Association of blood heavy metal levels with osteocalcin abnormality and incidence of osteoporosis in Saudi subjects / Associação de anormalidades de osteocalcina nos níveis de metais pesados no sangue e incidência de osteoporose em indivíduos sauditas

Serum toxic metals have been implicated in development of many diseases. This study investigated the association between blood levels of lead and cadmium with abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) and incidence of osteoporosis. Sixty Saudi male adults age matching were assigned into two groups: A healthy control group (n = 30) and osteoporosis patients diagnosed according to T-score (n = 30). Serum calcium, vitamin D, osteocalcin, lead, cadmium were measured. Osteoporotic group showed a highly significant elevation of blood lead and cadmium levels compared to the control group (p <0.001). BMD was negatively correlated with serum osteocalcin level compared with control. There was a significant negative correlation between the cadmium and lead levels (r=-0.465 and p-value = 0.01) and calcium (p < 0.004). Our findings suggested that high cadmium and lead were negative correlated to BMD and increased the risk factor for osteoporosis.

Os metais tóxicos do soro têm sido implicados no desenvolvimento de muitas doenças. Este estudo investigou a associação entre os níveis sanguíneos de chumbo e cádmio com densidade mineral óssea anormal (DMO) e incidência de osteoporose. Sessenta adultos sauditas do sexo masculino com idades iguais foram divididos em dois grupos: um grupo de controle saudável (n = 30) e pacientes com osteoporose diagnosticados de acordo com o T-score (n = 30). Cálcio sérico, vitamina D, osteocalcina, chumbo, cádmio foram medidos. O grupo osteoporótico apresentou elevação altamente significativa dos níveis de chumbo e cádmio no sangue em comparação ao grupo controle (p < 0,001). A DMO foi negativamente correlacionada com o nível de osteocalcina sérica em comparação com o controle. Houve correlação negativa significativa entre os níveis de cádmio e chumbo (r = -0,465 ep = 0,01) e cálcio (p < 0,004). Nossos achados sugeriram que cádmio e chumbo elevados foram correlacionados negativamente à DMO e aumentaram o fator de risco para osteoporose.

Association of blood heavy metal levels with osteocalcin abnormality and incidence of osteoporosis in Saudi subjects

Abstract Serum toxic metals have been implicated in development of many diseases. This study investigated the association between blood levels of lead and cadmium with abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) and incidence of osteoporosis. Sixty Saudi male adults age matching were assigned into two groups: A healthy control group (n = 30) and osteoporosis patients diagnosed according to T-score (n = 30). Serum calcium, vitamin D, osteocalcin, lead, cadmium were measured. Osteoporotic group showed a highly significant elevation of blood lead and cadmium levels compared to the control group (p 0.001). BMD was negatively correlated with serum osteocalcin level compared with control. There was a significant negative correlation between the cadmium and lead levels (r=-0.465 and p-value = 0.01) and calcium (p 0.004). Our findings suggested that high cadmium and lead were negative correlated to BMD and increased the risk factor for osteoporosis.

Resumo Os metais tóxicos do soro têm sido implicados no desenvolvimento de muitas doenças. Este estudo investigou a associação entre os níveis sanguíneos de chumbo e cádmio com densidade mineral óssea anormal (DMO) e incidência de osteoporose. Sessenta adultos sauditas do sexo masculino com idades iguais foram divididos em dois grupos: um grupo de controle saudável (n = 30) e pacientes com osteoporose diagnosticados de acordo com o T-score (n = 30). Cálcio sérico, vitamina D, osteocalcina, chumbo, cádmio foram medidos. O grupo osteoporótico apresentou elevação altamente significativa dos níveis de chumbo e cádmio no sangue em comparação ao grupo controle (p 0,001). A DMO foi negativamente correlacionada com o nível de osteocalcina sérica em comparação com o controle. Houve correlação negativa significativa entre os níveis de cádmio e chumbo (r = -0,465 ep = 0,01) e cálcio (p 0,004). Nossos achados sugeriram que cádmio e chumbo elevados foram correlacionados negativamente à DMO e aumentaram o fator de risco para osteoporose.

Association of blood heavy metal levels with osteocalcin abnormality and incidence of osteoporosis in Saudi subjects / Associação de anormalidades de osteocalcina nos níveis de metais pesados no sangue e incidência de osteoporose em indivíduos sauditas

Abstract Serum toxic metals have been implicated in development of many diseases. This study investigated the association between blood levels of lead and cadmium with abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) and incidence of osteoporosis. Sixty Saudi male adults age matching were assigned into two groups: A healthy control group (n = 30) and osteoporosis patients diagnosed according to T-score (n = 30). Serum calcium, vitamin D, osteocalcin, lead, cadmium were measured. Osteoporotic group showed a highly significant elevation of blood lead and cadmium levels compared to the control group (p <0.001). BMD was negatively correlated with serum osteocalcin level compared with control. There was a significant negative correlation between the cadmium and lead levels (r=-0.465 and p-value = 0.01) and calcium (p < 0.004). Our findings suggested that high cadmium and lead were negative correlated to BMD and increased the risk factor for osteoporosis.

Resumo Os metais tóxicos do soro têm sido implicados no desenvolvimento de muitas doenças. Este estudo investigou a associação entre os níveis sanguíneos de chumbo e cádmio com densidade mineral óssea anormal (DMO) e incidência de osteoporose. Sessenta adultos sauditas do sexo masculino com idades iguais foram divididos em dois grupos: um grupo de controle saudável (n = 30) e pacientes com osteoporose diagnosticados de acordo com o T-score (n = 30). Cálcio sérico, vitamina D, osteocalcina, chumbo, cádmio foram medidos. O grupo osteoporótico apresentou elevação altamente significativa dos níveis de chumbo e cádmio no sangue em comparação ao grupo controle (p < 0,001). A DMO foi negativamente correlacionada com o nível de osteocalcina sérica em comparação com o controle. Houve correlação negativa significativa entre os níveis de cádmio e chumbo (r = -0,465 ep = 0,01) e cálcio (p < 0,004). Nossos achados sugeriram que cádmio e chumbo elevados foram correlacionados negativamente à DMO e aumentaram o fator de risco para osteoporose.

Association of blood heavy metal levels with osteocalcin abnormality and incidence of osteoporosis in Saudi subjects.

Serum toxic metals have been implicated in development of many diseases. This study investigated the association between blood levels of lead and cadmium with abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) and incidence of osteoporosis. Sixty Saudi male adults age matching were assigned into two groups: A healthy control group (n = 30) and osteoporosis patients diagnosed according to T-score (n = 30). Serum calcium, vitamin D, osteocalcin, lead, cadmium were measured. Osteoporotic group showed a highly significant elevation of blood lead and cadmium levels compared to the control group (p <0.001). BMD was negatively correlated with serum osteocalcin level compared with control. There was a significant negative correlation between the cadmium and lead levels (r=-0.465 and p-value = 0.01) and calcium (p < 0.004). Our findings suggested that high cadmium and lead were negative correlated to BMD and increased the risk factor for osteoporosis.

Control of eight predominant Eimeria spp. involved in economic coccidiosis of broiler chicken by a chemically characterized essential oil.

AIM: To control eight most predominant Eimeria spp. involved in the economic disease of coccidiosis in broiler chicken, by a chemically characterized essential oil of eucalyptus and peppermint. METHODS AND RESULTS: The experimental design consisted of 160 day-old-broiler chicks, divided into four equal groups (G1 , G2 , G3 and G4 ), with 40 birds per group. Each group was divided into four equal subgroups. Birds in G1 were deprived of essential oil treatment and of Eimeria challenge. Birds in G2 were unchallenged, and administered the essential oil in drinking water at 0.69 ml kg(-1) body weight. Birds in G3 were untreated with essential oil, and each of its four subgroups was challenged at a different age (14, 21, 28 and 35 days). Birds in G4 were treated with essential oil, and challenged in the same manner as for G3 . Equal number of birds from all subgroups (n = 10) were sacrificed at the sixth day after the time allocated for each challenge. The 6 day incubation period post challenge resulted in respective mean per cent weight increase in G2 and G1 birds equivalent to 57.8 and 53.1% (P < 0.05). In addition, the essential oil improved the per cent weight increase in challenged birds (54.6%) compared to the challenged-untreated birds (18.6%) (P < 0.05). The mean feed conversion, mortality, intestinal lesion scores and oocyst counts were significantly reduced in the challenged-treated birds compared to the challenged-untreated birds (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis of using the essential oils of eucalyptus and peppermint to control the most prevalent Eimeria spp. involved in coccidiosis of broiler chicken, helping in improvement of their production, alleviation of lesions and reduction in intestinal oocyst counts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides information about the possibility of using this blend of essential oil as a coccidiostat for the protection of broiler chickens against the prevalent eight Eimeria spp. of coccidiosis.

Hypolipidemic effect of fruit fibers in rats fed with high dietary fat.

The hypolipidemic effect of 10% fruit fibers in rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD) was evaluated. This study was conducted on a total of 50 male Albino rats divided into 10 equal groups fed with different types of dietary fruits. The feeding period lasted for 24 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected and sera separated and subjected to lipid profile assay and atherogenic index. In addition, total antioxidant activity of different fruits was determined. The results obtained showed that pomegranate had higher content of antioxidants followed by apple, strawberry and guava compared with other fruits. Rats fed with 20% coconut oil showed a highly significant elevation in the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic factor while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly decreased when compared with control rats. Histological examination revealed that there was a large lipid and cholesterol deposition in the livers of rats fed with HFD. The potential in lowering the levels of plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride is in the following order: pomegranate > apple > strawberry > guava > papaya > mandarin and orange. Accumulation of hepatic lipid droplets was diminished when compared with the HFD group. Also, antiatherogenic is better than the untreated groups. Accordingly these hypolipidemic effects may be due to high-fiber content and antioxidant activity of these fruits.

Biochemical modulation of cell energy by 2-deoxyglucose and malonate in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced carcinogenesis in rats.

The goal of this study was to explore the impact of 2-deoxglucose or malonate individually or in combination on the level of cell energy (adenosine-5'-triphosphate) and oxidative stress in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary proliferation in rats. A total of 60 adult female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (12 rats each): group I serves as the control group. Rats in groups (II-V) were administrated intragastrically a single dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (bw) of DMBA. A day after DMBA administration, rats in group III were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 100 mg 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG)/kg bw daily. Rats in group IV were injected ip with 10 mg sodium malonate/kg bw daily. Rats in group V were injected ip with 100 mg 2-DG/kg bw and 10 mg sodium malonate/kg bw (treatment for 90 days). The results obtained showed that DMBA induced oxidative stress by decreasing the activities of glutathione reductase (GRase) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and elevating the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in mammary tissues when compared with control. The combined treatment protected against the previous deleterious changes by a significant elevation in the activities of GRase and SOD, GPx and lowering the levels of MDA and NO more potentially when compared with individual treatment. Apoptosis, as indicated by a significant release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, observed in DMBA-injected rats was positively significantly correlated with the elevation of the level of NO. These data explained the possible additive effect of 2-DG and malonate by depleting the cell energy by their protective effects against the earlier stages of carcinogenesis.

Modulation by essential oil of vaccine response and production improvement in chicken challenged with velogenic Newcastle disease virus.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of Eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils on immune modulation and production of broiler chicken challenged with a molecularly characterized velogenic NewCastle disease virus (vNDV). METHODS AND RESULTS: The experimental design included five treatments with three replicate pens/treatment comprised of 12-day-old broilers chicks/replicate. The five treatments included a positive challenge control (non-NDV vaccinated/nonessential oil treated/challenged) (NNEOC), a negative challenge control (NDV vaccinated/essential oil treated/unchallenged) (VEOU), a non-NDV vaccinated/essential oil treated/challenged (NEOC), a NDV vaccinated/nonessential oil treated/challenged (VNEOC) and a NDV vaccinated/essential oil treated/challenged (VEOC). The lowest mean survival rate (0·0%) and lowest production performance were obtained by the positive challenge control, while the best mean survival (93·3%) and average body weight (2649 g) were obtained by the negative challenge controls (P < 0·05). Among the three others challenged treatments, the best mean survival (79·2%), highest mean body weight at 42 days of age (2445 g), the lowest feed conversion ratio (1·60) and the highest serum conversion immunopotentiation at 35 days of age determined by ELISA and hemagglutination titres were obtained by the VEOC birds compared with respective means obtained by birds of the NEOC and VNEOC treatments (P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: The results supported the possibility of using the essential oils of Eucalyptus and Peppermint in broilers to immunopotentiate the response to vaccination against velogenic NDV, helping in significant improvement of survival and production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides information about the potential use of essential oils of eucalyptus and peppermint that can be exploited as commercial immunopotentiators for the protection of NDV-vaccinated broiler chickens against economic velogenic NDV.

The influence of smoking on semen quality, seminal microelements and Ca2+-ATPase activity among infertile and fertile men.

OBJECTIVE: Tobacco smoking is now increasing rapidly throughout the developing world and is one of the biggest threats to current and future world health. Several studies have addressed the role of cigarette smoking on semen quality, but the exact mechanisms remain inconclusive. In order to evaluate the detrimental effects of smoking on semen quality among Saudi subjects, the levels of different seminal parameters in smokers were compared to non-smokers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 159 semen samples (61 smokers and 98 non-smokers) from men attending an infertility clinic for routine infertility workup were sub-grouped into fertile or infertile and were compared based on standard semen analysis (according to WHO guidelines), content of metals (magnesium, zinc and cadmium) and plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of sperms. RESULTS: Cadmium concentration was found significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers either in fertile or infertile group (2.9+/-0.4 vs 1.4+/-0.7; 2.9+/-0.5 vs 1.3+/-0.7 microg L(-1); respectively). Together with this increase in seminal Cd a significant decrease in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity (21.5+/-2.8 vs 33.71+/-1.2; 20.7+/-1.5 vs 35.07+/-2.9 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, p<0.05), decrease in seminal zinc (109.8+/-8.1 vs 189.7+/-9.9 mg L(-1), p<0.01) and decrease in sperm motility (41.9%+/-2.9 vs 46.01%+/-2.5; 9.8%+/-2.4 vs 15.3%+/-2.7, p<0.05) were found. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that cigarette smoking affects both Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and motility of the spermatozoa. These effects may be attributed to increased seminal cadmium and reduced zinc concentrations.

L-ergothioneine level in red blood cells of healthy human males in the Western province of Saudi Arabia.

Ergothioneine is widely distributed in biological systems, particularly in red blood cells of animals. However, it's functional role in human body is not well understood. In order to investigate the biochemical effect of L-ergothioneine, its concentration changes in human blood with respect to ages in healthy individuals was first investigated. L-ergothioneine concentrations in the blood of Saudi males from western province at different stages of life were measured by the procedure of Carlsson et al., 1974. At early stages of life (1-10 years), the concentrations of LER is 1.5-2.0 mg/100 ml. It increases gradually at the age of 11-18 years where it reaches the maximum value of 3.7 mg/100 ml. Then, it declines gradually to 3.0-2.3 mg/ 100 ml during the period of 19-50 years. An increase in the level of LER (2.8 mg/100 ml) was seen at the age of 51+.