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BACKGROUND: Infertility is a worldwide medical issue in which infection is recognized to play a major role. Pathogens trigger various mechanisms that impact fertility, either directly by affecting the physiological indices of semen or indirectly by disrupting the process of spermatogenesis. In the current work, the effect of in-vitro cultivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Candida non-albicans (C. non-albicans), and Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) (as the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infections) was assessed on the physiological functions of the spermatozoa and the chemical characteristics of the seminal fluid. METHOD: The semen samples were exposed to cultures of E. coli, C. non-albicans, and T. vaginalis. The study analyzed the changes in motility, agglutination, viability, DNA fragmentation index (DFI%), seminal pH, and biochemical parameters at 1/2, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5 and 4 hours. RESULTS: Incubation of the semen samples with E. coli resulted in a progressive increase in agglutination, pH, and nitrite. The seminal glucose and the sperm motility, on the other hand, were reduced. The sperm vitality and seminal protein remained unaffected. C. non-albicans induced three forms of agglutination (head-to-head, tail-to-tail, and head-to-tail), lowered pH values and decreased the sperm motility, but did not alter the seminal protein, glucose, nitrite, nor the spermatozoa viability at the different tested time intervals. T. vaginalis resulted in increased seminal protein, and reduced glucose, pH, and motility. It also induced minimal agglutination and caused unchanged nitrite and sperm viability. The DFI% was increased in all pathogens with the C. non-albicans showing the highest DNA fragmentation index. CONCLUSION: Urogenital infection with E. coli, C. non-albicans, or T. vaginalis is assumed to affect the quality of semen through DNA fragmentation, agglutination and altered seminal chemical microenvironment.
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Escherichia coli , Sêmen , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Trichomonas vaginalis , Trichomonas vaginalis/fisiologia , Masculino , Humanos , Sêmen/microbiologia , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Candida/fisiologia , Espermatozoides/microbiologia , Fragmentação do DNA , Concentração de Íons de HidrogênioRESUMO
Background: Malaria has been appraised as a significant vector-borne parasitic disease with grave morbidity and high-rate mortality. Several challenges have been confronting the efficient diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Method: Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) were all used to gather articles. Results: Diverse biochemical and physiological indices can mirror complicated malaria e.g., hypoglycemia, dyslipidemia, elevated renal and hepatic functions in addition to the lower antioxidant capacity that does not only destroy the parasite but also induces endothelial damage. Multiple trials have been conducted to improve recent points of care in malaria involving biosensors, lap on-chip, and microdevices technology. Regarding recent therapeutic trials, chemical falcipain inhibitors and plant extracts with anti-plasmodial activities are presented. Moreover, antimalaria nano-medicine and the emergence of nanocarrier (either active or passive) in drug transportation are promising. The combination therapeutic trials e.g., amodiaquine + artemether + lumefantrine are presented to safely counterbalance the emerging drug resistance in addition to the Tafenoquine as a new anti-relapse therapy. Conclusion: Recognizing the pathophysiology indices potentiate diagnosis of malaria. The new points of care can smartly manipulate the biochemical and hematological alterations for a more sensitive and specific diagnosis of malaria. Nano-medicine appeared promising. Chemical and plant extracts remain points of research.
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Antimaláricos , Artemisininas , Malária Falciparum , Malária , Humanos , Antimaláricos/uso terapêutico , Malária Falciparum/tratamento farmacológico , Malária/diagnóstico , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Aberrant origin of the vertebral artery is a rare case. Due to its important clinical significance during operations in the superior mediastinum and the root of the neck, the variations of this artery should be clarified, and any cadaveric case should be explored specifically if accompanied by any vascular problem. In this cadaveric case, the embalmed male cadaver was found to have a pacemaker wire inserted in the heart through the superior vena cava, denoting a vascular incompetence due to sinus arrhythmia. The left vertebral artery was found to originate from the aortic arch, positioned between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. It traveled upward behind the left common carotid artery, passing in front of the stellate ganglion and the ventral rami of cervical spinal nerves before entering the left foramen transversarium of the C6 vertebra. This atypical left vertebral artery, which had an unusual origin from the arch of aorta, was distinct from the right vertebral artery, that typically arises from the right subclavian artery. Also, the left atypical artery was found to be narrower and longer than the right one. Additionally, the left common carotid artery exhibited an unusual origin from the beginning of the brachiocephalic trunk. The present case report would be of significance for vascular surgeons in designing surgical intervention in the root of the neck and for clinicians responsible for monitoring patients with variant vertebral arteries to effectively manage potential vascular complications.
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The microbiota community is composed of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protists that exert symbiotic effects within the human body. Unlike microbiota, parasites are characteristically reliant on their hosts to thrive and flourish, producing toxic metabolites that agitate microbiota and disturb homeostasis. The proper management of parasitic infections addresses several important challenges related to low socioeconomic status and emergent resistance. Therefore, understanding the microbiota's role in interactions with hosts and parasites is crucial for managing parasite diseases with fewer economic and adverse effects associated with pharmaceutical interventions. The current review was divided into three sections. Section 1 focused on the mutual microbiota-host interaction through the purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). The P2X7R is an abundant intestinal cation channel that is crucial in mucosal immunity, facilitated by SIgA-mediated protection in both innate and adaptive immunity. This study demonstrated that microbiota continually "teach and train" host immunity to attain homeostasis via SIgA production (in T cell-independent and T cell-dependent pathways) and the purinergic receptor P2X7R. In addition, we discussed the potential of manipulating SIgA and P2X7R in immune therapies targeting parasitic infections. Section 2 exhibited parasite-microbiota (microbe-microbe) interactions wherein each can indirectly affect one another through physical and immunogenic alterations and directly via predation, bactericidal protein production, and overlapping of nutrient resources. Thus, microbe-microbe interactions appeared to be multifaceted and species-dependent. Section 3 showed the relationship between microbiota and specific parasites, and the promising role of probiotics. In this section, the review discussed examples of tissue, blood, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and respiratory parasitic diseases, while highlighting the associated dysbiosis. Furthermore, Section 3 acknowledged the importance of "strain-dependent" biotherapy to boost beneficial microbiota, modulate immunity, and exert anti-parasitic effects.
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Microbiota , Parasitos , Doenças Parasitárias , Animais , Humanos , Parasitos/metabolismo , Receptores Purinérgicos P2X7 , Imunoglobulina A Secretora/metabolismoRESUMO
The current study assessed the anti-parasitic impact of probiotics on Toxoplasma gondii infection either solely or challenged with diabetes in Swiss albino mice. The study design encompassed group-A (diabetic), group-B (non-diabetic), and healthy controls (C). Each group was divided into infected-untreated (subgroup-1); infected and spiramycin-treated (subgroup-2); infected and probiotic-treated (subgroup-3); infected and spiramycin+ probiotic-treated (subgroup-4). Diabetic-untreated animals exhibited acute toxoplasmosis and higher cerebral parasite load. Overall, various treatments reduced intestinal pathology, improved body weight, and decreased mortalities; nevertheless, probiotic + spiramycin exhibited significant differences. On day 7 post-infection both PD-1 and IL-17A demonstrated higher scores in the intestine of diabetic-untreated mice compared with non-diabetics and healthy control; whereas, claudin-1 revealed worsening expression. Likewise, on day 104 post-infection cerebral PD-1 and IL-17A showed increased expressions in diabetic animals. Overall, treatment modalities revealed lower scores of PD-1 and IL-17A in non-diabetic subgroups compared with diabetics. Intestinal and cerebral expressions of IL-17A and PD-1 demonstrated positive correlations with cerebral parasite load. In conclusion, toxoplasmosis when challenged with diabetes showed massive pathological features and higher parasite load in the cerebral tissues. Probiotics are a promising adjunct to spiramycin by ameliorating IL-17A and PD-1 in the intestinal and cerebral tissues, improving the intestinal expression of claudin-1, and efficiently reducing the cerebral parasite load.
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BACKGROUND: Acute paracetamol toxicity is a common and potentially life-threatening emergency causing liver failure that may necessitate liver transplantation. Unfortunately, current therapies are still defective. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effects exerted by Aleppo galls (Quercus infectoria Olivier) extract against acute paracetamol toxicity in mice. METHODOLOGY: Eighteen mice were divided into three experimental groups, each included six mice in each group. The groups included: negative control group, paracetamol toxicity group that received an acute toxic intraperitoneal dose of paracetamol (250 mg/kg) for four consecutive days, and treatment group (received 250 mg/kg paracetamol followed few hours later by Aleppo galls extract for the same duration). Animals were anaesthetized using ether anaesthesia. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation and blood samples were drawn. Paracetamol toxicity effects versus Aleppo galls protection were evaluated on liver function tests, liver histology, serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides. RESULTS: Acute paracetamol toxicity caused significantly elevated serum transaminases (ALT and AST), decreased serum albumin, and increased serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Aleppo galls extract exerted significant protective effects and restored near normal serum levels of the previously-mentioned parameters. Upon histopathological evaluation, mice in the control group showed normal hepatic architecture with preserved hepatic cords and sinuses. Acute paracetamol toxicity induced peripheral zonal degeneration with focal necrosis of the hepatic tissue. The hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic vacuolation with indistinct cell borders. Central hepatic venules were congested. Administration of Aleppo galls extract reduced the tissue damaging effects induced by paracetamol toxicity with only minimal residual degenerative changes that were observed with absent necrosis. CONCLUSION: Quercus infectoria Olivier (Aleppo galls) is a promising source of phytochemicals and future therapeutics.
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Background: Hypothyroidism has been linked to many testicular structural and dysfunctional changes in males. Thymoquinone (TQ) has shown a potent testicular protective effect through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, fertility-enhancing, and endocrine modulatory activities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of TQ in preserving the testicular structure of a model of experimentally induced hypothyroidism in rats and identify the mechanism behind this effect. Materials and methods: Propylthiouracil (PTU) was used to induce hypothyroidism in adult male Wistar rats, who were then treated with TQ (50 mg/kg/body weight) for 4 weeks and compared to the untreated rats. Thyroid hormonal profile, oxidants/antioxidants profile, and serum testosterone levels were assessed. Gene expression and immune expression of SIRT1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and NF-κB were also assessed in the testicular tissue. Results: TQ administration successfully improved PTU-induced disturbance in the thyroid hormonal profile (T3, T4, and TSH), serum testosterone level, and pancreatic antioxidants compared to the untreated hypothyroid group. TQ significantly downregulated (p = 0.001, p Ë 0.001) TNF-α and NF-κB transcription, while it significantly upregulated (p = 0.01) SIRT1 transcription in the testes of hypothyroid rats. TQ markedly relieved the histopathological testicular changes induced by PTU and significantly increased (p = 0.002, p = 0.01) the sectional area of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelial height, respectively. TUNEL-positive apoptotic germinal cells were significantly decreased (p Ë 0.001), while PCNA-positive proliferating germinal cells and androgen receptor expression were significantly increased (p Ë 0.001) in the testes of TQ-treated hypothyroid rats. Conclusion: Thymoquinone could limit the hypothyroidism-induced structural changes in the testis, mostly through the upregulation of SIRT1 expression, which seems to mediate its promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects that were evident in this study. Therefore, TQ is recommended as an adjuvant safe supplement in managing hypothyroidism, especially in males.
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Purpose: The Hall technique (HT) is a non-invasive approach to treating carious primary teeth. Its acceptability by parents and effectiveness is not widely known in the Middle East. Therefore, we aimed to conduct this study to explore the effectiveness of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) fitting by HT and to what extent the parent's satisfaction for their children in Jeddah region. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the outpatient pediatric dental clinic at Jeddah Specialty Dental Center, in 2018. The cohort of children was exposed to the HT and was recalled 3 months to two years later to examine present or absence of: crown loss, open margin, signs or symptoms of reversible or irreversible pulpitis, and if the tooth exfoliated naturally. Parents who agreed to undergo the HT for their children completed a 5-point Likert questionnaire after treatment and after three months. Results: A total of 48 children (72 teeth) were initially enrolled, but only 25 children (49 teeth) completed two years of follow-up. At 2 years follow-up, one PMC was lost (2.04%) while no teeth fitted with the HT required any further intervention. Around 96% of parents were satisfied with this procedure and 92% wanted other carious teeth to be treated similarly. All parents were satisfied with this technique because it did not include local anesthesia and no drilling. It was found that parents of girls were satisfied more than parents of boys and on average their satisfaction score at the time of treatment was 3.04 units higher than parents of boys with a significant p-value of 0.02 and 95% CI for the beta coefficient to be 0.46 to 5.62. Conclusion: The HT is effective as a treatment of dental caries and it was generally accepted by parents initially and during their follow-up visits.
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Background: Studies regarding treatment of acute toxicity with diclofenac (ATD) are quite few. Diclofenac is commonly prescribed in neurology, psychiatry, and general medicine practice. This study investigated possible colon-protective effects exerted by Ajwa date fruit extract (ADFE), a prophetic medicine remedy native to Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia against ATD. Phytochemicals in ADFE as gallic acid and quercetin have reported protective effects against ATD. Methods: Total phenols and flavonoids in ADFE were estimated as equivalents to gallic acid and quercetin. Four experimental groups were allocated each of six rats: control group, ATD group received a single dose of 150 mg diclofenac intraperitoneally, toxicity prevention group received a single dose of ADFE orally followed 4 hours later by diclofenac injection, and toxicity treatment group received a similar diclofenac dose followed 4 hours later by a single dose of ADFE. Four days later, animals were sacrificed. Histological and biochemical examinations were done. Results: ADFE has a total phenolic content of 331.7 gallic acid equivalent/gram extract and a total flavonoid content of 70.23 quercetin equivalent/gram. ATD significantly increased oxidative stress markers as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Serum MDA and H2O2 were significantly scavenged by ADFE. ATD significantly (p<0.001) decreased antioxidant power as serum total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. That was reversed by ADFE in both prevention and treatment groups. Histologically, ATD caused complete destruction of colonic crypts architecture, patchy loss of the crypts, loss of the surface epithelium, absent goblet cells and submucosal exudate, heavy infiltration of the lamina propria and submucosa with inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocytes and eosinophils. There were mucosal haemorrhages and submucosal dilated congested blood vessels. All that was prevented and treated using ADFE. Conclusion: ADFE is rich in quercetin and gallic acid equivalents that exert potent antitoxic effects. ADFE is strongly recommended for preventive and therapeutic colon effects against ATD.
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Diclofenaco , Phoeniceae , Animais , Antioxidantes/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Diclofenaco/toxicidade , Flavonoides/química , Ácido Gálico , Peróxido de Hidrogênio , Fenóis , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Quercetina/farmacologia , RatosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Acute and chronic stresses affect the salivary glands, representing the source of plasma BDNF during stressful conditions. Pumpkin is a medicinal plant with an evident antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potential antidepressant effects. OBJECTIVE: To assess the structural and biochemical effects induced by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on salivary glands of albino rats, and to evaluate the role of pumpkin extract (Pump) in ameliorating this effect. METHODOLOGY: Four groups (n=10 each) of male albino rats were included in this study: the control, CUMS, Fluoxetine-treated and Pump-treated. The corticosterone, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the oxidant/antioxidant profile were all assessed in the serum. The level of BDNF mRNA was measured in the salivary glands using qRT-PCR. Histopathological changes of the salivary glands were also assessed. RESULTS: The depressive-like status was confirmed behaviorally and biochemically. Exposure to CUMS significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) the level of serum corticosterone. CUMS induced degenerative changes in the secretory and ductal elements of the salivary glands evident by increased apoptosis. Both Fluoxetine and Pumpkin significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) BDNF expression in the salivary glands and ameliorated the CUMS-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in the salivary glands. Pumpkin significantly (p<0.001) increased the serum levels of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX and CAT, and reduced the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6. CONCLUSION: Pumpkin ameliorates the depressive-like status induced in rats following exposure to chronic stress through exerting a promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-depressant-like effects. The pumpkin, subsequently, improved stress-induced structural changes in the salivary glands that might be due to up-regulation of BDNF expression in the glands.
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Cucurbita , Animais , Encéfalo , Ratos , Glândulas SalivaresRESUMO
Abstract Acute and chronic stresses affect the salivary glands, representing the source of plasma BDNF during stressful conditions. Pumpkin is a medicinal plant with an evident antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potential antidepressant effects. Objective To assess the structural and biochemical effects induced by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on salivary glands of albino rats, and to evaluate the role of pumpkin extract (Pump) in ameliorating this effect. Methodology Four groups (n=10 each) of male albino rats were included in this study: the control, CUMS, Fluoxetine-treated and Pump-treated. The corticosterone, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the oxidant/antioxidant profile were all assessed in the serum. The level of BDNF mRNA was measured in the salivary glands using qRT-PCR. Histopathological changes of the salivary glands were also assessed. Results The depressive-like status was confirmed behaviorally and biochemically. Exposure to CUMS significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) the level of serum corticosterone. CUMS induced degenerative changes in the secretory and ductal elements of the salivary glands evident by increased apoptosis. Both Fluoxetine and Pumpkin significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) BDNF expression in the salivary glands and ameliorated the CUMS-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in the salivary glands. Pumpkin significantly (p<0.001) increased the serum levels of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX and CAT, and reduced the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6. Conclusion Pumpkin ameliorates the depressive-like status induced in rats following exposure to chronic stress through exerting a promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-depressant-like effects. The pumpkin, subsequently, improved stress-induced structural changes in the salivary glands that might be due to up-regulation of BDNF expression in the glands.