H. M. Mousa

Gastrointestinal transit in mice treated with various extracts of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Dates are commonly consumed, especially in the Middle East, but their effect on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) has not been quantified. The effect of water and ethanol extracts from date flesh and date pits on the GIT in mice was studied. Fasted unanaesthetized male mice received by gavage either the vehicle (0.02 m/kg), or the extracts at doses of 0.01, 0.02 or 0.04 ml/kg. Two separate groups received either clonidine (1 mg/kg) or yohimbine (2 mg/kg). Two hours later, all animals were given a test meal containing charcoal and gum arabic in water. Thirty min thereafter, they were killed and the distance the charcoal column had traveled along the small intestine was measured. Compared with the control, the animals that received the ethanol and water extracts of both date flesh and pits emptied, in a dose-dependent manner, more of their gastrointestinal content. The increase in the GIT ranged from 4 to 22%. However, water extract from dialyzed date flesh induced a dose-dependent decrease in GIT that ranged from 4 to 24%. Clonidine exerted a significant decrease (68%), and yohimbine a significant increase (30%) in the GIT. Depending on the method of extraction, the date extracts may exert an increase or a decrease in GIT.

The Effect of Treatment with Gum Arabic on Gentamicin Nephrotoxicity in Rats: A Preliminary Study

In the present work we assessed the effect of treatment of rats with gum Arabic on acute renal failure induced by gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity. Rats were treated with the vehicle (2 mL/kg of distilled water and 5% w/v cellulose, 10 days), gum Arabic (2 mL/kg of a 10% w/v aqueous suspension of gum Arabic powder, orally for 10 days), or gum Arabic concomitantly with GM (80 mg/kg/day intramuscularly, during the last six days of the treatment period). Nephrotoxicity was assessed by measuring the concentrations of creatinine and urea in the plasma and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the kidney cortex, and by light microscopic examination of kidney sections. The results indicated that concomitant treatment with gum Arabic and GM significantly increased creatinine and urea by about 183 and 239%, respectively (compared to 432 and 346%, respectively, in rats treated with cellulose and GM), and decreased that of cortical GSH by 21% (compared to 27% in the cellulose plus GM group) The GM-induced proximal tubular necrosis appeared to be slightly less severe in rats given GM together with gum Arabic than in those given GM and cellulose. It could be inferred that gum Arabic treatment has induced a modest amelioration of some of the histological and biochemical indices of GM nephrotoxicity. Further work is warranted on the effect of the treatments on renal functional aspects in models of chronic renal failure, and on the mechanism(s) involved.

Nephroprotective Action of Phoenix dactylifera in Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity

Abstract We investigated the effect of an extract of the flesh and pits of dates [Phoenix dactylifera. L (Arecaceae or Palmae)] on gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity in rats. The animals were given either the date flesh extract mixed with the food (50% w/w) or the pits extract mixed in the drinking water (2:1 w/v), and GM (80 mg kg−1 day−1 intramuscularly for 6 days) was injected during the last 6 days of treatment. Other groups of rats were given GM concomitantly with the date flesh extract or the date pits extract at the above doses. GM treatment significantly increased the plasma concentrations of creatinine and urea and induced a marked necrosis of the renal proximal tubules. The date flesh and pits were effective in significantly reducing the increases in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations induced by GM nephrotoxicity and ameliorating the proximal tubular damage. Antioxidant components in the date (e.g., melatonin, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid) were suggested to be the basis of the nephroprotection.

The effect of calcium load and the calcium channel blocker verapamil on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

Gentamicin (GM) is used against serious and life-threatening Gram negative infections. However its use is limited by the occurrence of nephrotoxicity. Reports on the interaction between GM nephrotoxicity and calcium (Ca(2+)) or Ca blockers are conflicting. Therefore, in the present work we assessed the effect of treatment of rats with graded doses of calcium carbonate, CaCO(3) (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg) orally, or the Ca(2+) channel blocker verapamil (1.75, 3.5 or 7.0 mg/ kg) intramuscularly (i.m.), on the nephrotoxicity induced by concomitant i.m. treatment with GM (80 mg /kg/day for 6 days). Nephrotoxicity was evaluated histopathologically by light microscopy and biochemically by measuring the concentrations of urea and creatinine in plasma, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in kidney cortex. The results indicated that the administration of CaCO(3) produced a dose-dependent amelioration in the biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in plasma and renal cortex, which was significant at the two higher doses used. The histological picture of the renal proximal tubules followed a similar pattern. Treatment with verapamil induced a dose-dependent potentiation in the biochemical parameters of nephrotoxicity that was significant only at the highest dose used (7 mg/kg). This dose also exacerbated the GM-induced histological necrosis. The above interactions may be clinically relevant in patients treated concurrently with these agents.

Effect Of Grapefruit Juice On Plasma Chloroquine Kinetics In Mice

1. It is known that grapefruit juice (GFJ) may interact with drugs concomitantly administered by inhibiting first‐pass metabolism during the intestinal absorption phase. However, its interaction with chloroquine has not been studied previously.

High fiber probiotic fermented mare's milk reduces the toxic effects of mercury in rats.

Background: Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century, we have all been unfortunately exposed to an increasingly toxic and polluted world. Among the most dangerous of these pollutants is mercury, which is considered to be the most toxic non-radioactive heavy metal. Fermented foods may help cleanse the body of heavy metals. Fermentation breaks down the nutrients in foods by the action of beneficial microorganisms and creates natural chelators that are available to bind toxins and remove them from the body. Aims: The current study was designed to determine the impact of feeding a high fiber probiotic fermented mares milk on the biological effects of mercury toxicity in rat model. Methods and Materials: The high fiber fermented mares milk containing probiotics was prepared and its sensory properties, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity were determined. A rat model of mercury toxicity was used. The effect of feeding the high fiber probiotic fermented mares milk to rats, along with mercury ingestion, was determined by the analysis of several biochemical markers in serum and histopathological examinations of brain and kidney. Results: The high fiber fermented mares milk containing probiotics was found to be acceptable by all test panels and volunteers. Mercury ingestion was found to cause biochemical and histopathological alterations in rat serum and tissues. The mercury-treated rats showed a decrease in body weight and an increase in kidney weight. Sera of the mercury treated rats showed alterations in biochemical parameters, and histopathological changes in brain and kidney. However, the rats fed high fiber fermented mare`s milk along with mercury ingestion showed improved histopathology of kidney and brain, and there was restoration of the biochemical parameters in serum to almost normal values. Conclusions: Feeding high fiber fermented mare`s milk may reduce the toxic effects of mercury.

Tyrosine ameliorates some of the clinical, biochemical and haematological effects of acute stress associated with transportation of desert sheep.

We studied some clinical, biochemical and haematological variables in Desert (Najdi) sheep acutely stressed in the course of individual road transportation, and the influence thereon of pretreatment with tyrosine. Transportation for 30 min resulted in variable but statistically insignificant increases in heart, pulse and respiratory rates. It also caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol (from 43.5 to 101.7 mmol/L) and glucose (from 3.1 to 4.5 mmol/L), and a decrease in that of magnesium (from 0.85 to 0.72 mmol/L). The endogenous thiocyanate level was unaffected. The transportation stress also decreased the haematocrit (PCV) and the number of lymphocytes, and increased the concentration of haemoglobin. Pretreatment of sheep with tyrosine at a dose of 100 mg/kg by the intravenous route significantly ameliorated the stress-induced clinical, biochemical and haematological changes. The treatment caused no overt adverse effects.

Anti - Diabetic Effect of Olive Leaves Extract in Alloxan - Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is often accompanied by metabolic alterations , which contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in diabetic subjects .Olive leaves extract (OLE) are used in traditional medicine as hypoglycemic agent in many Arab countries. To examine the beneficial effect of OLE, it was administered in drinking water of alloxan induced diabetic rats at 3% and 6% concentrations.Blood glucose level decreased significantly (P<0.05) from 135.6±12.2 mg/dl in the control group to 48.3±2.73 and 64.8±14.62 mg/dl in 3% and 6% treated groups respectively .The concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins and albumin were improved by the administration of OLE.The activities of liver enzymes , Alanine aminotransaminase(ALT,), Aspartate aminotransaminase,AST) were elevated in diabetic rats, however , administration of OLE reduced the activities of these enzymes.The activity of AST was significantly reduced from 204.7±13.2 IU/L in the positive control to 109.3±11.0 and 130.2±16.0 IU/L in 3% and 6% OLE respectively and the activity of ALT was also reduced significantly from 48.0±9.2 IU/L in the positive control to 24.7±10.4 ,34.8±6.2 IU/L in 3% and 6% OLE respectively.In the brain,Cellular changes were noticed in untreated diabetic rats including generalized and localized edema in the white matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum. Diabetes induced neuronal degeneration; neuronal necrosis, neuronal chromatolysis and axonal demylenation. All these changes were improved by OLE administration.It can be concluded that OLE is having hypoglycemic effect, Neuroprotective activity and improves changes associated with diabetes probably due to the many potentially bioactive compounds it contain.

Thermal Behavior of Selected Pig Meat - Biopolymer Mixtures for Halal Purposes: A Review

The presence of biopolymers in meat–biopolymer mixtures could influence thermal characterization of the system. This article reviews different ranges of functions that biopolymers perform in pig meat–biopolymer mixtures for halal issues. Effect of selected biopolymers such as starch, protein and hydrocolloids are summarized. The results revealed that the presence of different types of biopolymers (starch, protein and hydrocolloid) in the pig meat - biopolymer mixtures, the mixtures behaved differently from when they are present individually in a single phase. This could assist in understanding these characteristics for halal food issue.