Ali Ibrahim Al-Sultan

Overweight and obesity and their relation to dietary habits and socio-demographic characteristics among male primary school children in Al-Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

BackgroundSeveral studies were carried out to study the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Saudi children, but those assessed the association between eating habits, socio-demographic differentials and obesity in these children are scarce.ObjectivesTo assess the magnitude of obesity and overweight among male primary schoolchildren and to find the possible association between obesity/overweight with dietary habits and socio-demographic differentials among them.Study design and methodsA cross-sectional descriptive study including 1,139 Saudi male enrolled in the fifth and sixth grades in public primary schools in Al Hassa, KSA, through a multistage random sampling technique, submitted to interview using Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire, gathering data regarding dietary intake, some dietary habits, followed by anthropometric measurements with calculation of body mass index, the interpretation of which was based on using Cole’s tables for standard definition of overweight and obesity. Socio-demographics data were collected through parental questionnaire form. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 12 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA), univariate as well as multivariate analyses were conducted.ResultsThe age ranged from 10 to 14 years. The prevalence of overweight among the included subjects was 14.2% while obesity was 9.7%, more in urban, older age students, mothers of obese and overweight were less educated, more working. Missing and or infrequent intake of breakfast at home, frequent consumption of fast foods, low servings of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy product per day, with frequent consumption of sweets/candy and carbonated drinks were all predictors of obesity and overweight among the included male schoolchildren.ConclusionThe prevalence of childhood obesity is escalating and approaching figures reported in the developed countries. Less healthy dietary habits and poor food choices may be responsible for this high prevalence.

Coenzyme Q10 treatment ameliorates acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity in mice

The nephroprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 was investigated in mice with acute renal injury induced by a single i.p. injection of cisplatin (5 mg/kg). Coenzyme Q10 treatment (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was applied for 6 consecutive days, starting 1 day before cisplatin administration. Coenzyme Q10 significantly reduced blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels which were increased by cisplatin. Coenzyme Q10 significantly compensated deficits in the antioxidant defense mechanisms (reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity), suppressed lipid peroxidation, decreased the elevations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide and platinum ion concentration, and attenuated the reductions of selenium and zinc ions in renal tissue resulted from cisplatin administration. Also, histopathological renal tissue damage mediated by cisplatin was ameliorated by coenzyme Q10 treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that coenzyme Q10 significantly decreased the cisplatin-induced overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-kappaB, caspase-3 and p53 in renal tissue. It was concluded that coenzyme Q10 represents a potential therapeutic option to protect against acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Protective effect of hemin against cadmium-induced testicular damage in rats

The protective effect of hemin, the heme oxygenase-1 inducer, was investigated in rats with cadmium induced-testicular injury, in which oxidative stress and inflammation play a major role. Testicular damage was induced by a single i.p. injection of cadmium chloride (2mg/kg). Hemin was given for three consecutive days (40 micromol/kg/day, s.c.), starting 1 day before cadmium administration. Hemin treatment significantly increased serum testosterone level that was reduced by cadmium. Hemin compensated deficits in the antioxidant defense mechanisms (reduced glutathione, and catalase and superoxide dismutase activities), and suppressed lipid peroxidation in testicular tissue resulted from cadmium administration. Also, hemin attenuated the cadmium-induced elevations in testicular tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide levels, and caspase-3 activity. Additionally, hemin ameliorated cadmium-induced testicular tissue damage observed by light and electron microscopic examinations. The protective effect afforded by hemin was abolished by prior administration of zinc protoporphyrin-IX, the heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor. It was concluded that hemin, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, represents a potential therapeutic option to protect the testicular tissue from the detrimental effects of cadmium.

Overweight and Obesity and their Association with Dietary Habits, and Sociodemographic Characteristics Among Male Primary School Children in Al-Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To assess the magnitude of obesity and overweight among male primary school children, and to find the possible association between obesity/overweight and dietary habits and sociodemographic differentials among them. Study design and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study, including 1139 Saudi male children enrolled in the 5th and 6th grades in public primary schools in Al Hassa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), was conducted. The test included a multistage random sampling technique, based on interview using Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire, gathering data regarding dietary intake, dietary habits, followed by anthropometric measurements with the calculation of body mass index (BMI), the interpretation of which was based on Coles tables for the standard definition of overweight and obesity. Sociodemographic data were collected through a parental questionnaire from. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 12 software (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA); both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: The age of the school children ranged from 10–14 years. The prevalence of overweight among the subjects was 14.2%, while that of obesity was 9.7%; the prevalence was more in the urban, older age students. The mothers of obese and overweight children were less educated and more working. Missing and or infrequent intake of breakfast at home, frequent consumption of fast foods, low servings per day of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, with frequent consumption of sweets/candy and carbonated drinks were all predictors of obesity and overweight among the schoolchildren studied. Conclusion: The prevalence of childhood obesity is escalating and approaching figures that have been reported till now from the developed countries. Less healthy dietary habits and poor selection of food may be responsible for this high prevalence.

Nephroprotective Effect of Telmisartan in Rats with Ischemia/Reperfusion Renal Injury

We investigated the protective effect of telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, against ischemia/reperfusion renal injury in rats. Bilateral ischemia was induced by clamping both renal vascular pedicles for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 3 h. Untreated rats exposed to ischemia/reperfusion showed significant elevations in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, renal tissue levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide, and caspase-3 activity. This was associated with significant decreases in renal reduced glutathione level, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Also, significant increases in serum and renal tissue levels of homocysteine were detected following ischemia/reperfusion. Pre-ischemic treatment with telmisartan (0.3 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 7 consecutive days significantly attenuated the increases in blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, renal malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, caspase-3 activity, and serum and renal homocysteine levels, and significantly restored the renal antioxidant defenses. In addition, light and electron microscopic examinations revealed that telmisartan pre-treatment markedly ameliorated ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal tissue damage. It was concluded that telmisartan, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, can be considered a potential candidate to protect against acute ischemia/reperfusion renal injury.

Coenzyme Q10 counteracts testicular injury induced by sodium arsenite in rats

The protective effect of coenzyme Q10 against testicular toxicity induced by sodium arsenite (10mg/kg/day, orally for two consecutive days) was investigated in rats. Coenzyme Q10 treatment (10mg/kg/day, i.p.) was applied for five consecutive days, starting three days before arsenite administration. Coenzyme Q10 significantly increased serum testosterone level which was reduced by sodium arsenite. Coenzyme Q10 significantly suppressed lipid peroxidation, restored the depleted antioxidant defenses, and attenuated the increases of tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide resulted from arsenic administration. Also, the elevation of arsenic ion, and the reductions of selenium and zinc ions in testicular tissue were mitigated by coenzyme Q10. Histopathological examination showed that testicular injury mediated by arsenic was ameliorated by coenzyme Q10 treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that coenzyme Q10 significantly decreased the arsenic-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-κB, Fas ligand and caspase-3 in testicular tissue. It was concluded that coenzyme Q10 represents a potential therapeutic option to protect the testicular tissue from the detrimental effects of arsenic intoxication.

Spectrum of β-thalassemia mutations in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

β-Thalassemias comprise a group of heterogeneous hemoglobin (Hb) disorders characterized by the absence or reduced synthesis of the β-globin chain with a variable clinical presentation. The Al-Qatif and Al-Ahsa oases in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia are regions known for the high prevalence of these disorders. This study was conducted to provide a more precise picture of the β-thalassemia (β-thal) mutations prevalent in these regions and to estimate their frequencies. One hundred and 96 subjects with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (β-thal) disease were included in this study. A total of 14 β-thal mutations were identified with five mutations accounting for more than 80% of the total β-thal mutations identified. Of the 196 patients, 164 were homozygous for a β-thal mutation, while 32 were compound heterozygotes. We report here the novel identification of two mutations, namely, the Tunisian splice site IVS-I-130 (G→C) and the Mediterranean cryptic splice site IVS-I-110 (G→A), which have not been previously reported in the population of the Eastern Province. However, 15 patients (46.9%) with compound heterozygosities carried one of the β-thal mutations and the sickle cell mutation [Hb S or β6(A3)Glu→Val]. These patients were less frequently transfused than the patients who were homozygous for the β-thal mutations and presented with fewer complications. A more comprehensive overview of the genetic heterogeneity of the β-thal mutations in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is presented in this article. This study will contribute to the establishment of an effective prevention program, including premarital screening.

Ameliorative effects of telmisartan in diabetic rats with indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration

The protective effects of telmisartan, the angiotensin II-receptor antagonist, were investigated in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus exposed to acute gastric ulceration. Following successful induction of diabetes, telmisartan treatment (1 mg/kg/day, orally) was started and continued for 8 weeks, after which acute gastric ulceration was induced by indomethacin. Telmisartan significantly attenuated the hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia in diabetic rats. Also, telmisartan significantly reduced the elevations of total gastric acid output, pepsin activity, gastric ulcer index and gastric mucosal tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and caspase-3 activity, and restored the depleted antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione level, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) caused by indomethacin administration in diabetic rats. Histopathological gastric tissue damage induced by indomethacin in diabetic rats was ameliorated by telmisartan treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that telmisartan markedly attenuated the reduction in insulin content of pancreatic islet beta-cells, and prevented the indomethacin-induced overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor-kappaB in gastric mucosa of diabetic rats. It was concluded that telmisartan represents a potential therapeutic option to reduce the risk of gastric ulceration induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in type 2 diabetic patients.

Biological and Pharmacological Aspects of Histamine Receptors and Their Ligands

Histamine is considered a principle mediator of several physiological and pathological processes. It induces biological activities through differential expression of four types of histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R). All the histamine receptors are the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, are expressed on several histamine responsive target tissues and cells, and suggest a potential role of histamine in cell proliferation, differentiation, hematopoiesis, embryonic development, regeneration, wound healing, aminergic neuron-transmission and several brain functions, secretion of pituitary hormones, regulation of gastrointestinal and circulatory functions, cardiovascular system, inflammatory reactions, immunomodulation, functioning of endocrine system and homeostasis. Since H4R has been discovered very recently and there is paucity of comprehensive literature covering new histamine receptors, their agonists/antagonists and role in various diseases. This has prompted a re-evaluation of the actions of histamine, suggesting a new potential for H4R-agonists/antagonists and a possible synergy between histamine receptors-agonists/antagonists in targeting various patho-physiological conditions. This chapter will highlight the biological and pharmacological characterization of histamine, histamine receptors, and their agonists/antagonists in various biomedical aspects.

Electrophysiological findings in newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetics: A prospective study.

This study reports the electrophysiological findings in patients with newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) studied in the Neurodiagnostic Laboratory of the King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU), Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Twenty-nine patients (22 males, 7 females, mean ages 47 and 37 years, respectively) were studied within four weeks of establishing the diagnosis. They were all given nerve conduction studies by the same examiner. Comparison was made with data from a group of 64 normal control subjects. In the study patients, the mean distal sensory peak latency in milliseconds (ms) +/- standard deviation (SD) was 3.5 +/- 0.41 ms in 35 median nerves, 3.2 +/- 0.72 ms in 35 ulnar nerves, 1.9 +/- 0.34 ms in 23 superficial radial nerves and 3.5 7plusmn; 0.61 in 36 sural nerves. The mean distal motor latency +/- SD was 4.6 +/- 0.95 ms in 39 median nerves, 3.5 +/- 0.58 ms in 38 ulnar nerves, 4.8 +/- 1.02 ms in 44 tibial nerves and 6.0 +/- 1.08 ms in 36 peroneal nerves. The electromyogram examination was performed on 24 patients and showed evidence of denervation and/or chronic reinnervation in seven (29%). The frequency of abnormalities in the studied peripheral nerves was 60% for median, 63% ulnar, 33% peroneal, 16% tibial and 8% sural.