Vol.2 No.3 -1 : Nitric oxide level and CD3-ζ expression in response to Interferon- Ribavirin Therapy in chronic Hepatitis C Egyptian patients.

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By : Salem, M.L.1, Barakat, L.A.2, Elnakeeb,N.A2, and Zeidan, A.A.1

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of liver diseases all over the world; it is considered one of the leading causes of cirrhosis, hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in developed countries including Egypt. Since, the discovery of the virus, the main drug used in all antiviral protocols was interferon- α (IFN- α) but, which is not effective in 60% of these patients. The goal of this study was to measure nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and CD3-ζ in chronic HCV patients which could explain the failure from therapy. 5ml of peripheral blood were collected from 30 patients with chronic HCV infection and 10 healthy control volunteers. Patients were categorized in to responders and non-responders according to viral titre upon IFN-α treatment. CD3-ζ expression was measured in the peripheral blood by using flow_cytomery and NOS levels were assessed in the sera. Significant decreases (P˂0.001) in the expression of CD3-ζ in IFN-α non- responder was recorded when compared to responder patients and with healthy volunteers. In contrast, there were significant increases (P˂0.001) in the expression of NOS in IFN-α responder as compared to non-responder patients and healthy volunteers. Conclusion: these findings can be suggestedNitric oxide level and CD3-ζ expressionthat have immune suppressive function can be reversed and enhance responsive of HCV patients to interferon- α and ribavirin.

1. Nitric oxide level and CD3-ζ expression in response to Interferon- Ribavirin Therapy in chronic Hepatitis C Egyptian patients.
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Vol.2 No.3 -2 : Effect of experimental phenylketonuria on some organs of pregnant mothers of albino rats and their young’s during perinatal life.

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By : Hassan. I. Elsayyad1, Hany .A .Hefny2 Mahmoud .E. Mohallal3and Hala . M. Ebied3

Abstract

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder that is characterized by an inability of the body to utilize the essential amino acid, phenylalanine.It results from a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase, the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine. Although this inborn error of metabolism was among the first in humans to be understood biochemically and genetically, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the pathology of PKU during neonatal brain development. Elevated concentrations of plasma phenylalanine were induced in pregnant rats by oral administration of 50 mg/100 g body weight alpha-methylphenylalanine (to inhibit maternal liver phenylalanine hydroxylase) plus phenylalanine supplementation) at a dosage of 60 mg/100 g body weight two times daily (to increase maternal and fetal plasma phenylalanine) after 6th day of onset of gestation till 14 & 16 days of gestation as well as at parturition. Treatment with alpha-methylphenylalanine/phenylalanine resulted in significant decrease of accumulated body weight gain during pregnancy as well as exhibited marked growth retardation of prenatal feti and delivered newborn. Histological examination of maternal tissues including liver, heart, kidney & thyroid gland revealed varieties of histopathological abnormalities which illustrated and discussed. These results suggested that exposure of the fetus to high plasma concentrations of phenylalanine caused a delay in the biochemical maturation

2. Effect of experimental phenylketonuria on some organs of pregnant mothers of albino rats and their young's during perinatal life.
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Vol.2 No.3 -3 : Adverse effects of monosodium glutamate on the reproductive organs of adult Female albino rats and the possible ameliorated role of carob (Ceratonia Siliqua).

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By : Abd El-Fattah B. M. El-Beltagy1, Heba Attef Elghaweet2

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a sodium salt of glutamic acid that enhances the flavor of certain foods. It plays an important role in the pathogenesis of anovulatory infertility. This study was carried out to evaluate the histological, histochemical as well as immunohistochemical effects of MSG on the ovaries, uterus and vagina of adult female Wistar rats and the possible ameliorative role of carob (Ceratonia Siliqua). In the present work, twenty- four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6): Control group received 0.5ml saline solution, carob-group, feeding on diet containing 5% carob powder, MSG- treated group received 400 mg/kg b.wt and ameliorative group received MSG 400mg/kg b.wt simultaneously with feeding on diet containing 5% carob powder. In MSG treated rats, the serum estrogen level was significantly decreased. The histopathological results showed ovarian atretic follicles, fragmented oocyte, vascular congestion, and vacuolated stroma. The uterus exhibited a comparative reduction in the endometrial thickness and loss of endometrial glands associated with cellular hyperplasia and reduced vacuolated cells. In MSG treated group, the vaginal epithelium appeared relatively thin, folded and hypertrophied with sign of cornification. Histochemically, a weak reaction for PAS stain was remarked in investigated sections of MSG- treated rats. On the other side, an intense positive reaction for silver stain was recorded in the ovarian stroma and peripheral layers of atretic follicles as well as spreading in endometrium of uterus and lumina sheath of vagina. Immunohistochemically, MSG-treated group exhibited intense positive reaction for CD31and CD68 and activated caspase3 compared to carob-ameliorated MSG and the control. The authors concluded that, feeding of MSG-treated group on diet containing 5% carob powder led to marked amelioration of histopathological lesions induced in ovaries, uterus and vagina by MSG attributed to the biological benefits of its phytochemical components.

3. Adverse effects of monosodium glutamate on the reproductive organs of adult Female albino rats and the possible ameliorated role of carob (Ceratonia Siliqua).
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Vol.2 No.3 -4 : Ameliorative effect of ginger extract against pathological alterations induced in mice bearing solid tumors.

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By : Osama M. Badr1, Saber A. Sakr2, Hala M. Abd-Eltawab1

Abstract

This study was prepared to explore the effect of ginger extract in defeating the Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) injected subcutaneously in mice and induced solid tumour. After the solid tumour formation; the mice were classified into four groups (control, tumour untreated, ginger and ginger & tumour). Eight mice were grouped separately in each cage. Mice were killed and dissected at the end of this investigation; liver and kidney were removed for histopathological study. The biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, Urea, Creatinine, MDA, SOD and CAT) were measured in the sera of all tested groups. Ginger extract ameliorated the histological structures of both liver and kidney to be near to control, modulated the elevated values of (ALT, AST, Urea, Creatinine and MDA) and reduced values of (SOD and CAT) to record slightly normal readings. Tumour volumes reduced significantly and the destructed genomic DNA retained the normal pattern. Ginger has no pathological effects on control mice.

4. Ameliorative effect of ginger extract against pathological alterations induced in mice bearing solid tumors.
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Vol.2 No.3 -5 : The protective effect of Coriandrum sativum L. oil against liver toxicity induced by Ibuprofen in rats.

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By : Hoda H. Baghdadi1,Fatma M.El-Demerdash2,Eman H. Radwan3, Sodfa Hussein4

Abstract

Ibuprofen (IBU) is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugused in the treatment of pain, fever and in inflammation.Coriandrum sativum is cultivated for its aromatic and medicinal uses. The present study aims to evaluatethe protective effect of Coriandrum sativum volatile oil on hepatotoxicityof IBU in rats. Five groups of albino rats were used.Group l(control),groupll (C.sativum oil,40 mg/kg B.W. for 14 day), group lll (IBU group,100mg/kg bodyweight B.W., for 14 day), group lV (IBU+ C.sativum oil) and groupV (recovery group).The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in the liver of different groups addition to the histological examination of the sections of liver. The results showed that IBU caused a significant decrease in the activity of ALT and AST in the liver. The histological examination of the liver showed many pathological changes. Administration of coriander volatile oilin the combination with IBU was able to significantly increase the activity of both AST and ALT, in the liver and caused a significant decrease in the deleterious effect induced by IBU. The present results confirm that the antioxidant activity of volatile oil of the Coriandrum sativum L., against hepatotoxicity of IBU.

5. The protective effect of Coriandrum sativum L. oil against liver toxicity induced by Ibuprofen in rats.
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Vol.2 No.3 -6 : Teratogenicity of sodium fluoride on newly born rats.

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By : Abdelalim A. Gadallah1,2

Abstract

Fluoride (F) is widely used to sterile drinking water against bacterial infection as well as for normal cleaning of teeth. Although intake of low doses of fluoride is required to prevent dental caries, increased uptake for long time injured bone and soft tissues causes fluorosis (Susheela, 1999). The present study aims to illustrate the teratogenicity and histopathological alterations of fluoride in maternal liver, kidney and thyroid glands. Twenty virgin female and male albino rats of Wistar strain at ratio of 2 female/ 1male were kept under good ventilation with controlled conditions and excess food and water were supplied ad libitum. Pregnant rats were arranged into two groups (n= 6) including, control and fluoride-intoxicated group. Body weight, size and crown rump length of newly born rats were determined. The offspring 1-day old were sacrificed by light anesthesia with diethyl ether and immediately fixed in 10% formal saline. Alizarin red S preparation of both control, and experimental groups were made and the incidences of deformed bones were recorded. Histological preparations of maternal liver, kidney and thyroid glands were made and examined under bright field light microscopy. Experimental group exhibited disruption of the normal integrity of hepatic lobules with prominent centrilobular necrosis and dilatation of blood sinusoids. Perivascular leukocytic cell infiltration was remarked with bile duct obliteration. Also, peritubular inflammatory cellular infiltration associated with degeneration of renal tubular lining epithelial cells and reduction of their tubular lumina were also detected. Degeneration of the thyroid follicles with marked reduction and vacuolation of colloid. Few numbers of the thyroid follicles exhibited exfoliation of their lining cells within their follicular lumina. Inter-follicular hemorrhage and congested blood vessels were remarked. Fluoride-intoxication showed abortion of one /6 mothers. There were numerical decreases of offspring of fluoride-intoxicated mother . Increase average of congenital malformations was observed.

6. Teratogenicity of sodium fluoride on newly born rats.
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Vol.2 No.3 -7 : Hematotoxicity of diazinon pesticide at different time intervals in male albino rats.

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By : Faten R. Abdel Ghaffar; Hany M. Ibrahim; Imam A. Hassouna; Ibrahim A. Elelaimy and Heba M. Abd El latif.

Abstract

Diazinon, an organophosphate insecticide has been used in agriculture for several years. The aim of the present study was to analyze the hematotoxic effects of diazinon (DZN) at different time intervals (10, 20 and 30 days) on adult male albino rats. The changes in some hematological parameters; RBCs count, Hb content, Ht%, RBCs indices, total and differential count of WBCs, Platelets count, PT, APTT and bleeding time; were investigated. The antioxidant system in RBCs membrane; GSH, GST, GR, GPx, CAT and SOD; as well as LPO, as oxidative stress marker, were estimated. The current study showed that; DZN (14.88 mg/kg b.w.) at different time intervals resulted in decline in RBCs count, Hb content, Ht value, total WBCs count, platelets count, and relative lymphocytes and monocytes counts when compared with their control groups. On the other side, DZN caused increase in MCV, MCH, relative granulocytes count, bleeding time, PT and APTT. Furthermore, DZN decreased the activity of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes (GST, GR, GPx, CAT and SOD) and GSH level. On the other hand, DZN caused increase in LPO. Generally, these all changes were directly proportional to the development of intoxication time. So, the current research concludes that DZN has hematotoxic effects which appeared in time-dependent manner.

7. Hematotoxicity of diazinon pesticide at different time intervals in male albino rats.
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Vol.2 No.3 -8 : Light and electron microscopic observations on the development and structure of the inner ear in the brown-spotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma (Serranidae, Teleostei).

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By : Mostafa A. Salem

Abstract

The development and structure of the inner ear were studied in the brown-spotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma, using light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy indicated: 1) The auditory or otic placode first appeared at 18 hours after fertilization (hatching time). It excavates forming a small sac called otic vesicle at 20 hours after fertilization. 2) At 24 hours (one day) after fertilization, the vesicle enlarged in size having a wide cavity with thin walls. 3) At two days after fertilization, the anterior and posterior semicircular canals seemed to be the first formed , while, the horizontal canal, the utricular and saccular cavities are differentiated at four days after fertilization. 4) At six days after fertilization, the saccular macula covered by an elongated otolith and the neuromasts of the ampulla in the semicircular canals are well established. 5) The crista ampullaris in the semicircular canals and the sensory regions in the utricular and saccular maculae become well visible and differentiated at nine days after fertilization. It was suggested that the hearing mechanism in the E. chlorostigma may be established early compared with other fishes. Electron microscopy on the sensory areas of the inner ear revealed: 1) The saccular macula contained two types of hair ciliary bundles; type C1 bundles characterized by short graded stereovilli and kinocilium that was approximately three times longer than the largest stereovillus and type C2 bundles consisted of a series of long graded stereovilli and a kinocilium that was no more than two times longer than the longest stereovillus. 2) The utricular macula contained type C3 bundles and type C4 ones. The type C3 bundles had a limited number of graded stereovilli and a kinocilium that had the same length of the longest stereovilli or somewhat longer, while the type C4 hair bundles consisted of numerous stereovilli with the same length and without a kinocilium. Three types of connectors (links) between the stereovilli were observed. The different types of ciliary bundles and sites of connectors are possibly of functional importance.

8. Light and electron microscopic observations on the development and structure of the inner ear in the brown-spotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma (Serranidae, Teleostei).
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