Zooplankton and meiobenthos diversity at the intertidal sandy shores of Jizan and Farasan coastal areas of Red Sea.

Distinctive studies were conducted for the identification of meiobenthos and zooplankton at Farasan Islands and Jizan sandy shores. The present work compares the meiobenthos and zooplankton communities at Alhsas sandy shore at Farasan Islands and As-Suways sandy shore at Jizan. Population density, species richness and Shannon-Weiner diversity index were determined for meiobenthos and zooplankton inhabiting both the studied sites. Water criteria; surface water temperature, pH and conductivity were determined for each investigated site. Eleven zooplankton species were defined at Alhsas sandy shore Farasan, nine species were identified at the littoral zone at As-Suways sandy shore, Jizan. Ten meiobenthos species were defined at Alhsas site, Farasan. Only eight meiobenthos species were defined at the intertidal zone of As-Suways site, Jizan. The results were discussed to highlight the effect of water criteria on the spatial distribution of zooplankton and meiobenthos at the investigated sites.

Impact of Ginkgo biloba extract and magnetized water on the survival rate and functional capabilities of pancreatic ß-cells in type 2 diabetic rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a widely distributed disease that affects large population worldwide. This study aimed to verify the role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) extract and magnetized water (MW) on the survival rate and functional capabilities of pancreatic ß-cells in type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2D was induced by feeding the rats on a high-fat diet (20% fat, 45% carbohydrate, 22% protein) for eight weeks followed by intra-peritoneal injection of a single low dose of streptozotocin (25mg/Kg). Forty rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=10 rats) as follows: non treated control and three diabetic groups. One diabetic group served as a positive control (diabetic), while the other two groups were orally administered with water extract of GB leaves (0.11 g/kg/day) and MW (600 gauss) for four weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The ß-cell mass and insulin expression in these cells increased markedly after both treatments, particularly in GB treated group. In addition, the immune-expression of the two antioxidant enzymes; glutathione and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the pancreatic tissue demonstrated a down-regulation in GB and MW treated groups as compared with the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: A four-week treatment of GB and MW protected pancreatic ß-cell cells and improved their insulin expression and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats.