Assessing the hepatoprotective effects of hesperidin on liver-associated disorders in albino rats with experimentally induced obesity and type II diabetes: A histological and biochemical study.

Hesperidin (HSP) has multiple beneficial effects in verities of clinical situations including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AIM: Determination of curative effects of HSP on the liver in T2DM rats through biochemical and histopathological studies. METHODS: Animals. Fifty rats were enrolled. 10 rats were fed a normal diet (control group), and the remaining 40 rats received a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The HFD-fed rats were grouped into Group II: 10 rats, and Group III: 10 rats received HSP 100 mg/kg. Group IV: 10 rats received a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ), 30 mg/kg, and Group V: 10 rats received STZ and HSP. Body weight, Blood glucose, insulin level, liver enzymes, lipid profile, oxidative stress, TNF-α, NF-κB, and liver biopsy were estimated. RESULTS: there is improvement in the histological profile of the steatosis in HFD-fed rats treated with HSP either in group III or in group V (received STZ) along with amelioration in blood glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, lipid profile, oxidative profile, TNF-α, and NF-κB. CONCLUSION: HSP in this STZ model revealed an improvement in steatosis, biochemical markers, and histologic findings. By studying these factors, we expected to identify the prospective targets for intervention that could help improve outcomes for individuals with obesity and diabetes-related liver diseases.

Interleukin-18 expression in rheumatoid artheritis synovial tissue and its relation to disease activity.

The study investigates the expression and function of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in synovial tissue (ST) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-18 and IL-18 receptors (IL-18R) mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of IL-18 at protein level was analyzed by western blotting technique. Cytokines; (IL-18 and interferon-[IFN-gamma]) in culture supernatants from ST cell organ and synovial cultures and IL-18 in sera and synovial fluid (SF) were measured by ELISA. The ST samples were taken from 44 RA patients and thirty osteoarthritis patients (OA) were included as controls. Using RT-PCR, for ST of RA and OA, mRNA expression of IL-18 was detected in 39 out of 44 (88.6%) RA patients and in 14 out of 30 (46.6%) OA controls. However, mRNA expression of IL-18 R alpha and beta chains were detected in 39 and 35 out of 44 (88.6% and 79.5%) RA patients, respectively. ST of OA did not express mRNA of alpha and beta chains of IL-18 R. In vitro study of IL-18 production by ST showed significantly higher levels in RA compared to that of OA patients (P<0.005). Western blotting revealed that the expression of ST IL-18 was more in RA than in OA (P < 0.02). Only IL-12, but not IL-18, stimulates IFN-gamma production by RAST cells [mean +/- SD = 246 +/- 15 pg/ml]. However, when IL-12 was combined with IL-18, they could significantly stimulate IFN-gamma production by RAST cells [M +/- SD = 629 +/- 18 pg/ml]. OA ST cells did not respond to either IL-12 alone or when combined to IL-18. II-18 was detected at significantly higher levels in sera and SF of RA patients in comparison to OA controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). IL-18 level in the sera and SF in RA patients was significantly correlated with disease activity. In conclusion, IL-18 is expressed in RA synovia and contributes to the production of IFN-gamma by the infiltrating T-cells. These cytokines could play a proinflammatory role in the pathogenesis of RA.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus in Egyptian children presented with minor hepatic disorders.

UNLABELLED: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered as one of the common causes of particular hepatitis in developing countries. It is transmitted in a fecal-oral manner. It causes sporadic infections and large epidemics. To estimate the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies to ORF3 peptide of Hepatitis E virus genome in an age of children, study subjects (100 children) between 6 months and 10 years with minor, hepatic illnesses were recruited for the study during the period from September 2004 to September 2005. Serum anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM antibodies were screened in all subjects, anti-HEV IgM antibodies were assayed as an indicator of recent infection. Serum transaminases (AST and ALT) were estimated in positive subjects. Out of 100 subjects recruited, 26 subjects (26%) demonstrated anti-HEV IgG and 6 (6 %) were anti-HEV IgM and IgG positive. Anti-HEV IgG were present since the first year of age till 10 years of age and increased with advancing age. Serum transaminases were raised in one (17%) of subjects with anti-HEV IgM antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Children are susceptible to HEV infection since early infancy. Seropositivity to HEV antibodies increased by over 2 times beyond 4 years of age as compared to younger age.