Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Department of Pharmacology
Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most frequently reported complications of chronic blood transfusion therapy in patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM). However, the occurrence of thyroid dysfunction and its possible association with... more
Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most frequently reported complications of chronic blood transfusion therapy in patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM). However, the occurrence of thyroid dysfunction and its possible association with iron overload in BTM patients is still under debate. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the status of thyroid functions and iron overload in adolescent and young adult patients with BTM in Jordan population. Thirty six BTM patients aged 12-28 years and matched controls were included in this study. All patients have been receiving frequent blood transfusion to maintain pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration above 10 g dl -1 and deferoxamine at a dose of 45 mg kg −1 day −1 (8 h, 5-7 days/week) by subcutaneous infusion. Blood samples were drawn from patients and controls. The status of thyroid functions and iron overload was evaluated by measurements of serum free thyroxine (FT4), triiodothyronine (FT3), thyrotropin (TSH) and serum ferritin level. A number of some hematological and biochemical parameters were also measured. It was found that hematocrit, serum ferritin, hemoglobin, FT3 and zinc, copper mean values were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (P < 0.05). On other hand, leukocyte, FT4 and TSH mean values were similar to that of the controls. In addition, our data also indicated that all of the above examined parameters were not significantly affected by the patient's age and gender. Deferoxamine approach for removing excess iron from our BTM patient did not normalize the values of serum ferritin, copper and zinc, suggesting poor compliance with deferoxamine chelation therapy. Thus, we recommend the use of a combination of deferoxamine and deferiprone to reduce the risk of excess of iron in our patients. Furthermore, thyroid dysfunction appears to be a rare complication, because our patients showed normal mean levels for serum TSH and FT4. However, high mean levels of serum ferritin, zinc, copper might be seen as potential risk factors for initiation and development of thyroid dysfunctions and other diseases. Therefore, further studies must be carried out at yearly intervals with large sample number, to detect subclinical thyroid dysfunction cases.
- by kAMAL Mansi and +1
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The aim of the current study is to evaluate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi and its effects on some hematological and biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats.... more
The aim of the current study is to evaluate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of the essential oil of Artemisia sieberi and its effects on some hematological and biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Extraction of the essential oil from aerial parts of A. sieberi was preformed by hydrodistillation. Fifty rats were divided into five groups. Groups I and II normal rats given 1 mL/day of dimethyl sulfoxide and 80 mg/kg BW of this oil extract, respectively. Groups III, IV and V diabetic rats given 1 mL/day of dimethyl sulfoxide, oil extract (80 mg/kg BW) and metformin (14.2 mg/kg BW), respectively. Several hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Oral administration of the extract resulted in a significant reduction in the mean values of blood glucose, glucagon, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, ESR, urea, uric acid, creatinine accompanied by an increase in the mean values of the total protein, albumin, insulin, HDL-C, neutrophile count and...
- by kAMAL Mansi and +1
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Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia which has a deleterious effect on all systems including reproductive system of animals. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of ethanol extract derived from... more
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia which has a deleterious effect on all systems including reproductive system of animals. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of ethanol extract derived from seeds of Apium graveolens on fertility of diabetic male rats. Seventy adult male albino rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10): normal non-diabetic control, diabetic control, and metformin-treated diabetic and ethanol extract-treated normal or diabetic rats. Rats of experimental groups were treated intraperitonially with 1 ml of Apium graveolens ethanol extract at doses of (213 and 425 mg/kg body wt.) and 14.2 mg/kg body wt. of metformin once a day for thirty consecutive days and the rats control groups were treated on the same manner with the vehicle. After thirty days of treatments, all rats were sacrificed and level of blood glucose, insulin, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), weight of testis and epididymis and sperm count and motility were measured. The results of this study show that the treatment with ethanol extract to diabetic rats lead to significant enhancement in all measured parameters of fertility except level of LH as compared to diabetic rats control and metformin-treated groups. This may be due to possible capability of active constituents of ethanol extract of A. graveolens seeds. The ethanol extracts of A. graveolens seeds displayed hypoglycemic and spermatogenic activities and may have the potentials of being developed into a male fertility enhancing drug.
- by kAMAL Mansi and +1
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Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and Muslims fast during this month. We designed this study to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on plasma lipids profile and serum glucose among healthy Jordanian students. Ramadan... more
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and Muslims fast during this month. We designed this study to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on plasma lipids profile and serum glucose among healthy Jordanian students. Ramadan fasting entails major changes in sleep pattern, physical activity and eating habits, which may cause changes in metabolism both in health and disease. This cohort study was performed during Ramadan in October 2006 (Islamic year 1427). The subjects were 70 healthy Jordanian students (male and female) from three Jordanian universities who fasted during Ramadan. Their mean age was 21 ±1.6 years. We evaluated some anthropometric parameters as body weight (Kg), pulse rate (per minute) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg). All parameters at 4 week of Ramadan were significantly lower than pre-Ramadan values, 2 weeks after Ramadan fasting, body weight and other parameters had a trend to recoup to pre-Ramadan status; however, they were still lower than the pre-Ramadan values. We evaluated blood glucose, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and Triglycerides at 1 day before, at week 1, 2, 4 of the Ramadan month and after tow weeks after the end of Ramadan. It was found that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased significantly during Ramadan, which indicated positive association with pulse rate and fat intake and negative association with systolic blood pressure and weight. . The LDLc was significantly reduced at the end of fasting. A reduction in the average TC value was observed at the end of fasting but the difference was not statistically and there no significant rise in the TG and blood sugar values at the end of fasting. This study indicated that Ramadan fasting led to a decrease weight, LDLc significantly, and significant not statistically reduction in the average TC value, and significantly increasing in HDLc was noted during Ramadan. There was a non-significant rise in the TG, and blood sugar value at the end of fasting. It seems that the effect of Ramadan fasting on serum lipid levels may be closely related to the nutritional diet or biochemical response to starvation.
This study was carried out to assess the lipid pattern in gymnasts of the Jordan National Team. Twelve athletes represent the National gymnastic team (4 males and 8 females, mean age 18±1 year) were included in this study. The training... more
This study was carried out to assess the lipid pattern in gymnasts of the Jordan National Team. Twelve athletes represent the National gymnastic team (4 males and 8 females, mean age 18±1 year) were included in this study. The training period for them is not less eight years during which they trained 18 hours weekly at least. A group of healthy males and females matched for age and gender was included as control group (n = 20). No subject had evidences of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and blood pressure .The body mass index (BMI) of the females was significantly (p<0.5) lower than that of the control (22.5±3.21, 18.9±0.9 respectively). It was found that the majority of the males had lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and great decreasing in LDL cholesterol and significantly (p<0.5) raising in HDL cholesterol, (164.3±19.8, 85.9±34.3, 49.8±6.5, 80.4±30.8 respectively) comparing to the control group (186.6±20.7, 171.6±34.3, 44.5±5.7, 127.2±18.2 respectively). In females a similar fashion of lipid profile was also found with a great reduction in LDL-C level .Our result suggest that gymnastics exercise affect blood cholesterol and other lipids in a positive way, by regulating the metabolism of all lipids in the blood and increasing fat oxidation during training results in an adaptive mechanism for body weight maintenance. Also increasing HDL-C level in males and females gymnasts has protective value against cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction by carrying cholesterol from the body's tissues and remove cholesterol from atheroma within arteries and transport it back to the liver for excretion or re-utilization.
This study was designed to evaluate the role of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone ( -MSH) on heart rate and some hematological values in alloxan induced diabetic rats. 40 male white rats were divided into four experimental groups:... more
This study was designed to evaluate the role of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone ( -MSH) on heart rate and some hematological values in alloxan induced diabetic rats. 40 male white rats were divided into four experimental groups: control, diabetic, -MSH-treated and -MSH-treated diabetic. At the end of the experimental period (3weeks), animals in all four groups were fasted for 12 hrs and blood samples were taken for the determination of plasma insulin, Glucagon, glucose levels, RBC and WBC (red and white blood cell) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. It was found that ( -MSH) increased the lowered RBC and WBC counts, PCV and neutrophil percentage in diabetic rats. However the WBC counts of the ( -MSH) treated diabetic group was still lower than the control and ( -MSH) group. ( -MSH) also decreased the elevated heart rate, ESR and glucose concentration of diabetic rats. The hormone was investigated for hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats and induced not significant reduction in serum glucose from (19.83±1.25 MmolL) in diabetic group to (15.7±1.10 MmolL) in ( -MSH)-treated diabetic group. However the blood glucose still higher than the control and ( -MSH) group, serum insulin increased from (0.55±0.08 ng mL 1 ) in control group to (0.65±0.06 ng mL 1 ) in -MSH-treated group and still higher than control in -MSH-treated diabetic (0.59±042 ng mL 1 ) and serum Glucagon increased in diabetic, -MSH-treated and -MSH-treated diabetic groups. It is concluded that treatment ( -MSH) might decrease the diabetes-induced disturbances of heart rate and some hematological parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Problem statement: Urtica pilulifera L. (Urticaceae), has long been used for the treatment of various aliments including diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia which has a deleterious effect on all... more
Problem statement: Urtica pilulifera L. (Urticaceae), has long been used for the treatment of various aliments including diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia which has a deleterious effect on all systems including reproductive system of animals. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of Urtica pilulifera on the reproductive system of diabetic rats. Approach: Forty male rats were evenly divided into four groups: Group I consisted of non-diabetic rats that received only the vehicle; group II-IV was injected intraperitonially with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) of 70 mg kg −1 ; groups III and IV were given methanol extract of Urtica pilulifera orally, 3 days after the STZ injection, at daily doses of 1.0 and 2.0 g kg −1 , respectively. After 4 weeks of treatments, all the rats were sacrificed. Results: Administration of 70 mg kg −1 of streptozotocin to male rats induced diabetes and significantly reduced the body and sex organ weights, testosterone levels, sperm count and motility and significantly increased the glucose levels and water and food intake. By contrast, rats given the Uritica pilulifera methanol extract had significantly improved body weight gain, whereas the glucose levels, water and food intake significantly improved in treated diabetic male rats. In addition, this extract improved the reproductive system of the diabetic male rats by significantly increasing the testis and epididymis weights, testosterone levels, sperm count and motility. Conclusion/Recommendations: We concluded that the adverse effects of STZ-diabetes on reproductive system of male rats can be reversed by treatment with Urtica pilulifera leaf extract; and this leaf extract exhibits antihyperglycemic and spermatogenic activities. Based on these findings, we suggested the possible utilization of Urtica pilulifera extracted as a therapy to prevent the development of diabetes in later life and improved the performance of male reproductive system in animals and humans.
The aim of this research was to examine the biochemical factors related to kidney functions such as glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium levels among Jordanian top level athletes. Eighty athletes (67 males and 13 females)... more
The aim of this research was to examine the biochemical factors related to kidney functions such as glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium levels among Jordanian top level athletes. Eighty athletes (67 males and 13 females) participated were chosen to take part in this study. The means height, weight, age, gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) were matched by a control group consist of 81 normal adolescents. Data were analyzed using SPSS package two-sample t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe post hoc test for the significant physiological variables The results showed that the levels of serum urea, creatinine and potassium in Jordanian top athletes were statistically significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Our finding indicates that a significant difference in correlation between BMI and creatinine were observed in the experimental group. We concluded that the most abnormalities observed on routine biochemical screening in top Jordanian athletes are of no clinical significance.
Introduction: Rubia tinctorum L. (F. Rubiaceae) has historical role in promotion of healing process of thermal injuries. The cellular changes associated with burn healing process mediated by the plant were investigated. Methods and... more
Introduction: Rubia tinctorum L. (F. Rubiaceae) has historical role in promotion of healing process of thermal injuries. The cellular changes associated with burn healing process mediated by the plant were investigated. Methods and Results: Treated rabbits with dried hexane extract exhibited increase in percentage of burn contraction as compared to control. The data showed that the expression of HSP70 was higher in treated groups with the plant extract than control groups. On other hand the expression of iNOS was higher in control groups than treated ones. It was also European Scientific Journal May 2013 edition vol.9, No.15 ISSN: 1857 -7881 (Print) e -ISSN 1857-7431 242 found that the plant extract possesses antimicrobial effect. It produced wider zones of inhibition for S. aureus and B. substilis when compared to the zones of inhibition of gramnegative isolates. And also MIC and MBC for the gram-positive bacteria were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of gram-negative bacteria.