Search

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been recognized as flavor enhancer that adversely affects male reproductive systems. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of pomegranate juice on MSG induced histopathological changes in the seminiferous tubules of rats. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups of ten rats each; Group I (Control group), received daily standard diet only for one month. Group II (Pomegranate group), received daily pomegranate juice only for one month. Group III (MSG group), received daily a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight of MSG for one month. Group IV (MSG and Pomegranate group), received daily a single dose of 60 mg/kg of MSG concomitant with pomegranate juice for one month. Group V (MSG withdrawal group), received daily a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight of MSG for one month then leaved for another one month. The testis was subjected to histological study, using light and electron microscopes, and the cauda epididymis was used for caudal sperm count. Results: MSG induced toxicity in testicular tissues. Pomegranate juice resulted in improving the MSG induced changes, and it had the ability to increase sperms number and to reduce sperms abnormalities. Supplementation of pomegranate juice could ameliorate the MSG induced testicular toxicity. Thus, it could have a role in improving male fertility.

BACKGROUND The regulatory factor X6 (RFX6), a member of regulatory factor X family, is known to play a key role in the development and differentiation of pancreatic beta cells as well as insulin production and secretion. However, the potential role of RFX6 in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is still unclear. AIM Recent studies have indicated that RFX6 binding to DNA could be disrupted in diabetes. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether genetic mutations are present in the DNA binding domain of RFX6 gene that could abrogate its function in T2D. METHODS A cohort of T2D patients was enrolled in this study, and the gene encoding the DNA binding domain of RFX6 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then analysed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS The DNA sequence analysis revealed the absence of any exonic mutation. However, we have identified a new heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphism (IVS6+31 C>T) in the intronic region of DNA binding domain gene that is present in 9.2% and 8.5% of diabetic and control people, respectively (P = 0.97). CONCLUSION We report the absence of any significant genetic variant that could affect the function of RFX6-DNA binding domain in T2D.

Healthy tendons play an important role in joint movements and subjected to a group of pathologies called tendinopathy due to multiple factors. Tendons have a slowly repairing process due to the low vascularity and cellularity. Treatment options aimed at potentiating the healing response and relieving symptoms. Phototherapy and platelet-rich plasma were novel treatment modalities in tendons based on photobiomodulation and growth factors during healing, and the results were encouraging suggesting calibrating treatment parameters. This study utilizes cell culture to explore the potential effect of light-emitting diode and/or growth factors in the form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the activity of tenocytes isolated from sheep Achilles tendons by measuring the cell metabolism and cell mobility using cell viability and migration assays to proof safety and confirm activity. Results showed that sheep tenocyte-cultured groups treated with 5% platelet-rich plasma alone or combined with 4 J/cm2 light-emitting diode have increased viability significantly when compared to control group after a 48 h, while light-emitting diode treatment has not decreased cell migration significantly when compared with control. Result suggests that using platelet-rich plasma alone or combined with light-emitting diode might have potential to enhance healing response at the conditions applied. PRP could enhance proliferation while LED could enhance migration and proliferation. Further research is needed at longer durations.

Tendons are dense, fibrous connective tissues which carry out the essential physiological role of transmitting mechanical forces from skeletal muscle to bone. From a clinical perspective, tendinopathy is very common, both within the sporting arena and amongst the sedentary population. Studies have shown that light therapy may stimulate tendon healing, and more recently, intense pulsed light (IPL) has attracted attention as a potential treatment modality for tendinopathy; however, its mechanism of action and effect on the tendon cells (tenocytes) is poorly understood. The present study therefore investigates the influence of IPL on an in vitro bovine tendon model. Tenocytes were irradiated with IPL at different devise settings and under variable culture conditions (e.g. utilising cell culture media with or without the pH indicator dye phenol red), and changes in tenocyte viability and migration were subsequently investigated using Alamar blue and scratch assays, respectively. Our data demonstrated that IPL fluencies of up to 15.9 J/cm2 proved harmless to the tenocyte cultures (this was the case using culture media with or without phenol red) and resulted in a significant increase in cell viability under certain culture conditions. Furthermore, IPL treatment of tenocytes did not affect the rate of cell migration. This study demonstrates that irradiation with IPL is not detrimental to the tenocytes and may increase their viability under certain conditions, thus validating our in vitro model. Further studies are required to elucidate the effects of IPL application in the clinical situation.

Myopathy is one of the side effects of colchicine, manifested as pain, dysfunction, and weakness of muscles. Ginseng extract antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been reported in muscular tissue. This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of ginseng ameliorates colchicine-induced skeletal muscles damage in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (ten/group) – Group I (control group): rats received normal diet and orally given normal saline, Group II: ginseng extract was administered via oral gavage daily for one month at the doses of 300 mg/kg, Group III (Colchicine treated group): rats were given colchicine (50 μg/kg/day) via oral gavage for one month, and Group IV: concomitant administration of Ginseng and colchicine for one month. Serum creatine kinase (CK) levels were measured, and skeletal muscles specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Administration of colchicine (group III) showed elevated serum CK, and histologically myofibrillar disarray foci together with cellular infiltration and edema. Group IV showed reduction in most of those manifestations. Concomitant administration of ginseng with colchicine ameliorated most of the symptoms related to colchicine induced-myopathy.

Background: Moringa oleifera (Lam) has gained popularity especially in recent times due to several publications reporting various nutritional and health benefits of the plant. It has many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Conversely, Amiodarone is a chemotherapeutic drug, which has been associated with many side effects involving different organs, particularly pulmonary fibrosis. Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of Moringa oleifera against the toxic effect of amiodarone on rat pulmonary alveoli by histopathological examination. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study and were randomly distributed into four groups. Group I was given normal saline (5 ml/day) for one month, group II was given Moringa oleifera leaf powder (50 mg/rat) via oral gavage daily with laboratory diet and water for one month, group III was given amidarone (30 mg/rat) via oral gavage daily for one month, and group IV was given amidarone concomitant with moringa oleifera. Results: administration of amidarone induced alteration in the pulmonary alveoli as evident by proliferation and abnormal vacuolation of type II pneumocyte, numerous foamy macrophages, intra-alveolar cellular debris and exfoliated cells, thickening of inter-alveolar septa due to mononuclear cellular infiltration, congestion of the blood vessels associated with increased collagen deposition. Concomitant administration of Moringa oleifera leaves ameliorate most of these changes. Conclusions: It could be concluded from our study that Moringa oleifera (Lam) administration could ameliorate the alveolar – toxic effect of amiodarone to the lung. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Amidarone, Pulmonary alveoli, Lung, Histopathology

Introduction: Tendinopathy is a pathology of tendons of multifactorial origin displayed clinically as chronic degenerative tissue resulting in dysfunction and painful musculoskeletal system. Genetic implications in tendinopathy are not fully elucidated. Haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism has been investigated for potential role in several diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. This study aims at investigating Hp polymorphism potential association with chronic tendinopathy in Jordan. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study, of 101 patients diagnosed with chronic tendinopathy and 104 age and gender matched controls, was employed and Hpphenotypes distributions were determined using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Results: showed a significant association between tendinopathy cases and controls in relation to Hpphenotypes frequencies (Fisher’s Exact Test, [Formula: see text]). Odd ratios showed that the odds of tendinopathy cases in Hp2.1 group were reduced while odds in Hp2.2 and Hp1.1 were increased by 3.22 and 7.34 times, respectively, as likely compared to the controls. Conclusion: Results suggested that Hppolymorphism might play a role in chronic tendinopathy genesis.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used therapeutically in a number of clinical settings and has been shown to have a photobiomodulatory effect on connective tissue cells, such as those derived from skin and tendon. In vitro cell culture models are essential tools preclinically in investigating such treatment modalities, as they help in optimising parameters for successful treatment. However, as culture system components have been reported to absorb part of the irradiated energy, which in turn has a bearing on the amount of light reaching the cells, it is important to establish specific parameters for the particular in vitro model used. This study, therefore, investigates the effect of our tissue culture system components on the IPL energy delivered. Individual wells of multi-well plates were irradiated with IPL at different device settings and under variable culture conditions (e.g. in the absence or presence of cell culture media with or without the pH indicator dye, phenol red), and the energy lost through the culture system determined. Our data demonstrated that the IPL device delivered significantly lower outputs than those published, and energy absorption by the culture equipment would further reduce fluencies delivered to the cell monolayer. Furthermore, energy absorption by media containing phenol red was marginally greater than clear media and resulted in only a small increase in temperature, which would not be harmful to cells. The use of phenol red-containing media therefore is valid and physiologically relevant when examining light-culture system interactions.

Background: Flexor tendon injuries are extremely common and they are usually the result of incised traumatic glass or knife injury. The process of tendon healing is a complicated and exceptionally-regimented mechanism that is originated and monitored by a vast number of diverse molecules. One of the most pivotal groups of mediators that are crucial to the healing process are growth factors (GF). Intense pulse light (IPL) can lead to evidence of new collagen formation with associated clinical improvement in tissue healing. The biological benefit of Intense pulse light (IPL) relies on judicious photothermolysis, where heat driven radiation is dissipated and focused at the cellular level. The aims of this study is to set out the effect of growth factor and IPL on healing following a tendon repair. Methods: Bovine common digital extensor tendons (CDET) were used as an ex vivo model. 44 tendon repairs were performed by the lead author using 2.5 × magnification loupes and standard instruments. Clamped tendons were assigned into the following groups; control, IPL, GF, IPL and GF. After culturing, biomechanical testing was carried out using monotonic tensile testing with displacement-controlled uniaxial tension to failure. Results: The mean values for ultimate tensile stress (UTS) for the control group was 53.51 N, for IPL it was 51.15 N, for growth factor was 70.10 N and for combined growth factor and IPL it was 75.16 N. Conclusions: This study showed significant improvement in UTS when repaired tendons were cultured with growth factor compared to control and IPL. This would suggest a biomechanical advantage for tendon healing.