Cancer chemo-preventive role of grape seed oil and cisplatin as a combination adjuvant therapy in the treatment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma: A biological in-vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: Grape seed oil (GSO) has recently gained popularity due to its anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of combining cisplatin (CP) and GSO in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) treatment. METHODS: In this study, human tongue carcinoma cell line (HNO-97) was treated with CP and GSO alone or in combination. The effects of CP and GSO on cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest were studied using the MTT assay and flowcytometry, respectively. The apoptotic markers, including p53 and caspase 8, were assessed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), caspase 3 using immunohistochemistry, and the angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The IC50 drug concentrations were found to be 16.4 ug/mL of GSO and 2.18 ug/mL of CP. When compared to the untreated control group, the percentage of S phase cells and apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the GSO, CP, and GSO/CP combination therapy groups. Furthermore, p53, caspase 8, caspase 3 expression were significantly upregulated in the GSO-and CP-treated groups, with evident upregulation with GSO/CP combination therapy. However, VEGF levels were significantly lower in the GSO-, CP-, and combined GSO/CP-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: GSO has both an apoptotic and antiangiogenic effect in the treatment of TSCC, suggesting a new strategy for phytochemical-based combination therapy.

Zinc Supplementation in Preterm Neonates with Late-Onset Sepsis: Is It Beneficial?

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis (NS) is a serious neonatal disease. The aim of this study was to detect the role of zinc (Zn) supplementation in preterm neonates with late-onset sepsis (LOS). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized clinical trial study which was done at Tanta University Hospital from August 2016 to March 2018 on 180 preterm neonates with LOS. The studied neonates were divided into two groups: group 1 (90 neonates), which received Zn and antibiotics, and group 2 (90 neonates), which received antibiotics and placebo. In group 1, the neonates received 1.4 mg elemental Zn/kg/d orally for 10 days. Sepsis score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) were done for both groups. RESULTS: As regards sepsis score, it showed that before beginning the treatment, there were 85 and 84 neonates who had high probable sepsis (HPS) in intervention and control groups, respectively, and this revealed nonstatistically significant difference (non-SSD) between both groups (p-value is 0.756) and after 10 days of treatment, there were 1 and 4 neonates who had HPS in intervention and control group, respectively, and this revealed SSD between both groups (p-value is 0.045*). As regards CRP and PCT, the results showed that before beginning the treatment, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of CRP and PCT were 39.4 ± 10.1 mg/L and 5.2 + 1.8 ng/mL, respectively, in intervention group, while it was 39.6 + 9.9 mg/L and 5.1 + 1.9 ng/mL, respectively, in control group and this revealed non-SSD between both groups (p-value is 0.893 and 0.717, respectively) and after 10 days of treatment, the mean ± SD of CRP and PCT were 5.3 ± 1.8 mg/L and 0.39 ± 0.13 ng/mL, respectively, in intervention group and 6.1 + 2 mg/L and 0.61 + 0.22 ng/mL, respectively, in control group and this revealed SSD between both groups (p-value is 0.008* and 0.044*, respectively). CONCLUSION: Zn supplementation in preterm neonates with LOS is beneficial in improving the clinical and laboratory finding. RECOMMENDATION: Zn supplementation for preterm neonates with LOS. KEY POINTS: · NS is a serious neonatal disease.. · Preterm neonates are more liable to infections.. · Zn supplementation in preterm neonates with LOS is beneficial in improving the condition..

Novel Adjuvant Therapy with Zinc Supplementation in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common dangerous chest problem that is caused by a lack of surfactant. AIM: The aim of this study was to show the role of zinc as an adjuvant anti-inflammatory therapy in neonatal RDS. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of zinc supplementation in cases of neonatal RDS. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) study was done on 90 neonates suffering from respiratory distress (RD) who had been diagnosed as RDS. The included neonates were classified into two groups: group 1, which received Zinc (Zn) supplementation, and group 2, which received a placebo. Down score, grades of RDS Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) andInterleukin-8 (IL-8) were estimated on the 1st and 5th day in the presence of incubators. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences (SSD) in grades of RDS, Down score, MDA, SOD and IL-8 on the 5th day between group 1 and 2(p = 0.001), and between 1st and 5th day in group 1 (p = 0.001) in the presence of an incubator. There was an SSD between groups 1 and 2 in the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.001) and the number of cases that needed mechanical ventilation (MV) (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Zn supplementation is associated with clinical and laboratory improvement in cases of neonatal RDS. RECOMMENDATION: Zn supplementation for RDS neonates.

Zinc Supplementation in Preterm Neonates with Jaundice: Is it Beneficial?

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice is a common neonatal disease that has adverse effects on neonates, especially preterm neonates, when indirect bilirubin level is adequately high to pass the blood-brain barrier, causing bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the value of zinc (Zn) supplementation in preterm neonates with jaundice and whether it will be beneficial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized clinical trial, with the identification number TCTR20200504007, was conducted at Tanta University Hospital from July 2016 to March 2018 on 200 preterm neonates with jaundice. The studied neonates were divided into two groups: group 1, which received Zn and phototherapy, and group 2, which received phototherapy only and did not receive Zn. In group 1, 100 preterm neonates with jaundice received Zn as 0.6 mL (cm3) of zinc origin/kg/day orally through the oro-nasogastric tube divided into two doses (every 12 h), which was equal to 1.2 mg elemental zinc/kg/day orally for 10 days. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in serum bilirubin level between the two groups on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days of admission, while the serum bilirubin level was significantly decreased in group 1 compared with that in group 2 only on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of admission. The p-- values were 0.045*, 0.027*, and 0.004*, respectively. CONCLUSION: Zn administration to preterm neonates with jaundice was found to be beneficial in decreasing serum bilirubin level. RECOMMENDATION: Zn supplementation should be provided to preterm neonates with jaundice.