The natural anticoagulant protein S; hemostatic functions and deficiency.

Protein S (PS) is a vital endogenous anticoagulant. It plays a crucial role in regulating coagulation by acting as a cofactor for the activated protein C (APC) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) pathways. Additionally, it possesses direct anticoagulant properties by impeding the intrinsic tenase and prothrombinase complexes. Protein S oversees the coagulation process in both the initiation and propagation stages through these roles. The significance of protein S in regulating blood clotting can be inferred from the significant correlation between deficits in protein S and an elevated susceptibility to venous thrombosis. This is likely because activated protein C and tissue factor pathway inhibitor exhibit low efficacy as anticoagulants when no cofactors exist. The precise biochemical mechanisms underlying the roles of protein S cofactors have yet to be fully elucidated. Nevertheless, recent scientific breakthroughs have significantly enhanced comprehension findings for these functions. The diagnosis of protein S deficiency, both from a technical and genetic standpoint, is still a subject of debate due to the complex structural characteristics of the condition. This paper will provide an in-depth review of the molecular structure of protein S and its hemostatic effects. Furthermore, we shall address the insufficiency of protein S and its methods of diagnosis and treatment.

What is the purpose of this summary? To provide an in-depth review of the molecular structure of protein S and its hemostatic effects.To address the deficiency of protein S and its methods of diagnosis and treatment.What is known? Protein S operates as an anticoagulant through its roles as a cofactor for APC, TFPI, and an inhibitor of FIXa.Protein S deficiency can be either inherited or acquired.What is new? Plasma protein S and platelet-derived protein S contribute to regulating coagulation and maintaining hemostasis. Protein S can be used as a potential promising treatment target for persons diagnosed with hemophilia.

A Review of the Characteristics of Clinical Trials and Potential Medications for Alcohol Dependence: Data Analysis from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Objective. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of clinical trials related to alcohol dependence that are registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Methods. All ClinicalTrials.gov trials registered up to 1 January 2023 were examined, focusing on trials that involved alcohol dependence. All 1295 trials were summarized by presenting their characteristics and results and reviewed most intervention drugs used in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Results. The study analysis identified a total of 1295 clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov that were focused on alcohol dependence. Of these, 766 trials had been completed, representing 59.15% of the total, while 230 trials were currently recruiting participants, accounting for 17.76% of the total. None of the trials had yet been approved for marketing. The majority of the studies included in this analysis were interventional studies (1145 trials, or 88.41%), which accounted for most of the patients enrolled in the trials. In contrast, observational studies represented only a small portion of the trials (150 studies, or 11.58%) and involved a smaller number of patients. In terms of geographic distribution, the majority of registered studies were located in North America (876 studies, or 67.64%), while only a small number of studies were registered in South America (7 studies, or 0.54%). Conclusions. The purpose of this review is to provide a basis for the treatment of alcohol dependence and prevention of its onset through an overview of clinical trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. It also offers essential information for future research to guide future studies.

Resveratrol Ameliorates Vancomycin-Induced Testicular Dysfunction in Male Rats.

Background and Objectives: Numerous studies have indicated that antibiotics may adversely affect testicular and sperm function. As an alternative to penicillin, vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic developed to treat resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. A few studies have suggested that vancomycin could cause testicular toxicity and apoptosis. Vancomycin, however, has not been investigated in terms of its mechanism of causing testicular toxicity. Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of resveratrol (20 mg/kg, oral gavage) against vancomycin (200 mg/kg, i.p.) on the testicular function of Wistar rats for one week (7 days). There were three subgroups of animals. First, saline (i.p.) was administered to the control group. Then, in the second group, vancomycin was administered. Finally, vancomycin and resveratrol were administered in combination in the third group. Results: After seven days of vancomycin treatment, testosterone levels, sperm counts, and sperm motility were significantly reduced, but resveratrol attenuated the effects of vancomycin and restored the testosterone levels, sperm counts, and sperm motility to normal. In the presence of resveratrol, the vancomycin effects were attenuated, and the luteinizing hormone and follicular hormone levels were normalized after seven days of treatment with vancomycin. Histologically, vancomycin administration for seven days caused damage to testicular tissues and reduced the thickness of the basal lamina. However, the resveratrol administration with vancomycin prevented vancomycin's toxic effects on testicular tissue. Conclusion: Resveratrol showed potential protective effects against vancomycin-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats.

Evaluation of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology Knowledge of Epilepsy among Senior Pharmacy Students: A Single Center Experience.

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Pharmacists represent an integral role in managing patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge about the pharmacology and pathophysiology of epilepsy among senior pharmacy students. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study using a designed questionnaire to measure the pharmacological and physiological knowledge of senior pharmacy students regarding epilepsy who are studying at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from August to October 2022. Results: A total of 211 senior clinical pharmacy students responded to the questionnaire. The majority of the respondents were 4th year pharmacy students. The numbers of female and male participants were equal (106 and 105 students, respectively). The participants represented an acceptable level of knowledge about the pathophysiology aspects of epilepsy, with a mean total score of 6.22 ± 1.9 out of a maximum score of 10. The respondents reported that epilepsy could be due to genetic predisposition combined with environmental conditions (80.1%) or brain stroke (17.1%). Regarding the respondent knowledge about the pharmacology of epilepsy, the total score was 4.6 ± 2.1 (maximum attainable score: 9). Conclusions: The majority of pharmacy students had knowledge about the pathophysiology concept of the disease; however, low knowledge was shown by the respondents regarding the pharmacology of epilepsy. Thus, there is a need to identify better strategies to improve students' education.

The complex regional pain syndrome: Diagnosis and management strategies.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic disease that affects a limb following an injury or trauma. The CRPS associated with symptoms, including severe pain, swelling, as well as changes in skin color and temperature. Treatment of CRPS requires a multidisciplinary approach, with a focus on personalized treatment plans and addressing psychological factors. This review provides an overview of updates in the diagnosis and treatment of CRPS. There are clinical criteria for diagnosing CRPS, including persistent pain and swelling. The CRPS can also be diagnosed with imaging and laboratory tests. Novel insights into treatment approaches for CRPS have been gained from advances in understanding its pathophysiology. Treatment of CRPS includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The latest guidelines for CRPS treatment emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, personalized treatment plans, and addressing psychological factors in managing CRPS.

Efficacy and safety of delafloxacin, ceftaroline, ceftobiprole, and tigecycline for the empiric treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: This review aimed to conduct an indirect comparison using a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy and safety of delafloxacin versus other single antibiotic regimens for the empiric treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections. Method: A systematic search with no start date restrictions was conducted. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the quality of included RCTs. Results: Of the 577 studies initially identified, nine RCTs were included in the review. The network meta-analysis showed that ceftaroline, ceftobiprole, delafloxacin and tigecycline had similar efficacy in the indirect comparisons [Ceftaroline Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% Crl = 0.46-3.6), ceftobiprole (OR = 1.3, 95% Crl = 0.34-3.0) and tigecycline (OR = 0.96, 95% Crl = 0.30-2.9)]. However, the ranking plot for the intention to treat (ITT) population showed that delafloxacin had a probability of 80.8% to be ranked first followed by ceftobiprole (13.1%). The analysis of the overall adverse events showed that ceftaroline (OR = 0.88, 95% Crl = 0.65-1.2), ceftobiprole (OR = 1.1, 95% Crl = 0.69-2.0), delafloxacin (OR = 0.88, 95% Crl = 0.57-1.3) and tigecycline (OR = 1.4, 95% Crl = 0.88-2.2) had similar safety profiles. Conclusion: Delafloxacin did not show any statistically significant differences when compared to ceftaroline, ceftobiprole, and tigecycline in terms of efficacy and safety. However, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability ranked delafloxacin as the first option for the ITT population.

Factor XIII-A: An Indispensable "Factor" in Haemostasis and Wound Healing.

Factor XIII (FXIII) is a transglutaminase enzyme that catalyses the formation of ε-(γ-glutamyl)lysyl isopeptide bonds into protein substrates. The plasma form, FXIIIA2B2, has an established function in haemostasis, with fibrin being its principal substrate. A deficiency in FXIII manifests as a severe bleeding diathesis emphasising its crucial role in this pathway. The FXIII-A gene (F13A1) is expressed in cells of bone marrow and mesenchymal lineage. The cellular form, a homodimer of the A subunits denoted FXIII-A, was perceived to remain intracellular, due to the lack of a classical signal peptide for its release. It is now apparent that FXIII-A can be externalised from cells, by an as yet unknown mechanism. Thus, three pools of FXIII-A exist within the circulation: plasma where it circulates in complex with the inhibitory FXIII-B subunits, and the cellular form encased within platelets and monocytes/macrophages. The abundance of this transglutaminase in different forms and locations in the vasculature reflect the complex and crucial roles of this enzyme in physiological processes. Herein, we examine the significance of these pools of FXIII-A in different settings and the evidence to date to support their function in haemostasis and wound healing.

Monocytes Expose Factor XIII-A and Stabilize Thrombi against Fibrinolytic Degradation.

Factor XIII (FXIII) is a transglutaminase that promotes thrombus stability by cross-linking fibrin. The cellular form, a homodimer of the A subunits, denoted FXIII-A, lacks a classical signal peptide for its release; however, we have shown that it is exposed on activated platelets. Here we addressed whether monocytes expose intracellular FXIII-A in response to stimuli. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrate that FXIII-A antigen and activity are up-regulated on human monocytes in response to stimulation by IL-4 and IL-10. Higher basal levels of the FXIII-A antigen were noted on the membrane of the monocytic cell line THP-1, but activity was significantly enhanced following stimulation with IL-4 and IL-10. In contrast, treatment with lipopolysaccharide did not upregulate exposure of FXIII-A in THP-1 cells. Quantification of the FXIII-A activity revealed a significant increase in THP-1 cells in total cell lysates following stimulation with IL-4 and IL-10. Following fractionation, the largest pool of FXIII-A was membrane associated. Monocytes were actively incorporated into the fibrin mesh of model thrombi. We found that stimulation of monocytes and THP-1 cells with IL-4 and IL-10 stabilized FXIII-depleted thrombi against fibrinolytic degradation, via a transglutaminase-dependent mechanism. Our data suggest that monocyte-derived FXIII-A externalized in response to stimuli participates in thrombus stabilization.

Application of Three Ecological Assessment Tools in Examining Chromatographic Methods for the Green Analysis of a Mixture of Dopamine, Serotonin, Glutamate and GABA: A Comparative Study.

The assessment of greenness of analytical protocols is of great importance now to preserve the environment. Some studies have analyzed either only the neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), together or with other neurotransmitters and biomarkers. However, these methods have not been investigated for their greenness and were not compared with each other to find the optimum one. Therefore, this study aims to compare seven published chromatographic methods that analyzed the four neurotransmitters and their mixtures using the National Environmental Method Index, Analytical Eco-Scale Assessment (ESA), and Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI). As these methods cover both qualitative and quantitative aspects, they offer better transparency. Overall, GAPI showed maximum greenness throughout the analysis. Method 6 was proven to be the method of choice for analyzing the mixture, owing to its greenness, according to NEMI, ESA, and GAPI. Additionally, method 6 has a wide scope of application (13 components can be analyzed), high sensitivity (low LOQ values), and fast analysis (low retention times, especially for glutamate and GABA).

Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus diseases of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was classified as one of the worst pandemics in the 21st century. Its rapid transmission, unpredicted mortality rate, and the uncertainty surrounding its transmission method have evoked additional fear and anxiety. Nonetheless, to the best of our knowledge, no prior study has explored PTSD prevalence three months after the start of the quarantine procedures in Saudi Arabia nor has examined PTSD prevalence by three different methods. OBJECTIVE: This observational cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence, severity, and influencing factors of PTSD in different regions of Saudi Arabia three months after the onset of the quarantine procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Through the month of June 2020, 1374 people (49.05% men and 50.95% women) completed a 35-item, 10-minute online. The prevalence of PTSD was measured using PCL-S (specific for COVID-19) that assesses the 17 symptoms of PTSD. Resilience was measured using 2-items Arabic version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 2 (CD-RISC 2). RESULTS: We calculated the prevalence by three methods, namely, PTSD cut-off score, criteria, and combined, and the prevalence was 22.63%, 24.8%, and 19.6%, respectively. Female participants showed higher prevalence than male. As well, participants who were either tested positive or suspected of having been infected with COVID-19 showed higher PTSD prevalence. Higher resilience was associated with lower PTSD prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to report PTSD prevalence by three differential methods three months after the onset of the quarantine procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. We observed a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Saudi population; therefore, great attention should be performed in implementing new procedures that deal with the highlighted risk factors, especially in vulnerable groups, to overcome the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sex differences in pregabalin-seeking like behavior in a conditioned place preference paradigm.

Substance abuse is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug use regardless of negative consequences. Incremental increases in pregabalin abuse have been observed in Saudi Arabia and throughout the world. In previous studies, the potential for pregabalin abuse with escalating doses of the drug (30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg) were investigated in male mice. Notably, researchers have argued that women may exhibit a greater tendency to consume drugs without a prescription to alleviate stress and depression. Moreover, female subjects are more prone to impulsivity in drug intake or abuse than their male counterparts. Therefore, in the present study, we compared the potential for pregabalin abuse between male and female mice using a conditioned place preference paradigm. Male and female BALB/c mice were divided into four groups based on the pregabalin dose administered (30, 60, 90, or 120 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Preference scores were then calculated and compared between male and female mice in each dosage group. Interestingly, preference scores were significantly higher in female mice than in male mice at dosages of 30 and 120 mg/kg. These findings indicate that female mice may be more prone to pregabalin abuse and tolerance than male mice. These results might be helpful to the healthcare providers and policymakers to consider these sex differences in choosing therapeutic plans and consider alternatives to the misused prescription medications.

An overview of traditional smoking cessation interventions and E-cigarettes.

Many people still struggle with quitting smoking despite available treatment options, making it one of the most significant public health challenges that our society faces. The use of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) has become increasingly popular among people who are seeking to quit smoking. The objective of this review paper is to present a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms, several types, and impact of E-cigarettes, along with supporting evidence indicating their efficacy in aiding smokers to quit tobacco usage. Additionally, the review discusses recent developments in the treatment of smoking cessation, which include conventional smoking cessation methods. Also, the review discusses the challenges, potential risks, ethical considerations, and controversies surrounding the use of E-cigarettes. The present review presents a comprehensive examination of the existing methods and approaches employed in smoking cessation, including the emerging utilization of E-cigarettes as an effective option in smoking cessation. It explores their efficacy as a valuable instrument in promoting smoking cessation.

Exploring the potential use of melatonin as a modulator of tramadol-induced rewarding effects in rats.

Background: Melatonin is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms in mammals. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid analgesic, is used to manage moderate to severe pain but has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Studies have shown that melatonin could be a potential modulator to reduce tramadol addiction. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used to investigate the effect of melatonin on tramadol-induced place preference. The rats were divided into four groups: control, tramadol, tramadol + melatonin (single dose), and tramadol + melatonin (repeated doses). Tramadol was administered intraperitoneally at 40 mg/kg, while melatonin was administered at 50 mg/kg for both the single dose and repeated-dose groups. The study consisted of two phases: habituation and acquisition. Results: Tramadol administration produced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats, indicating rewarding effects. However, melatonin administration blocked tramadol-induced CPP. Surprisingly, repeated doses of melatonin were ineffective and did not reduce the expression of CPP compared to that of the single dose administration. Conclusion: The study suggests that melatonin may be a potential therapeutic option for treating tramadol addiction. The results indicate that melatonin attenuates the expression of tramadol-induced CPP, supporting its uses as an adjunct therapy for managing tramadol addiction. However, further studies are needed to investigate its effectiveness in humans.

Targeting inflammation in glioblastoma: An updated review from pathophysiology to novel therapeutic approaches.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary malignant brain tumor with a dismal prognosis despite current treatment strategies. Inflammation plays an essential role in GBM pathophysiology, contributing to tumor growth, invasion, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis. As a result, pharmacological intervention with anti-inflammatory drugs has been used as a potential approach for the management of GBM. To provide an overview of the current understanding of GBM pathophysiology, potential therapeutic applications of anti-inflammatory drugs in GBM, conventional treatments of glioblastoma and emerging therapeutic approaches currently under investigation. A narrative review was carried out, scanning publications from 2000 to 2023 on PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was not guided by a set research question or a specific search method but rather focused on the area of interest. Conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have shown some benefits, but their effectiveness is limited by various factors such as tumor heterogeneity and resistance.

Understanding migraine in Saudi society: An assessment of public knowledge and attitudes: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the knowledge and perceptions of the public toward migraine in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey assessed the knowledge and perceptions of migraine among Saudi Arabian individuals. The study was conducted over three months in 2023 (1st of June 2023 to 31st of August 2023) using a prevalidated online questionnaire divided into four sections. RESULTS: A total of 1,975 adults aged between 18 and 64 completed the web-based survey. Of these, over half were male (n = 1,268; 64.2%). The main causes of migraine identified by the participants were genetic disease (n = 540, 27.3%), followed by physical disease (n = 341, 17.3%), head trauma (n = 274, 13.9%), and psychiatric disease (n = 157, 7.9%). The main symptoms identified by the participants were photophobia (21%), followed by inability to control urine (14.1%), vomiting and nausea (13.8%), and vision loss (8.3%). The majority of the participants in this study had a good knowledge of migraines, while 49% had poor knowledge. The migraine knowledge score was significantly associated with the participants' gender (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.0001), educational level (p = 0.001), employment status (p = 0.001), monthly income (p = 0.0001), region (p = 0.0001), and history of migraine (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although one-third of the participants exhibiting good knowledge, deficiencies existed in certain clinical aspects, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance public awareness and understanding of migraines.

Perceptions and Behaviors Regarding Early Screening and Breast-Related Complaints Among Saudi Women.

Background Breast cancer (BC) is a global public health issue, contributing to a significant death toll among women. Breast cancer is the most common type among Saudi women, accounting for over a quarter of all new cancer cases. The current approaches for detecting BC include mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self-examination (BSE). Early diagnosis of BC is crucial for reducing mortality and morbidity. This study aims to investigate attitudes and behaviors regarding early screening and self-examination of breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. Materials and method This cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months. The sample size calculation with a 95% confidence interval and 0.05 precision rate is 600 of the total targeted group. The study included Saudi females aged 30 and above. Data were collected via an online questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluated various aspects, including information regarding sociodemographics, barriers, and attitudes toward breast cancer screening. Results The majority of participants were aged 41-50 (40.7%) and married (76.2%). Over a third (31.9%) had been diagnosed with benign breast tumors, with MRI being the most common examination method (39.2%). Regarding screening practices, 55.7% had been screened previously, with a high intention for future screening (76.8%). Attitudes toward screening were positive, with 83.4% willing to undergo testing if free, painless, and conducted by a female provider. Barriers to screening included fear of examination (30.2%) and shame about exposing the body (25.6%). Conclusion The study provides valuable insights into the demographic characteristics, prevalence of benign breast tumors, screening practices, and attitudes toward breast cancer screening among Saudi women aged 30 and above. Factors such as age, marital status, income, occupation, and geographical residency influence screening behavior and intentions. Efforts to promote awareness, reduce barriers, and improve access to screening services are essential for enhancing breast cancer detection and prevention within this population.

Tapentadol: A Review of Experimental Pharmacology Studies, Clinical Trials, and Recent Findings.

Tapentadol is an analgesic compound that acts centrally to attenuate pain. Previous studies have shown that tapentadol has dual mechanisms of action as a mu-opioid receptor agonist and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibition. Therefore, tapentadol provides a great advantage over classic opioids in pain management from nociceptive to neuropathic. Cumulative evidence from in vitro data suggests that tapentadol effect of norepinephrine re-uptake could be a new target that overcomes other classic opioids in chronic neuropathic pain. Compared to tramadol and other opioids, tapentadol is associated with fewer adverse effects than tramadol. Tapentadol is a new alternative to treat acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain. Thus, this review article was focused on understanding the studies that led to the development of tapentadol as a novel analgesic drug and its advantages over conventional opioids. Thus, tapentadol is a good alternative with fewer adverse effects and is available for human use.

Usage of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 for Obesity in Children; Updated Review of Clinicaltrials.gov.

Background: Obesity in both adults and children is a primary health concern that can lead to many complications at a young age, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) are drugs utilized to treat diabetes, but they are also approved as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet to reduce body weight and to enhance the metabolic profile readings for diabetic and non-diabetic patients. However, their efficacy and safety in children have not been extensively examined. Aim: To identify glucagon-like peptide-1 medications for obesity in pediatric participants (aged up to 17 years old). Methods: Analysis of all clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for obesity using GLP-1 as a treatment for children. Results: As of January 26th, 2023, 10,828 clinical trials were found. The search included childhood obesity using GLP-1. The number of trials on the use of GLP-1 to treat childhood obesity is limited. The final number of analyzed trials was 19. GLP-1 has been shown to result in the effective management of body gain among children. Conclusion: Exenatide, semaglutide, and liraglutide were the only GLP-1 medications used as the pharmacotherapy option. It has been studied in many circumstances eg, to treat children with severe obesity, PCOS, hypothalamic obesity, glucose tolerance, and as a complementary treatment alongside behavior-lifestyle change and surgery for obesity.

Saudi Adults' Understanding and Views of Weight Management Practices and Obesity.

Background and Objective: The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity presents a significant global challenge. This study aimed to investigate the understanding and views of weight management practices and obesity among Saudi adults. Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from October 2022 to January 2023 among adults residing in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a self-administered 41-item questionnaire designed to assess their understanding and views regarding weight management practices and obesity. Results: A total of 1066 participants completed the survey. Gender distribution showed a majority of males (55.7%). Age-wise, the majority fell below 51 years, with 37.7% (young) between 18-24, 32.7% (young adult) between 25-33, and 21.3% (adult) between 34-51. Employment was reported by one-third (n = 315) of respondents, while 22.0% (n = 234) had a history of chronic diseases. Furthermore, 77.3% (n = 824) engaged in regular physical activity.The study results revealed that participants' mean score for understanding obesity was 3.28 ± 2.37 (range 0-6), while the average views score was 28.08 ± 8.79 (range 0-34). Furthermore, females displayed a higher level of understanding compared to males. Employment status also played a significant role, with employed individuals having a better understanding of obesity than those who were unemployed. Moreover, participants with higher qualifications demonstrated a more comprehensive understanding of obesity compared to those with lower qualifications. Additionally, individuals with higher monthly income levels displayed a greater understanding of obesity compared to those with lower incomes. Lastly, participants who engaged in regular physical activity exhibited a higher level of understanding compared to those who were physically inactive. Conclusion: The study indicates that factors such as being older, being female, being employed, having higher education and income, and engaging in regular physical activity are associated with increased understanding and favorable views regarding weight management practices and obesity.

Protective role of resveratrol against VCM-induced hepatotoxicity in male wistar rats.

Background: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with a high risk of acute liver injury. Resveratrol is believed to protect the liver against toxicity. Aim: To investigate the ability of resveratrol to attenuate vancomycin-induced liver toxicity in rats injected with vancomycin. Method: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups. The control group received only a vehicle, while the treated group received either vancomycin 200 (mg/kg, i. p.) only or vancomycin (200 mg/kg, i. p.) with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, oral gavage). All groups received their dose once daily for 7 days. Hepatic damage was assessed by measuring biochemical parameter levels in serum, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, antioxidants and inflammation biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Furthermore, the vancomycin-induced pathological changes in the liver were evaluated by histopathological studies. Results: In the vancomycin-treated group, hepatic serum biomarkers such as AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA were elevated, while NO and GSH were depleted. However, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented the elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA and it protected the liver from NO and GSH depletion. Also, regarding vancomycin-induced degeneration of hepatocytes, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented such degeneration and improved mononuclear cells in the liver. Conclusion: The results showed that oral administration of resveratrol has a significant hepatoprotective effect against vancomycin-induced hepatotoxicity.