Lead acetate versus cadmium sulfate in the modulation of main physiological pathways controlling detrusor muscle contractility in rat.

Heavy metals have a deleterious effect on lower urinary tract functions. Scant data has been reported about metals' effect on altering detrusor muscle contractility. Rats were given lead acetate (3, 30 mg/kg), cadmium sulfate (0.1, 1 mg/kg) or ferrous sulfate-iron overload-(3, 30 mg/kg), in a subacute toxicity study (21 days, ip). In-vitro tension experiments were conducted using isolated rat detrusor muscle. Measurement of heavy metal concentrations in blood and tissue homogenates was performed, as well as histopathological examinations. Subacute toxicity induced by treatment with lead and cadmium was manifested as a decrease in EFS, ACh, and ATP-mediated contraction of isolated detrusor muscle. Iron overload only decreased EMAX of EFS and ACh-mediated contraction. Lead (30 mg/kg) caused an upward shift in the dose response curve of isoprenaline-induced relaxation, with a significant decrease in EMAX. Lead (30 mg/kg) or cadmium (1 mg/kg) inhibited adenosine (10-5 M)-induced relaxation. Comparisons to control tissues showed a selective accumulation of metals in the detrusor muscle. Histopathological examinations revealed edema and inflammation in the urinary bladder. Directly added lead (10 mM) inhibited detrusor muscle contraction in-vitro, and its effect was decreased in presence of atropine, and potentiated in presence of TEA, L-NAME, or MB. Cadmium's (0.1 mM) inhibitory effect was reduced in presence of nifedipine or trifluoperazine. In conclusion, lead, cadmium, or iron induce detrusor hypoactivity: The inhibitory effect of lead may be mediated by modulating muscarinic receptors but not the K+/NO/cGMP pathway, whereas cadmium inhibitory effect may be mediated by inhibiting the Ca2+/calmodulin pathway.

Tunable femtosecond laser suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer in vitro.

Worldwide, the most frequently diagnosed cancer is female breast cancer, and it poses a serious global health threat. Traditional cancer therapies are associated with various side effects, so developing better therapies for breast cancer is necessary, such as laser therapy which could be a promising treatment option. The aim of the current study was to investigate the femtosecond laser irradiation effect on breast cancer using T47D cell line as an in vitro model. Cells were seeded at a density of 5 × 104 cells/well in 96-well plates and incubated overnight. After that, the cells were exposed to femtosecond laser irradiation at various wavelengths falling in the UV, visible, and IR ranges for 3, 5, or 10 min and at a constant power of 100 mW. Cell viability was measured directly and 24 h after femtosecond laser irradiation using MTT assay. When using different femtosecond laser irradiation parameters, especially the 380 and 400 nm femtosecond laser irradiation, there was significant inhibition of breast cancer cell growth, either directly or 24 h after femtosecond laser exposure. Also, 420 and 440 nm significantly affected the viability of the cells. It was also observed that increasing exposure time enhances the observed effect, so 10 min exposure time was the best time of exposure. However, 700, 720, 750, and 780 nm did not significantly affect the cells viability with different exposure times. It was possible to conclude from the aforementioned results that femtosecond laser irradiation exerted a significant anticancer effect against T47D cells. Consequently, the femtosecond laser could be used successfully for breast cancer management.

Soft white cheese ripening using bacterial protease enzyme.

BACKGROUND: Microbial proteases are the most important enzymes in the industry, accounting for 60% of total enzyme sales in the world. The proteases of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have received special attention because of their importance in the food and dairy industry. METHODS: The crude extract and purified protease enzyme produced from an isolated bacte- rial strain identified as Lactobacillus plantarum were used in the ripening and flavor improvement of soft white cheese (Domiati-type). The effect of protease enzyme on the chemical and sensory properties of Domiati cheese during the storage period was studied. RESULTS: The results showed that the pH value, moisture and protein contents of all Domiati cheese treatments decreased by adding protease and increasing the storage period, whereas the soluble nitrogen, tyrosine and tryptophan and fat contents for all cheese treatments increased with protease addition as the storage period advanced compared to control. Moreover, most free fatty acids (FFA) contents were similar between the control and protease cheese treatments during the storage period, whereas free amino acid (FAA) content increased as the storage period for protease cheese treatments was increased. The predominated free fatty acids in Domiati cheese at the end of the ripening were palmitic acid, followed by oleic acid, stearic and myristic acids. Free amino acids (glutamic acid, proline, leucine, aspartic, lysine, serine and valine) were present in higher concentrations and represented more than 50% of total amino acids in all Domiati cheese samples at the end of the ripening period. The results of sensory evaluation indicated that as the ripening period progressed, the flavor characteristics gradually increased, leading to an improvement in the organoleptic properties compared with the control. The results showed that at end of the storage period, the cheese treatment (T2) with 2% crude enzyme recorded the highest flavor score. CONCLUSIONS: It be concluded that the addition of 2% of crude protease enzyme accelerates the ripening process of Domiati cheese through 60 days without any defects.  .

Different mechanisms for lead acetate, aluminum and cadmium sulfate in rat corpus cavernosum.

INTRODUCTION: Some heavy metals show adverse vascular and neurological effects, however, their effect on erection is underestimated. This study aims to investigate the effect of Pb, Cd and Al on erectile function and their potential mechanism of action in rats. METHODS: Measurement of intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) changes elicited by electrical stimulation of cavernous nerve in anesthetized rats treated with Pb-acetate, Al-sulfate, or Cd-sulfate acutely, and subacutely for 7 days. Serum creatinine, testosterone, TBARs, GSH levels and metal accumulation in corpus cavernosum were measured. RESULTS: Pb, Al and Cd significantly reduced ICP/MAP in rats after acute (2,10-2,10 and 1,3 mg/kg respectively) and sub-acute (3, 3, and 1mg/kg/day respectively) treatments. They selectively accumulated in the corpus cavernosum reaching 25.107 ± 2.081 µg/g wet weight for Pb, 1.029 ± 0.193 for Cd, 31.343 ± 1.991 for Al, compared to 7.084 ± 1.517, 0.296 ± 0.067, and 8.86 ± 1.115 as controls respectively. Serum creatinine levels were not altered. Cd and Al significantly reduced testosterone level to 0.483 ± 0.059 and 0.419 ± 0.037 ng/ml respectively compared to 0.927 ± 0.105 ng/ml as control. Aluminum elevated TBARs significantly by 27.843%. The acute anti-erectile action of Pb was blocked by non-selective NOS and GC inhibitors and potassium channel blocker. Lead also masked the potentiatory effect of l-arginine and diazoxide on ICP/MAP. No interaction with muscarinic or nicotinic modulators was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Pb, Cd and Al show anti-erectile effect independent on renal injury. They don not modulate cholinergic nor ganglionic transmission in corpus cavernosum. Pb may inhibit NO/cGMP/K+channel pathway. The effect of Cd and Al but not Pb seems to be hormonal dependent.

Left ventricular diastolic abnormalities and the impact of hepatitis C virus infection in multitransfused Egyptian children.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate left ventricular cardiac systolic and diastolic functions by echocardiography in multitransfused children and the possible risk of hepatitis C virus infection as an additional factor impairing cardiac functions in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Echocardiographic studies of left ventricular function in 80 multitransfused patients aged 3 to 15 years with no clinical evidence of heart failure were included in our study. Anti-hepatitis C virus antibody was present in the sera of 25 of them. Twenty age and sex matched normal subjects were studied as a control. RESULTS: Results showed left ventricular systolic abnormalities in 15 cases (18%). Nine cases were HCV seropositive. Dilatation of left ventricle and impaired systolic function guided by FS (fractional shortening) was significantly reduced compared to normal subjects' mean FS (p<0.01). Systolic dysfunction is significantly observed in hepatitis C virus seropositive cases (mean FS 29±7.9 vs seronegative cases 31.4±10 (p<0.035). Restrictive left ventricular diastolic abnormalities were detected in 45 patients (56.25%). Diastolic dysfunction was represented in prolonged isovolumic relaxation time in comparison to the control group (p<0.03) and higher E wave (p<0.001) also increased the ratio of early to late diastolic velocity (E/A ratio, 2.03±0.59 vs 1.6±0.27, p<0.05). No significant difference in diastolic functions was found between HCV seropositive and seronegative groups. There is a weak negative correlation between left ventricular FS and serum ferritin level (r=0.77, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Multitransfused children are more liable to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction suggested by impaired relaxation probably due to iron overload and anaemia. Hepatitis C virus infection is an additional factor which might share in impairing left ventricular systolic function. Left ventricular performance is better preserved when chelation treatment is adjusted to maintain serum ferritin at <1000 ng/ml.