Esculetin and idebenone ameliorate galactose-induced cataract in a rat model.

Cataract is the principal cause of blindness. The enzyme, aldose reductase (AR) is a key player in polyol pathway. Buildup of polyols and oxidative stress are the main causes of cataractogenesis. This study investigated the cytoprotective properties of esculetin and idebenone in galactose-induced cataract. Rats were partitioned into four groups each of ten rats. Control group was fed with normal diet; group 2 rats were fed with galactose diet (50%); groups 3, 4 rats were fed with galactose diet concurrently with either esculetin (50 mg/kg BW) or idebenone (100 mg/kg BW), for 20 days. The study revealed that esculetin and idebenone significantly reduced the elevated levels of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, malondialdehyde, and DNA fragmentation and increased total antioxidant capacity level in lenses compared to the cataract-induced group. Only esculetin decreased AR, galactitol, and advanced glycated end products levels in lenses. Histopathological examinations supported the biochemical findings. Esculetin and idebenone may have chemopreventive effects for sugar cataract. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cataract is an age-related disease that might cause blindness in older adult people. Presently, no absolute pharmacological treatment is accessible for cataract. The use of natural products or their derivatives attract particular attention in modern medicines as they are believed to be safer with few or no side effects. Esculetin is a polyphenolic compound found in many medicinal plants. Idebenone is a synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q10. The current study is an approach to explore the anticataract effects of esculetin and idebenone in galactose-induced cataract in rats. Our study proved that both agents have anticataractogenic potentials due to their antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

DETECTION OF HELICOBACTER ANTIGEN IN STOOL SAMPLES AND ITS RELATION TO H. PYLORI POSITIVE CHOLECYSTITIS IN EGYPTIAN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CALCULAR CHOLECYSTITIS.

Evidences supporting the association between H. pylori infection and chronic cholecystitis could be found by using direct culture or staining of H. pylori in gallbladder tissues as well as indirect techniques. Stool antigen test has been widely used due to its noninvasive nature. Various stool antigen tests were developed to detect H. pylori using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) based on monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies This study evaluated the frequency of H. pylori antigen in stool samples of patients with chronic calcular cholecystitis as regard gall bladder histopathological changes. Fifty patients were included presented with symptomatic qholecystolithiasis recruited from the outpatient clinic of National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute during 2014-2015. Full history and clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. Stool samples were collected, prepared and examined for detection of H. pylori antigen. Cholecystectomy was done for all patients; 45 patients (90%) by laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and 5 patients (10%) by open surgery and removed gallbladders were submitted to pathology department for detection of H. pylori in tissue under microscope using Giemsa stain. The results showed that (82%) were females with mean age (42.6 +/- 1 years). The mean BMI was (29 + 7.2) H. pylori-specific antigen in stool samples was detected in 40% of patients and 38% were detected in patients; tissue, with significant correlation between H. pylori-specific antigen in stool and in tissue. Histopathological pictures infection in tissue were 68.4% mucosal erosions, 63.2% mucosal atrophy, 57.9% mucosal hyperplasia, 26.3% metaplasia, 42.1% musculosa hypertrophy, 26.3% fibrosis, but lymphoid aggregates were in 42.1% of cases.