The Potential Effects of Quercetin-Loaded Nanoliposomes on Amoxicillin/Clavulanate-Induced Hepatic Damage: Targeting the SIRT1/Nrf2/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Microbiota Modulation

Amoxicillin/clavulanate (Co-Amox), a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial infections, has been associated with drug-induced liver damage. Quercetin (QR), a naturally occurring flavonoid with pleiotropic biological activities, has poor water solubility and low bioavailability. The objective of this work was to produce a more bioavailable formulation of QR (liposomes) and to determine the effect of its intraperitoneal pretreatment on the amelioration of Co-Amox-induced liver damage in male rats. Four groups of rats were defined: control, QR liposomes (QR-lipo), Co-Amox, and Co-Amox and QR-lipo. Liver injury severity in rats was evaluated for all groups through measurement of serum liver enzymes, liver antioxidant status, proinflammatory mediators, and microbiota modulation. The results revealed that QR-lipo reduced the severity of Co-Amox-induced hepatic damage in rats, as indicated by a reduction in serum liver enzymes and total liver antioxidant capacity. In addition, QR-lipo upregulated antioxidant transcription factors SIRT1 and Nrf2 and downregulated liver proinflammatory signatures, including IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and iNOS, with upregulation in the anti-inflammatory one, IL10. QR-lipo also prevented Co-Amox-induced gut dysbiosis by favoring the colonization of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides over Clostridium and Enterobacteriaceae. These results suggested that QR-lipo ameliorates Co-Amox-induced liver damage by targeting SIRT1/Nrf2/NF-κB and modulating the microbiota

Mixed venous versus central venous oxygen saturation in patients undergoing on pump beating coronary artery bypass grafting

<b>Objective:</b> To examine the validity of central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂ ) as a numerical substitution of mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂ ) in adult patients undergoing normothermic on pump beating coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). <b> Materials and Methods:</b> Prospective clinical observational study was done at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thirty four adult patients scheduled for coronary artery surgery were included. Patients were monitored by a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) as a part of our routine intraoperative monitoring. SvO₂ and ScvO₂ were simultaneously measured 15 minutes (<i>T</i>1) and 30 minutes (<i>T</i>2) after induction of anesthesia, 15 and 30 minutes after initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (<i>T</i>3 and <i>T</i>4), and 15 and 30 minutes after admission to intensive care unit (<i>T</i>5 and <i>T</i>6). <b> Results: </b> ScvO₂ showed higher reading than SvO₂ all through our study. Our results showed perfect positive statistically significant correlation between SvO₂ and ScvO₂ at all data points. Individual mean of difference (MOD) between both the readings at study time showed MOD of 1.34 and 1.44 at <i>T</i>1 and <i>T</i>2 simultaneously. This MOD was statistically insignificant, but after on pump beating normothermic bypass was initiated; MOD was 5.2 and 4.4 at <i>T</i>3 and <i>T</i>4 with high statistical significance. In ICU, MOD continues to have high statistical significance, MOD was 6.3 at <i>T</i>5 and at <i>T</i>6 it was 4.6. <b> Conclusions:</b> In on pump beating CABG patients; ScvO₂ and SvO₂ are not interchangeable numerically. ScvO₂ is useful in the meaning of trend; our data suggest that ScvO₂ is equivalent to SvO₂ , only in the course of clinical decisions as long as absolute values are not required

Threatened Prunus arabica in an ancient volcanic protected area of Saudi Arabia: Floristic diversity and plant associations

Prunus arabica (Oliv.) Meikle is an endangered shrub with a restricted distribution, which inhabits banks of flood flow channels in small sites of ancient volcanic activity dominated by black basaltic boulders within the Harrat Al-Harrah protectorate, Northern Saudi Arabia. It is with limited information about its ecology and hence, the present study is focusing on its phytosociological behavior and ecological features. The multi-methodological approach comprised species description, vegetation sampling and soil composition of 9 study sites at Harrat Al-Harrah protectorate. The application of TWINSPAN, DCA and CCA multivariate analyses led to identify 3 vegetation groups (VGI: Pulicaria undulata-Prunus arabica, VGII: Prunus arabica–Artemisia seiberi, VGIII: Artemisia seiberi-Achillea fragrantissima) associated with the distribution of P. arabica. The environmental variables that affect P. arabica and its main ecological features had been estimated and discussed. The present study concludes that the main reasons for its threatened and endangerment are seemingly due to overgrazing, poor rainfall, drought, shifting and destruction of its suitable habitat area. Keywords: Autecology, Endangered plant, Floristic diversity, Harrat Al-Harra