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Background and Objective: Type 2 diabetes affects a large number of people all over the world; hence, it is worthy to supplement those patients with a food formula containing biologically active ingredients that can help to control the disease and its complications. The present study was designed to prepare a plant formula in the form of a juice taken during treatment to synergies and reduce the drug dose used and minimize disease complications., Materials and Methods: The formula is formed of spinach, broccoli, celery, green beans and chickpea. The total fat, fatty acids, polyphenol content and the antioxidant power of the formula were determined. The blood sugar tolerance curves of the volunteers were followed after breakfast alone, breakfast and treatment dose, also when this formula was given before breakfast., Results: The vegetable and legume juice could reduce postprandial glucose level when given before the breakfast and the effect was more or less similar to the effect of the treatment drug. The juice proved to contain some polyphenols and possess an antioxidant character. Analysis proved that it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids., Conclusion: It is recommended to use this juice for diabetic patients to reduce hyperglycemia and synergize the effect of the used drug. It can thus avoid health problems that occur to those patients when using drugs for long time and in massive amounts.

Schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni were incubated in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, 10% human portal venous or 10% human peripheral venous sera in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in order to measure differences in cell proliferation. The rates of cell proliferation as expressed by BrdU labelling indices (BLI) were determined as a function of time of incubation by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody to BrdU. Compared to schistosomula cultured in the presence of RPMI plus 10% fetal calf serum, BLIs were increased by 60% in the presence of human portal, but not in peripheral serum. This stimulatory effect was substantially reproduced by a fraction of portal serum with a molecular weight range between 1 and 50 kDa. However, in the presence of human peripheral venous serum, either whole or fractionated, schistosomula showed no significant difference compared to RPMI plus 10% fetal calf serum alone. Furthermore, human portal serum fractions of molecular weight greater than 50 kDa also revealed no significant difference relative to control. The results indicate that portal venous serum component(s) of a molecular weight range higher than most simple nutrients can greatly stimulate the rate of cell proliferation of Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula.

The effect of some beverage extracts namely anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, karkade and tea, on the absorption of iron was tested in tied-off intestinal segments of rats. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was calculated in terms of an absorption index. The tannin, phytic acid and ascorbic acid contents of these beverages were analysed. The results show that anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, arranged in decreasing order of their effect, promoted the absorption of iron. Karkade did not exert an appreciable effect while tea inhibited absorption. The results are discussed in relation to the content of these beverages of tannins, phytic or ascorbic acids. It is recommended to offer these beverages to children and also to adults as a preventive agent to iron deficiency anemia. Also can be used for the preparation of bioavailable medicinal iron.

The level of total amino acids was determined in plasma and urine in cases suffering from ocdematous forms of PCM before and after receiving a single dose of each of cysteine, tryptophan and lysine. The increase in plasma amino acids following dosing was less in malnourished cases than in controls. Fasting urinary amino acid content in malnourished subjects was higher than in controls and so was also the ratio of urine amino acids collected after dosing to the fasting level. As the study revealed that protein depletion inhibits intestinal absorption and tubular reabsorption, parenteral administration of amino acids is recommended during treatment to escape intestinal loss. Excess oral protein should be given in food to compensate for losses via the gastro-intestinal and renal tracts.

Amino acids and proteins in whole saliva of normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children were investigated. 16 amino acids, 7 of them are essential, could be detected in saliva of normal infants. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the existence of 10 protein components in saliva of either normal or malnourished infants. In oedematous cases, salivary aminoacids, particularly the essential ones, were increased as well as most of the protein components. In non-oedematous cases, the pattern was more or less normal, but in 3rd grade marasmus, amino acid and protein components of saliva were somewhat increased. The conclusion was drawn that such increase is mainly due to tissue degeneration which is more marked in oedematous than non-oedematous form of the disease.

Haematological as well as biochemical parameters assessing anaemia associating protein energy malnutrition PEM were estimated. Data revealed that controls studied have a relatively lower Hb, Ht, and R.B.C.S. count than European standards. Hypochromic anaemia was predominant in 83.3% of moderate Kwashiorkor being normocytic in 50% and microcytic in 33.3%. In severe KWO anaemia was normocytic in 42% and microcytic in 19.2%. Normochromia was found in 9.7% and hypochromia in 29%. Macrocytosis was found in 38.8% in severe KWO. In marasmus, normocytic anaemia was revealed in 74% of the 2nd. grade being normochromic in 82% and hypochromic in 40%. Macrocytic anaemia was detected in 26%. In 3rd. grade subjects normocytic normochromic anaemia occurred in 70% of the cases. Macrocytosis was encountered among 30% of the cases. Serum iron and transferrin level dropped in both KWO and marasmus, the extent of decrease was greater in the former. The percent transferrin saturation was elevated in severe cases. Particularly severe KWO and marasmic KWO.

1. Studies were done on the effect of ascorbic acid and five amino acids (histidine, cystine, cysteine, valine and glutamic acid) on intestinal iron absorption in a group of ninety Egyptian infants and young children, of which fifty-seven were healthy controls and thirty-three were suffering from Fe-deficiency anaemia. 2. Supplements tested promoted Fe absorption in healthy controls in the following order: valine larger than histidine larger than ascorbic acid. Cysteine, glutamic acid and cystine were found to have no significant effect. 3. Supplementation with valine, ascorbic acid and histidine also increased intestinal Fe absorption in anaemic subjects, but to a lesser extent than in controls. 4. Supplementation of haematinic therapy with these compounds is recommended. Their use is also suggested to improve the availability of the Fe content of everday diets.

The amino acid pattern in plasma and urine of Bilharzial Egyptian patients with different degrees of complications was investigated. The results obtained showed that in mansoniasis, accumulation of amino acids in the circulation is due to derangement in liver function which retards the utilization of amino acids in protein synthesis particularly in the advanced stage of the disease. This is also in part due to liver cell degeneration which parallel the severity of the infection. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is partly an overflow type, while in severe cases urinary tract tissue degeneration may be a participating factor. Aminoaciduria in haematobiasis is due to haematuria and urinary tract tissue degeneration.

Supramine, a food mixture produced in Egypt by El-Nil Pharmaceutical Company supported by UNICEF. The product suffers from two problems: It is not well liked by the children, and its shelf life is relatively short. Studies were made to overcome these problems. Pretreatment of the ingredients such as cooking, autoclaving or roasting markedly improved palatability of the product. Adjustment of the conditions of the enzyme action increased hydrolysis of the starchy material making the product more soft and digestible. Formulation of new mixtures gave the chance to the produce to satisfy the wish of a wide sector of the consumers. The heat treatment made to the ingredients minimized contamination and prolonged shelf life of the product.

The vitamin content, namely vitamin C, carotene, riboflavin and nicotinic acid, of some popular vegetables and fruits was determined. It was found that the green parts of the plants were the most rich in these four vitamins. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Helba) was the richest of all vegetables and fruits in vitamin C (207 mg%). Scandicium stellatum (Shabat contains the highest value for carotene (57.3 mg%). Solanum tuberosum (Batatis) was the richest in riboflavin (0.3 mg%) and Pisum sativum (Busselah) in niacin (1.8 mg%).

1. A standardized decompensation and recompensation of iron homeostasis has been produced by a change-over from normal to iron deficiency and back. 2. Under these conditions the 59Fe uptake into transferrin and ferritin of the mucosal "cytosol" and SDS treated "membrane" fraction has been measured together with the 59Fe amount transferred into the body. 3. The increase of the intestinal 59Fe absorption due to a progressive iron deficiency is associated with an increase of the 59Fe uptake into the mucosal transferrin of the "cytosol" and the "membrane" fraction; the reverse is observed with regard to mucosal ferritin. 4. Three days after the re-establishment of normal conditions the 59Fe absorption was lowered to normal values, while the 59Fe uptake into mucosal ferritin achieved again normally high values. 5. The high apparent rate of absorption in iron deficient animals decreased during the last 50 min after injection of the 59Fe labelled test dose. The 59Fe content in the ferritin fraction increased simultaneously, whereas the 59Fe content in the transferrin fraction remained the same. 6. The conclusion is drawn that the intestinal iron absorption is regulated by both mucosal iron binding proteins. Mucosal transferrin is responsible for the increase of absorption in iron deficiency while mucosal ferritin is responsible for the inhibition of iron absorption when the iron homeostasis recompensats.

1. The chromatographic elution patterns on Sepharose 6B of the supernatant from mucosal homogenates prepared 10 min after administration of copper into duodenal segments in vivo, indicate that copper is bound preferentially in the fraction of mucosal transferrin. 2. In iron deficiency the amount of 64Cu-copper taken up into the duodenal mucosa is more than two times higher and the amount bound to proteins of the supernatant is also increased to approximately the same degree whereas the amount transferred into the body is diminished to one fourth. 3. In the iron deficient group 64Cu-copper was also bound to a fraction which contains probably metallothionein. 4. The distribution of copper in the supernatant was changed due to a simultaneous administration of iron; the amount of copper bound in the transferrin fraction decreased in favor of the metallothionein fraction and another copper binding fraction was eluted between the transferrin and the metallothionein fraction. 5. Copper in a tenfold molar excess inhibited the iron absorption; simultaneously, the iron bound in the iron binding fractions of the supernatant was remarkably diminished. 6. The results suggest that the affinity of copper to two mucosal iron binding proteins, transferrin and metallothionein, is at least partly responsible for the inhibitory effect of copper on iron absorption in iron deficiency.

R.B.C.'s amino acid pattern was investigated in control and PEM subjects. The effect of oral dosing with cysteine, tryptophan and lysine on total amino acid nitrogen level of R.B.C.s was also studied. Results revealed that in moderate and severe kwashiorkor the total essential and non-essential R.B.C.'s amino acids were decreased. In 2nd grade marasmus the total R.B.C.'s amino acids in general showed lower values than normal. After oral administration of the tested amino acids, the transport index calculated as the level of maximum value of the total R.B.C.'s amino acids reached to the fasting level was lower in malnourished cases relative to controls except in 2nd grade marasmic cases given tryptophan or lysine. This criteria was considered to indicate lower rate of amino acid transport to R.B.C.s due to lower concentration in plasma or shift of transport mechanism from active transport to exchange diffusion.

1. A state of protein deficiency has been produced in rats by feeding a low protein diet, thereafter a period of rehabilitation with a normal protein but a low iron supply followed. 2. For characterization of the iron metabolism during both periods haemoglobin, total iron binding capacity, liver non-haemin iron, intestinal iron absorption and the uptake of 59Fe in the liver was determined. 3. Under these conditions the amount of 59Fe incorporated into the mucosal transferrin and the ferritin fractions has been measured. Both fractions were obtained from the supernatant of a mucosal homogenate after chromatography on sepharose 6B. 4. In anemia due to protein deficiency the typical increase of 59Fe incorporation into the fraction of mucosal transferrin--usually occuring in iron deficiency--could not be observed. This coincides with the absence of an increased iron absorption. Moreover a decrease of iron absorption is observed, which is associated with a decreased 59Fe ratio of transferrin/ferritin-fraction. 5. After normalization of the protein supply the ratio of 59Fe incorporated into the mucosal transferrin and ferritin fractions was changed remarkably in favor to transferrin together with a several fold increase of the intestinal iron absorption. 6. The conclusion is drawn that mucosal transferrin and ferritin enable the body not only to adapt the absorption to a higher but also to a lower requirement as it is the case in protein deficiency.

The effect of carbon disulphide intoxication on amino acid pattern was studied. Five groups of rats were treated with carbon disulphide through intramuscular injection of 0.05 ml CS2 in 0.2 mg olive oil/rat/day. A number of rats were sacrificed after receiving 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 injections. As a result of intoxication, a state of hypoaminoacidemia and hyperaminoacidurea affected all the amino acids investigated, but to variable extent. Of value to add that stoppage of carbon disulphide leads to improvement of the amino-acid pattern in group six, compared to the other groups.

159 cases of different forms of PCM (K.W.O., marasmic K.W.O., marasmus & nutritional oedema together with 20 cases normal healthy controls were selected. Serum, red blood cells and liver cholinesterases were estimated together with serum total protein and serum albumin. Pathological liver examination was done for every case, some cases from each group were followed-up till clinical recovery and the same investigations were done to them. The results indicate that the serum and hepatic pseudo-cholinesterase activity parallels directly the serum albumin (not the total proteins) as well as the pathological changes in the liver. The diminution in enzymatic activities and serum proteins coincides with the severity of the liver affection in the various forms of PCM. Insignificant change in true cholinesterase was demonstrated in all cases studied. Follow-up studies in a number of cases till clinical recovery revealed the return to normal of enzymatic activity and serum albumin is concomitant with restoration of normal pathological liver finding. The significance of changes in serum and liver cholinesterase activities as indices of the extent of liver involvement as well as their diagnostic and prognostic values was discussed.

The effect of vitamin C or carotene either in the authentic form or naturally occurring as in orange, parsley and pepper juices on calcium absorption was studied. Results obtained revealed that ascorbic acid, orange and pepper juices enhanced intestinal calcium absorption. Carotene and parsley proved to be without effect.

Intrauterine growth charts were used for the assessment of physical growth of newborn infants in relation to maternal supplementation. Iron alone or with other additives (Copper, folic acid, ascorbic acid) were given during different trimesters of pregnancy. The study revealed that iron supplementation with or without other additives has an effective role in improving the haematological pattern in the neonates who also achieved better physical growth particularly with early supplementation with iron and ascorbic acid. Therefore, such supplementation is recommended.

The effect of ascorbic acid and lactose on the interaction between iron and each of zinc or copper during intestinal absorption was studied in normal and iron-deficient rats. It was found that addition of cobalt to the iron dose inhibited absorption of iron to 42% in normal rats and to 46.7% in iron deficient ones. The presence of zinc with the iron dose also inhibited absorption of iron to 34.6% in normal rats and to 32.2% in case of the iron deficient ones. The addition of ascorbic acid to the combined dose of Fe + Co enhanced absorption of iron by five times in normal and in iron deficient rats. In case of the combined dose of Fe + Zn the enhancement was four times in normal rats and six times in iron deficient ones. The addition of lactose to the combined dose of either Fe + Co or Fe + Zn corrected the inhibiting action of either cobalt or zinc on iron absorption. Based on these findings, it is recommended that ascorbic acid and lactose be added to therapeutic multimineral preparations.

Four high-protein food mixtures for feeding the young were formulated from locally available and relatively cheap legumes and cereals. Protein content of these mixtures ranged from 17.2 to 20.3 g%. Amino acid composition showed agreement with the FAO provisional pattern except for sulphur amino acids. Analysis of the mineral content of the prepared mixtures indicated the necessity of supplementation with zinc and phosphorus to meet the physiological requirements of the consumers. Palatability studies showed that these mixtures are acceptable and with good taste. It is planned to produce these mixtures on an industrial scale after biological and economic evaluation.

The effect of vitamin C and carotene derived from authentic or natural sources on intestinal iron absorption was studied. Vitamin C caused slight enhancement to iron absorption, while carotene hindered it. The three juices tested, namely orange, parsley and pepper, which were found to be rich in these two vitamins, hindered intestinal iron absorption to different extents. It was recommended that patients suffering from iron deficiency are not supplied with nutrients rich in carotene particulary during iron therapy.

In this work 60 male albino rats were subjected to a feeding experiment aimed to study the influence of protein free and reduced diets on normal function of rat testes. It was shown that the PEM exerts adverse effects on testicular function, the nature and severity of these effects depend on the duration of the deficiency state. Histological examination of rat testis, revealed that the spermatogenesis is arrested at spermatogonium stage in rats fed on protein free diet, and at primary and secondary spermatocyte stage in rats fed on normal but reduced diet.

The electrolytes sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined in both plasma and erythrocytes of 300 PCM subjects and 26 parallel healthy controls. The results obtained revealed that: The level of plasma sodium was lower than normal in all PCM cases except in marasmic kwashiorkor. The RBC's sodium content was more or less not affected. Plasma potassium level was markedly lower than normal in all groups of malnourished subjects. RBC's potassium was significantly lower than normal in severe K.W.O. and marasmic kwashiorkor, while it was high in 3rd grade marasmus. Magnesium level was lower than normal in both plasma and RBC's in all malnourished subjects. Calcium level dropped in plasma and was elevated in RBC's. Estimation of RBC's minerals may be useful in reflecting the concerned changes in tissues of PCM subjects.

The effect of vitamin C or carotene either from authentic or natural sources on absorption of lysine, glycine and methionine was evaluated. Results revealed that maximum absorption of these amino acids was reached at different intervals from the orally given dose. Addition of ascorbic acid enhanced amino acid absorption and this effect was maximum in case of methionine. Carotene brought about variable effect to the three amino acids tested. Pepper, parsley, or orange juices did not affect the extent of intestinal lysine absorption. Pepper juice enhanced absorption of methionine in contrast to orange and parsley. Glycine absorption was markedly enhanced by addition of orange juice. Ascorbic acid suppelementation to dietary constituents is recommended for better utilization of proteins.

The study deals with investigations on anaemia due to iron or protein calorie deficiency and that associating acute glomerulonephritis, nephrosis and schistosoma haematobium. The rate of intestinal iron absorption using an oral dose of ferrous sulphate equivalent to 4 mg clemental iron/kg body weight was studied. The supplementing action of ascorbic acid in iron absorption in these cases was also investigated. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was enhanced in pure iron deficiency anaemia, acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium, retarded in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrosis. Ascorbic acid markedly promoted iron absorption in normal subjects but slightly in pure iron deficiency anaemia. It improved iron absorption in acute glomerulonephritis and schistosoma haematobium but not in kwashiorkor, marasmus and nephrotic cases. It is concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation is of certain beneficial effect in alleviating the state of anaemia when intestinal iron absorption is not impaired. Also, it may prove to be of value to be given along with protein rehabilitation in anaemias associating protein deficiency.