Fayig El-Migdadi

Allopurinol Enhances Adenine Nucleotide Levels and Improves Myocardial Function in Isolated Hypoxic Rat Heart

Allopurinol, a competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, was found to have a protective effect on ischemic myocardium. Its mechanism of action is still controversial. We used Langendorff isolated rat heart preparation to test the hypothesis that allopurinol could maintain a level of the adenine nucleotide pool (ATP, ADP, and AMP) that would protect and improve the functional activity of the heart during a period of hypoxia. Hearts were initially perfused for 30 min until steady state was attained. This was followed by 20 min of experimental perfusion divided into 5 min of control perfusion followed by 15 min of hypoxic perfusion with or without allopurinol in the perfusate. Hearts were quick-frozen and enzymatically analyzed for adenine nucleotides and creatine phosphate at the end of the hypoxic period. Left ventricular pressure, heart rate, and coronary flow were measured in all preparations. Allopurinol (0.1 mM) treated hearts had greater levels of ATP (12.3 ± 0.8 vs. 9.3 ± 0.8 µmol/g dry weight; p < 0.01). This improvement occurred in the presence as well as the absence of glucose. Total adenine nucleotides improved from 17 ± 1 to 20.3 ± 2.4 µmol/g dry weight (p < 0.01). This improvement also occurred in the presence as well as in the absence of glucose in the perfusate. It also improved cell energy state significantly in the presence as well as the absence of glucose. There was insignificant change in creatine phosphate. Allopurinol improved left ventricular pressure from 38 ± 7% to 55 ± 9% (p < 0.002) in the presence of glucose and from 8 ± 3% to 27 ± 6.3% (p < 0.001) in the absence of glucose. Coronary flow improved from 110 ± 5% to 120 ± 8% (p < 0.04) in the presence of glucose. These results support the suggestion that allopurinol at 0.1 mM exerts its protective effect on rat heart during hypoxia by enhancing the adenine nucleotide pool.

Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in people living in an environment below sea level (Jordan Valley) during fasting in the month of Ramadan.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of Ramdan fasting on plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol in athletic students living in the Jordan Valley (JV) and compare them to those living at above sea level in Ramtha City (RC). Methods: Sample collection and measurements were done in November 1998 from non-fasting and in December 1998 from fasting people. Results: ACTH levels in non-fasting subjects in the JV were 36 ± 4 IU/ml compared to 43 ± 3 IU/ml for those in RC. Cortisol levels were 483 ± 76 (JV) and 539 ± 89 nmol/l (RC). Fasting led to an increase in ACTH (49 ± 6 (JV) and 58 ± 5 IU/ml (RC)) and cortisol levels (637 ± 101 (JV) and 805 ± 72 nmol/l (RC)). Conclusion: Fasting increases ACTH and cortisol levels in an altitude-independent fashion.

Prevalence of mistreatment and justice of grading system in five health related faculties in Jordan University of Science and Technology.

Background: Many Jordanian university students complain of the behavior of some teaching staff. Also, they complain of the grading systems in universities. Aim: This study concerns the occurrence of different forms of student mistreatment and student mistrust of the grading system in the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) as an example of universities in Jordan. Method: A total of 500 students in five health related faculties in JUST responded to a questionnaire. Results: Our results were as follow: (i) 61% of the students had experienced at least one form of mistreatment; (ii) perceived mistreatment most often (52%) had taken the form of psychological mistreatment (shouting and humiliation); (iii) other forms of mistreatment such as physical harm (32%), mistreatment related to religion (36%), mistreatment related to external appearance (35%), sexual harassment (33%) and mistreatment related to specialty (29%) were also common; (iv) with the exception of mistreatment related to specialty which was high among the nursing students, perceived mistreatment did not vary significantly between the different faculties; (v) the male students (66%) complain more than female students (56%); (vi) perceived mistreatment was exceptionally high among the Israeli Arabs, 83% compared to 59% for the Jordanians and 65% for other non-Jordanian Arabs; (vii) fellow students (44%), professors (37%) and laboratory technicians (19%) were cited as major sources of mistreatment. Many students (66%) believe that grading system in JUST is unfair. Ninety seven percent of the Israeli Arabs did not trust the grading system compared to 64% of the Jordanians and 66% of the non-Jordanian Arabs. Conclusions: This study suggests that, feelings of mistreatment among university students is strong while their trust of the university grading system is low. Perceived mistreatment and an unfair grading system may be a major source of stress among our students and may affect the process of teaching and learning in our country. This should alert the university administration to face these issues and try to solve them.

Seasonal Pattern Of Leutinizing, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Testosterone And Progesterone In Adult Population Of Both Sexes In The Jordan Valley

Differences were observed in hormonal levels between in both sexes of people living in Irbid City (620 meters above sea level) and in the Jordan Valley (360 meters below sea level. In addition, exercise was shown to differentially affect hormonal levels of both sexes at the above and below sea level locations. Serum levels of leutinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in adult male and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone (P) in adult female people were investigated in Irbid City and in the Jordan Valley during the years 1997 and 1998. The levels of these hormones were followed each month during this period. In males living in Irbid City, LH and T peaked from March through June, and in females at the same site, FSH and P also peaked from March through June. These data confirm the seasonal variation in sex hormones reported elsewhere in (wo) man and in other species. In males and females of the Jordan Valley, serum levels of LH, FSH, T and P were all higher than those of Irbid City throughout the year. Additionally, peaks of LH and T in male and FSH and P in female subjects in the Jordan Valley were observed from March through September. The high levels of these hormones and the extension of their peaks are suggested to be due to effects of the environmental factors of the Jordan Valley (high temperature, high barometric pressure) compared to those in Irbid City and other areas located at above sea level altitude.

Stress from exercise in the below sea level environment causes an increase in serum testosterone levels in trained athletes.

A comparative study (n = 20) of serum levels of leutinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) between male trained athletes (high-shool students, 16–18 years old) living in North and South Shouna in the Jordan Valley (JV), 320–360 meters below sea level, and those living in Ramtha and Irbid, 550–650 meters above sea level, was conducted in November, 1999. Serum levels of LH and T were also measured in these athletes following a 20 Km non-competitive run. The air temperatures on the day of the experiment was comparable (25°C in North and South Shouna versus 23°C in Ramtha and Irbid). Before exercise, serum levels of LH and T in athletes of the below sea level environment (North and South Shouna) were similar to those levels in athletes of the above sea level environment (Ramtha and Irbid). Exercise caused a significant increase in serum levels of both LH and T only in athletes of North and South Shouna. It seems likely that the higher secretion of LH contributes, at least in part, for the higher serum levels of T following exercise. Taken together, these data suggest that exercise has an effect on LH and T secretion that is similar to that of fasting. And finally, the below sea level environmental factors, such as the high barometric pressure, as well as the genetic background of the athletes affect the pituitary and adrenal cortex as well as testicular tissue, resulting in the secretion of more LH and T.

Lactate dehydrogenase activity and insulin and lactate levels at an altitude below sea level (-350 m) compared to those at an altitude above sea level (620 m) after exercise.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of exercise at 350 m below sea level altitude (–350 m) on the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), insulin, and lactate. The study was carried out on ten trained adult males with mean age of 23.3 ± 3.4 years following a 21-km noncompetitive run. Venous blood was withdrawn from the subjects before exercise and 5 min post exercise. For comparison purposes, a similar study was performed with the same subjects but at 620 m above sea level (+620 m). The results show a significant increase in LDH and lactate levels after exercise only at low altitude (–350 m). Serum insulin levels decreased significantly after exercise at both altitudes. These changes in serum levels of LDH, insulin, and lactate at different altitudes suggest that a type of metabolic adjustment is present that meets energy requirements during exercise.