Leptin is an adipocytokine that regulates body weight, and maintains energy homeostasis by promoting reduced food intake and increasing energy expenditure. Leptin expression and secretion is regulated by various factors including hormones and fatty acids. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that acts as source of energy in humans. We determined whether this fatty acid can play a role in leptin expression in fully differentiated human adipocytes. Mature differentiated adipocytes were incubated with or without increasing concentrations of butyrate. RNA was extracted and leptin mRNA expression was examined by Northern blot analysis. Moreover, the cells were incubated with regulators that may affect signals which may alter leptin expression and analyzed with Northern blotting. Butyrate stimulated leptin expression, and stimulated mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phospho-CREB signaling in a time-dependent manner. Prior treatment of the cells with signal transduction inhibitors as pertusis toxin, Gi protein antagonist, PD98059 (a MAPK inhibitor), and wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) abolished leptin mRNA expression. These results suggest that butyrate can regulate leptin expression in humans at the transcriptional level. This is accomplished by: 1) Gi protein-coupled receptors specific for short-chain fatty acids, and 2) MAPK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways.
Adipocytes/*metabolism ; Azo Compounds ; Butyric Acid/*pharmacology ; CREB-Binding Protein/genetics/metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects/physiology ; Humans ; Leptin/genetics/*metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/genetics/metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/*physiology ; Staining and Labeling

The facial nerve divides within the parotid gland into upper temporozygomatic and lower cervicofacial branches. The two branches further subdivide and emerge from the parotid gland as five main branches. We observed a rare anomalous branching pattern of the facial nerve along with double parotid duct on the right side of a 50-year-old male cadaver. The two parotid ducts emerged at the level of the anterior border of parotid gland then united to form one single duct thereby opened into the oral cavity. The first duct (D1) emerged from the upper one third of the anterior border of the parotid gland and traversed horizontally for 9 mm to join the second duct. Knowledge of anomalous branching pattern of facial nerve and double parotid ducts may be beneficial for maxillofacial surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of low intensity ultrasound (LIUS), traditional exercise therapy (TET), low level laser therapy (LLLT) and TET on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and trismus following recovery from head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Sixty participants following, who had experienced HNC, were randomly allocated to three groups of 20 people each. Each group received different therapy. Group A received LIUS and TET; group B received LLLT and TET; while group C received TET. All 60 participants were evaluated under the visual analog scale (VAS), the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOL) and the Vernier caliper scale (VCS) at the beginning of the therapies and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: ANOVA test revealed significant improvements across all three groups with outcomes of p < 0.05. The results of the UW-QOL questionnaire showed a significant difference between groups A, B and C in favor of group A (p < 0.05). The VAS results showed a more improvement in group A as compared to group B (p < 0.05), while there was no statistical difference between groups B and C (p>0.05). The VCS results showed more improvement for the individuals in group B as compared to those in group C (p < 0.05), while there was minimal difference between groups A and B (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The LIUS and TET are more effective than LLLT and/or TET in reducing TMJ pain and trismus following HNC.
Exercise Therapy ; Exercise* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Head* ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Trismus* ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography* ; Visual Analog Scale ; Washington

Objective: To evaluate the other pharmacological actions of silymarin in Albino rats and mice such as antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antihyperlipidemic effects. Methods: Rats were injected intramuscularly with pyrogenic dose of brewer's yeast for the antipyretic test of silymarin. Another group of rats injected with 0.1 mL of 1% carrageenan solution in saline at the subplanter area of the right hind paw for the antiinflammatory test of silymarin. Another group of mice tested by hot plate method for determination of antinociceptive effect of silymarin. Hyperlipidemia was induced using high fat diet for 2 months to estimate the antihyperlipidemic activity of silymarin. Results: Silymarin showed a significant antipyretic effect of both doses (50 and 100 mg/ kg) compared with control untreated group. Moreover, silymarin elucidated a significant anti-inflammatory effect of both doses reflected on the decrease of the rat paw edema every hour interval for 4 h after administration in comparison with control positive group. By the same taken, both doses of silymarine revealed a significant antinociceptive action in hot plate method at 30 and 60 min post administration. Besides, it lowered significantly the serum levels of prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta after 2 h of silymarin administration in carrageenan induced rat paw edema besides the significant decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and significantly elevated high density lipoprotein after 2 weeks of silymarin administration. Conclusions: These outcomes delivered a new vision into the possible pharmacological mechanisms by which silymarin advances antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antihyperlipidemic effects.

Treatment of AIDS (HIV) and hepatitis C virus needs protease inhibitors (PI) to prevent viral replication. Uses of PI in therapy are usually associated with a decrease in body weight and dyslipidemia. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is a protein synthesized in adipocytes to increase triglycerides biosynthesis, for that the relation of PI and ASP to adipogenesis is tested in this work. ASP expression was increased during 3T3-L1 differentiation and reached a peak at day 8 with cell maturation. Addition of PI during adipocytes differentiation dose dependently and significantly (p < 0.5) inhibited the degree of triglycerides (TG) accumulation. Moreover, presence of ASP (450 ng/mL) in media significantly (p < 0.5) stimulated the degree of TG accumulation and there was additive stimulation for ASP when added with insulin (10 microgram/mL). Finally, when ASP in different doses (Low, 16.7; Medium, 45 and High, 450 ng/mL) incubated with a dose of x150 PI, ASP partially inhibited the PI-inhibited adipogenesis and TG accumulation. The results in this study show that PI inhibit lipids accumulation and confirm role of ASP in TG biosynthesis and adipogenesis.
3T3 Cells ; Adipogenesis/*drug effects ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology ; Insulin/pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*pharmacology ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects ; Mice ; Protease Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Time Factors

Objective: Irregular patterns of marital cohabitation are a common problem in upper Egypt due to employment conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of irregular marital cohabitation on the quality of life and sexual function of infertile men. Methods: In total, 208 infertile men were included and divided into two groups. The first group included 134 infertile men with an irregular pattern of marital cohabitation and the second group included 74 infertile men with a regular pattern of marital cohabitation. All subjects were assessed through a clinical evaluation, conventional semen analysis, the fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, and the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PMEDT). Results: The two groups were compared in terms of conventional semen parameters, FertiQoL, IIEF-5 score, and PMEDT. Infertile men with an irregular pattern of marital cohabitation had significantly lower subscale and total FertiQoL and IIEF-5 scores. Additionally, they had significantly higher PMEDT scores. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation were more common in them than in infertile men with a regular pattern of marital cohabitation. Conclusion Irregular patterns of marital cohabitation had an adverse effect on quality of life and sexual function in infertile men.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of our study was to assess the complications of hepatic fibrosis associated with bile duct ligation and the potential curative role of sepia ink extract in hepatic damage induced by bile duct ligation.

METHODSRattus norvegicus rats were divided into 3 groups: Sham-operated group, model rats that underwent common bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL rats treated orally with sepia ink extract (200 mg/kg body weight) for 7, 14, and 28 d after BDL.

RESULTSThere was a significant reduction in hepatic enzymes, ALP, GGT, bilirubin levels, and oxidative stress in the BDL group after treatment with sepia ink extract. Collagen deposition reduced after sepia ink extract treatment as compared to BDL groups, suggesting that the liver was repaired. Histopathological examination of liver treated with sepia ink extract showed moderate degeneration in the hepatic architecture and mild degeneration in hepatocytes as compared to BDL groups.

CONCLUSIONSepia ink extract provides a curative effect and an antioxidant capacity on BDL rats and could ameliorate the complications of liver cholestasis.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Bile Ducts ; surgery ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cholestasis, Extrahepatic ; blood ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Ink ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Sepia ; chemistry

Objectives To evaluate antifouling property of extracts from Red Sea soft corals against primary biofilm and biofouling. Methods Seven species of soft corals Sarcophyton glaucum (a), Sinularia compressa, Sinularia cruciata (a), Heteroxenia fuscescens (a), Sarcophyton glaucum (b), Heteroxenia fuscescens (b) and Sinularia cruciata (b) were chosen to test their extracts as antibacterial and antifouling agents in Eastern Harbour of Alexandria, Mediterranean Sea. Bioactive compounds of soft corals were extracted by using methanol and concentrated under vacuum. The residues of extracts were mixed in formulation of inert paint which consisted of rosin, chlorinated rubber and ferrous oxide against micro and macro fouling organisms. The formulated paints were then applied on PVC panels twice by brush, hanged in a steel frame and immersed in Eastern Harbour of Alexandria Mediterranean Sea followed by visual inspection and photographic recordings. Results After 185 days of immersion in seawater, the antifouling results agreed with the antibacterial results where extracts of Sinularia compressa and Heteroxenia fuscescens (b) gave the best activity against marine fouling tubeworms and barnacles. The inhibition activity was correlated with the major functional groups (hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl, aliphatic (fatty acids), C[dbnd]C of alkene or aromatic rings and C[sbnd]Cl of aryl halides) of the extracts. Conclusions The strong antifouling activity makes them promising candidates for new antifouling additives. After the screening and application of natural organic compounds from soft corals, marine organisms show activity against micro and macro fouling organisms.

Objective To investigate the role of zinc in reducing the deleterious effects of cadmium on male gonads. Methods Rats were injected subcutaneously with CdCl

Objective: To explore the efficacy of earthworm's coelomic fluid against gentamicin-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in rats. Methods: The animals were divided randomly into three groups (n = 6 per group): control, gentamicin, and Allolobophora caliginosa coelomic fluid-treated groups. Toxicity was established after injection of gentamicin daily for 8 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase and histopathology of tissues were investigated in the study. Results: Allolobophora caliginosa coelomic fluid significantly decreased urea, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde levels while significantly increasing levels of total proteins, albumin, glutathione and catalase. The histopathological investigation showed partial restoration of renal and hepatic architecture. Conclusions: This study shows the potency of Allolobophora caliginosa coelomic fluid in improving the biochemical and histopathological changes induced by gentamicin in the liver and kidney of the rats.