Oral administration of naringenin and a mixture of coconut water and Arabic gum attenuate oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of naringenin in combination with an aqueous mixture of coconut water (CW) and Arabic gum (AG) on renal function, lipid profile, antioxidant activity, and morphology in gentamicin-induced kidney injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups. 1-Negative control group, 2-positive control group (Gentamicin), 3-Naringenin+AG+CW, 4-Gentamicin+Naringenin+AG+CW: groups 2 and 4 were treated with gentamicin. After six weeks, the rats were anesthetized with diethyl ether, and blood was collected by cardiac puncture and dissected to collect the kidneys. Biochemical studies were performed to determine the levels of urea, creatinine, lipids, total antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxide, antioxidant enzyme activity in the kidney, total phenolic content (TPC), radical-scavenging activity, calcium, magnesium, and potassium in AG, CW, and their mixture. Also, kidney histopathology was performed. RESULTS: Renal injury manifests as elevated serum urea and creatinine levels. A significant increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) was also noted. The activities of antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) significantly decreased in the serum. There was a reduction in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities in kidney homogenates. Gentamicin administration induces morphological changes in the kidneys. Oral administration of naringenin+AG+CW significantly overturned all of the above-mentioned abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the naringenin+AG+CW combination exhibited an additive effect against renal dysfunction and structural damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, as well as replenishing and balancing intracellular and extracellular electrolytes. Therefore, oral administration of these three ingredients could potentially provide better protection and serve as a unique therapeutic tool against nephrotoxicity caused by gentamicin.

The COVID-19 vaccines and menstrual disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 vaccination has been linked to numerous reports of menstrual disorders as potential side effects. However, menstrual cycle results after vaccination were not collected throughout clinical trials. According to other research, COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual disorders have no discernible connection, and menstrual disorders are temporary. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We asked questions about menstruation disturbances following the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in a population-based cohort of adult Saudi women to determine whether the vaccination is linked to menstrual cycle irregularities. RESULTS: According to the results, 63.9% of women experienced variations in their menstrual cycle either after the first or second dose. Such results show that COVID-19 vaccination impacts women's menstrual cycles. However, there is no need for concern because the alterations are relatively minor, and the menstrual cycle usually returns to normal within two months. Additionally, there are no obvious distinctions between the various vaccine types or body mass. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support and explain the self-reports of menstrual cycle variations. We have discussed reasons for these problems that describe the mechanism of the relationship between them and the immune response. Such reasons will help prevent hormonal imbalances and the influence of therapies and immunizations on the reproductive system.