Hassan H. Musa

Gum Arabic extracts protect against hepatic oxidative stress in alloxan induced diabetes in rats

Gum Arabic (GA) from Acacia seyal and Acacia senegal is a branched-chain polysaccharide which has strong antioxidant properties, and has been used to reduce the experimental toxicity. Yet, the effects of GA on oxidative stress in type I diabetic rats have not been reported. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of GA on oxidative stress in Alloxan induced diabetes in rats. The rats were divided into 3 groups (n=20 of each): control group, diabetic group injected with allaoxan, and diabetic group given 15% GA in drinking water for 8 weeks. Oxidative damage to liver tissue was evaluated by measurement of key hepatic enzymes, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and expression of oxidative stress genes. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in GA group compared to diabetic and control groups. Treatment of GA decreased liver malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased glutathione (GSH). In addition, GA was significantly (P<0.05) reduced the activities of key liver enzymes, including alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). SOD, GPx and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA were significantly increased in GA group compared to control and diabetic groups. Liver of all diabetic rats showed marked degeneration whereas slight degeneration was observed in GA treated rats compared to control. The results suggest that GA may protect liver by modulating the expression of oxidative stress genes, and thus can improve antioxidant status.

Genome Array of Hair Follicle Genes in Lambskin with Different Patterns

Hu sheep lambskin comes from a specific breed of sheep of China. Hu sheep are considered a protected breed by the Chinese government. The hair follicles of these sheep have three types of waves, large, medium, and small. There are only few histological reports of Hu sheep lambskin, and there are no modern molecular or biological studies, so the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of hair follicles with different patterns are not currently known. The aim of this article was to study the molecular mechanism of the formation of these types of hair follicles in Hu sheep. Histological and microscopic analysis indicated that the number of follicles with small waves was not significantly higher than the number of follicles with large waves (P>0.05). The diameters of primary and secondary small-wave follicles were significantly smaller than those of large-wave follicles (P<0.05; P<0.01). The ratio between the number primary follicles and the number of secondary follicles was significantly higher among small-wave follicles than among large-wave follicles (P<0.05). Differentially expressed genes in the skin tissue were screened using an Agilent gene chip and RT-PCR. Differential expression analysis revealed 3 groups of large waves and small waves; 1067, 2071, and 3879 differentially expressed genes; and 137 genes common to all 3 groups. Differentially expressed genes were classified using gene ontology. They were found to be mainly involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, growth, immune response, and ion transport. RT-PCR results of 4 differentially expressed genes were consistent with gene chip results. Combined with related literature, our results suggest that BMP7, MMP2, SNAI1, SFXN1, CDKNIC, MT3, and POU1F1 may have important effects on the formation of large-wave and small-wave hair follicles. This study may enrich knowledge of hair follicle development, and may identify the genes responsible for the formation of hair follicles with different patterns.

Polyphenolic composition, enzyme inhibitory effects ex-vivo and in-vivo studies on two Brassicaceae of north-central Italy

In this study, three different extracts (soxhlet, microwave and decoction) from two species of broccoli: Brassica oleracea L. convar. Italica botrytis (L.) Alef. var. cymosa Duch. (Broccolo Fiolaro) and Brassica oleracea acephala L. convar. acephala (DC.) Alef. var. sabellica L. (Cavolo Nero), which are commonly spread in north-central Italy, were tested for their enzyme inhibitory effects. Enzyme inhibitory effects were investigated against cholinesterases, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The soxhlet extracts had the highest inhibitory AChE effects with 1.08 mgGALAE/g (in Cavolo Nero) and 0.90 mgGALAE/g (in Broccolo Fiolaro). The significant tyrosinase inhibitory effect was observed in the soxhlet extract of Cavolo Nero with 11.93 mgKAE/g. In addition, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of Broccolo Fiolaro and Cavolo Nero on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bladder, kidney and liver specimens, ex vivo. We observed a significant reduction of both nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) following treatment that indicates a significant inhibitory effect on oxidative/nitrosative stress and lipoperoxidation, respectively. Additionally, the blunting effect induced by extracts on LPS-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity further support a protective effect by both Broccolo Fiolaro and Cavolo Nero in bladder, kidney and liver. HPLC analysis revealed that catechin, epicatechin, vanillic and 3-hydroxy benzoic acids were the major components. The phenolic components may contribute to the observed enzyme inhibitory effects. in vivo tests also demonstrated that the extracts decreased the biochemical parameters in diabetic rats. Particularly, we observed the reduction of plasma glucose levels, urea and total cholesterol following oral administration, with the higher inhibitory effects exerted by Broccolo Fiolaro compared to Cavolo Nero. Overall, our results could provide new insights on the use of these Broccoli species not only as foods but also as functional and nutraceutical supplements.

Association of lipoprotein lipase gene with coronary heart disease in Sudanese population

Cardiovascular disease is stabilizing in high-income countries and has continued to rise in low-to-middle-income countries. Association of lipid profile with lipoprotein lipase gene was studied in case and control subject. The family history, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and alcohol consumption were the most risk factors for early-onset of coronary heart disease (CHD). Sudanese patients had significantly (P < 0.05) lower TC and LDL-C levels compared to controls. Allele frequency of LPL D9N, N291S and S447X carrier genotype was 4.2%, 30.7% and 7.1%, respectively. We conclude that lipoprotein lipase polymorphism was not associated with the incidence of CHD in Sudan.

Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of cardiovascular disease in Sudan

Resu l t s and d i scuss ion: In total, 60.97% were females, most were 61–70-year-old, 65.85% were living in urban area and 60.66% were from northern Sudan. Physical inactivity was common for 92.68% of patients, tobacco and alcohol were used by 12.19% and 1.63% of patients, respectively. The prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, endomyocardial fibrosis, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and angina were 57.72%, 32.52%, 4.88%, 17.89%, 9.76% and 16.26%, respectively. The prevalence of risk factors for developing heart diseases stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and kidney disease were 3.25%, 27.64%, 44.72% and 8.13%, respectively. Most patients have family history of heart attack 12.19%, angina 13.01%, stroke 3.25%, diabetes mellitus 37.39% and hypertension 43.90%. The anthropometric measures body weight (kg), BMI and waist-to-hip ratio were 72.32 ± 1.42, 43.87 ± 0.79 and 1.05 ± 0.06, respectively.

Association between the effects of body mass index on lung volumes among students in Jiangsu Province

Resu l t s : Mean of lung capacity volume (mL), and the ratio of vital lung capacity and BMI (mL/kg) in males were significantly more than females (P < 0.001), also the differences in lung volumes by gender was reported within the 13 cities in Jiangsu Province. Lung capacity (mL) was showed significant positive association with height (r = 0.70, P < 0.001), weight (r = 0.60, P < 0.001) in males and body height in females (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), respectively. The significantly low, moderate positive association was reported in males lung capacity volume (P < 0.001) compare with the negative association in females within the ratio of vital lung capacity and BMI (P < 0.001). BMI, as reported, lowers association values of lung volume.

Detection of primary CMV infection in Sudanese pregnant women by IgG avidity test

Abstract Objective To diagnose primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnant women by determining CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity index. Methods Ninety pregnant women with an average age of 23 years were studied. Their demographic data were obtained along with blood samples. The anti-CMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were determined on fully automated immuoanalyzer, while the CMV IgG avidity testing was carried out using avidity ELISA assay. Results Among the pregnant women, 15.6% were in the first trimester, 30.0% in the second, and 54.4% in the third trimesters. Besides, 40.0% had chronic disease, while the other 60.0% did not. Anti-CMV IgM antibodies and CMV IgG avidity test showed that 1.1% of the pregnant women were CMV IgM positive and 98.9% were CMV IgG positive, respectively. The avidity test revealed the presence of low avidity of CMV IgG antibodies in 1.1% cases while 98.9% cases exhibited high avidity of CMV IgG antibodies. Conclusions CMV IgG avidity test was important to distinguish between CMV recent and past infection rather than relying on IgG and IgM only, and IgM is not always indicative for recent or primary CMV infection.

Serological markers of Epstein-Barr virus in renal transplant recipients

Abstract Objective To detect serological markers [immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies] of Epstein-Barr virus in renal transplant recipients in Sudan. Methods A cross sectional study was designed to detect serological markers of Epstein-Barr virus from 152 renal transplant recipients using ELISA. Results The results showed that the percentage of renal transplant patients was increased with age, 71.05% of the patients were males, and 56.57% were liveing in cities. The most transplant patients were employee (28.95%) and were housewife (26.32%). The numbers of renal transplant patients were increased every year, and 85.53% of the patients had transplantation in Sudan and 14.47% of patients had transplantation in other countries. Diseases associated with renal transplant patient were hypertension 18.42%, infectious diseases 7.24%, renal diseases 3.95%, atrophy 6.58%, gout 2.63% and other diseases 61.18%. Serological test indicated that among the 152 renal transplants recipient 143 (94%) were IgG positive indicating past infection, while 4 (3%) were IgM positive indicating active infection. Most IgG positive patients have hypertension and atrophy diseases, whereas, IgM positive patient have atrophy disease. IgM positive cases were administrated 75% prograf and 25% cyclosporine as an immunosuppressive drug. While IgG positive cases were administrated 83.92% prograf, 13.29% cyclosporine, and 2.79% prograf plus prednisolone as an immunosuppressive drug. Conclusions Finally we concluded that most Sudanese renal transplants recipient studied were previously infected with Epstein-Barr virus, while few of them were recently infected.