Sohair R. Fahmy

Protective and Curative Effects of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria atra Extract against DMBA-Induced Hepatorenal Diseases in Rats

Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to the initiation and progression of hepatic damage. Hence there is a great demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of Holothuria atra extract (HaE) as an antioxidant against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- (DMBA-) induced hepatorenal dysfunction. Experimental animals were divided into two main groups: protective and curative. Each group was then divided into five subgroups pre- or posttreated either with distilled water (DMBA subgroups) or with HaE (200 mg/kg body weight) for seven and fourteen days. Single oral administration of DMBA (15 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats resulted in a significant increase in the serum liver enzymes and kidney functions parameters. DMBA increased level of liver malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissue, and induced liver histopathological alterations. Pre- or posttreatment with HaE orally for 14 days significantly reversed the hepatorenal alterations induced following DMBA administration. In conclusion, HaE exhibits good hepatoprotective, curative, and antioxidant potential against DMBA-induced hepatorenal dysfunction in rats that might be due to decreased free radical generation.

Hazardous effects of acrylamide on immature male and female rats

control group that received a daily oral administration of distilled water and (II) ACR treated rats which received a daily oral administration of ACR (15 mg/kg/body weight). The results obtained indicate that ACR administration induced some behavioral disorders in the movement of immature male and female rats as well as loss of body weight. ACR induced a significant decrease in hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocytes (RBCS), hematocrit (HCT) and lymphocyte levels of young female rats. ACR significantly increased serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations of both immature male and female rats. While, significant increase in the total urea concentration was noticed only in the immature male rats following ACR administration. Moreover, ACR induced marked increase in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the immature male and female rats. On the other hand, the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were significantly decreased in both treated groups. ACR caused a significant increase in norepinephrin (NE), glutamate, aspartate and taurine, while it reduced dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) levels. In conclusion, the present study showed that, ACR induced hazardous effects on immature male and female rats. So, we recommended that children must avoid fast or junk foods.

In vitro antioxidant, analgesic and cytotoxic activities of Sepia officinalis ink and Coelatura aegyptiaca extracts

The present study aims to evaluate the antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of two molluscan extracts, Sepia officinalis , ink extract (IE) and Coelatura aegyptiaca extract (CE). The antioxidant activities of both extracts were evaluated using 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays. The analgesic effects were evaluated using the writhing, hot plate and formalin tests. Cytotoxicity assay was performed using sulphorhodamine B (SRB) method on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The IE extract exhibited dose dependent radical scavenging activity. The two tested extracts showed inhibition of thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARAS) at all concentrations, with an IC50 value of 176.77 and 177.23 (µg/ml), respectively. IE and CE extracts showed analgesic action by inhibiting the acetic acid-induced writhing. IE exhibited significant anti-nociceptive actions in mice by increasing the latency period in the hot-plate test. Both extracts significantly decreased the time of paw lickings in both early and late phases. Furthermore, IE and CE showed cytotoxic activities HepG2 cell lines with IC50 value of 67 and 49.24 µg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, IE and CE extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties and can be considered as promising anticancer drugs.

Antihepatotoxic efficacy of Mangifera indica L. polysaccharides against cyclophosphamide in rats.

The present study aims to evaluate the possible protective role of polysaccharides extracted from the Egyptian mango Mangifera indica L. (MPS) and/or silymarine against cyclophosphamide (CP) toxicity in male albino rats. The MPS and/or silymarin significantly decreased the activities of serum ASAT and ALAT. However, MPS (1000 mg/kg) normalized their activities towards the normal levels recording 28.75 and 78.75 U/ml respectively. The recorded data also showed the antioxidant effect of MPS by decreasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as normalized the activities of the antioxidant enzyme GST and SOD. Histopathological examinations also confirmed the protective efficacy of MPS against liver toxicity of CP. In conclusion, the recorded results of the present study support the protective role of MPS and/or silymarin against CP-induced hepatic damage.

Therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical problem raising the urgent needs to develop new strategies for treatment. The present study investigated the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord - mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) transplantation against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. METHODS Twenty four male Wistar rats were assigned into two main groups, sham group (control group) and I/R group. I/R group was injected in the tail vein with either phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or HUC-MSCs. RESULTS The HUC-MSCs improved kidney injury induced by I/R as demonstrated by enhancement of the kidney function via decreasing serum levels of creatinine, urea and uric acid. The therapeutic efficacy of HUC-MSCs were found to be mediated through anti-oxidant activity as indicated by significant reduction in total malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant increment in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). CONCLUSION The present work suggests that HUC-MSCs may be an effective therapeutic agent against renal IRI. The recorded data showed improvement of renal functions and urine albumin in HUC-MSCs than IRI group with positive antioxidant efficacy of HUC-MSCs through scavenging free radicals and supporting the antioxidant enzymes.

Antiosteoporotic effect of Coelatura aegyptiaca shell powder on ovariectomized rats

The efficacy of Coelatura aegyptiaca shell powder (CES, 500 mg/kg BW) was evaluated as a calcium supplement in ovariectomized (OVX) rats for ten weeks of treatment. The biochemical components and the antioxidant properties of the shell powder were determined. The bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents in serum and bone, serum total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), serum calcitonin and parathyroid (PTH) hormones were determined. Furthermore, some of the oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were estimated in bone. The current study revealed that CES contained 19.38% Ca, 0.315% P as well as some of antioxidant amino acids which have a potent antioxidant activity against 1,1diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Administration of CES to OVX rats increased BMD, BMC, tibial Ca and P contents and BALP activity, as compared to OVX rats. An ameliorative effect was recorded in the levels of calcitonin, PTH, MDA, SOD, GPx and TAC subsequent to CES administration to OVX rats.This ameliorative effect of CES powder against osteoporosis may be attributed to its antioxidant efficacy and/or to its Ca content. In conclusion, CES may have the potential to develop a clinically useful anti-osteoporotic agent, since its effect was comparable with alendronate (6.5 mg/kg BW/week).

Toxicological perturbations of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the Coelatura aegyptiaca mussel

More research is needed to understand the interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with aquatic organisms and their mechanism of toxic action. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are the most used engineered metal oxide NPs in consumer products. The present study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and digestive gland (DG) as well as gill histopathology of the freshwater molluscan bivalve Coelatura aegyptiaca following exposure to ZnONPs (2, 10 and 50 mg/L) for 6 consecutive days. Exposure to ZnONPs (10 and 50 mg/L) induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide with a concomitant decrease in reduced glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase levels in the haemolymph, DG and gills of the treated mussels. Following exposure to ZnONPs (50 mg/L), the DG exhibited gradual changes in glandular activity showing hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the glandular cells and irregularity of lamellae and swelling of filaments in the gills. The present investigation revealed that oxidative stress induction, genotoxicity in the haemocytes and histological alterations in the DG and gills of C. aegyptiaca could be the main mechanisms involved in ZnONPs toxicity in aquatic organisms. Thereby, it is suggested that ZnONPs should be applied with more precautions in relevant industries, and occupational health surveillance should be necessarily considered.

Establishing the first institutional animal care and use committee in Egypt

BackgroundAlthough animal research ethics committees (AREC) are well established in Western countries, this field is weakly developed and its concept is poorly understood in the Middle East and North Africa region.ObjectiveOur main objective was to introduce the concept and requirements of ethical approaches in dealing with experimental animal in research and teaching in Egypt.MethodsDue to its very recent inception, Cairo University, Faculty of Science IACUC decided to operate in accordance with Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 8th Edition 2011 (the Guide) since Egypt has not yet compiled its own guide.ResultsFifty protocols were reviewed in 2013–2014. Only ten protocols were reviewed in 2013, but in 2014, forty protocols were reviewed. In 2013 all protocols were approved and in 2014, number of approvals were 35, the number of deferrals were 4, and one refused protocol. Master’s theses (MSc) research protocols constituted the majority of the total reviewed protocols. This is attributed to the decision of the Board of the Faculty of Science, Cairo University in September, 2013 that the approval of the IACUC is mandatory before conducting any research involving animals or theses registration.ConclusionThe first IACUC was established in the Cairo University, Faculty of Science, since 2012. The challenges encountered by the committee were diverse, such as the absence of laws that control the use of animal models in scientific research, lack of guidelines (protocols for experimental animals in research) and, mandatory ethical approval for any experimental animal research.

New Insights into Sepsis Therapy Using Sepia Officinalis

Background: Sepsis remains a major problem for both scientists and clinicians. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is considered the gold standard for animal models of sepsis. The undesirable side effects of certain antibiotics have forced scientists to discover new, natural, and safe antimicrobial agents, such as cephalopods, which are known to display significant antimicrobial activity. Objectives: The present investigation aims to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and antiseptic efficacy of Sepia officinalis body tissue (SOBT) extract and S. officinalis polysaccharide (SOP) from its cuttlebone. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were divided into 4 groups, and starting 2 hours after CLP, treatments were given for 2 days as follows: sham control rats treated orally with distilled water, septic rats treated orally distilled water, septic rats treated orally methanolic extract of SOBT (500 mg/kg b.wt) suspended in distilled water, and septic rats treated orally SOP extract (200 mg /kg b.wt) dissolved in distilled water. On the third day, half of the rats in each group were euthanized for blood collection. The other half were kept alive and used for the survival study. Results: The present study revealed that the SOBT and SOP extracts showed in vitro bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, administration of SOBT and SOP increased the rats’ survival rates by 66.7% and 83.33%, respectively, as compared to the untreated CLP-septic rats. Treatment of the CLP-septic rats with SOBT and SOP significantly alleviated alterations in procalcitonin levels and in some hematological parameters induced by CLP. Conclusions: SOBT and SOP had profound antiseptic efficacy.

Exploration of the therapeutic potential effect of Sepia officinalis in animal model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture

OBJECTIVE The present investigation explored the therapeutic potential effect of Sepia officinalis body tissue (SOBT) and Sepia officinalis polysaccharide (SOP) extracts, in animal model of sepsis [induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)]. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental animals were divided into 4 groups, Group 1: Sham control rats. Group 2: Septic rats. Group 3: Septic rats treated with methanolic extract of Sepia officinalis body tissue (SOBT) (500mg/kg body weight) for 2days. Group 4: Septic rats treated with Sepia officinalis polysaccharide (SOP) extract (200mg/kg body weight) for 2days. RESULTS The antioxidant activity of SOBT and SOP was proven by DPPH test. CLP-induced liver and kidney toxicities showed by an increase in the ALAT, ASAT, γGT, ALP, creatinine, BUN and uric acid concentrations in serum. Moreover, CLP-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney evidenced by the increase of MDA levels, decrease in GSH concentrations and decrease in the enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GST). In addition, CLP caused decrease in CYP1A2 content in liver. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of SOBT and SOP in liver and kidney disorders. Therefore this study suggests that SOBT and SOP could be a potential therapeutic agents for sepsis treatment.