Comparative study of anabolic natural products and synthetic steroids on male sex hormones

To compare the effects of synthetic anabolic steroid [nandrolone decanoate] and natural anabolic products [wheat, soy flour, baker's yeast and whey protein either individually or in combination form] on serum sex hormones and histopathology of testes of male albino rats. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University. Seven groups of male albino rats were used, each group was subdivided into two subgroups and supplied with one of the following compounds for 5 and 10 weeks, respectively; rodent chow, whole wheat [10 g/kg/day], soy flour [1.2 g/kg/day], baker's yeast [0.005 g/kg/day], whey protein [I g/kg/day] and mixture of the aforementioned products. The last group was intramuscularly injected with nandmione decanoate [0.001 g/kg/2 week]. Serum luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], were estimated by immuncradoet assay. Serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] were determined by eIectrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Specimen from testes were taken for histopathological study. Rats received wheat and soy flour elicited significant decrease of serum testosterone after short and long term use, however, yeast displayed significant increase in testosterone. Whey protein revealed a significant degree in testosterone after short term intake but the result was reversed following Jung rera intake. Anabolic natural mixture displayed significant increase in testosterone following both periods, term anabolic steroid injection recorded significant decrease in serum testostene Throughout this work, dietary supplementation with wheat, decreased DHEA level, however yeast:.. puteia and natural mixture significantly elevated its level. Natural mixture induced non-significant change in FSH level but FSH was decreased after injection of anabolic steroid. Short and long intake of wheat significantly decreased LH, but soy, yeast and mixture caused a significant elevation in its level. Meanwhile anabolic steroid displayed a significant elevation after long term use. Groups supplemented with natural products either individually or in a mixture exhibited normal Sertoli cells, complete series of spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubules filled with sperm cells. Anabolic steroid-injected group showed necrosis of some sperm cells in addition to atrophy of some seminiferous tubules and decreased the number of sperm cells in other seminiferous tubules. The use of natural mixture of wheat; soy flour, baker's yeast and whey protein as a dietary supplement increases fertility instead of anabolic steroid which may cause serious damage in the testes and reduce the level of sex hormones

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

comparison of medical treatment versus surgical treatment for the management of otitis media with effusion

This study is designed: To assess outcome of the two modes of treatment [medical and surgical] of otitis media with effusion in terms of their effectiveness and patient compliance, and to compare in terms of side effects and complications. Forty patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria included in the study. They were divided into two groups by random allocation of medical or surgical mode of treatment. Thus each group consisted of twenty patients. The study was conducted in the Department of ENT Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. In Medically Treated Twenty patients effusion did not resolve in most of the cases, and recovered after some time during the follow-up period. In remaining twenty patients treated surgically, there was immediate improvement in hearing in most of the patients. Complications rate is more in surgical treatment as compared to medical treatment. But in spite of this, surgical treatment is better option in our set-up r egarding effectiveness and patient compliance

Serum CRP in STZ-diabetic rats and its correlation with cytokines: evidence for chronic inflammation and a trial for treatment

To find out the link between diabetes and inflammation and the possible relation between acute phase proteins and cytokines in experimental diabetes. In addition to study the role of hypoglycemic, natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents either individually or in combined forms to select the best combination for treatment. Setting: Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University. Design: Group comparative study. Animals: STZ-diabetic male albino rats were allocated into groups and treated according to the following scheduel [1] glimepiride [G] [2] catechin [C] [3] aspirin [A] [4] G + C [5] G +A [6] C + A. A normal control group and STZ-diabetic one were used for comparison. Intervention: Experimental diabetes was induced in rats by a single IP injection of STZ. Serum glucose was evaluated enzymatically, levels of inflammatory mediators [SAA and CRP] and cytokines [TNF-alpha and IL-6] were estimated by ELISA technique. Rats received STZ demonstrated significant increase in their serum levels of glucose, SAA, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Glimepiride administration induced significant hypoglycemic effect associated with non significant changes in the other tested parameters. Meanwhile, combination of G + C or G + A showed significant reduction in tested parameters. Catechin exhibited significant decrease in serum levels of glucose, SAA, TNF-ct and IL-6. On the other hand, catechin combination forms [G + C, C + A] demonstrated significant decrease in glucose, SAA, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Whereas aspirin decrease the levels of SAA, CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Experimental diabetes showed evident of hyperglycemia joined with an increase in inflammatory markers [SAA, CRP] and cytokines [TNF-alpha, IL-6]. Marked differences were observed between the effect of the tested drugs. Glimepiride-catechin combination is preferable for its antidiabetic effects, whereas glimepiride-aspirin combined form is favorable for both antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers in Al-Medinah

Fecal specimens from 13,216 food handlers [male] adults, representing 21 different nationalities, were analyzed for the presence of intestinal parasites at King Abdul Azeez Hospital, Al-Medinah. Approximately 14% of these individuals harbored potentially pathogenic parasites, the most common organism being Giardia lamblia [33%], followed by Entamoeba histolytica [23%], Trichuris trichiura [12.3%], Ascaris lumbricoides [11.8%] and others. The highest incidence of parasitic load was found in Sri Lankans [40.7%]. Although G. lamblia and E. histolytica were found in almost all the nationalities, preponderance of metazoan parasites with complicated life cycles occurred in individuals from tropical countries where optimal conditions of temperature and humidity are favorable for the survival and development of these organisms

Postoperative intraocular pressure rise in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes at the Rawalpindi general hospital

Out of a total of 915 patients, ranging in age from 40 to 65, who underwent unilateral cataract extraction [intraocular, 54 eyes, planned extracapsular, 715 eyes, and extracapsular with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, 146 eyes], 549 [60%] did not return for follow-up. In 366 patients who kept their follow-up appointment, we carefully monitored postoperative intraocular pressure [IOP]. In first two postoperative weeks, IOP remained elevated to 22-30 mmHg in 14 [5%] and to higher than that in seven [3%] of the extracapsularly aphakic eyes. In pseudophakic eyes, IOP elevation to 22-30 mmHg occurred in 16 [20%] eyes and to more than that in six [7%] eyes. In 29 intracapsular cataract extractions, no eye developed postoperative IOP elevation. All of the eyes in our study had normal IOP [<21 mmHg] before surgery. Overall, out of a total of 366 post-cataract extraction eyes, 43 [12%] showed a significant rise in IOP in first two postoperative weeks. Retained lens matter in pseudophakic eyes and postoperative inflammation in extracapsularly aphakic eyes were the most common causes of IOP elevation. Papillary block glaucoma occurred in three extracapsularly aphakic eyes, two of these with a posterior chamber implant [Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology 8:43-44, April, 1992]

Extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation at the Rawalpindi general hospital

Out of a total of 220 consecutive patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation at the Rawalpindi General Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, 135 [61.4%] patients did not keep their appointments for follow-up. This discouraging pattern is universal in Pakistan and makes clinical studies very difficult and less than ideal for drawing reliable conclusions. The following postoperative complications appeared in the 85 patients who did come for follow-up visits: anterior uveitis in 17 [20%] patients, after cataract [secondary cataract] in 11 [13.5%], glaucoma in 3 [3.5%], lens implant decentration in 3 [3.5%], and cystoid macular edema in 3 [3.5%]. Intraopera-tively, posterior capsular rupture with or without vitreous loss occurred in three [3.5%] patients and the removal of anterior capsule was not complete in another three [3.5%]. One female diabetic patient totally lost her sight due to postoperative rubeosis iridis and hyphema causing severe thrombotic [neovascular] glaucoma. One man [1.17%] developed bacterial endophthalmitis. The infection was successfully controlled, but the eye developed total corneal decompensation. A partially successful penetrating keratoplasty gave this patient a visual acuity of counting fingers. Of the 11 after cataract [posterior capsule opacification] cases, eight were treated with neodymium: YAG laser capsulotomy and three with surgical capsulotomy. Out of a total of 14 eyes which had traumatic cataract, 11 recovered a visual acuity of 6/36 [20/120] or better, two a visual acuity of 6/60 [20/200], and one only light perception