM exhibited hepatic histopathological changes in the form of disordered hepatocytes, cytoplasm dissolution, and mononuclear leukocytic infiltration. The electron microscopic ultrastructure study revealed damaged mitochondria with ill-defined cristae and fragmentation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Treatments with CLHE and CFHE remarkably amended these histopathological and EM ultrastructural changes. In conclusion, both CLHE and CFHE may have antidiabetic and improvement effects on the liver function and structural integrity, which may be mediated, at least in part, via suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress and enhancement of the antioxidant defence system.

Protective effect of Hesperidin and Tiger nut against Acrylamide toxicity in female rats.

Phytochemicals that have antioxidant effect play important role in protection against several diseases in humans. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of hesperidin and tiger nut against the early changes that may be related to the toxicity of acrylamide in female rats. 72 Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into six groups (12 rat/group): control group (I); hesperidin (HES) treated group (II); tiger nut (TN) treated group (III); Acrylamide (ACR) treated group (IV); HES-ACR treated group (V); and TN-ACR treated group (VI). There was a significant increase in the levels of serum carcino embryonic antigen (CEA), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (CO), ALT, AST, LDH, urea and creatinine while no significant changes of serum total sialic acid, progesterone (prog) and estradiol (E2) levels, and significant decreases of body weights, catalase (Cat) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of ACR treated group compared with the control. Our results suggested that supplementation of a diet with hesperidin provided antioxidant defense more significant than tiger nut against the toxicity of ACR in breast, liver and kidney tissues.

Hesperidin and tiger nut reduced carcinogenicity of DMBA in female rats.

Nutritional studies recommend the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables to favor a healthy quality of life. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of hesperidin and tiger nut against the carcinogenic activity of DMBA in female rats. 72 adult Sprague Dawley female rats were divided equally into six groups: control group (I); Hesperidin treated group (II); Tiger Nut treated group (III); DMBA treated group (IV); HES-DMBA treated group (V); and TN-DMBA treated group (VI). There was a significant increase in serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, total sialic acid, progesterone, estradiol, ALT, AST, LDH, urea and creatinine, and significant decrease in reduced glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities of DMBA treated group compared to control. In conclusion, our results suggested that supplementation of diets with hesperidin provided antioxidant and chemoprotective activities more significant than tiger nut against the toxicity of DMBA in breast, liver and kidney tissues.

Endoscopic management of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Endoscopic therapy has been increasingly recognized as the effective therapy in selected patients with acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Utility of endotherapy in various conditions occurring in acute pancreatitis and CP is discussed. Its efficacy, limitations, and alternatives are addressed. For the best management of these complex entities, a multidisciplinary approach involving expertise in all pancreatic specialties is essential to achieve the goal.

Current treatment options for chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by progressive and ultimately irreversible pancreatic injury. Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of CP in the Western world. As the pathophysiology of this disorder is better understood, it is probable that the treatment will be more successful. Therapeutic efforts for CP are focused on the treatment of maldigestion, pain, and diabetes. Dosage and timing of enteric-coated pancreatic enzymes are important issues in the treatment of malabsorption due to CP. Non-enteric-coated enzyme preparations along with acid suppression (histamine-2 blockers or proton-pump inhibitors) are of limited to modest effectiveness in treating pain caused by CP but are worth a trial in patients with less advanced disease. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of calcified stones is sometimes needed to achieve stone fragmentation before endoscopic removal. The role of ESWL alone in relieving calcified CP pain needs further study. Endoscopic therapy is aimed at decompressing the obstructed pancreatic duct and removal of pancreatic stone and is associated with pain relief in many patients. The role of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided celiac plexus block should be limited to treating those patients with CP whose pain has not responded to other modalities. Radiation therapy to the whole pancreas for CP pain relief is a revived treatment option that needs further study to confirm the safety and efficacy. Total pancreatectomy followed by autologous islet cell autotransplantation appears to be a potential therapeutic approach but should be considered as the last option in patients with refractory pain who have failed conventional medical, endoscopic, and surgical options.

Pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.

Pancreatitis is the most common complication after endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP); the reported incidence of this complication varies from less than 1% to 40%, but a rate of 4%-8% is reported in most prospective studies involving non-selected patients. Differences in criteria for defining pancreatitis, methods of data collection, and patient populations (i.e. number of high-risk patients included in the published series) are factors that are likely to affect the varying rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis. The severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) can range from a minor inconvenience with one or two days of added hospitalization with full recovery to a devastating illness with pancreatic necrosis, multiorgan failure, permanent disability, and even death. Although, most episodes of PEP are mild (about 90%), a small percentage of patients (about 10%) develop moderate or severe pancreatitis. In the past, PEP was often viewed as an unpredictable and unavoidable complication, with no realistic strategy for its avoidance. New data have aided in stratification of patients into PEP risk categories and new measures have been introduced to decrease the risk of PEP. As most ERCPs are performed on an outpatient basis, the majority of patients will not develop PEP and can be discharged. Alternatively, early detection of those patients who will go on to develop PEP can guide decisions regarding hospital admission and aggressive management. In the last decade, great efforts have been addressed toward prevention of this complication. Points of emphasis have included technical measures, pharmacological prophylaxis, and patient selection. This review provides a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of published data on PEP and current suggestions for its avoidance.