Search

Highlights • Obesity contributes to male infertility. • Can lycopene or moringa improve male infertility? • Tested in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity. • Lycopene was superior to Moringa in improving male fertility parameters., Obesity is a condition of chronic tissue inflammation and oxidative stress that poses as a risk factor for male infertility. Moringa oleifera oil extract is known to have cholesterol-lowering properties and a potential to treat obesity, while lycopene is a potent antioxidant. We hypothesize that Moringa or lycopene may improve male fertility markers in an animal model of diet-induced obesity. Male Albino rats (n = 60) were randomized to receive regular chow (RC) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks (n = 30 each). Animals in each arm were further randomized to receive gavage treatment with corn oil (vehicle), lycopene (10 mg/kg), or Moringa (400 mg/kg) for four weeks starting on week 9 (n = 10 each). Animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks, and blood was collected to assess lipid profile, serum testosterone, and gonadotropin levels. The testes and epididymides were removed for sperm analysis, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and histopathological assessment. In comparison to their RC littermates, animals on HFD showed an increase in body weights, serum lipids, testosterone and gonadotrophin levels, testicular oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, as well as sperm abnormalities and disrupted testicular histology. Moringa or lycopene reduced body weight, improved oxidative stress, and male fertility markers in HFD-fed animals with lycopene exhibiting better anti-antioxidant and anti-lipidemic effects. Lycopene is superior to Moringa in improving male fertility parameters, possibly by attenuating oxidative stress.

Smoking aggravates skin necrosis as a complication of random-pattern flap ischaemia. Sildenafil and nitroglycerin (NTG) are vasodilator agents that may affect skin flap survival. Fifty rats were subjected to a dorsal random-pattern flap operation and randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group received no treatment. The ischaemic group were administered local nicotine injections. The sildenafil group were administered oral sildenafil treatment in addition to the same intervention as the ischaemic group. The NTG group received topical NTG ointment application instead of sildenafil. The combined group were given both sildenafil and NTG treatments. After 7 days, all rats were sacrificed for flap assessment. Flap survival percentages at the 3rd and 7th days were significantly higher in the combined group than in the other study groups. Histologically, the ischaemic group exhibited dermal disorganization and inflammatory cell infiltration, which were improved in the 3 treated groups; however, the combined group presented the most relevant effect. The epidermal thickness showed a decrease in the ischaemic group (23.1 μm) that was significantly increased in the sildenafil (28.4 μm), NTG (28.8 μm) and combined (35.8 μm) groups. Immunohistochemically, the combined group exhibited a significant decrease in the apoptotic index and an increase in the proliferative index (2.3 and 56.9%, respectively) compared to those in the ischaemic (63.2 and 3%), sildenafil (41.7 and 28.1%) and NTG (39.3 and 30.4%) groups. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the combined group displayed improvement in most of the ischaemic changes. Our analyses suggest that the combined use of sildenafil and NTG is more efficacious than using only one of these treatments for skin flap survival.

Aims Azithromycin is widely used broad spectrum antibiotic recently used in treatment protocol of COVID-19 for its antiviral and immunomodulatory effects combined with Hydroxychloroquine or alone. Rat models showed that Azithromycin produces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis of myocardial tissue. Rosuvastatin, a synthetic statin, can attenuate myocardial ischemia with antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. This study aims to evaluate the probable protective effect of Rosuvastatin against Azithromycin induced cardiotoxicity. Main method Twenty adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups, five rats each control, Azithromycin, Rosuvastatin, and Azithromycin +Rosuvastatin groups. Azithromycin 30 mg/kg/day and Rosuvastatin 2 mg/kg/day were administrated for two weeks by an intragastric tube. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, rats were anesthetized and the following measures were carried out; Electrocardiogram, Blood samples for Biochemical analysis of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). The animals sacrificed, hearts excised, apical part processed for H&E, immunohistochemical staining, and examined by light microscope. The remaining parts of the heart were collected for assessment of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Reduced Glutathione (GSH). Key findings The results revealed that Rosuvastatin significantly ameliorates ECG changes, biochemical, and Oxidative stress markers alterations of Azithromycin. Histological evaluation from Azithromycin group showed marked areas of degeneration, myofibers disorganization, inflammatory infiltrate, and hemorrhage. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed significant increase in both Caspase 3 and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) immune stain. Rosuvastatin treated group showed restoration of the cardiac muscle fibers in H&E and Immunohistochemical results. Significance We concluded that Rosuvastatin significantly ameliorates the toxic changes of Azithromycin on the heart.

This investigation has been conducted to assess the suitability of ground waters in west Minia governorate for irrigation purposes. Thirty-three groundwater samples were collected from different sites, along Assiut the West Desert Road. These samples were analyzed for water quality criteria, namely electrical conductivity (EC), soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+), anions (HCO3-, CO32-, Cl- and SO42-). The chemical parameters that control water quality such as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percent (SSP%), residual sodium carbonated (RSC), Kelley’s ratio (KR), potential salinity (PS), permeability index (PI), total alkalinity, total hardness, magnesium ratio were also calculated using standard equations. Results revealed that anions contents in the studied ground waters followed the sequence: SO42->Cl-> HCO3- whereas CO-3ion was not detected. On the other hand, the cations contents of the water samples followed the sequence: Na+> Mg2+> Ca2+> K+. In addition, the pH values of the studied water samples ranged between 6.9 and 7. 9. The analytical results indicated that 94 % of the groundwater samples can be classified as good for irrigation on bases of EC, SAR, RSC and SSP%. Both SAR and RSC values indicated no liability for sodicity hazard. However, groundwater samples had high salinity levels and low sodicity (C3–S1). Some other parameters, which were generally used for assessing water quality e.g. Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) and Relative Crop Yield Potential (RCYP), were calculated. GIS was used to create a water quality database including spatial distribution map for each parameter. The results obtained herein showed that about 21 % of the groundwater samples belong to No Restriction category (NR) while about 79 % from the total samples belong to the Low Restriction (LR) category. According to the RYPC values calculated for some crops that can be cultivated using the investigated waters, the following sequence is obtained: sugar beet (94) > wheat (74) > corn (33) > bean (13). Thus, it can be concluded that the studied groundwater can successfully be used for irrigation with special salinity control management i.e. leaching requirements and salt tolerant plants.

Introduction: Peroneus tertius (PT) is greatly variable muscle and may be absent. PT muscle marks the anterolateral entry during using the ankle arthroscopy, used as a flap to cover defects in the foot soft tissue, tendon transfer and resection surgeries. PT may have a role in ankle joint injuries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of PT muscle in five Arab populations and its relation to ankle joint injury. Materials and methods: The presence of PT was clinically determined in five Arab countries (439 Bahraini, 208 Saudi, 153 Kuwaiti, 198 Tunisians and 250 Egyptians) using standard technique. Results: The prevalence of PT was observed in 42%, 38.5% and 41.2% in Asian populations (Bahraini, Saudi and Kuwaiti population, respectively) whereas, the African populations (Tunis and Egypt) revealed higher frequency (67.7% and 52.8%, respectively). The highest prevalence of PT occurred in males in Saudi Arabia and Egypt and females in Bahrain, Kuwait and Tunisia. Right limbs showed the most prevalent side in all populations except Bahrainis with increased prevalence of bilateral presence in all populations. PT was easily detected in Saudi and Tunisians followed by Bahrainis and Kuwaitis whereas, Egyptians revealed difficulty in PT detection. A significant correlation between the PT muscle and the occurrence of ankle injury was observed in all studied populations. Conclusion: PT showed variable prevalence in different populations in the world. There is a positive correlation between ankle injuries and PT presence. Further cadaveric and imaging studies are needed to study the PT variations. Keywords: Peroneus tertius muscle, Variation, Arab populations

Background Reported tramadol toxicity emphasizes the necessity to recognize its mechanism of toxicity, particularly to the brain tissue. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of vitamin C (Vit C) in cerebrocortical toxicity mediated by tramadol in rats using biochemical and histological parameters. Material and methods Forty-eight albino rats were randomly divided into eight groups, (n = 6/group) as follow: the control group received normal saline and vitamin C group received vitamin C (200 mg/kg per oral). Tramadol 50, 100, 150 groups received tramadol in doses of (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg per oral, respectively); Tramadol 50+ Vit C, 100+ Vit C, 150+ Vit C groups received vitamin C (200 mg/kg per oral) plus tramadol in doses of (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg per oral, respectively). Rats had received vitamin C and tramadol daily for 30 days. Blood and brain tissues samples were harvested for biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations. Results Tramadol administration leads to a significant elevation of MDA, NO levels and a significant decrease in antioxidants parameters (CAT, SOD and GSH) in the tissues of cerebral cortices in rats which were directly proportional to the dose of tramadol. In histological investigations, tramadol-treated groups showed pyknotic pyramidal cells, multiple red neurons and shrinking red neurons with hallows around it and apoptotic cells were detected. These biochemical abnormalities and histological impairment were ameliorated in groups with tramadol low doses by the co-treatment with vitamin C. Conclusion vitamin C has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic potentials against tramadol neurotoxicity via suppression of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, structural abnormalities, and down-regulation of p53 and overexpression of Bcl2 in the nervous tissues.

Anti-epileptic medications are included in the international guidelines for managing neuropathic pain. Valproate sodium (VPS) was recently described as “the forgotten analgesic” and has been reported to relief pain in various models of neuropathic pain. Some studies reported anti-inflammatory and histone deacetylase 1 (HDA1) inhibitory properties for sodium valproate. The aim of the current study was to investigate the modulatory effect of VPS on pain behavior and inflammatory reactions in alloxan-induced diabetic neuropathy focusing on HDA1 inhibition and glia reactivity. 28 Male Swiss albino mice were allocated into four groups, (1) vehicle group, (2) alloxan-diabetic group, (3 & 4) alloxan+VPS (25 or 50 mg/kg) groups. VPS was given daily for 5 weeks by oral gavage. Pain behavior demonstrated increased allodynia (von-Frey filaments) and hyperalgesia (hot-plate test) in alloxan-diabetic mice that was reduced significantly by at least one of VPS doses. Sciatic nerves in diabetic mice showed increased histopathology score, increased silver staining for the nerves-indicating myelopathy- and a decrease in immunostaining for nerve growth factor. Spinal cord of diabetic mice showed greater histopathologic score, increased CD11b and glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining than vehicle treated mice. Molecular investigations highlighted greater content of spinal histone deacetylases, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interlukin-1β (IL1β) that were favorably modified by VPS. Overall, the current data confirmed that the pain killing and anti-inflammatory activity of VPS is at least partly mediated through inhibition of spinal HDA1 and glia reactivity. These findings support the view of inviting antiepileptics for treating neuropathies.

The palmaris longus (PL) is one of the most variable muscles in the human body. Racial differences in its variation have been documented. Several studies have attempted to correlate PL absence with other anatomical variations. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of absence of PL, correlate it with gender and body side and to determine its association with other anatomical variations in the Egyptian population. The presence of PL was clinically determined in 386 Egyptians using the standard technique. All subjects were examined for the presence of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to the fifth finger. Allen's test was done to assess the completeness of the superficial palmar arch (SPA). The overall prevalence of absence of the PL in Egyptian subjects was 50.8%. There was no significant difference in PL absence with regard to the body side but a significant difference was seen as regards gender and when bilateral absence of PL was compared to its unilateral absence. Absence of FDS tendon to the fifth finger was seen in 1.3% subjects. There was no association between the absence of the FDS tendon to the fifth finger and either presence or absence of PL and also between the absence of PL and the incompleteness of SPA in both genders. In conclusion, the prevalence of absence of PL in the Egyptian population represents one of the highest rates of absence to be reported for this muscle, which is significantly different from that in other ethnic groups. Clin. Anat. 26:572–577, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The palmaris longus (PL) is one of the most variable muscles in the human body. Racial differences in its variation have been documented. Several studies have attempted to correlate PL absence with other anatomical variations. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of absence of PL, correlate it with gender and body side and to determine its association with other anatomical variations in the Egyptian population. The presence of PL was clinically determined in 386 Egyptians using the standard technique. All subjects were examined for the presence of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to the fifth finger. Allen's test was done to assess the completeness of the superficial palmar arch (SPA). The overall prevalence of absence of the PL in Egyptian subjects was 50.8%. There was no significant difference in PL absence with regard to the body side but a significant difference was seen as regards gender and when bilateral absence of PL was compared to its unilateral absence. Absence of FDS tendon to the fifth finger was seen in 1.3% subjects. There was no association between the absence of the FDS tendon to the fifth finger and either presence or absence of PL and also between the absence of PL and the incompleteness of SPA in both genders. In conclusion, the prevalence of absence of PL in the Egyptian population represents one of the highest rates of absence to be reported for this muscle, which is significantly different from that in other ethnic groups.