PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE AND BAKER YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AGAINST HEPATIC TOXICITY INDUCED BY VALPROATE AS ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUG IN RATS

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the protective role of L-carnitine and baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) against the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) induced toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver.Methods: Chronic administration of sodium valproate was studied by oral administration of VPA for six months. The protective effect was conducted by an administration of L-carnitine or/and baker yeast for one month before chronic administration of VPA. Some biochemical parameters, lipid profile, oxidative stress and histopathological studies were analyzed.Results: Chronic administration of VPA for six months caused a significant increase in serum amino transferases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total lipids, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as oxidative stress; malodialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide. While decreased total protein, albumin, and globulin in addition to glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The administration of L-carnitine and baker yeast cause significant decreases in the activities of AST, ALT, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, LDL level and MDA levels and return the levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, glutathione peroxidase and SOD to the normal levels. Histopathological results revealed improvement of the liver structure.Conclusion: L-carnitine and baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) offer protection to the liver by preserving the structural integrity of hepatocellular membrane against sodium valproate induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress.Â

The beneficial roles of insulin and parathyroid hormones in the treatment of experimentally induced diabetic osteoporosis in female rats: bone mineral density, morphometric and histological studies

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoporosis are two frequent medical conditions with an increasing prevalence in elderly people and are responsible for large number of incurable fractures. This study is designed experimentally in female rats in order to determine whether combined treatment of insulin and parathyroid hormone (PTH) enhances the reversibility of the osteoporotic changes that occurred in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM. Materials and methods: In this study, 30 adult female rats aged 3 months were used, they were randomly divided into: control group (6 rats) and diabetes group (24 rats), in which experimental DM was induced by i.p. injection of a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg/body weight). Diabetic group was further divided into four subgroups (6 rats each): non-treated diabetic, insulin-treated (8–12 units s.c./day of Humalin U-40), PTH-treated (6.0 μg s.c./kg/day) and combined insulin and PTH-treated subgroups. All tested groups were assessed for body weight, food and water consumptions. Results: At the end of the experimental period, the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured for all rats of different groups; then the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for measuring glucose, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels. Right femora were dissected out and subjected to measurement of diameter of neck and shaft, length of shaft, and weight. Then the femora specimens were processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histological study. The results showed that there was a statistically significant, decrease in BMD, increase in the level of alkaline phosphate, and decrease in the level of osteocalcin in rats in diabetic group compared with other groups; these parameters improved in other groups, especially in diabetes/insulin/PTH group. The rats in diabetic group showed statistically significant decrease in neck and shaft diameters and weight of femur bone compared with other groups, while rats in diabetes/insulin/PTH group showed a significant improvement of these parameters. In diabetic group, there were different histopathological changes in cortical bone and Haversian canals, which improved in other groups, especially in rats in diabetes/insulin/PTH group. Conclusions: The untreated DM resulted in dramatic reduction in BMD and morphometric parameters. Treatment with insulin ameliorated these effects to some extent, while PTH co­-treatment had a more positive effect. The combination of PTH and insulin resulted in stronger improvement of all parameters to approximately like those of control rats

HPLC-DAD-MS/MS profiling of phenolics from Securigera securidaca flowers and its anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities

AbstractSecurigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Döefl., Fabaceae, has been widely used in the Iranian, Indian and Egyptian folk medicine as antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic remedy. Phenolic profiling of the ethanolic extract (90%) of the flowers of S. securidaca was performed via HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis in the positive and negative ion modes. The total polyphenols and flavonoids in the flowers were determined colorimetrically, and the quantification of their components was carried out using HPLC-UV. Total phenolics and flavonoids estimated as gallic acid and rutin equivalents were 82.39±2.79mg/g and 48.82±1.95mg/g of the dried powdered flowers, respectively. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of the extract allowed the identification of 39 flavonoids and eight phenolic acids. Quantitative analysis of some flavonoids and phenolics (mg/100g powdered flowers) revealed the presence of isoquercetrin (3340±2.1), hesperidin (32.09±2.28), naringin (197.3±30.16), luteolin (10.247±0.594), chlorogenic acid (84.22±2.08), catechin (3.94±0.57) and protocatechuic acid (34.4±0.15), in the extract. Moreover, the acute toxicity, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the extract were investigated using alloxan induced diabetes in rats in a dose of 100, 200, and 400mg/kgbwt. The ethanolic extract was safe up to a dose of 2000mg/kg. All tested doses of the flower extract showed marked decrease in blood glucose level by 31.78%, 66.41% and 63.8% at 100, 200 and 400mg/kgbwt, respectively, at p<0.05. Regarding the anti-hyperlipidemic effect, a dose of 400mg/kg of the flower extract showed the highest reduction in serum triacylglycerides and total cholesterol levels (68.46% and 51.50%, respectively at p<0.05). The current study proved the folk use of the flowers of S. securidaca as anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent which could be attributed to its high phenolic content

Biological explorations of Sinai: flora and fauna of Wadi Isla and Hebran, St Katherine Protectorate, Egypt

A comprehensive survey was accomplished for two of the most important and beautiful wadis in the Sinai, Wadi Isla &amp; Hebran. The biodiversity of the two wadis are surveyed including plant species and their associated insects, spiders and scorpions. The list includes 20 plant families with 51 species, 8 insect orders with 54 families and 138 species, and 4 arachnid orders with 17 families and 23 species. The highest number of species recorded were Coleoptera and Hymenoptera.Keywords: Biodiversity, checklist, plants, insects, spider

Damage assessment of NCF, 2D and 3D woven composites under compression after multiple-impact using acoustic emission

This study is devoted to the damage characterization of Non-Crimp Fabric (NCF), 2D plain-woven (2D-PW) and 3D orthogonal plain-woven (ORT-PW) carbon/epoxy laminates, subjected to compression after multiple-impact loading, using Acoustic Emission (AE). The ultrasonic C-scan images showed that the interlaminar damage area induced by the single and 3-impact in ORT-PW architecture is 3 and 2 times smaller than NCF and 2D-PW architectures respectively. The impacted specimens were then subjected to the in-plane compression load. Two indices, one based on the mechanical response and another one based on the AE behavior of the laminates, were proposed to compare the performance of different architectures. These indices showed that the ORT-PW had the best performance among all the architectures. Finally, AE was used to distinguish the different damage mechanisms including: matrix cracking, intra and inter-yarn debonding, defected-fiber breakage, intact-fiber breakage and z-binder fiber breakage in the CAI tests of the architectures

ESTROGENS IMPROVE THE CARDIOVASCULAR ALTERATIONS IN FRUCTOSE-INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANT OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possible improving effects of 17-β estradiol (EST) and genistein (GEN) on the cardiovascular changes associated with fructose (21% in drinking water for 8 weeks)-induced insulin resistance.Methods: Sham-operated and ovariectomized mature female rats were included in this study. Insulin-resistant ovariectomized animals were sc treated with EST (100 µg/kg) or GEN (1 mg/kg) on the daily basis for 21 consecutive days.Results: Induction of insulin resistance in both sham-operated and ovariectomized rats decreased the vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings towards the vasoconstrictor norepinephrine and the vasodilator acetylcholine (Ach) with no changes towards the vasodilator sodium nitroprusside. Fructose-induced insulin resistance was also associated with an elevation in the blood pressure (BP) with decreased serum level of nitric oxide (NO). Treatment of insulin-resistant ovariectomized rats with either EST or GEN improved the vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings towards Ach and succeeded to reduce the elevated BP. Moreover, both EST and GEN decreased the insulin resistance/compensatory hyper insulinaemia. Treatment with EST increased serum NO level.Conclusion: EST and GEN have the ability to improve the endothelium-dependent relaxation in insulin-resistant ovariectomized rats and modulate the elevated BP.Â

Protective effect of garlic extract against maternal and foetal cerebellar damage induced by lead administration during pregnancy in rats

Background: In spite of its industrial usefulness and varied daily uses, lead (Pb) pollution is a widespread ecological problem that faces the humans in the 21th century. Pb was found to produces a wide range of toxic effects including neurotoxicity especially to the developing and young offspring. Recently, the utilisation of herbal plants has received a significant attention where there has been rising awareness in their therapeutic use; among these is the garlic. In light of the above, the current study is designed experimentally in female pregnant rats in order to investigate the beneficial role of garlic extract in the protection from the maternal and foetal cerebellar damage produced by administration of different doses of Pb during pregnancy. Materials and methods: Positively pregnant female rats were divided into five groups; one control group, two Pb-treated groups (exposed to 160 and 320 mg/kg b.w. of Pb, respectively) and two groups treated with both Pb and garlic (exposed to Pb as previous groups together with 250 mg/kg b.w./day of garlic extract). Treatments started from day 1 to day 20 of pregnancy, where the mother rats of different experimental groups were sacrificed to obtain the foetuses. Pb level in the maternal and foetal blood and cerebellum was estimated by spectrophotometry. Specimens of the cerebellum of different mother and foetal groups were processed to histological and immunohistochemical staining for microscopic examination. Results: The results showed that administration of Pb to pregnant rats resulted in a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and foetuses in the form of decrease in maternal weight gain, placental and foetal weights, brain weight and diminished foetal growth parameters, which were prominent in rat’s group treated with larger dose of Pb. In Pb-treated rats, Pb level in blood and cerebellum was high when compared with the control group. The histopathological examination of the cerebellum of treated dams and foetuses showed marked alterations mainly in the form of Purkinje cell degeneration and lack of development of foetal cerebellum. Co-treatment of garlic extract along with Pb resulted in a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone with improvement of the histopathological changes. Conclusions: This study was useful in evaluating the hazardous effects of uncontrolled use of Pb in general and in assessing the developmental and neurotoxicity of foetuses due to exposure during pregnancy in particular. Co-administration of garlic has beneficial effects in amelioration of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and reversing the histopathological changes of the cerebellum of mother rats and foetuses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 1–15

Anaemia during critical illness

Anaemia occurs frequently during critical illness. Recent studies have increased our understanding of how well critically ill patients tolerate anaemia. It is known that anaemia does not result simply from diagnostic and physical blood loss, but is multifactorial in origin. Recently, abnormalities in circulating red cell function have been described that are potentially relevant to efficient oxygen delivery. Potential new approaches to the management of the anaemic patient during critical illness have also been evaluated. This narrative review considers methodological issues relevant to understanding the critical care literature on anaemia. We summarize current understanding of the prevalence of anaemia during critical illness, specifically among patients in intensive care units (ICUs), and discuss the various factors that contribute to its development. We consider how red cell function may alter during critical illness and the possible clinical relevance of these changes. The treatment of anaemia is discussed, with particular emphasis on haemoglobin triggers for allogeneic red cell transfusions among critically ill patients, with reference to clinically important subgroups. The place of erythropoietin, an emerging therapy for anaemia in this setting, is considered and key future research questions identified. Definition of anaemia Anaemia is a haemoglobin concentration in blood that is below the expected value, when age, gender, pregnancy and certain environmental factors, such as altitude, are taken into account. Interpreting the critical care transfusion literature Anaemia is assessed by measuring the haemoglobin concentration or haematocrit. It therefore reflects the relationship between circulating red cell mass and the plasma volume. During critical illness, many factors can change acutely both these factors, such that the presence of anaemia needs to be interpreted in relation to concurrent therapy and pathophysiology. This detail is often unclear from large studies, because it is difficult to measure, expensive to collect, and classification in a manner that enables statistical analysis is difficult. Another major confounder to interpretation is transfusion practice. Prior to publication of the Transfusion Requirements in Critical Care (TRICC) trial there was wide variation in transfusion practice. Prevalence of anaemia during critical illness The prevalence of anaemia among critically ill patients is influenced by factors that include patient case mix, illnes