Dysregulation of male sex hormones in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection is a serious problem all over the world and has a special importance in Egypt, where the prevalence of infection is 14.7% of population. In males, HCV is associated with sexual dysfunction and changes in the semen parameters. This study aimed at estimation of a panel of the most important related hormones in the serum of patients and illustration of their correlation to the routine laboratory investigations. The four studied hormones showed alteration in the patients in comparison with the controls. While androstenedione, prolactin and testosterone were significantly increased in patients, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was decreased. These changes in the hormones were not related to the liver functions, pathological grade or even viral load. We hypothesised a model of how HCV can induce these hormonal changes and recommended to add these hormones to the follow-up panel of male patients with HCV.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, coordination and biological activities of some transition metal complexes containing ONO tridentate Schiff base ligand.

The main target of this paper is to get an interesting data for the preparation and characterizations of metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles using H2L Schiff base complexes as precursors through the thermal decomposition procedure. Five Schiff base complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions were synthesized from 2-[(2-hydroxy-naphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-amino]-benzoic acid new adduct (H2L). Theses complexes were characterized using infrared, electronic, mass and (1)H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The elemental analysis data was confirmed that the stoichiometry of (metal:H2L) is 1:1 molar ratio. The molar conductance indicates that all of complexes are non electrolytic. The general chemical formulas of these complexes is [M(L)(NH3)]·nH2O. All complexes are tetrahedral geometry. The thermal decomposition behavior of H2L hydrated and anhydrous complexes has been discussed using thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA) under nitrogen atmosphere. The crystalline phases of the reaction products were checked using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).