SULPHATED POLYSACCHARIDES (SPS) FROM THE GREEN ALGA ULVA FASCIATA EXTRACT MODULATES LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION IN HIGH FAT DIET-INDUCED HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RATS

Objective: Hypercholesterolemia (HC) was frequently associated with oxidative stress, and release of inflammatory cytokines is to determine the hypolipidemic effects of sulphated polysaccharides from seaweed Ulva fasciata algal extracts through measuring the activities of some parameters related to liver and kidney functions in the serum of hypercholesterolemic rats as compared to normal one.Methods: Different groups of rats were administered a high cholesterol diet. Liver and kidney functions, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, CRP, MPO and IL-10), oxidative stress (GSH, MDA and NO), in addition to cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were assessed before and after treatment with the algal polysaccharides. In addition, histological examination of liver and kidney were performed to confirm the biochemical findings.Results: The obtained results showed that oxidative stress and inflammatory markers associated with hypercholesterolemia were significantly increased in HC-rats. The histopathological examination of liver and kidney demonstrated severe degeneration with diffuse vacuolar degeneration, necrosis and the presence of fatty droplets. In addition; nephron-histological examination revealed, mild glomerular injury with mild vascular and inflammatory changes. Treatment with the algal sulphated polysaccharides effectively improved these disorders and diminished the formation of fatty liver, as well as renal dysfunction more than the reference drug; fluvastatin. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the consumption of UFP (Ulva fasciata polysaccharides), may be associated with attenuation of inflammatory markers, amelioration of fatty liver and improvement of renal dysfunction, that in turn lead to counteract hypercholesterolemia and its related disorders; such as obesity, and heart disease.Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Seaweed, Ulva fasciata, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypolipidemic activity, Sulphated polysaccharides (SPs

Selection of the appropriate method for the assessment of insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is one of the major aggravating factors for metabolic syndrome. There are many methods available for estimation of insulin resistance which range from complex techniques down to simple indices. For all methods of assessing insulin resistance it is essential that their validity and reliability is established before using them as investigations. The reference techniques of hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp and its alternative the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test are the most reliable methods available for estimating insulin resistance. However, many simple methods, from which indices can be derived, have been assessed and validated e.g. homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Given the increasing number of simple indices of IR it may be difficult for clinicians and researchers to select the most appropriate index for their studies. This review therefore provides guidelines and advices which must be considered before proceeding with a study

The Possible Improving Effects of γ-Irradiated and/or Extruded Soy Flour on Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is serious conditions that can cause fatal complications without careful management. Among the dietary supplementation with functional food, soybeans possess variety of antioxidant compounds that may lower incidence of hypercholesterolemia and degenerative cardiovascular disease. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of gammairradiated and/or extruded soy flour on hypercholesterolemic rats. Processing of soy flour by γ-irradiation and/or extrusion reduced the amount of antinutritional factors such as tannin and trypsin inhibitor and resulted in different changes in the total amino acids and fatty acid contents. The animals maintained on the HCD showed remarkable decrease in the level of HDL-C associated with significant increase in the values of serum total lipid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, vLDL-C and the risk ratio in addition to serum concentration of urea, creatinine and uric acid in comparison with those of the control group. However, dietary supplementation of raw and treated soy flour resulted in reduction in the bad changes induced by HCD in the above mentioned parameters. In conclusion, treated soy flour supplementation in diet of rats pointed out to its hypocholesterolemic effect and its ability to improve lipid profile and kidney function of hypercholesterolemic rats

Purification and characterization of pectin methylesterase isoenzymes from orange peel

No Abstract. The Egyptian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Vol. 24(1) 2006: 73-9

Synergistic effect of ACE and AGT genes in coronary artery disease

Polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes influence the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and are connected with heart diseases. We explore the potential associations of ACE (I/D) and AGT (M235T) gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of one hundred and twenty Egyptian patients (Sixty with CAD and sixty without CAD) and fifty healthy control subjects were included in the study. Genotyping of ACE (I/D) and AGT (M235T) were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C) were measured by the enzymatic colorimetric method. Our data showed that the ACE D allele frequency (P < 0.0001; odds ratio [OR] = 2.538, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.468–4.388), DD genotype (P < 0.0001, OR = 0.239, 95% CI = 0.066–0.866), the frequency of AGT T allele (P < 0.0001, OR = 2.915, 95% CI = 1.666–5.097) and TT genotype (P < 0001, OR = 0.316, 95% CI = 0.078–1.280) were significantly more prevalent among CAD patients and may be predisposing to CAD. We further found that the concomitant presence of the ACE-DD and AGT-TT genotypes increased the risk of CAD (P = 0.017, OR = 0.120, 95% CI = 0.042–0.347). This study demonstrated the contribution of ACE (I/D) and AGT (M235T) gene polymorphisms individually or in combination to the presence of CAD risk in the Egyptian population. The ACE D allele and AGT T allele may be predictive in individuals at risk of developing CAD

Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease grades with the plasma cell antigen-1 (PC-1) gene polymorphism

Background and aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complicated disease linked with dietary habitats, obesity, and a range of comorbidities correlated with insulin resistance.Although environmental parameters are essential in deciding risk of the disease, proofs from previous reports sustain the hypothesis that genetics are responsible for NAFLD developmentand progression. Plasma cell antigen-1 (PC-1) and its gene polymorphism are associated with NAFLD progression. Consequently, the object of this study was to detect the usefulness of PC-1 K121Q gene polymorphism in NAFLD progression. Subjects and methods: A total of 87 NAFLD patients were included in the study and subdivided ultrasonographically into 31 patients with grade 1 (mild NAFLD), 26 patients with grade 2 (moderate NAFLD) and 30 patients with grade 3 (severe NAFLD), in addition to 47 normal controls. The detection of PC-1 K121Q gene polymorphism was accomplished by using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR. Results: Lipid profile parameters were associated with the incidence of NAFLD. AlthoughPC-1 gene polymorphism didnot significantly change in parallel with NAFLD grades, PC-1 at the genetic and protein level was significantly associated with triacylglycerollevels in NAFLD patients. Conclusion: Lipid profile indices are risk factors for the incidence of NAFLD. Triacylglycerol (TAG) level is the hall-mark in the NAFLD pathogenesis and in the predisposition of PC-1 gene polymorphism. Keywords: NAFLD, Triacylglycerol (TAG), Plasma cell antigen-1 (PC-1

Viruses in the Mammalian Male Genital Tract and Their Effects on the Reproductive System

This review describes the various viruses identified in the semen and reproductive tracts of mammals (including humans), their distribution in tissues and fluids, their possible cell targets, and the functional consequences of their infectivity on the reproductive and endocrine systems. The consequences of these viral infections on the reproductive tract and semen can be extremely serious in terms of organ integrity, development of pathological and cancerous processes, and transmission of diseases. Furthermore, of essential importance is the fact that viral infection of the testicular cells may result not only in changes in testicular function, a serious risk for the fertility and general health of the individual (such as a fall in testosteronemia leading to cachexia), but also in the possible transmission of virus-induced mutations to subsequent generations. In addition to providing an exhaustive account of the data available in these domains, this review focuses attention on the fact that the interface between endocrinology and virology has so far been poorly explored, particularly when major health, social and economical problems are posed. Our conclusions highlight the research strategies that need to be developed. Progress in all these domains is essential for the development of new treatment strategies to eradicate viruses and to correct the virus-induced dysfunction of the endocrine system