Heba M. Fahmy

Non-thermal continuous and modulated electromagnetic radiation fields effects on sleep EEG of rats

In the present study, the alteration in the sleep EEG in rats due to chronic exposure to low-level non-thermal electromagnetic radiation was investigated. Two types of radiation fields were used; 900 MHz unmodulated wave and 900 MHz modulated at 8 and 16 Hz waves. Animals has exposed to radiation fields for 1 month (1 h/day). EEG power spectral analyses of exposed and control animals during slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep) revealed that the REM sleep is more susceptible to modulated radiofrequency radiation fields (RFR) than the SWS. The latency of REM sleep increased due to radiation exposure indicating a change in the ultradian rhythm of normal sleep cycles. The cumulative and irreversible effect of radiation exposure was proposed and the interaction of the extremely low frequency radiation with the similar EEG frequencies was suggested.

Effect of Radiofrequency Waves Emitted From Conventional WIFI Devices on Some Oxidative Stress Parameters in Rat Kidney

Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) is widely used in cell phones, computers and electronic devices to access the Internet. It is unclear whether or not the frequency range of the WIFI has any harmful biological effects. In this report, the effect of standard 2.45 GHz radio frequency source (Averaged whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) 0.01 W/ Kg, 24 hours daily for 40 successive days) on some oxidative stress parameters was examined in Wistar female rats. We found that exposure to WIFI decreased the malondialdehyde levels as well as the glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities. Moreover, the activity of superoxide dismutase showed significant increase in the WIFIexposed group relative to the control group. Meanwhile, kidney functions were found to be unaffected. In addition, no significant histological alterations in rats’ kidneys were detected in WIFI-exposed group. These results indicate that WIFI exposure used in the present study implies oxidative alterations in rat kidneys, which does not result in severe consequences due to the effective activity of the antioxidant enzyme system of the rat kidneys.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of 99mTc-DMSA as a Radiopharmaceutical in Dynamic Renal Scans

Objective: In dynamic renal scans, 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) is copiously used and it yields information about the renal blood-flow and the excretory capacity. 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is used for static renal imaging and can likewise uncover the renal cortical structure. This work was intended to evaluate whether DMSA can be declared as a radiopharmaceutical in dynamic renal scans or not. It also aimed at comparing the outcomes procured from DMSA and with DTPA examinations. Materials and Methods: A comparison of the information gained from the renograms of 47 subjects (normal subjects and subjects with abnormal renal function having: obstructive nephropathy, bilateral nephropathy, hydronephrosis, reduced or non-function kidney, and/or atrophic kidney) who had 99mTc-DMSA and 99mTc-DTPA dynamic scintigraphies utilizing the same protocol. Results: A strong positive correlation had come in view on the evaluation of the left kidney, right kidney, and total glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-DMSA renograms. In addition, the estimation of the time of the peak height from 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-DMSA renograms for the right and left kidneys demonstrated as non-significant varieties and a strong positive correlation for both the normal subjects and subjects with kidney abnormalities. Conclusion: In the light of the outcomes gained from the present investigation, it could be prescribed that 99mTc-DMSA can favorably replace 99mTc-DTPA in dynamic renograms in the case of the renal conditions that had been examined in the present work. As scheduled, this will be cost-effective and time saving and will decrease the radiation dose administered to the subjects. Also, the same qualities of results are accomplished with both radiopharmaceuticals in normal subjects and subjects with abnormal renal function.

Treatment merits of Latanoprost / Thymoquinone – encapsulated liposome for glaucomatus rabbits

ABSTRACT Elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) is recognized as a risk factor for glaucoma development. Latanoprost (LAT) is a prostaglandin analog used to reduce the (IOP). Thymoquinone (TQ) is a major bioactive ingredient of Nigella sativa. The aim of this study was to develop novel liposomal drug carriers for ocular delivery of LAT, TQ and a mixture of them to investigate their IOP lowering efficacy upon subconjunctival injection in glaucoma‐induced rabbits eye. The aim of the present work extends also to study the effect of the different liposome formulations on the aqueous humor oxidative stress. Liposome samples were prepared using thin film hydration method. The physiochemical properties of the prepared drugs were characterized. The IOP was recorded for 70 rabbits using Schiotz‐tonometer. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) activities and total antioxidant activity of the aqueous humor were estimated. Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetric studies confirmed the interaction between the drug and the vesicles, which resulted in high drug encapsulation efficiency ≥88%. The size of the prepared liposomes was less than 10&mgr;m which make them suitable in ophthalmic applications. The sustained effect was achieved by liposome samples of Lip (LAT) and Lip (LAT+TQ) which were able to reduce the IOP significantly up to 84h. Morever, the treatment of glaucomatous rabbits with liposome formulations containing TQ in their preparation [Lip (TQ) and Lip (LAT+TQ)] greatly improved the ocular tissue‐induced histopathological lesions. None of the prepared liposome formulations succeeded to improve the glaucoma‐induced oxidative stress damage.