THE THERAPEUTIC AND NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF GREEN TEA IN A RAT MODEL OF TERLIPRESSIN-INDUCED CHRONIC HYPONATREMIA

Objective: Hyponatremia (HN) is associated with mortality and morbidity risks due to the development of hyponatremic encephalopathy. Its rapid correction also carries a high risk of development of the serious cerebral disorder. This study investigated the possible therapeutic and neuroprotective effects of the green tea (GT) extract against HN and its complications in rats and compared those effects with the outcome of the rapid correction of chronic HN using hypertonic saline (HtNaCl). Methods: Chronic HN was induced using terlipressin (TP; 0.2 mg/kg, s. c) and 2.5% d-glucose solution (equivalent to 5% initial bw/day, i. p) for 3 d. A stabilizing dose of TP (0.1 mg/kg) was used for the following 3 d, along with administration of either saline, GT (600 mg/kg/day, p. o), or HtNaCl (15 ml/kg/day, i. p). Serum sodium level, locomotor activity, pain reflex, and brain contents of iNOS and NO were assessed, together with a histopathological examination of brain tissues. Results: TP-induced profound chronic HN that was corrected with administration of GT and HtNaCl. In a GT-treated group, correction of HN was coupled with improvement of TP-induced alteration of locomotor activity and brain histopathological picture. Elevation of brain iNOS and NO contents, along with detection of focal cellular necrosis and gliovascular proliferation changes in the HtNaCl-treated group indicated neuro pathological complications are accompanying the correction of HN with HtNaCl; a result that was not found in the GT-treated group. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that GT corrected HN induced by TP in rats, and protected against the neuropathological features that characterized hyponatremic encephalopathy and accompanied with its rapid correction. Keywords: Green tea, Terlipressin, Hyponatremia, Hyponatremic encephalopathy, iNOS, RatÂ

Protective Effects of the Third Generation Vasodilatory Î’eta - Blocker Nebivolol against D-Galactosamine - Induced Hepatorenal Syndrome in Rats

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is very common in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The development of renal failure in the absence of clinical, anatomical or pathological causes renal of failure is termed hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).AIM: The present study was constructed to investigate the possible protective effects of nebivolol (Nebi) against D-galactosamine (Gal)-induced HRS in rats.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were treated with Nebi for ten successive days. On the 8th day of the experiment, they received a single dose of Gal. Serum levels of Cr, BUN, Na+ and K+ as well as AST, ALT, total bilirubin (TB), NH3 and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were determined following Gal administration. Moreover, renal and liver contents of MDA, GSH, F2-isoprostanes (F2-IPs), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-кB), total nitric oxide (NO), in addition to activities of caspase-3 (Cas-3), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inducible and endothelial NO synthase (iNOS and eNOS) enzymes were also assessed. Finally, histopathological examination was performed.RESULTS: Nebi attenuated Gal-induced renal and hepatic dysfunction. It also decreased the Gal-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory recruitment.CONCLUSION: Results demonstrated both nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of Nebi against HRS and suggested a role of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and NO-releasing properties

Protective Effects of Vasodilatory Î’eta-Blockers Carvedilol and Nebivolol against Glycerol Model of Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Rats

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis (RM)-induced acute renal failure (ARF) accounts for about 10–40% of all cases of ARF.AIM: The present study investigated the possible protective effect of two nitric oxides (NO)-releasing third generation β-blockers, carvedilol (Carv) and nebivolol (Nebi), against RM-mimicking glycerol (Gly)-induced ARF in rats.MATERIAL AND METHODS: After 24 h dehydration, rats received a single dose of 50% Gly (8 ml/kg, im). They were treated with vehicle, Carv (2.5 mg/kg/day, po) or Nebi (10 mg/kg, po) for 3 successive days starting from an hour prior to Gly injection. Evaluation of blood pressure and locomotor activity was performed during the experiment. 72 h following Gly administration, total protein in the urine, serum levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, sodium and potassium as well as the renal contents of malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and NO were assessed, together with a histopathological examination of renal tissues.RESULTS: Carv and Nebi attenuated Gly-induced renal dysfunction and histopathological alterations. They decreased the Gly-induced oxidative stress and increased renal NO concentration. Restoration of normal blood pressure and improvement of locomotor activity were also observed.CONCLUSION: The results clearly demonstrate protective effects of Carv and Nebi against renal damage involved in RM-induced ARF and suggest a role of their antioxidant and NO-releasing properties

Assessment of the Quality of Life, Prevalence of Depression, and the Level of Interleukin 6 in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening, autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes, exerting a detrimental effect on the quality of life (QOL). Our aim was to evaluate the psychological status and QOL of patients with PV and investigate Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a possible contributor to the pathogenesis of pemphigus and associated depression. The study included 22 patients with PV, 21 patients with depression, and 20 normal controls. All the 63 participants were subjected to assessment of their QOL, psychiatric profile, as well as estimation of serum level of IL-6. All (100%) of the included patients with PV had a negative effect on their QOL, which was significant compared with controls (P<0.001). Among patients with PV, 13 patients (59.1%) had depression. IL-6 was non-significantly elevated in the pemphigus group when compared with the controls (P=0.057). QOL was significantly worse in the depressed pemphigus subgroup compared with the non-depressed pemphigus subgroup (P=0.006 and <0.001) respectively. However, IL-6 was non-significantly elevated in the depressed pemphigus subgroup compared with the non-depressed pemphigus subgroup (P=0.095). A marked deterioration in the QOL was observed in patients with pemphigus. More than 50%, but not all, of patients with pemphigus had depression. IL-6 was non-significantly elevated in patients with pemphigu

Assessment of the Quality of Life, Prevalence of Depression, and the Level of Interleukin 6 in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening, autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes, exerting a detrimental effect on the quality of life (QOL). Our aim was to evaluate the psychological status and QOL of patients with PV and investigate Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a possible contributor to the pathogenesis of pemphigus and associated depression. The study included 22 patients with PV, 21 patients with depression, and 20 normal controls. All the 63 participants were subjected to assessment of their QOL, psychiatric profile, as well as estimation of serum level of IL-6. All (100%) of the included patients with PV had a negative effect on their QOL, which was significant compared with controls (P<0.001). Among patients with PV, 13 patients (59.1%) had depression. IL-6 was non-significantly elevated in the pemphigus group when compared with the controls (P=0.057). QOL was significantly worse in the depressed pemphigus subgroup compared with the non-depressed pemphigus subgroup (P=0.006 and <0.001) respectively. However, IL-6 was non-significantly elevated in the depressed pemphigus subgroup compared with the non-depressed pemphigus subgroup (P=0.095). A marked deterioration in the QOL was observed in patients with pemphigus. More than 50%, but not all, of patients with pemphigus had depression. IL-6 was non-significantly elevated in patients with pemphigus

Crude Coal Tar and Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (Modified Goeckerman Technique) in Treatment of Psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that has a substantial impact on the quality of life. Goeckerman\u27s technique (GT) has been recruited for the treatment of psoriasis with high clearance rates and long periods of remission.Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that has a substantial impact on the quality of life. Goeckerman’s technique (GT) has been implemented for the treatment of psoriasis with high clearance rates and long periods of remission. The objective of this article was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified GT (crude coal tar 2.5% plus UVA) as an alternative therapeutic modality for psoriatic patients with skin types III-V. Twenty two patients with moderate, severe, and erythrodermic psoriasis were included in this study. All patients received modified GT (crude coal tar 2.5% plus UVA) six days per week for a period of 3 months. Assessment of the rate of reduction of psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was performed, as well as photographic documentation of each patient at baseline and after completion of therapy. There was a significant reduction in PASI scores after therapy in all patients (P=0.001). The rate of PASI reduction after therapy was &gt;50% in 63.6% of patients; 27.3% of patients achieved &gt;75% reduction and 9.1% of patients achieved 26-50% reduction. No serious side effects were reported in any of the patients. Modified GT is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with moderate and severe psoriasis.</p

Lactoferrin Enhanced Apoptosis and Protected Against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is the common pathologic consequence of all chronic liver diseases.AIM: Lactoferrin (Lf) was investigated for its possible hepatoprotective effect against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis rat model.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats received TAA (200 mg/kg/biweekly, ip) for four successive weeks. Lf (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or vehicle (VHC) was administered for one month before and another month during TAA injection. Body weight and mortality rate were assessed during the month of TAA-intoxication. Thereafter, serum and liver tissues were analyzed for liver function, oxidative, fibrotic and apoptotic markers.RESULTS: Lf conserved rats against TAA-induced body weight-loss and mortality. Preservation of serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin levels was also observed. Lf also protected rats against TAA-induced decrease in reduced glutathione and increase in malondialdehyde liver contents. Normal liver contents of hydroxyproline, nuclear factor kappa B and alpha fetoprotein; as markers of fibrosis; were increased with TAA and conserved with Lf-TAA. Lf maintained the normal architecture of the liver and immunohistochemical findings revealed increase in apoptotic bodies compared to TAA that favored necrosis.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Lf improved liver function, reduced oxidative stress and liver fibrosis, and enhanced apoptosis in rats with liver fibrosis, suggesting it to have useful therapeutic potential in patients with liver fibrosis

Is there a Link between Human Herpes Virus Infection and Toll-like Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Pityriasis Rosea? A Case-control Study

Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 and 7 are involved in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea (PR). Our aim was to evaluate the role of the innate immune response in PR through the detection of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 expression in the skin of affected patients and to detect the possibility of being induced by HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 viral coexistence in these patients. Twenty-four patients with PR and 24 healthy controls were included in this case-control study. Biopsy was obtained from the PR lesion and from the healthy skin of controls for detection of HHV-6 and 7 as well as TLRs 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significantly elevated expression of all studied TLRs and significantly higher viral load of HHV-6 and 7 in PR cases were detected. A significant higher expression of TLR2 and 4 in HHV-7 positive cases and a significant positive correlation between TLR9 and HHV-7 viral load were documented. HHV6 and 7 may also be involved in the pathogenesis of PR via TLR pathways  </p