Protective Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Biopropolis and Royal Jelly against Aluminum Toxicity in Rats Magda E. Mahmoud1 and Samaa S. Elsoadaa2*

The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of ascorbic acid (AA), biopropolis and royal jelly in alleviating the toxicity of Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on body weight gain, feed efficiency and biochemical parameters in rats with hostological examination of sections from liver and kidney. Thirty female Wistar–Albino rats (160-170 g) were randomly divided into five equal groups of six rats each. As normal drinking water was given to the control group, while the four groups II, III, IV and V received 34 mg AlCl3/ L in drinking water daily. Group II received only AlCl3. Group III, IV and V were administrated orally with ascorbic acid, biopropolis and royal jelly, respectively at a dose 50 mg/kg bw twice a week for 8 weeks. AlCl3 decreased significantly body weight gain and feed efficiency. While treatment of ascorbic acid (AA), propolis and royal plus AlCl3 normalized their to control value. The relative weight (percent of body weight) of liver and kidney increased when compared with control while the brain did not illustrate any change. The level of urea, and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were increased, while total protein and albumin were decreased in serum of rats treated with AlCl3. It can be concluded that ascorbic acid, propolis and royal jelly have beneficial influences and could be able to antagonize AlCl3 toxicity. Keywords: Aluminum chloride: toxicity: ascorbic acid: biopropolis: royal jelly: rats

Relation between Hypercholesterolemia and Insulin like growth factor-1 in Elderly Women suffer from Hypothyroidism

The present study included 40 female subjects. They were classified into two groups: group I included 20 females diagnosed as primary hypothyroidism with age ranged between 45 – 65 years and group II included 20 ages matched normal female volunteers and served as control group. Insulin like growth factor -1, (IGF-1) cholesterol, triglycerides, Thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine-3 (T3) and thyroxine-4 (T4) hormones were measured in both groups. The obtained results revealed that, there was a significant decrease in IGF-1 level in group I, when compared to control group (P ? 0.01). Correlation studies showed that IGF-1 is strongly positively correlated with T3 (R=0.81, P ? 0.01) and moderately positively correlated with T4 (R= 0.58, P ? 0.05). Meanwhile, it was moderately negatively correlated with cholesterol (R= 0.6, P ? 0.05). The results indicate that IGF-1 deficiency in elder women suffering from ?hypothyroidism may have a direct relation in the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia. Keywords: Hypercholesterolemia: Insulin like growth factor -1: Elderly: Hypothyroidism: growth hormone: thyroid hormone: cholesterol

Prevalence of Energy Drinks Consumption among Adolescents and Young Adults in Makkah, KSA

Energy drinks are a carbonated beverage containing high amount of caffeine and sugar as well as added vitamins and other substances. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of energy drink consumption among adolescents and young adults in Makkah, KSA. Methods: cross sectional study was conducted during the academic year 1437 H. The study included 1190 participants. A convenience sample of 1190 participants (521 female – 669 male) were recruited of the study. They were categorized into two groups based on their age; group 1: 575adolescents (12-19 year) and group 2: 615young adults, aged (˃19-25 year). Self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of energy drink consumption. Questionnaire included five items: a) Demographic characteristics; b) Anthropometric measurements; c) Food Habits; d)Knowledge and believes; and E) Medical history. All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program, Version 20.0.Differences between males and females in respect of frequency of energy drinks intake were assessed by conducting a Chi-Square test. P- Value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: nearly half of the participants (46.73%) were consume energy drink. About (33.33%) from young adults male were consumed energy drinks while driving. Among young adult male who consumed energy drink, about 27.2% were drank more than 2 cans per day. 43.88% of young adult male were drank energy drink in the exam period. The most favorite energy drink was Code Red. Conclusion: energy drinks consumption is common practice among adolescents and young adults in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. We recommend further studies to evaluate the side effects of energy drinks consumption and factors that increase the consumption between adolescents and young adults. Also we recommend that handling of energy drinks to be under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. Keywords: Energy drinks, Adolescents, Young adult