Circulating microRNAs as novel biomarkers for measuring the potency of ginger extract against cyclophosphamide toxicity in rat renal tissues: molecular and histopathological study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore underlying molecular variations in the expression of miRNAs in kidney tissues of ginger-treated and non-treated cyclophosphamide (CP)-intoxicated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS:   A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each: Group I (control: received normal food and water), Group II (received ginger at a dose of 300 mg/kg), Group III (received CP 75 mg/kg, i.p.), and Group IV (received the same dose of CP and ginger extract).  Rats received a single injection of 75 mg/kg CP on days 3, 4, 5, 19, 20, and 21. In CP-intoxicated rats, the treatment with ginger extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg was received by oral gavage starting seven days before CP and continuing throughout the duration of the experiment for four weeks. Molecular variations in the expression of miRNAs, apoptotic genes, histological kidney damage, and abnormal kidney function in control, ginger, and CP-intoxicated rats were identified by using real-time RT-PCR Analysis, immunohistochemical, and colorimetric assays. In addition, HPLC analysis and liquid chromatography spectrophotometry analysis using Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and Β-Carotene-linoleic acid reagents were applied respectively for in-vitro screening of phytoconstituents and antioxidant activity for ginger extract. RESULTS: The kidney tissues of CP-intoxicated rats displayed an increase in lipid peroxidation marker malonaldehyde (MDA), DNA damage, and fibrosis markers like hyaluronic acid (HA) and hydroxyproline Hypx) with a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, molecular expressions of mRNA fibrotic genes such as collagen, type 1, alpha 1 (COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). Molecular expressions of levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2) mRNA gene were down-regulated, and the expression of mRNA apoptotic; BCL2 associated X gene (Bax), caspase-3, Bax/BCl-2 ratio genes were significantly up-regulated respectively. Moreover, cellular oxidative genes, erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were down-regulated, respectively. The miR-155-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-21-5p significantly increased while the miR-193b-3p, miR-455-3p, and miR-342-3p significantly decreased. Ginger also increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and BCl-2 genes in the kidneys of rats induced with CP. In addition, active phytoconstituents, particularly 6]]-shogaol and 6]]-gingerol, were significantly identified in ginger extract using HPLC analysis. Antioxidant activity of these active metabolites were shown to be higher against in vitro free radicals (DPPH and Β-Carotene-linoleic acid), suggesting the potential antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of ginger against CP-toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ginger in rats induced with CP resulted in significant improvement in the expression of certain molecular miRNAs. The kidney tissues of these rats showed a marked decrease in the expression of miR-155-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-21-5p, while the levels of miR-193b-3p, miR-455-3p, and miR-342-3p were observed to increase significantly. In conclusion, ginger can protect rats from CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Gingerol fractions bioactivity against butanone cytotoxicity induced in newborns of mice.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulating studies have demonstrated the potential activity of ginger in treating and managing several diseases but little is known about its protective effects against teratogenicity of chemical toxins. Thus, in this study, we have evaluated the protective effect of gingerol fraction (GF) against methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) induced teratogenic effects in newborns of mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 mature females and fifteen male mice (Mus musculus) weighing 25-30 g were included in this study. The pregnant mice were divided into three groups (10 mice each); control group (GI, mice received normal drinking water; NDW), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) treated group (GII, received MEK at a dose of 350 mg/kg body weight in NDW), and GF treated group (GIII; mice received GF at a dose of 25 mg/kg in NDR). Histological analysis, cellular oxidative, and antioxidant enzymes, fibrosis, and apoptosis of brain, liver, and kidney tissues were estimated by histological and immunoassay techniques. RESULTS: In this study, the treatment of pregnant female mice with gingerol fractions (GF) at a dose of 25 mg/kg significantly protected all tissues organs of mothers and their offspring against the teratogenic effects induced by MEK at a dose of 350 mg/kg. A significant improvement in cellular antioxidant enzymes GSH, SOD, and peroxidase activities along with a reduction in the initiation of cellular oxidative free radicals (TBARS) was reported in GF treated mice compared to mice intoxicated with MEK (350 mg/kg). In addition, a significant reduction in cellular fibrosis and apoptosis was reported in all tissues of mothers and their offspring's following treatment with GF. HPLC analysis of ginger extracts estimated a set of polyphenolic compounds such [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol which are responsible for the antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-apoptotic protective effects against teratogenic effects of MEK. CONCLUSIONS: Gingerol fractions (GF) at a dose of 25 mg/kg significantly protected all tissues organs of mothers and their offspring against the teratogenic effects induced by MEK at a dose of 350 mg/kg. The beneficial effects of ginger phenolic compounds; [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol against teratogenic effects of MEK proceeded through their antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Efficacy of Rhus coriaria (sumac) juice in reducing muscle pain during aerobic exercise.

The main target of this study was to measure the influence of sumac juice drink on muscle indices and pain during an acute, intense exercise for 30 days. Forty healthy volunteers (15-25 years) were involved in aerobic exercise program for 4 weeks. Participants ingested sumac juice or placebo drink twice daily for 30 days. All participants were subjected for the evaluation of pain and estimation of serum: creatine kinase (CK), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin I, hydroxyproline (hyp), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and in vitro antioxidant activity of sumac juice using pre-validated visual analog scale, colorimetric and immunoassays. The participants of both groups, placebo and sumac, showed an increment in pain scores both during exercise and post-exercise intervals. However, the sumac juice group showed a significant smaller increase in the pain scores compared to the placebo group. Participants in the sumac juice group were more willing to use the drink in the future. They achieved a higher satisfaction of sumac juice in ameliorating and the reduction of pain. Also, the sumac group showed a significant enhancement in the level of CK, LDH, troponin I, hyp, along with significant increase in serum (TAC) compared to the placebo group. The protective activity of muscle may relate to the antioxidant activity of phenolic component(s) in sumac juice as measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (87.9%) and ß-carotene-linoleic acid (68.7%) assays. These data suggest that oral administration of sumac juice may have a beneficial effect on muscle performance among athletes.

Breastfeeding practice in Kuwait: determinants of success and reasons for failure.

To explore the possible determinants of duration of breastfeeding in Kuwait, 234 mothers completed a questionnaire concerning the feeding of their youngest infant. The questionnaire addressed the factors that contributed to their willingness to continue breastfeeding and enquired about the factors leading to their decision to end it. Only 26.5% of the mothers had continued breastfeeding for 6 months or more. Separate family housing, higher maternal age, late initiation of breastfeeding, being employed without the feasibility to breastfeed at work, breastfeeding information given after rather than before birth, and maternal and infant sickness were all significant contributors influencing early cessation. Father's support was a significant factor that encouraged the practice. In conclusion, preventive strategies are recommended for boosting breastfeeding, with special emphasis on the factors linked to early cessation, aiming at full implementation of the WHO global public health recommendations for successful breastfeeding in Kuwait.

Breastfeeding practice in Kuwait: determinants of success and reasons for failure

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على المحددات المحتملة لمدة الإرضاع الطبيعي من الثدي في الكويت لدى 234 من الأمهات اللاتي استكملن استبيانات حول إطعام أصغر أطفالهن سنا. وقد تناولت الاستبيانات العوامل التي تسهم في الترحيب باستمرار الرضاعة الطبيعية من الثدي، كما تضمنت تساؤلات حول العوامل التي أدت لاتخاذهن قرارا بإنهائها. واتضح للباحثين أن 26.5 % فقط من الأمهات قد واصلن الرضاعة الطبيعية من الثدي لمدة وصلت أو تجاوزت ستة أشهر، وأن العوامل التي يعتد بها إحصائيا من حيث المساهمة في التأثر على الإيقاف الباكر للرضاعة هي:السكن في مسكن منفصل عن بقية الأسرة، وارتفاع سن الأم، والبدء المتأخر بالرضاع من الثدي، وكون الأم موظفة مع عدم وجود تسهيلات للرضاعة الطبيعية من الثدي أثناء العمل، وتلقي معلومات حول الإرضاع الطبيعي من الثدي بعد الولادة وليس قبلها، ومرض الأم أو الرضيع. كما أن دعم الآباء كان عاما يعتد به في تشجيع ممارسة الرضاعة الطبيعية من الثدي. واستنتج الباحثون ضرورة التوصية باسراتيجيات وقائية لتعزيز الرضاعة الطبيعية من الثدي، مع تأكيد خاص على العوامل التي ترتبط بالإيقاف المبكر للرضاعة، تنفيذا للتوصيات التي أصدرتها منظمة الصحة العالمية في سياق الصحة العامة العالمية لإنجاح الإرضاع الطبيعي من الثدي في الكويت

ABSTRACT To explore the possible determinants of duration of breastfeeding in Kuwait, 234 mothers completeda questionnaire concerning the feeding of their youngest infant. The questionnaire addressed the factors thatcontributed to their willingness to continue breastfeeding and enquired about the factors leading to theirdecision to end it. Only 26.5% of the mothers had continued breastfeeding for 6 months or more. Separatefamily housing, higher maternal age, late initiation of breastfeeding, being employed without the feasibilityto breastfeed at work, breastfeeding information given after rather than before birth, and maternal and infantsickness were all significant contributors influencing early cessation. Father’s support was a significant factor thatencouraged the practice. In conclusion, preventive strategies are recommended for boosting breastfeeding, withspecial emphasis on the factors linked to early cessation, aiming at full implementation of the WHO global publichealth recommendations for successful breastfeeding in Kuwait.

RÉSUMÉ Afin d'étudier les déterminants possibles de la durée de l'allaitement maternel au Koweït, 234 mèresont rempli un questionnaire sur l'alimentation de leur plus jeune enfant. Le questionnaire portait sur les facteurscontribuant à leur volonté de poursuivre l'allaitement et sur les facteurs qui les ont conduit à leur décisiond'y mettre fin. Seules 26,5 % des mères ont allaité au sein pendant au moins 6 mois. Les facteurs contribuantsignificativement à un arrêt précoce de l'allaitement au sein étaient les suivants : une résidence familiale séparée,un âge maternel élevé, une initiative tardive de l'allaitement, un emploi sans possibilité d'allaiter sur le lieu detravail, une communication sur l'allaitement faite après la naissance plutôt qu'avant, et une affection chez lamère et/ou chez l'enfant. Le soutien du père était un facteur important qui favorisait la pratique de l'allaitement.En conclusion, des stratégies préventives sont recommandées afin de promouvoir l'allaitement au sein tout enprenant particulièrement en compte les facteurs liés à un arrêt précoce de l'allaitement, et de viser une mise enoeuvre intégrale des recommandations mondiales de l'OMS en santé publique pour la réussite de l'allaitementmaternel au Koweït.

Modified Atkins diet vs classic ketogenic formula in intractable epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the ketogenic diet (KD) whether classic 4:1 formula or the modified Atkins diet (MAD) in intractable childhood epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anthropometric measurements and serum lipid profile were measured upon enrollment and after 3 and 6 months in 40 patients with symptomatic intractable epilepsy. Fifteen were given MAD diet, ten were kept on classic 4:1 ketogenic liquid formula, and the rest were allowed to eat as desired. RESULTS: The liquid ketogenic formula group showed significantly higher body mass index compared with those who did not receive KD after 6 months. The lipid profile of KD patients was within normal limits for age and sex during the study period. The rate of change of frequency and severity of seizures showed best improvement in ketogenic liquid formula patients followed by the MAD group than the patients on anti-epileptic medications alone. CONCLUSION: The KD whether classic 4:1 or MAD is a tolerable, safe, and effective adjuvant therapy for intractable symptomatic childhood epilepsy with limited adverse effects on the growth parameters and accepted changes in the lipid profile. The liquid ketogenic formula patients showed better growth pattern and significantly more seizure control.

Serum levels of bcl-2 and cellular oxidative stress in patients with viral hepatitis.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the presence of bcl-2 protein in the serum of patients with viral hepatitis and to find out if there is any correlation between bcl-2 protein levels and cellular oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. METHODS: This study was carried out on 130 patients with viral hepatitis, 70 with chronic hepatitis, 30 with liver cirrhosis and 30 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in addition to 20 healthy persons as the control. Serum bcl-2 protein was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GSH-px, GR and SOD) were measured using spectrophotometric analysis. RESULTS: bcl-2 protein level was significantly elevated in the serum of HCC, cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis groups as compared to control group. There were significant positive correlations between higher bcl-2 protein level and viral hepatitis markers (HBsAg, anti-HCV antibodies) in HCC and cirrhotic patients as compared to chronic hepatitis group. An increase in oxidative stress markers (MDA, NO) and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH and GSH-px) were observed. However, there was a negative correlation between bcl-2 levels and GR in all studied patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The release of oxidative free radicals, deficiency in antioxidant enzymes and the expression of bcl-2 protein might play a role in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. The ability to measure bcl-2 protein in the serum could be useful as a prognostic marker of cancer patients.

A freeze-fracture study on the effect of neopybuthrin on the intestinal epithelial cells of Tilapia nilotica.

Freeze-fracture replicas of the plasma membrane and tight junctions (Tj) of intestinal epithelial cells were studied in Tilapia nilotica fish exposed to the pyrethroid insecticide, neopybuthrin. Exposing fishes to different repeated concentrations of 1/2 LC50 of neopybuthrin caused a significant decrease in the population density of IMPs in P- and E-faces. Tight junctions were also affected by neopybuthrin treatment. They appeared fragmented and discontinued, and their strands were fewer in number as compared with controls. Since the structure and number of Tj are major determinants of epithelial permeability, it is postulated that neopybuthrin treatment may affect the intestinal permeability of T. nilotica.

Effect of diazinon on freeze-fracture images of microvilli of intestinal epithelial cells of Tilapia nilotica.

The effect of the organophosphate insecticide, diazinon on the intramembranous particles (IMPs) of the microvilli of the intestinal epithelial cells of Tilapia nilotica fish was studied using freeze-fracture technique. Exposing fish to different repeated concentrations of diazinon (1/2LC50) caused a significant decrease in population density of IMPs in P- and E-faces. IMPs of microvilli found in intestinal epithelial cells are thought to represent many kinds of proteins including enzymes. In the present work, it is suggested that diazinon induced a reduction in enzymatic content of the membrane which was accompanied by a decrease in IMPs density of the microvilli.

Effect of chlormequat and alar on some biochemical constituents in tomato plants and fruits.

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of various levels of chlormequat (CCC) and alar on the biochemical changes in tomato plants and fruits at different stages of growth. This experiment included spraying with chlormequat and alar separately in two equal doses (250, 500 and 1000 ppm CCC or alar 25 and 40 days after transplanting). The different levels of chlormequat decreased the accumulation of dry matter in tomato plants, but alar increased it. Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content of tomato plants increased by the application of CCC or alar. The highest increase of concentration of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids in tomato plants were found by spraying with 500 ppm alar or CCC. The application of CCC and alar declined the percentage of carbohydrates and the highest decrease resulted by adding of 1000 ppm alar or CCC. Alar caused an increase in the percentage of total nitrogen at the different stages of growth. The concentration of P, K, Ca and Mg increased by the foliar spray of all treatments. Alar application at all used levels significantly increased the yield and also the weight of fruits. Highest plant productivity was obtained by using alar and CCC at 250 ppm, followed by 500 ppm. However, the highest concentration (1000 ppm) depressed the plant productivity. The concentration of juice, total soluble solids and vitamin C in tomato fruits increased at most of the levels added. But the percentage of total sugars and total acidity seemed to exert another trend. The highest concentration of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in fruits was obtained by foliar application of 500 ppm CCC or alar.