Serum Levels of Proinflammatory Biomarkers in Military Recruits with and without Metabolic Syndrome.

Objectives: Inflammatory mediators are associated with many chronic diseases; however, their role in metabolic syndrome (Met-S) is not well documented. We therefore aimed to compare the serum markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), and TNF- in young military recruits with and without Met-S. We hypothesized that any significant change in inflammatory markers between the two groups would indicate the role of inflammation in Met-S that would help in future directions for screening and treatment of Met-S.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for obesity treatment in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The incidence of obesity has been increasing in younger population, posing a significant impact on adolescents' life and health care system worldwide.

Methods: We critically analyzed the existing literature on the use of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for the treatment of obesity. We performed an in-depth evaluation of 37 studies and analyzed the effect of LSG in 2300 patients, aged ≤ 22 years.

Association between preventable risk factors and metabolic syndrome.

The risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (Met-S) including hypertension, hyperglycemia, central obesity, and dyslipidemia are preventable, particularly at their early stage. There are limited data available on the association between Met-S and preventable risk factors in young adults. We randomly selected 2,010 Saudis aged 18-30 years, who applied to be recruited in military colleges.

Recent Trends of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Military Recruits from Saudi Arabia.

Metabolic syndrome (Met-S) constitutes the risk factors and abnormalities that markedly increase the probability of developing diabetes and coronary heart disease. An early detection of Met-S, its components and risk factors can be of great help in preventing or controlling its adverse consequences. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors in young army recruits from Saudi Arabia.

Protective effect of lyophilized sapodilla () fruit extract against CCl-induced liver damage in rats.

The tropical fruit sapodilla ( syn. ) is a rich source of nutrients, minerals and a myriad of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids and catechins. Pharmacologically, sapodilla has been shown to exhibit anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antiglycative, hypocholesterolemic and anti-cancer effects.

The association of metformin use with vitamin B12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy in Saudi individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To compare the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy between two groups of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with or without metformin, and to determine factors associated with vitamin B12 deficiency therapy and dietary intake of vitamin B12.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we recruited 412 individuals with T2DM: 319 taking metformin, and 93 non-metformin users. Demographics, dietary assessment for vitamin B12 intakes, and medical history were collected.

Inflammatory gene mRNA expression in human peripheral blood and its association with colorectal cancer.

Objective: The present study planned to investigate the changes in the mRNA expression of inflammatory genes and their association with colorectal cancer (CRC). Our findings could be useful for noninvasive early screening of CRC patients.

Patients And Methods: Venous blood of 20 CRC cases and 15 healthy controls was collected.

Protective effects of a natural herbal compound quercetin against snake venom-induced hepatic and renal toxicities in rats.

Echis pyramidum is a highly poisonous viper snake. Previous studies have shown acute phase hepatic and renal toxicities of Echis pyramidum venom (EPV) in rats. This study reports the protective effects of a natural herbal compound quercetin (QRC) on EPV-induced hepatic and renal toxicities in rats.

Scorpion Venom Causes Apoptosis by Increasing Reactive Oxygen Species and Cell Cycle Arrest in MDA-MB-231 and HCT-8 Cancer Cell Lines.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of scorpion venoms on cancer cell progression, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. Scorpion venoms are known to possess numerous bioactive compounds that act against cancer progression by inducing apoptosis. In this study, we have taken the venoms from the following 2 species of scorpion- Androctonus crassicauda and Leiurus quinquestriatus-and tested the anticancer properties of the venom against breast and colorectal cancer cell lines.

Effect of camel milk against renal toxicity in experimental rats.

Most of the antibiotics are associated with considerable side effects. Gentamicin (GM) is one of the most commonly used antibiotics, but has significant nephrotoxic side effects. Hence, the current study is investigating the beneficial role of camel milk (CM) that ameliorate GM unwanted renal defects and dysfunctions in some experimental animals.

Evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial activity of selected Saudi scorpion venoms tested against multidrug-resistant micro-organisms.

Objectives: Scorpion venoms are a rich source of bioactive peptides with promising clinical value that may lead to the discovery and development of new drugs. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activities of the venoms extracted from three medically important Saudi scorpions (Androctonus crassicauda, Androctonus bicolor and Leiurus quinquestriatus).

Methods: Antimicrobial assays were performed using a microplate growth inhibition assay against 10 multidrug-resistant (MDR) micro-organisms (4 Gram-negative bacteria, 2 Gram-positive bacteria and 4 fungi and yeasts) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 20mg/mL of each venom.

An Updated Phytopharmacological Review on Medicinal Plant of Arab Region: Linn.

Linn. (Karafs) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of the various ailments. There is a need to explore and authenticate the pharmacological profile and medicinal importance of the Karafs.

Simultaneous administration of fluoxetine and simvastatin ameliorates lipid profile, improves brain level of neurotransmitters, and increases bioavailability of simvastatin.

Simvastatin (STT), a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, is widely prescribed for dyslipidemia, whereas fluoxetine (FLX) is the first-choice drug for the treatment of depression and anxiety. A recent report suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can interact with the cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate, and another one suggests that STT enhances the antidepressant activity of FLX. However, the data are inconclusive.

Scorpion Venom Causes Upregulation of p53 and Downregulation of Bcl-x and BID Protein Expression by Modulating Signaling Proteins Erk and STAT3, and DNA Damage in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines.

Scorpion venoms efficiently block the normal neurotransmitter signaling pathway by prejudicing the ion channel operating mechanism in the body system. Besides its negative effect, venoms also possess some beneficial qualities for humans. They have also been shown to exhibit anticancer properties in various cancer types.

The SPARC-related modular calcium binding protein 2 () gene polymorphism in primary glaucoma: a case-control study.

Primary glaucomas are among the most common eye diseases that may potentially result in bilateral blindness. Both genetics and environmental factors are reported to be involved in the etiology of primary glaucomas. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)-related modular calcium binding protein 2 (SMOC2) is a matricellular glycoprotein encoded by the gene and known to regulate the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary glaucomas.

In vitro determination of the efficacy of scorpion venoms as anti-cancer agents against colorectal cancer cells: a nano-liposomal delivery approach.

The use of liposomes in biological and medicinal sciences is a relatively new approach. The liposomal strategy greatly depends on the technological advancement in the formation of vesicles of various sizes and properties. In the current study, we encapsulated the venoms obtained from medically important scorpions such as (AB), (AC), and (LQ).

Protective effect of quinacrine against glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious clinical problem with high rate of mortality and morbidity. Currently used prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to address AKI are limited and warrant further studies. In the present study an attempt was made to investigate the effect of quinacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor against glycerol induced AKI in rats.

Elemental analysis of scorpion venoms.

Scorpion venom is a rich source of biomolecules, which can perturb physiological activity of the host on envenomation and may also have a therapeutic potential. Scorpion venoms produced by the columnar cells of venom gland are complex mixture of mucopolysaccharides, neurotoxic peptides and other components. This study was aimed at cataloguing the elemental composition of venoms obtained from medically important scorpions found in the Arabian peninsula.

Snake venom causes apoptosis by increasing the reactive oxygen species in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines.

Snake venom possesses various kinds of proteins and neurotoxic polypeptides, which can negatively interfere with the neurotransmitter signaling cascade. This phenomenon occurs mainly due to the blocking of ion channels in the body system. Envenomation prevents or severely interrupts nerve impulses from being transmitted, inhibition of adenosine triphosphate synthesis, and proper functioning of the cardiac muscles.

Investigation of in vivo potential of scorpion venom against skin tumorigenesis in mice via targeting markers associated with cancer development.

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world in spite of the advances made in its management. In this study, we investigated the in vivo anti-tumorigenic potential of the venom obtained from a medically important scorpion species on chemically induced skin cancer in mice. Animals were divided into five groups, with 13 animals in each group.

Association of glutathione S-transferase and deletion polymorphisms with obesity and their relationship with body mass index, lipoprotein and hypertension among young age Saudis.

Objectives: Persistent oxidative stress is one of the several risk factors that may be associated with the etiology of obesity. The present study is aimed to investigate association between and polymorphisms with obesity and their relationship with plasma lipoproteins, body mass index (BMI) and hypertension.

Design: The and deletion polymorphisms were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Scorpion () venom exhibits cytotoxicity and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast and colorectal cancer cell lines.

Objectives: The defective apoptosis is believed to play a major role in the survival and proliferation of neoplastic cells. Hence, the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells is one of the targets for cancer treatment. Researchers are considering scorpion venom as a potent natural source for cancer treatment because it contains many bioactive compounds.

Alleviation of 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in rats by vitamin E via targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.

BackgroundIntestinal mucositis is a major concern related with cancer therapy. It is well established that overproduction of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators plays vital role in the pathogenesis of mucositis. The aim of the study was to investigate the modulatory effect of vitamin E (vit.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-α and -β gene polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex, multifactorial, chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract in which immune dysregulation caused by genetic and/or environmental factors plays an important role. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (308) and -β (+252) polymorphisms with susceptibility of IBD. A total of 379 Saudi subjects including 179 IBD patients (ulcerative colitis (UC) =84 and Crohn's disease (CD) =95) and 200 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited.

analysis of the anticancer properties of scorpion venom in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines.

Scorpion venom contains various types of proteins and peptides that are able to act as inhibitors of neurotransmitter molecules. This is achieved primarily via the inhibition of ion channels. In addition, scorpion venom has been demonstrated to exhibit anticancer properties in prostate and breast cancer, as well as leukemia.