Protective Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract against Diabetes-Induced Heart Abnormality in Rats

BACKGROUND: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is an important causal factor in morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients, and currently, no effective means are available to reverse its pathological progress. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract on apolipoproteins (apo) A and B, hyperhomocysteinemia, cathepsin G and leptin changes, as well as cardiac fibrosis and heart muscle cell proliferation under hyperglycemic conditions in vivo. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into three groups, namely: control, non-treated diabetic, and ginger extract-treated diabetic groups. The ginger extract-treated diabetic group received a 50 mg daily dose of ginger extract intragastrically for 6 weeks. RESULTS: The results revealed concurrent significant increases in plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), cathepsin G and apoB levels and decreases in apoA and leptin levels in the non-treated diabetic group compared to the control group. Moreover, heart structural changes, including fibrosis and heart muscle cell proliferation, were observed in non-treated diabetic rats compared to the control rats. Significant amelioration of changes in the heart structure together with restoration of the elevated levels of Hcy and CRP, leptin, cathepsin G, and apoA and B were found in the ginger extract-treated diabetic group compared to the non-treated diabetic group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that ginger extract significantly reduces heart structural abnormalities in diabetic rats and that these effects might be associated with improvements in serum apo, leptin, cathepsin G, and Hcy levels and with the antioxidant properties of ginger extract.

protective effect of vitamin E on morphological and biochemical alteration induced by pre and postnatal ethanol administration in the testis of male rat offspring: a three months follow-up study

Dysmorphology and dysfunction caused by prenatal ethanol consumption in different organs of the offspring are wellknown phenomena. The objective of the present study was to explore the antioxidant effect of vitamin E supplementation on testis damage induced by maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy and early postnatal days. Pregnant Wistar rats on gestation day 7 were assigned to 3 groups, namely, control, ethanol and ethanol-vitamin E groups. Ethanol-treated rats received 4.5 g/kg BW ethanol once per day from day 7 and the procedure continued through postnatal day 21. Vitamin E group received 300 mg of vitamin E and the same amount of ethanol. The male offspring from each group were anesthetized by 10% chloral hydrate [0.5 ml/kg body weight] on day 21 and 90 [n=8 offspring form each group on day 21 and day 90]. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered significant. The results revealed significant [p<0.05] changes in oxidative stress parameters, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as testis structural alteration in offspring of ethanol group after 21 and 90 days of birth as compared to the control. Significant amelioration of changes in testis structure, along with restoration of the elevated level of oxidative stress parameters were found in vitamin E-treated animals. The findings revealed that prenatal and postnatal ethanol-induced toxicity in testis was exerted through oxidative stress and implied that these effects could be alleviated by vitamin E as an antioxidant

Tumor-to-tumor metastases from lung carcinoma to soft tissue fibrous histiocytoma

Tumor-to-tumor metastases are uncommon. Lung cancer is the most frequent donor tumor while renal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant, and meningioma the most common benign recipient of metastases. Other reported host benign lesions include thyroid adenoma, adrenocortical adenoma, ovarian cystoma, and hepatic cavernous angioma. A 41-year-old male smoker presented with a mass in the right axillary's fossa, cough and weight loss. Chest x-ray showed left lung collapse. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed vegetation in the left main bronchus and biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. Biopsy of the right axillary mass showed benign fibrous histiocytoma [BFH] with metastasis from adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this report represents the first case of tumor-to-tumor metastasis to BFH

Extragondal germ cell tumor and male infertility

Over recent decades a possible decrease in sperm quality and an increase in the incidence of testicular cancer have been reported in many populations. Some recent findings, as cohort studies, showed an increased risk of testicular cancer in men with abnormal semen analysis. A 30 years old man referred to our clinic with chief compliant of infertility for 3 years. Spermogram revealed azoospermia and right extratesticular intrascrotal mass was detected by ultrasound examination. Right inguinal surgical approach showed intact small sized atrophic right testis and an intrascrotal mass. In microscopic examination of the mass mixed germ cell tumor with teratoma, yolk sac and embryonal components were reported. Extragonadal germ cell tumors, like their testicular counterparts are associated with primary germ cell defects. The higher incidence of antecedent infertility suggests that either congenital or acquired primary germ cell defect contributes to defective spermatogenesis and therefore, there is higher risk of cancer development in incompletely migrated germ cells. We recommend complete evaluation of cancer in patients with infertility and azoospermia

Bilateral leydig cell tumor and male infertility

Leydig cell tumor is a rare form of testicular neoplasm which comprises 1-3% of all testicular tumors and only about 3% of these tumors are bilateral. A few Leydig all tumor have been described in patients with klinefelter's syndrome so far.: The patient described in this case report was a 24 year-old man with chief complaint of infertility for one year. Physical examination, semen analysis, testes sonography and hormonal assay were done for him. Right side simple orchiectomy was performed for patient. This tumor is always benign in children and approximately 90% are benign in adults. Clinical presentation is testicular enlargement, gynecomastia, sexual activity disturbances such as decreased libido, infertility and azoospermia. We recommend complete exam and karyotype in patients with infertility and azoospermia