Vol.2 No.11 -2 : Efficacy of saffron extract and fenugreek seeds supplementation on liver of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

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By : Doaa A. Ali , Hanaa Serag , Ahmed Abdeen and Radwa Refaat

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the possible hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of saffron extract (100mg/kg b.wt) and fenugreek supplementation (1.4 g/day/kg b.wt) in STZ- induced diabetic rats at biochemical, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural levels. The results indicated that a single dose of STZ (50 mg /kg b wt, i.p) caused a significant increase in serum and liver total lipids, total cholesterol and triglyceride as well as serum low density and a very low density lipoprotein, accompanied by an increase in serum glucose level and oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide level as well as serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities. The results also reported a significant decrease in the high density lipoprotein, serum and liver total protein, serum albumin and globulin contents and A/G ratio, as well as a significant decrease in serum insulin level and the liver enzyme activities and the hepatic glutathione content. Histologically, STZ treated group showed degenerative changes in the pancreas and alteration in the structural integrity of the hepatocytes and their intracellular organelles. Histochemically, liver sections of STZ treated animals displayed marked decrease in the glycogen and total protein contents. On the other hand, the intake of saffron or fenugreek minimize the disturbance observed in the most tested parameters resulted from STZ administration and improve the liver structure and functions. Finally, it can be concluded that the intake of natural product such as saffron or fenugreek may be effective in reducing the diabetic liver injury induced by streptozotocin and the fenugreek supplementation showed more amelioration than saffron extract.

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Vol.2 No.11 -1 : Screening for viral infection and anemia among pregnant women with bad pregnancy outcome in Egyptian population.

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By : Amer, A., Mona, K. Farag, Khaled, R. Gaber1, AlKhazindar, M and ElSayed, T

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health concern worldwide and in Egypt. Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is closely related to high risks of maternal complications Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is considered the most common cause of congenital malformation that results from viral intrauterine infection in developed countries. Anemia is one of the common complications that is associated with increased risk of bad pregnancy outcome including low birth weight and preterm birth. The aim of this study was to screen for HCV, CMV and anemia among pregnant women in Egyptian population. This prospective study was conducted at the Prenatal Diagnosis clinic in the National Research Centre between April 2013 and August 2015 and a total of 200 pregnant women during their second trimester of pregnancy were enrolled and divided into case group (150/200) with current or history of bad pregnancy outcome and control group (50/200) with no previous history of bad pregnancy outcome. All blood samples were tested for complete blood picture and liver enzyme tests and were screened by ELISA for Anti-HCV and CMV-IgG and IgM. After all investigations including medical and family history for all pregnant women included in the study, all data was statistically analyzed using spss version 19. Anemia was diagnosed in pregnant women with hemoglobin level below 11 g/dl and it was detected in 24 % (48/200) of the total pregnant females included in the study. Five cases tested positive for Anti-HCV antibody among all cases enrolled in the study and was found in the cases group 3.33% (5/150) while all pregnant women in the control group showed negative results. Screening for CMV showed 100 % CMV-IgG while we found 0 % CMV-IgM. Screening for anemia and serological screening for CMV and HCV antibodies should be routine tests especially among pregnant women.

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Vol.2 No.10 -1 : Effect of anti-sca-1+ on diabetic rat histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical evaluation.

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By : Bahgat El-Fiky , Saber A. Sakr , Sobhy Hassab El Nabi , Mona El Gawish , Asmaa Uonis and Ahmed EL Kattan.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of metabolic dysregulation most notable glucose metabolism accompanied by long term complications. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential effect of Anti-Sca-1+ stem cells on type 1 diabetes induced in albino rats. The study was carried on 7 male and 24 female Albino rats (150 ± 5g). The female albino rats were divided into three main groups: normal control, diabetic group and diabetic rats treated by Anti-Sca-1+. Induction of diabetic rats was carried out by single dose injection of fasting rats for 48 h with a diluted solution of 40 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate (2%) in freshly prepared saline solution. Diabetic rats treated group was slaughtered into two phases; the first phase after 15 days of treatment, and the second phase after 30 days of treatment. Tissue samples were separated and kept in absolute 10% formalin solution for histological and immunohistochemical studies. SRY gene expression and biochemical study of glucose tolerance, c-peptide, insulin, glycated hemoglobin and glucose transporter 2 was evaluated. The results showed that, treatment of diabetic rats, with derivative bone marrow (Anti-Sca-1+) could greatly ameliorate glucose, insulin, c-peptide, HbA1c and glut2, Hafter 15 and 30 days of treatment, as compared to normal control group and these were confirmed by histological and immunological investigations, which indicate significant progress in the pancreas tissue, by marked significant increase of pancreatic islets size and improvement in the acinar cells after 30 days of treatment by Anti-Sca-1+.

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Vol.2 No.10 -2 : Oral supplementation of aqueous Ginkgo biloba extract inhibits oxidative stress and hippocampus injury associated with methotrexate injection.

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By : Ehab Tousson , Ahmed Masoud; Afaf M. Elatrsh and Tamer Mostafa

Abstract

Methotrexate is effective for the treatment of a number of cancers including breast, lung, leukemia an osteosarcoma. This study was conducted to examine the possible modifying effects of Ginkgo biloba against hippocampal and brain toxicity induced by methotrexate in male albino rats. This could be fulfilled through the histological, immunohistochemically and biochemical analysis of hippocampal brain tissues. The experiments were performed on 36 male albino rats divided into 6 groups; the first and second groups were the control and Gingko groups respectively while the 3rd group methotrexate rat group; the 4th and the 5th groups were co- and post treated Methotrexate rat groups with Gingko respectively and the 6th group was methotrexate self-treated rat group. In brain homogenates Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in methotrexate group showed a significant increase when compared with control group, in contrast methotrexate-treated group also exhibited a significant decrease in brain antioxidants machinery represented by catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH) and total proteins. The histological changes consisted of destruction of oligodendrocytes, sometimes complete over large areas, and sometimes relatively slight. All the rats which survived long enough after treatment showed severe astrocytosis. Rats’ brains immunocytochemical results showed that GFAP-positive cells astrocytes increase after Exposure to (MTX) compared with the other groups.

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Vol.2 No.10 -3 : Effect of calcium ionophore A23187 on the sperm in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

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By : Abd El-Wahab El-Ghareeb , Ibrahim Yahia Abd el-Kadr , Amr Tharwat Al Ahwany , Aziza Mansour Ali and Ola Ismail Hassan

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of calcium ionophore A23187 on sperm in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using sperm from different sources. The 80 cycles evaluated were divided into four subgroups according to sperm quality and origin (normospermia- oligoathenoteratospermia–epidermal–testicular), subgroups were further split into experimental groups, depending on whether the spem treated or not treated with calcium ionophore. For each experimental subgroup, ICSI outcomes were compared between groups. In conclusion we found that using calcium ionophore increase the fertilization rate in case of sperm treatment with calcium ionophore before ICSI for oligoathenoteratospermia (OAT) & testicular subgroups, with enhancing embryos quality in testicular subgroup only .

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Vol.2 No.10 -5 : Modulation of boldenone induced hepatic and renal toxicity by Moringa oleiferaas in albino rats.

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By :

Abstract

Boldenone is an anabolic androgenic steroid and synthetic derivative of testosterone that was originally developed for veterinary use. Its use is very spread on veterinary medicine because its ability to increase protein synthesis. The aim of this study is to show the toxic effect in liver and kidney caused after the intramuscular injection of boldenone and focus on the role of Moringa oleifera as co-trateated substance in improving hepatic and renal toxicity of boldenone. 40 adult rats were equally divided into four main groups. Group A injected intramuscularly with olive oil, group B treated only with Moringa oleifera 200 mg/Kg body weight, group C injected with boldenone undecylenate only once every three weeks, and co-treated group D which received both intramuscular boldenone undecylenate once every three weeks beside intragastrically dose of of Moringa leaf extract twic-=0lie/week. The results showed that all the animals in the control groups (A and B) appeared healthy till the end of the experiment. The groups treated with boldenone showed a significant elevation in the levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, urea, and creatinine compared to the control group. While the oxidative stress in the groups treated with boldenone showed a significant increase in the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total protein, and total thiol and marked reduction in the level of Glutathione (GSH), Catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). On the other hand the groups treated with Moringa olifera showed a marked reduction in the level of ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, MDA, and NO. While the level of GSH, CAT, and SOD showed a significant increase comparing with the control group. These results explain the side effect of boldenone undecylenate on the liver and kidney which may cause hepatic and renal diseases and also the role of Moringa olifera in improving these results.

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Vol.2 No.10 -6 : Protective effect of garlic on methyl ethyl ketone-induced biochemical changes in male rabbits.

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By : Zuhair Y. A1-Sahhaf.

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of inhalation of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) on biochemical parameters of rabbits and the possible protective role of garlic aqueous extract. Animals were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as controls, group2 given garlic aqueous extract (0.2mg/ml, for a week), group 3 were inhaled (MEK) (500 ppm for 3 minutes daily for 4 weeks), group 4 inhaled MEK for 4 weeks and given garlic for another week. The results showed that exposing animals to MEK induced significant decrease in RBCs count, hemoglobin, hematocrit percentage and blood platelets. On the other hand, the WBCs count was increased. Triglycerides, cholesterol and transaminases (ALT and AST) were increased in the sera of treated rabbits. Rabbits inhaled MEK for two weeks and given garlic aqueous extract for another week showed an improvement of the hematological and biochemical parameters. It is concluded from the present results that garlic aqueous extract modulated toxicity of MEK and this may be attributed to the antioxidant activity of garlic constituents

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Vol.2 No.09 -1 : Distribution of bacteria in Lake Qarun, AL Fayoum, Egypt (2014 -2015) in relation to its physical and hydrochemical characterization.

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By : Mohamed Tawfiek Shaaban1, Hassan A.H. Ibrahim2, Amer Ahmed Mohammed Hanafi3

Abstract

The bacteriological monitoring of Lake Qarun water and sediment (aerobic heterotrophs, Staphylococcus sp., Vibrio sp. Aeromonas sp., S. feacalis, E. coli, and total coliform sp.) through the period of study (2014-2015) was carried out. Six common bacterial isolates were fully identified as; Bacillus firmus, Bacillus stratosphericus, Exiguobacterium mexicanum, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Halomonas stevensii, and Halomonas korlensis based on partial sequencing of 16Sr DNA. In addition, physical and chemical analyses of Lake Qarun water and sediment (pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, and nutrients) were estimated. The pH varied between 7.08 at sit I and 8.73 at sit V. The temperature varied between 15.6oC at sit VIII and 32.2oC at sit I. The salinity ranged between 3.18% at sit I and 51.72% at sit III. The dissolved oxygen fluctuated between 3.89 md/l at sit VI and 8.96 md/l at sit IV. The BOD ranged between 1.08 mg/l at sit VIII and 6.47 mg/l at sit IV. The COD varied between 11.36 mg/l at sit I and 53.64 mg/l at sit VIII. The phosphate in lake water varied between 1.453.4 μg/l at sit VIII and 498.4 μg/l at sit I. The ammonia ranged between 14.73 μg/l at sit II and 1485 μg/l at sit I. The nitrite varied between 4.10 μg/l at sit IV and 646.5 μg/l at sit I. The nitrate varied between 14.79 μg/l at sit III and 2138 μg/l at sit I. The silicate fluctuated between 894.6 μg/l at sit VI and 4682 μg/l at sit VII.

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Vol.2 No.09 -2 : Effect of noise on blood pressure and heart rate for some workers in Missan governorate, Iraq.

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By : Abbas,Ch. Mraissl1, Haitham, H. Abd2, Nadhm , A. Kalf2

Abstract

The noise has become a very important (stress factor) for the human community especially in industrial cities. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational noise level with arterial blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate , pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure for some workers from industrial region (Black smiths, Lath machine), Generators and Grinders. The data were collected between (The first of November -2015 to the Thirty of January -2016).The study group included (60) workers in various professions and exposed to the industrial noise levels with mean (97.25dB), with mean age (30.35) years and mean weight (72.46) Kg and mean height (168.86) cm. The control group consist of (30) subjects with mean age (31.45) years and mean weight (66.37) Kg and mean height(162.93)cm. taken from students and staff members of Missan university with some donors who never lived or worked in noisy environment. The results of this study showed significant changes in (P<0.05) for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure , mean arterial pressure in the workers for all occupations . It is concluded from this study that the industrial noise could be causal factor for cardiovascular disturbances and increase the blood pressure and heart rate in the workers during exposure to the industrial noise.

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Vol.2 No.09 -3 : Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory activity of Tabebuia rosea (Flowers).

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By : S.Solomon 1 M.M.Senthamilselvi2 N.Muruganantham3

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of the sample isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of flowers of Tabebuia rosea. Anti-inflammatory activity of the sample was determined by HRBC membrane stabilization and Albumin denaturation methods. Anti-oxidant activity of the sample was determined by DPPH assay and ABTS method. The results of the study suggest that the sample isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

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