Thioacetamide-induced liver injury: protective role of genistein.

This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of genistein (GEN), a phytoestrogen, on the liver injury induced in rats by thioacetamide (TTA; 200.0 mg·(kg body mass)(-1); administered 3 times a week by intraperitoneal injection). GEN (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg·(kg body mass)(-1); by subcutaneous injection) was concurrently administered on a daily basis for 8 weeks, and its effects were evaluated 24 h after the administration of the last dose. The results from this study revealed that TTA-induced liver injury was associated with massive changes in the serum levels of liver biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, and liver inflammatory cytokines. Treatment of TAA-induced liver injury in rats with GEN decreased the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total and direct bilirubin, and increased the serum level of albumin. GEN also restored the liver levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and their modulator nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. From our results, it can be concluded that GEN attenuates the liver injury-induced in rats with TAA, and this hepatoprotective role is attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Prevalence and determinants of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Egypt: A cross-sectional study.

PROBLEM: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a significant public health concern, and understanding its determinants is crucial for developing effective interventions to support women during pregnancy and childbirth. BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is increasingly recognized as an essential psychological health concern among pregnant women globally. However, research elucidating the prevalence and multifaceted determinants of FOC in the Egyptian context remains scarce. This knowledge is pivotal to informing maternal health practices. AIM: This study aimed to investigate FOC prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 low-risk pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, from February 2023 to July 2023. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric profiles, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. RESULTS: The prevalence of FOC ranged from mild to severe, with 70.4% of women displaying some degree of fear and 11.3% exhibiting severe FOC. Key determinants associated with greater FOC were younger age, nulliparity, unplanned pregnancy, negative previous birth experiences, and preference for cesarean delivery. An inverse relationship was found between FOC and childbirth self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a high FOC prevalence among Egyptian pregnant women, necessitating the need for systematic screening and tailored interventions to mitigate this concern, especially among high-risk groups like young, nulliparous mothers. Fostering childbirth self-efficacy may aid in reducing FOC. These findings can inform the enhancement of holistic maternal health practices in Egypt.

Effectiveness of Health Information Package Program on Knowledge and Compliance among Pregnant Women with Anemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Despite the availability of iron supplements during pregnancy for all pregnant women receiving antenatal care in Saudi Arabia, anemia remains to be a global public health concern leading to adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal effects. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Health Information Package Program on the knowledge anemic pregnant women had about anemia, their compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation, and their hemoglobin levels. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines between January and May 2021. Pregnant women (n = 196) aged 18-45 years old and diagnosed with anemia during the first trimester of their pregnancy were randomly assigned into two groups: the intervention group (Health Information Package Program plus routine care, n = 98) and the control group (routine care only, n = 98). Knowledge, the ability to select appropriate food, and hemoglobin levels were assessed at baseline and after three months, while compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation was also measured at the end of three months. This study indicated that the post-education mean knowledge score, food selection ability score, compliance rate, and hemoglobin level were significantly higher for the intervention group than for the control group. The Health Information Package Program with regular follow-ups using the WhatsApp platform was an effective educational intervention for anemic pregnant women.

Hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in high altitude population: impact of coenzyme Q10 supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on oxidative stress engendered from hypoxia in population live at high altitude. METHODS: This is an intervention study in which 50 females of volunteers population-36 of them who live at high altitude compared with the placebo group (14 from the total population that live at sea level). Blood samples were collected in -anticoagulant tubes from control and high altitude before and after CoQ10 supplementation (150 mg/day for 2, 4 and 8 weeks). Plasma was separated and used for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NOx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), paraoxonase (PON1) by spectrophotometer, CoQ10 and vitamin E by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Our results appeared that TAC, PON1, vitamin E and CoQ10 concentrations were significantly decreased in population at high altitude at base line compared to placebo group population at sea level. Whereas, administration of CoQ10 attenuated all measured parameters especially after eight weeks of administration. CONCLUSION: We concluded that coenzyme Q10 supplement at a dose of 150 mg/day has a powerful effect in oxidative stress parameters and increased antioxidant parameters included vitamin E in population with hypoxia after 4 and 8 weeks. So that supplementation positively affects oxidative stress and is recommended CoQ10 supplementation in population who live at high altitude.

Vinpocetine ameliorates acute hepatic damage caused by administration of carbon tetrachloride in rats.

Vinpocetine is a widely used drug for the treatment of cerebrovascular and memory disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of vinpocetine on the acute hepatic injury caused in the rat by the administration of CCl4 in vivo. Vinpocetine (2.1, 4.2, 8.4 mg/kg) or silymarin (30 mg/kg) was given once daily orally simultaneously with CCl4 and for 15 days thereafter. Liver damage was assessed by determining serum enzyme activities and hepatic histopathology. Stained sections were subjected to morphometric evaluation using computerized image analyzer. The results showed that vinpocetine administered to CCl4-treated rats decreased the elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 49.3, 58.1 and 63.6%, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by 10.5, 22.6 and 27.2% and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 52.5, 59.6 and 64.9%, respectively, and in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, silymarin reduced elevated ALT, AST and ALP levels by 53.1, 26.9 and 66%, respectively. Histological examination of liver specimens revealed a marked reduction in liver cell necrosis in vinpocetine and silymarin-treated rats compared with vehicle-treated CCl4-treated rats. Quantitative analysis of the area of damage showed 85.3% reduction in the area of damage after silymarin and 72.2, 78.9 and 82.6% reduction after vinpocetine treatment at 2.1, 4.2, 8.4 mg/kg, respectively. It is concluded that administration of vinpocetine in a model of CCl4-induced liver injury in rats reduced liver damage. The reduction obtained by 4.2 mg/kg of vinpocetine was similar to that obtained by 30 mg/kg silymarin. Therefore, it is suggested that vinpocetine might be a good pharmacological agent in the treatment of liver disease besides its neuroprotective effects.