Histomorphological, VEGF and TGF-ß immunoexpression changes in the diabetic rats' ovary and the potential amelioration following treatment with metformin and insulin.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the ovary by reducing the number and diameters of ovarian follicles and increasing atretic follicles. Follicular growth and diameters depend on VEGF production. Hyperglycemia causes ovarian stromal and follicular degeneration then fibrosis by activating TGF-ß. Insulin and metformin promote development of ovarian follicles and reduce atretic follicles. Therefore, the present study investigates the ovarian VEGF and TGF-ß immune-expression and its variations in diabetic, insulin and metformin-treated rats. Forty adult female albino rats were divided equally into four groups: control, diabetic (STZ-induced diabetes), diabetic metformin-treated group (100 mg/kg/day orally/eight weeks) and diabetic insulin-treated group (5 U insulin /day). Ovarian sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, immunohistochemistry for VEGF and TGF-ß. The diabetic group showed noticeable atrophic and degenerative changes in cortex and medulla as well as increased density and distribution of the collagenous fibers. The number and diameter of primary, secondary and tertiary follicles were decreased. However, the number of atretic follicles and corpus luteum was increased. Significant decrease in the surface area percentage of VEGF immuno-expression and significant increase in TGF-ß immuno-expression surface area percentage were detected. By treating animals with metformin and insulin, there was restoration of the ovarian histological structure more or less as in control. DM negatively affects the histological and morphometric parameters of ovaries. Furthermore, insulin showed more beneficial effects than metformin in hindering these complications by modifying the expression of VEGF and TGF-ß.

Zamzam water is pathogen-free, uricosuric, hypolipidemic and exerts tissue-protective effects: relieving BBC concerns.

Zamzam water is the most frequently used drinking water by millions of people in Saudi Arabia. It is carried all the time by millions of pilgrims to their home countries as gifts to close and near relatives and friends. Safety of constituents of Zamzam water is a vital health topic. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) raised many health concerns regarding the high serum arsenic and nitrate contents in Zamzam water that may cause cancer. It is role of scientific research to present scientific facts to relieve such concerns. Arsenic is a carcinogen while nitrate causes methemogloinemia that affect oxygen carriage by haemoglobin. An ethical committee approval was obtained. Eighteen white albino mice (40-45 g) were used in this study. Three experimental groups were allocated (six mice per group): tap water group, distilled water group and Zamzam water group. Our data revealed that Zamzam water exerts tissue-protective effects that contradict malignancy. Our data proved that Zamzam water is pathogen-free causing no bacterial growth on CLED agar colonies. Zamzam water consumption for three consecutive months in mice was quite safe for the general health and significantly decreased serum uric acid (p < 0.05) (possibly due to Zamzam-induced urine alkalinisation facilitating uric acid excretion). Regular Zamzam water consumption significantly decreased serum cholesterol (p < 0.05) and serum triglycerides (p < 0.05). Hypolipidemic effects of Zamzam water may be due to its high mineral content facilitating increased lipids metabolism. Our data confirmed safety of prolonged use of Zamzam water comparable to other drinking water types regarding the metabolic and synthetic functions of the liver. Nitrates in Zamzam water are thought to be an original constituent that may be useful (exerting vasodilation, antithrombotic, and immunoregulatory effects) and not harmless. This may occur due to high Zamzam content of calcium, magnesium and selenium. Histologically, our data confirmed that Zamzam water was quite safe to renal parenchyma and comparable to other types of drinking water. In conclusion, health concerns raised by BBC regarding Zamzam water safety were a good chance for fruitful scientific research investigations that confirmed safety and beneficial effects of Zamzam water for human health.

Al-hijamah (the triple S treatment of prophetic medicine) exerts cardioprotective, tissue-protective and immune potentiating effects in thalassemic children: a pilot clinical trial.

Thalassemia is a major health problem in affected children due to iron overload, increased oxidative stress, atherogenic lipid profile and tissue-damage. This study aims at investigating the cardioprotective and tissue-protective benefits of Al-hijamah and their impact on cell-mediated immunity for treating thalassemic children. This study aimed also at investigating the tissue-clearance principle of Taibah mechanism: whenever pathological substances are to be cleared from the human body, Al-hijamah is indicated. Al-hijamah was done to thalassemic children (15 males and 5 females having a mean age of 9.07 ± 4.26 years) using sterile disposable sets in a complete aseptic hospital environment. Prior ethical committee agreement (in addition to written patient's consents) was obtained from Tanta Faculty of Medicine, Egypt. Twenty thalassemic children received iron chelation therapy plus Al-hijamah for one session (30-60 minutes) versus an age and sex-matched thalassemic control group treated with iron chelation therapy only. Al-hijamah is a quite safe outpatient hematological procedure that significantly decreased serum cholesterol (from 129.75 ± 3.67 to 103.5 ± 4.18 mg/dl) and decreased serum triglycerides (from 109.25 ± 8.96 to 91.95 ± 7.22 mg/dl). Interestingly, Al-hijamah exerted significant tissue-protective effects (it decreased serum GPT from 98.65 ± 12.27 to 71.65 ± 32.78 U/L and serum GOT from 96.35 ± 14.33 to 69.35 ± 34.37 U/L). Al-hijamah-induced ferritin excretion caused decreased serum ferritin (high serum ferritin negatively correlated with cell mediated immunity). Al-hijamah exerted cardioprotective and tissue-protective and hypolipidemic effects. Al-hijamah decreased serum cholesterol and is cardioprotective for thalassemic patients as it protects against atherogenesis and atherosclerosis. Medical practice of Al-hijamah is strongly recommended in hospitals. Al-hijamah cleared blood significantly from causative pathological substances e.g. serum ferritin resulting in enhanced cell-mediated immunity (in agreement with the evidence-based Taibah mechanism).

Potential role of estradiol in ovariectomy-induced derangement of renal endocrine functions.

Menopause is an important physiological event associated with structural and functional changes in the kidneys. An animal model of bilateral ovariectomy was used to study the effects of estrogen depletion, replacement and antiestrogen on renal structure and endocrine function. Sixty female rats were divided into six groups; group I was the control group, the remaining five groups underwent ovariectomy: group II received no treatment. The other groups received estradiol in group III, tamoxifen in group IV, estradiol followed by tamoxifen in group V and tamoxifen followed by estradiol in group VI. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and endocrine functions of kidney were measured. Tissue samples were examined both microscopically for beta estrogen receptors and ultrastructurally for cell changes. Groups II, IV & VI showed a significant increase in creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde, renal erythropoietin, plasma renin and plasma prostaglandin E2 and a significant decrease in renal antioxidants and serum vitamin D3. Groups III &V had a significant decrease in creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde and renal erythropoietin with an increase in renal antioxidants, plasma prostaglandin E2 and serum vitamin D3. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations revealed atrophic tubular changes in group II. The changes were less marked in groups III &V and more extensive in groups IV & VI. Estrogen receptor beta staining showed progressively increased expression in the absence of estrogen. Structural and most endocrine functions of the kidney were significantly affected by estradiol deficiency. Estradiol replacement exhibited a protective effect on renal tissue and endocrine functions.