A comparative study among dietary supplementations of antibiotic, grape seed and chamomile oils on growth performance and carcass properties of growing rabbits.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chamomile oil (Ch), grape seed oil (GS), their mixture and antibiotic (colistin) (AN) as feed addetives on the productivity of growing rabbits as well as in vitro study to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of both Ch and GS oils. To achive this objective, a total of 96 New Zealand (NZW) weaned rabbits, 5 weeks-old were randomly allotted into eight groups. Rabbits were kept under observation for eight weeks and the trial ended at thirteen weeks-old. The experimental treatments were: 1) Basal diet (BD); 2) BD + antibiotic; 3) BD + 0.5 ml GS/ kg diet; 4) BD + 1.0 ml GS/ kg diet; 5) BD + 1.5 ml GS/ kg diet; 6) BD + 0.5 ml Ch/ kg diet; 7) BD + 1.0 ml Ch/ kg diet and 8) BD + 1.5 Ch/ kg diet. Live body weight (LBW) was markedly elevated (p < 0.05) in groups fed on ration included feed additives compared with the control at weeks 9 and 13 of age. Cumulative body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) increased (p < 0.05) throughout 5-9 and 5-13 weeks of age in rabbits fed rations plus the studied additives. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was insignificantly altered by dietary feed additives. Spleen and intestine relative weights reduced (p < 0.05) in groups treated with different studied additives. In view of the experiment finings, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation of GS and Ch have a positive impact on the productivity of growing rabbits than that of the control and antibiotic-treated groups.

Renal protective effect of nebivolol in rat models of acute renal injury: role of sodium glucose co-transporter 2.

BACKGROUND: Upregulation of the sodium glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) is implicated in acute renal injury (ARI) progression and is regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). This study aimed to assess the possible protective effect of nebivolol on renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) and glycerol-induced ARI targeting SGLT2 via modulating the ERK-HIF1α pathway. METHODS: Rats were divided into control, sham, IR or nebivolol-treated group, in which rats were treated with nebivolol (10 mg/kg) for 3 days prior to the induction of IR. The rats were subjected to renal ischemia by bilateral clamping of the pedicles for 45 min, followed by 24 h reperfusion. Another group of rats received the vehicle or nebivolol (10 mg/kg) for 3 days followed by injection of 50% glycerol (8 ml/kg, IM) or saline. Kidney function tests, systolic blood pressure (SBP), oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA) and NADPH oxidase] and kidney levels of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), HIF1α, ERK phosphorylation and PGE2 were determined. Additionally, renal sections were used for histological grading of renal injury and immunological expression of SGLT2. RESULTS: ARI rats showed significantly increased SBP, poor kidney function tests, increased oxidative stress, iNOS, NO, HIF1α levels, decreased PGE2 and ERK phosphorylation and upregulation of SGLT2 expression. Nebivolol treatment protected against the kidney damage both on the biochemical and histological levels. CONCLUSION: Nebivolol has a direct renoprotective effect, at least in part, by down-regulating SGLT2 possibly via modulating HIF1α, ERK activity and PGE2 production.

Doxazosin down-regulates sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 and exerts a renoprotective effect in rat models of acute renal injury.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) is known to be involved in the progression of acute renal injury (ARI) and is regulated by different mediators in the kidneys including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In the present study, we investigated the possible protective effect of doxazosin on renal ischaemia/reperfusion (IR) and glycerol-induced ARI by determining its effect on SGLT2 via modifying ERK-HIF1α pathway and/or PGE2. Rats were divided into control, sham or IR where the rats received the vehicle, doxazosin (8 mg/kg) or the SGLT2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin (10 mg/kg) for 3 days followed by 45 minutes bilateral renal ischaemia then 24 hours reperfusion. Another group of rats received the vehicle, doxazosin or dapagliflozin for three days followed by injection of 50% glycerol (8 mL/kg, IM) or saline. Kidney function tests, systolic blood pressure (SBP), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and NADPH oxidase), nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), HIF1α, ERK phosphorylation and PGE2 levels were determined. Additionally, renal sections were used for immunological expression of SGLT2. ARI rats showed significantly increased SBP; worsened kidney function tests; increased oxidative stress, iNOS, NO, HIF1α levels; and decreased PGE2 and ERK phosphorylation along with up-regulated SGLT2. Doxazosin treatment protected against the kidney damage and attenuated the associated biochemical changes. Doxazosin has a direct renoprotective effect possibly by down-regulating SGLT2.

Tactile cold scissor metroplasty as a novel backup method for hysteroscopic metroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To study the operative, anatomic, and functional outcome of tactile cold scissor metroplasty (TCSM) as a backup method for hysteroscopic metroplasty. DESIGN: Case series with description of the technique. SETTING: Assiut University Women's Health Center. PATIENT(S): Three cases with failed hysteroscopic metroplasty out of 127 cases with uterine septa scheduled for hysteroscopic resection. INTERVENTION(S): The TCSM procedure was performed in three cases under direct laparoscopic monitoring. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Operative time, complications, hysteroscopic appearance of the cavity, reproductive outcome, and reintervention rates. RESULTS: The TCSM procedure was performed successfully in the three cases with a short total operative time (10-12 minutes). Subsequent office hysteroscopic appearance was satisfactory. Patients were then followed up for a period of time ranging from 3 to 28 months. One case had a successful pregnancy outcome, one has an ongoing pregnancy, and the last one did not get pregnant so far. CONCLUSION(S): Tactile cold scissor metroplasty is a useful, safe, and effective backup procedure for hysteroscopic metroplasty.

Evaluation of postmyomectomy uterine scar.

PURPOSE: To determine preoperative and intraoperative factors that affect the healing pattern of a myomectomy uterine incision and to estimate the incidence and outcome of postmyomectomy hematoma demonstrated with sonography. METHODS: This observational longitudinal prospective study followed the course of patients diagnosed with at least 1 leiomyomata. Each patent was scheduled for abdominal myomectomy. Preoperative assessments included sonographic measurement of the uterine volume as well as identification of the numbers and sites of the leiomyomata. Detailed operative notes were reported for every patient. Transvaginal sonography was performed for all cases on day 2, day 7, and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of postoperative hematoma versus preoperative and postoperative factors that possibly affect uterine healing. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant reduction of the uterine volume on follow-up (P < 0.001) of the 169 women enrolled. Hematoma in the myomectomy bed was observed postoperatively in 40 (24%) 28 (17%) and 12 (7%) patients on day 2, day 7, and 1 month, respectively. A preoperative myoma size greater than 110 cm(3), the use of a tourniquet, and the experience of the surgeon were significantly correlated with formation of uterine scar hematomas. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative sonographic diagnosis of wound hematoma may be used as an indicator of wound healing that is usually complete within 3 months. Use of a tourniquet is frequently associated with hematoma formation. Myomectomy should usually be performed by an experienced surgeon without a tourniquet, using microsurgical principles, especially when the sizes of the leiomyomata exceed 110 cm(3).