Protective Effect of Cafestol on Doxorubicin-induced Genotoxicity in Rats

Doxorubicin is an efficient antineoplastic agent that has a broad antitumour spectrum; however, its genotoxic adverse effects on normal cells can be produced through oxidative damage, and this limits its clinical application. Cafestol is a naturally-occurring diterpene in unfiltered coffee with noteworthy antioxidant, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of cafestol against doxorubicin-induced chromosomal and DNA damage in rat bone marrow cells. Wistar Albino rats of both sexes were administered cafestol (5mg/kg body weight once daily for 14 consecutive days) by oral gavage alone or with doxorubicin which was injected as a single dose (90 mg/kg intraperitoneally at day 14) to induce toxicity. The bone marrow was harvested 24 hours after doxorubicin’s injection in all groups for the assessment of structural chromosomal aberration, micronucleus, and comet assays. The result showed that rats in the doxorubicin-only group exhibited a significant decrease (P<0.05) in mitotic index with a significant elevation (P<0.05) in the % DNA in Tail, micronucleus appearance and total structural chromosomal aberrations compared to those of the negative control group; while oral administration of cafestol 14 days prior to doxorubicin, significantly-reduced the % DNA in Tail, micronucleus appearance, and the total number of chromosomal aberrations (P<0.05), and improved the mitotic index compared to rats intraperitoneally-injected with doxorubicin alone. This study revealed that cafestol has protective effects against the genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin

Effects of Vitamin E and Q10 Supplementation against Doxorubicin-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Objective: This work was designed to investigate the effect of Vitamin E and the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on neurotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DOX) in rats.Methods: Forty-nine adult Albino rats of both sexes were utilized in this study; animals were randomly enrolled into seven groups of seven animals each. Group I: Control (rats administered corn oil); Group II: Vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks; Group III: CoQ10 at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks; Group IV: DOX (2.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (IP) injected every other day for 2 weeks; Group V: Vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day) orally administered for 3 weeks prior to a DOX 2.5 mg/kg IP injected every other day for 2 weeks; Group VI: CoQ10 (50 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks orally administered prior to an IP dose of DOX 2.5 mg/kg every other day for 2 weeks; and Group VII: CoQ10 (50 mg/kg/day), Vitamin E (100 mg/kg) for 3 weeks orally administered prior to an IP dose of DOX 2.5 mg/kg every other day for 2 weeks. Twenty-four hour after the end of the treatment duration, brain of each animal was excised and part of it to be utilized to prepare homogenate for the estimation of caspase-3 (CASP-3), and the remaining part is used for immunohistochemistry examination and to estimate the percent of apoptotic index by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.Results: Vitamin E and CoQ10 significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced CASP-3, reduced the percent apoptotic index of TUNEL-assay, and there was an improvement in the immunohistochemistry of rats' brain in Groups V, Group VI, and group VII by reducing number of apoptotic cells compared to Group IV.Conclusion: Both Vitamin E and CoQ10 may have a protective effect against DOX-induced neurotoxicity in rats

Study the Influence of Captopril on Bone Metabolism in Elderly Hypertensive Women

Widespread use of antihypertensive agents in clinical practice necessitates the knowledge of their pleiotropic effects. At the present time there are no sufficient evidences of positive effect of these medications on bone coming from randomized controlled trials; knowledge of additional effects of those drugs on the bone metabolism will allow doctors to choose optimal treatment of hypertension, taking into account the state of bone tissue. At the same time it will also allow to prevent osteoporosis in patients having osteoporosis risk factors or initial signs of bone loss. Ten elderly hypertensive women age > 60 years old (64.23.6) treated with captopril for a 5-6 years ago while they attending Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad; in addition, newly-diagnosed hypertensives, and normotensive of the aged-matched women were participated in this study that were conducted during the period (January- May 2014). Measurement of serum calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase activity, and parathyroid hormone were done, in addition to spine mineral density and t-score of such bone density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences in the serum levels of calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, total alkaline phosphatase activity, and parathyroid hormone in postmenopausal hypertensive women treated for 5-6 years with captopril compared to newly-diagnosed and to aged-matched normotensive women. In addition, non-significant differences were observed in the level of bone mineral density and t score of bone mineral density in all groups of the study. In conclusion, the present study provides additional knowledge concerning the influence of captopril treatment on some selected parameters of bone metabolism in elderly hypertensive women. Keywords: Captopril, Bone metabolism, Elderly women, Hypertension, Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry

Impact of Al-Najebiya thermal energy power plant on aquatic ecosystem of Garmat Ali canal.

Monthly variations in concentrations of nutrients (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicates) along with total dissolved solids (TDS) were investigated in Al-Najebiya electricity power generating station (N.S).The study extended from November 1997 to October 1998. Three sites were selected for sampling, based on intake and discharge points. The lowest nitrite value (0.15 µg at. N/L) was encountered in November and the highest (1.37 µg at. N/L) in January. Nitrate (NO3) revealed considerable rise in concentrations near effluent, as well, and the highest (34.95 µg at. N/L) was in August. Maximum value of phosphate (4.75 µg at. P/L) was encountered near the effluent discharging point. Silicate (SiO3) concentration was also distinctly high in this site, the maximum value (201.1 µg at. Si/L) recorded in August. TDS exhibited higher concentrations in sites closer to thermal discharge as well (1675mg/L). No previous ecological, long or short term, work of the type was recorded for the investigated site or any other similar locations in the country.

Impact of Al-Najebiya thermal energy power plant on aquatic ecosystem of Garmat Ali canal.

Monthly variations in concentrations of nutrients (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silicates) along with total dissolved solids (TDS) were investigated in Al-Najebiya electricity power generating station (N.S).The study extended from November 1997 to October 1998. Three sites were selected for sampling, based on intake and discharge points. The lowest nitrite value (0.1

The effects of short-term JNK inhibition on the survival and growth of aged sympathetic neurons

During the course of normal aging, certain populations of nerve growth factor (NGF)-responsive neurons become selectively vulnerable to cell death. Studies using dissociated neurons isolated from neonates have shown that c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are important in regulating the survival and neurite outgrowth of NGF-responsive sympathetic neurons. Unlike neonatal neurons, adult sympathetic neurons are not dependent on NGF for their survival. Moreover, the NGF precursor, proNGF, is neurotoxic for aging but not young adult NGF-responsive neurons. Because of these age-related differences, the effects of JNK inhibition on the survival and growth of sympathetic neurons isolated from aged mice were studied. Aged neurons, as well as glia, were found to be dependent on JNK for their growth but not their survival. Conversely, proNGF neurotoxicity was JNK-dependent and mediated by the p75-interacting protein NRAGE, whereas neurite outgrowth was independent of NRAGE. These results have implications for the potential use of JNK inhibitors as therapies for ameliorating age-related neurodegenerative disease

Self-medication among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities – Iraq

Background: Self-medication (SM) is a worldwide issue, that has serious adverse effects on individuals and communities. Objective:  To estimate the prevalence of self- medication   among medical student in Anbar and Falluja Universities and to explore the important reasons for using self-medication.  To identify the common sources and types of self-medication drugs. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students in Anbar   and Fallujah Universities during the period from February to March 2018.  The subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire that consisted of questions on age, gender and educational level, in addition to questions for self-medication history. Results: The results revealed that 73% of medical students had practice of self- medication. A higher prevalence of self-medication was  found among 5th study year students. Antibiotics were the most frequent self-prescribe medicine that used by 137 (49.6%) of the participants, followed by analgesic (29%), and supplements by 40 (14.5%).  The most frequently given reasons for using self-medication were previous prescription and of pharmacists’ advice. Conclusion: A high prevalence of self- medication was found among medical students in Falluja & Anbar Universities with a statistical significant association between gender and self- medication practice

C-reactive protein is essential for innate resistance to pneumococcal infection

Summary: No deficiency of human C-reactive protein (CRP), or even structural polymorphism of the protein, has yet been reported so its physiological role is not known. Here we show for the first time that CRP-deficient mice are remarkably susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and are protected by reconstitution with isolated pure human CRP, or by anti-pneumococcal antibodies. Autologous mouse CRP is evidently essential for innate resistance to pneumococcal infection before antibodies are produced. Our findings are consistent with the significant association between clinical pneumococcal infection and non-coding human CRP gene polymorphisms which affect CRP expression. Deficiency or loss of function variation in CRP may therefore be lethal at the first early-life encounter with this ubiquitous virulent pathogen, explaining the invariant presence and structure of CRP in human adults

The impact of herbal infusion consumption on oxidative stress and cancer: The good, the bad, the misunderstood

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is associated with the development of many ailments, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. The causal link between oxidative stress and cancer is well established and antioxidants are suggested as a protective mechanism against cancer development. Recently, an increase in the consumption of antioxidant supplements was observed globally. The main sources of these antioxidants include fruits, vegetables, and beverage. Herbal infusions are highly popular beverages consumed daily for different reasons. Studies showed the potent antioxidant effects of plants used in the preparation of some herbal infusions. Such herbal infusions represent an important source of antioxidants and can be used as a dietary protection against cancer. However, uncontrolled consumption of herbal infusions may cause toxicity and reduced antioxidant activity. In this review, eleven widely consumed herbal infusions were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities, anticancer potential and possible toxicity. These herbal infusions are highly popular and consumed as daily drinks in different countries. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid ground for researchers to have better understanding of the use of herbal infusions to reduce oxidative stress and as protective supplements against cancer development

Carotid artery injury from an airgun pellet: a case report and review of the literature

Historically airguns were powerful weapons. Modern models, though less lethal, are still capable of inflicting serious or life threatening injuries. Current United Kingdom legislation fails to take into the account the capacity for airguns to maim and kill. We believe that airguns should be governed by the same law that applies to firearms. We present a case of a potentially fatal airgun injury to the neck. The airgun pellet caused a defect in the anterior wall of the external carotid artery, which required rapid access and surgical repair. We discuss the mechanism of airgun injury and review the literature in terms of investigation and management