Inhibitory effect of propolis on elevated TNFalpha level In CCI4 intoxicated rats

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees and used in hive construction and maintenance. It is extensively used in folk medicine and as dietary supplement. To investigate the possible therapeutic effect of propolis on acute CCI4-induced toxieity in rats. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy. Zagazig University and Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. A total of 30 rats were divided into 3 equal groups: the normal control rats received liquid paraffin [l.5 ml/kg, IP], the second group was given a single dose of CCI4 [1.5 mI/kg. IP] and rats in the third group were given CCI4 plus propolis [200 mg/kg. orally for 10 days]. The first and second groups were subjected to blood and tissue sampling following 24 [h] post injection whereas the third one was subjected to sampling after 10 days of treatment. Serum TNF alpha was estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Liver and kidney function biomarkers were evaluated by colorimetric and enzymatic methods. Hepatic and renal contents of lipid pcroxides, hydroxyproline [HPR] and glutathione [GSH] were estimated using colorimetry. Routine histopathological examination of hepatic arid renal tissues was applied by light microscopy. CCI4 administration induced significant deleterious effects on hepatic and renal tissues of rats as mianifcsted by significant elevated levels of serum TNF alpha, transaminases, urea, creatinine and hepatic and renal contents of lipid peroxides and HPR. MeanwhiIe, reduced levels of serum total proteins, uric acid and tissue content of GSH in comparison with normal controls. Sever damage was observed in both hepatic and renal tissues. These biochemical changes were improved in rats treated with CCI4 plus propolis. Elevated TNF alpha and transaminases were reduced together with uric acid, creatinine. lipid peroxides and HPR. Meanwhile serum total proteins hepatic and renal GSH were increased significantly in comparison with CCI4 intoxicated rats. The histopathological alterations of hepatic as well as renal tissues were significantly improved following propolis supplementation. These findings indicate that propolis displays good therapeutic aetivity in hepatic and renaI toxicity. further large scale studies are required to corroborate the folk use of propolis and contribute for its pharmacological validation

Oxidative stress, inflammation and infertility in valproate treated rats

To investigate the effect of valproate monotherapy on total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], oxidative stress markers, lipids and trace elements following acute, chronic and withdrawal of the drug in rats. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University and Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. Four groups of male rats were used. The first one was kept on a standard-pellet rat diet [control group]. The other treated groups were either injected with valproate [50 mg/Rat, I.P] 2h prior to sampling [acute group], fed 20g valproate/kg diet for 2 weeks [chronic group] or fed valbproate for 2 weeks and then fed normal diet for 2 days [withdrawal group]. Serum testosterone and DHEA were evaluated by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. TNF-alpha was estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA]. Testicular lipid peroxides, hydroxyproline [HPR] and glutathione [GSH] were determined by colorimetry. Serum triacylglycerols [TG] and total cholesterol [TC] were estimated enzymatically using commercially available kits. Atomic absorption/flame Emission Spectrophotometry was used for evaluating trace elements [Cu[2+], Zn[2+], Se[2+]]. Histopathological assessment was done by light microscopy. Significant increase in serum levels of TNF-alpha and Se[2+], testicular lipid peroxides, and HPR were observed. Meanwhile, total testosterone, DHEA, TG and testicular GSH were significantly decreased. Non significant fluctuations were reported in the other tested parameters. Remarkable histopathological alterations were found in testicular tissues following acute and chronic supplementation of valproate. The present study has shown a drug-specific effect of valproate monotherapy on the tested parameters in non-epileptic male rats, indicating the comorbidity associated with valproate including altered levels of TNF-alpha, testosterone and testicular contents of lipid peroxides, GSH and HPR. Further studies are required to reveal the clinical implication of these findings