Mohamed A. El-Desouky

Protective Effect of Zingiber Officinale against CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis Is Mediated through Downregulating the TGF-β1/Smad3 and NF-ĸB/IĸB Pathways.

No ideal hepatoprotective agents are available in modern medicine to effectively prevent liver disorders. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the potential of Zingiber officinale in the regression of liver fibrosis and its underlining mechanism of action. To induce liver fibrosis, male Wistar rats received CCl4 (2 ml/kg/2 times/week; i.p.), with and without 300 or 600 mg/kg Z. officinale extract daily through oral gavage. To assess the protective effect of Z. officinale, liver function parameters, histopathology, inflammatory markers and gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1)/Smad3 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB)/IĸB pathways were analyzed. Results demonstrate that Z. officinale extract markedly prevented liver injury as evident by the decreased liver marker enzymes. Concurrent administration of Z. officinale significantly protected against the CCl4-induced inflammation as showed by the decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels as well as the downregulation of the NF-κB/IκB and TGF-ß1/Smad3 pathways in CCl4-administered rats. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that the protective effect of Z. officinale against rat liver fibrosis could be explained through its ability to modulate the TGF-ß1/Smad3 and NF-κB/IκB signaling pathways.

The relation between glutathione S-Transferase M1 null-genotype and cardiac problems in beta-thalassemia.

UNLABELLED This work was carried out to investigate the role of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 (GSTM1) null genotype frequency in prognosis of β-thalassemia, and to detect the correlation between GSTM1 null genotype and appearance of cardiac complications in β-thalassemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS The studied groups in the present work were divided to three groups (group I: 20 healthy subjects, group II: 56 β-thalassemic patients and group III: 16 β-thalassemic patients with cardiac complications were taken from group II). The measurement of human high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was performed using nephelometry. GSTM1 genotype was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and cardiac complications were determined by using Echocardiography. RESULTS A statistically significant increase in hs-CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels was found in β-thalassemic patients with cardiac complications compared to normal subjects. Results showed no relation between GSTM1 null genotype frequency neither with β-thalassemia nor with cardiac complications appearance, where the interaction between GSTM1 null genotype in β-thalassemic patients with cardiac complications and healthy subjects were insignificant compared to subjects with GSTM1 non-null genotype. CONCLUSIONS GSTM1 null genotype frequency has no role in β-thalassemia or cardiac complications appearance.

Clinical value of a diagnostic score for colon cancer based on serum CEA, CA19-9, cytokeratin-1 and mucin-1

Abstract Background: Although established markers such as CEA and CA19-9 are important for diagnosing early stages of colon cancer, they are not ideal. Developing promising markers include cytokeratin 1 (CK1) and mucin-1 (MUC1), but the combined value of each of these markers is unclear. We therefore evaluated the value of a combined laboratory-based score of these four markers in the diagnosis of colon cancer. Methods: Two hundred patients who had undergone colonoscopic examination (150 colon cancer, 50 benign growths) were recruited. The study was controlled by 35 healthy subjects. CEA, CA19-9, CK1 and MUC1 were measured by ELISA and evaluated for cancer diagnosis using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: Serum levels of all four markers were increased in the order colon cancer > benign disease > healthy controls (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, CA19.9 (p = 0.025), CK1 (p < 0.001) and MUC1 (p = 0.009) were significant independent predictors of colon cancer. A score that gave the greatest power of discrimination for colon cancer was defined as 1.06 + [0.001 × CA19.9 result] + [0.003 × CEA result] + [0.03 × CK1 result] + [0.05 × MUC1 result]. The colon score provided superior discrimination, AUC, and sensitivity and specificity for colon cancer versus benign growth than each of the individual markers. Similarly, the colon score provided superior AUC, and sensitivity and specificity that each individual marker for tumour stage, lymph node invasion and distant organ metastases than each individual marker. Conclusion: A colon score derived from serum CEA, CA19-9, CK1 and MUC1 is a potential valuable non-invasive index that could be used for detection and screening early stage colon cancer patients.

Hepatoprotective effects of parsley, basil, and chicory aqueous extracts against dexamethasone-induced in experimental rats.

Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of parsley, basil, and chicory whole plant in normal and dexamethasone (Dex) rats. Materials and Methods: 50 female albino rats were used in this study and divided into 5 groups (for each 10). Group (1) fed basal diet and maintained as negative control group. Group (2) received Dex in a dose of (0.1 mg/kg b. wt.). Groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with Dex along with three different plant extracts of parsley, basil, and chicory (2 g/kg b. wt.), (400 mg/kg b. wt.), and (100 mg/kg b. wt.), respectively. Results: All these groups were treated given three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Dex-induced alterations in the levels of serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and cardiovascular indices and serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, liver thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) levels increased, while high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and liver glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. On the other hand, plant extracts succeeded to modulate these observed abnormalities resulting from Dex as indicated by the reduction of glucose, cholesterol, TBARS, and the pronounced improvement of the investigated biochemical and antioxidant parameters. Conclusions: It was concluded that probably, due to its antioxidant property, parsley, basil, and chicory extracts have hepatoprotective effects in Dex-induced in rats.

A Review on Glucocorticoids Induced Osteoporosis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management by Some Natural Plants.

million person the all over the world affected by osteoporosis as it is most common metabolic bone disorder. The general reason of bone loss are age and menopause, and the rates of bone loss variable between individuals. Physical activity and environmental factors as nutrition can contribute to bone health as they modify both peak bone mass and following bone loss. Medications embrace both antire- sorptive and anabolic types. Antiresorptive medications acts by reducing rates of bone remodeling like estrogens, selective estrogen receptor modulators (raloxifene), bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate, and ibandronate) and calcitonins. Para- thyroid hormone is the only anabolic medication. The nonmedical treatment must be used with pharmacologic treatment to maximize outcomes for osteoporotic patient. Some plant-derived natural products, mostly phytoestrogens (isoflavones, lignans, coumestanes, stilbenes) and many more novel estrogen-like compounds in plants have been greatly used to prevent depletion in bone mineral density. In this review an attempt has been made out to compile the mechanisms of glucocorticoids induced osteoporosis, the medicinal plants which are commonly utilized in osteoporosis with their prominent chemical ingredients and certain phar- macological actions.

Hepatic impairment among workers of furniture manufacture occupationally exposed to solvents in Egypt

Background/aim Organic solvents, which are used in many processes in furniture manufacture, are the most common chemicals that may be associated with liver injury. The present study aimed to determine the potential impact among workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents on liver function tests. Participants and methods The present study included 63 workers occupationally exposed to organic solvents and 27 healthy individuals who served as a control group. The exposed group was divided into three subgroups according to the duration of employment: less than 10 years (G2), from 10 to 20 years (G3), and more than 20 years (G4) of employment. Six air samples were collected in the different production units using activated charcoal tubes according to a standard method developed by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Clinical data and demographic information were collected. Liver enzymes [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), g-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities] were measured in all participants. Results The mean level of organic solvents at air work place was below the maximum allowable limits according to international regulations and Egyptian Environmental Law 4. Serum ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, and LDH activities were significantly higher in exposed workers than in the controls. Serum AST and ALP activities were elevated in subgroups with duration of employment more than 10 years compared with the controls. Serum ALT, ALP, and LDH activities showed a significant positive correlation with the duration of employment. Conclusion The relationship between occupational exposure to organic solvents and hepatic injury was propounded, even though the exposure was below the permissible exposure limit. Serum ALT is a good biomarker of hepatocellular injury and a sensitive biomarker for exposure to solvents.