Curcumin Mitigates Malathion-Induced Renal Injury: Suppression of Apoptosis and Modulation of NF-κß/TNF-α and Nrf2, and HO-1 Signaling.

Malathion is one of the most used organophosphorus pesticides that is used for many reasons such as agriculture and industry. Human exposure to malathion may occur through various means, such as eating food that has been treated with it. Malathion not only increases oxidative stress but also decreases the antioxidant capacity. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant with many pharmacological actions. Curcumin can act as a free radical scavenger and inhibit the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Curcumin could combat the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant depletion that trigger the apoptotic pathways. This study aims to examine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects of curcumin. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (six rats each): control, curcumin, malathion, and malathion + curcumin groups. At the assigned time, blood samples were used for the assessment of serum creatinine, and the kidneys were excised and washed; parts of them were used for the assessment of total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and glutathione (GSH) activity, other parts were fixed in formalin for further staining. Histopathological evaluation was performed for the fixed specimens after staining with H&E, sirus red, and the immunohistochemical staining for NF-κß, TNF-α, Caspase-3, Nrf2, and HO-1. Curcumin significantly decreases the serum creatinine after malathion exposure and significantly restores the oxidant/antioxidant balance by increasing TAC and GSH and decreasing TOS, OSI, and MDA. Curcumin exerts its reno-protective effect and restores the histological architecture of the kidney by downregulating the immune expression of NF-κß, TNF-α, and Caspase-3 and upregulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. This study concluded that curcumin protects against nephrotoxicity caused by malathion by exerting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic capabilities.

Potential role for vitamin D vs. intermittent fasting in controlling aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-3 expression in HFD-induced urinary bladder alterations in rats.

Background: High-fat diet-induced obesity is linked to suppression of aquaporins (AQPs) expression in different tissues. Both vitamin D and intermittent fasting were identified to enhance AQPs expression. In the urinary bladder, AQP-1 and AQP-3 mRNA transcripts were identified. Vitamin D has an impact on a variety of genes that encode proteins that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Aim: To assess potential benefits of vitamin D and intermittent fasting (IF) and to explore alterations to the urinary bladder triggered by high-fat diet (HFD) in a rat model of obesity. Methods: Each of the 4 groups contained six adult male albino rats; control: a standard rodent chew for 12 weeks, HFD: HFD and fructose were administered orally via gastric gavage for 12 weeks, and vitamin D: HFD and fructose were administered orally for 8 weeks, then 4 weeks of intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D (5 microns/Kg/2 days) and IF group: Received intraperitoneal injections of vitamin D (5 microns/Kg/2 days) for 4 weeks after consumption of HFD and fructose orally for 8 weeks. The serum lipid profile was conducted at end of the experiment. In the bladder homogenates, the levels of oxidative stress indicators were assessed. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on recently collected bladder samples. AQP-1 and AQP-3 immunohistochemistry was done. Results: When compared to the HFD group, the vitamin D and IF groups both demonstrated a substantial improvement in histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular markers. Conclusion: In all examined parameters, IF exceeded vitamin D as a preventive factor for the urinary bladder deterioration.

Effect of the patient's knowledge on peritonitis rates in peritoneal dialysis.

INTRODUCTION: After a training period, patients maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) assume responsibility for their own treatment. With the aid of appropriate tools, home visits help with ongoing evaluation and training for these patients. METHODS: We conducted a home visit survey of 50 patients maintained on CAPD in Sudan between April 2009 and June 2010. Housing conditions, home environment, and patient's or caregiver's knowledge about peritoneal dialysis and the exchange procedure were evaluated using structured data collection sheets. Scores were compared with infection rates in the patients before the home visit. RESULTS: Patients were maintained on CAPD for a median duration of 11 months. Their mean age was 42 ± 23 years; 70% were male; and 14% had diabetes. Only 34% of patients had suitable housing conditions, and 56% required assisted PD. Of the autonomous patients and assisting family members, 11.6% were illiterate. The median achieved knowledge score was 11.5 of 35 points. The median achieved exchange score was 15 of 20 points. Knowledge and exchange scores were positively and significantly correlated (R = 0.5, p = 0.00). More patients in the upper quartile than in the middle and lower quartiles of knowledge scores were adherent to daily exit-site care (33.3% vs 5.3%, p = 0.02). Compared with patients in the middle and lower quartiles of knowledge score, patients in the upper quartile had lower rates of peritonitis, exit-site infection, and hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed evaluation form is a valid and reliable assessment tool for the follow-up of CAPD patients. Patients in the upper quartile of knowledge score demonstrated better adherence to the recommended treatment protocols and lower infection rates.

The role of medical students in patient education to promote home management of diabetes mellitus in wad medani town, Sudan 2003.

INTRODUCTION: Faculty of Medicine University of Gezira, utilized a community based educational strategy. In the module primary health care centre practice and family medicine (PHCCP & FM), each student is assigned a family for whom priority health problems are identified and education given accordingly. OBJECTIVES: To provide, through medical students, health education to diabetics in the assigned families and to assess the impact of the students' intervention. METHODS: THIS IS LONGITUDINAL INTERVENTIONAL STUDY WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN THREE STAGES: training of medical students, education to diabetic patients and evaluation of the intervention. RESULTS: There was a highly significant difference in the students' knowledge and skills including communication skills on the home management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetics in the families were 80(3.3%), 42 (52.5%) females, 38 (47.5%) males. Their ages ranged between 22-78 years. Illiteracy rate was 9 (11.2%), most of the families' incomes ranged from low to middle, only 25% were of the high income bracket. More than half 47(58.7%) of the diabetics reported complications of diabetes. Eye complications 6 (7.5%), peripheral neuropathy 15 (18.7%), foot sepsis 4 (4.5%), urinary tract infection 11 (13.7%), renal failure 2 (2.5%), others 9 (11.2%). There was a highly significant improvement in the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the diabetics, as a result of the student intervention. These included compliance to treatment, adherence to diabetic diet, regular care of the feet, knowledge of major diabetic complications, knowledge of signs of hypoglycaemia, and home management of hypoglycemia. Ten cases with serious complications were referred to Wad Medani teaching hospital.