Transcriptomic and biochemical effects of pycnogenol in ameliorating heat stress-related oxidative alterations in rats.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress is a condition that is due to extreme heat exposure. It occurs when the body cannot keep its temperature healthy in response to a hot climate and associated with oxidative stress. Testicular hyperthermia can induce apoptosis of sperm cells, affect sperm production and decrease sperm concentration, leading to sperm disorder, for this reason, we examined the protective impact of pycnogenol that it has a wide range of biological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities against the oxidative alterations that happen in testicular and brain tissues due to heat stress in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-eight Wistar male rats, approximately around 6 weeks age were allocated randomly into four groups (12 in each) of control, HS (subjected to heat stress and supplemented orally with 50 mg of pycnogenol/kg b. w./day dissolved in saline for 21 days), and pycnogenol (rats supplemented orally with 50 mg of pycnogenol/kg b. w./day dissolved in saline for 21 days). RESULTS: Data revealed a promising role of pycnogenol as an antioxidant, natural product to successfully reverse the heat-induced oxidative alterations in testicular and brain tissues of rats through significant upregulation of superoxide dismutase-2, catalase, reduced glutathione, and anti-apoptotic gene, while downregulating pro-apoptotic, and heat shock protein70. Pycnogenol treatment also reversed the reproductive hormone level and spermatogenesis to their normal values. CONCLUSION: Pycnogenol as a natural protective supplement could recover these heat stress-induced oxidative changes in testes and hypothalamus.

Protective and antioxidant effects of copper-nicotinate complex against glycerol-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Copper-nicotinate complex (CNC) has antioxidant activities through scavenging of free radicals formed inside the body. CNC also has anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. The current study was designed to determine the effect of glycerol on rat kidney function and oxidative stress as well as, the potential nephroprotective effects of CNC. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four equal groups. The groups of rats were as follows: GI was kept under normal control conditions; GII was orally given CNC at a dose of 0.043 mg kg-1 body weight (BW), three times/week for 4 weeks; GIII was administered glycerol (topical application) at a dose of 3.15 ml kg-1 BW daily for 4 weeks; and GIV was given CNC and glycerol with the same dose and route. The results revealed that CNC improves the renal dysfunctions induced by glycerol by recovering the levels of urea and creatinine to normal, as well as through the antioxidant status manifested by the normalization of catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, by its effect as an anti-oxidant, CNC reduces the effect of glycerol on the kidney by decreasing the fibrosis, degenerative changes and necrotic changes in the renal tubules. In conclusion, CNC could alleviate the side effects that might be caused by glycerol.

Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex against fatty liver in rat model.

AIM: The current study was designed to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex (CNC) against methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCDD)-induced fatty liver in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into one of four equal-sized groups (G1-G4). The G1 group was fed a balanced diet and kept under normal conditions; the G2 group received CNC orally at a dose of 0.043 mg/kg body weight, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, and a balanced diet; the G3 group was fed an MCDD for 4 weeks; and the G4 group was fed an MCDD and administered CNC at the same dose and route as G2. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum enzyme activity. After 4 weeks of treatment, liver specimens were collected for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, cytokine gene expression, and histopathological examination. RESULTS: CNC improved MCDD-induced liver dysfunctions by recovering serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities to their normal levels. The glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly decreased, while lipid peroxidation (as reflected by malondialdehyde [MDA]) markedly increased in the liver tissue of the MCDD group. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, the GSH level and SOD activity markedly increased and the MDA level significantly decreased to return to normal levels. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of hepatic interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-4, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 genes was found. Moreover, CNC reduced fatty liver complications by reducing the number of hepatic vacuolations, degenerative changes in the hepatocytes, and hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: CNC has the potential to limit tissue injury and possibly prevent the progression to severe liver disease caused by an MCDD.

Association between air pollutants and anthropometric measurements of boys in primary schools in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The combined action of biological, physical, and chemical agents in the environment impacts on children's health resulting in illness and disability. Body measurements provide the optimum method of evaluating the health status of children. This study was done to measure the main air pollutants that affect the physical growth of primary schoolboys and compare the growth patterns of these young boys in three different areas in the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three different environmental areas (residential, commercial, and industrial). The total number of boys in the study was 851. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with three main parts: sociodemographic, anthropometric measurements, and air pollutant measurements. RESULTS: Less than half the children (45%) residing in the residential area belonged to Classes 4 and 5 socioeconomic groups. In addition, 56.6% of the children residing in the commercial area and 26.5% of children in the industrial area belonged to the same socioeconomic class. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean age (P < 0.01), nationality, and the number of rooms and bedrooms (P < 0.001) in the boys' homes. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in weight (P < 0.05), height (P < 0.001), and height for age according to international standards (P < 0.01). Moreover, arm anthropometry of boys living in the residential area was higher than in the other two studied areas. Low values of all anthropometric measurements of the studied boys were significantly associated with exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) >0.35 parts per million (ppm) or carbon monoxide >35 ppm (Saudi standard) outdoors, irrespective of socioeconomic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The most significant factors that affected anthropometric values were total suspended particulate concentration in the outdoor air of the studied areas, parental education, and/or occupation. It is recommended that steps be taken to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Predictors of work-related stress among nurses working in primary and secondary health care levels in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Work-related stress (WRS) is an insidious and persistent part of everyday life related to the response of people to work environment. Nursing is a strenuous job and WRS is prevalent among nurses. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WRS among nurses working in primary and secondary health care levels in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 17 primary health care centers (PHCCs) representing the primary level of health care and  Medical Tower Complex (MTC) representing the secondary health care level in Dammam city. The total number of nurses included in the study was 637 nurses (144 in PHCCs) and (493 MTC). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was developed based on the pertinent literature. It included two main parts: Sociodemographic and job characteristics of nurses and 31 WRS questions. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of WRS among all studied nurses was 45.5%; 43.1% and 46.2% in primary and secondary levels, respectively. In the primary level, there was a statistical significant association between WRS and being married (85.5%), and having living three children and more (53.2%). Moreover, younger age group 20-<30 years (79.4%), Saudi nationality (86.8%), being married (74.6%), having nonbachelor degree (83.3%), work shifts (89.5%), and working in surgical department (46.5%) were the significant associating factors with the occurrence of WRS among nurses in secondary levels. Young age was the only predicting factor for WRS in primary care level. While being female, Saudi, married, with work shifts, and working in surgical department were found to predict WRS in the secondary level. RECOMMENDATIONS: Appropriate strategy in health care organization to investigate stress in health care settings is recommended. Moreover, interventional programs to identify, and relieve sources and effects of stress should be developed.