Study of Some Inflammatory Mediators in the Serum of Patients With Atherosclerosis and Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background and aim of the study The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in the inflammatory mediator's serum amyloid A (SAA), adiponectin, and resistin in the serum of patients with stable angina and acute myocardial infarction. Subjects and methods The study was done on 60 subjects divided into three groups: 20 healthy normal individuals as a control group, 20 patients with stable angina (atherosclerotic plaque), and 20 patients with myocardial infarction. Fasting blood samples were withdrawn from all subjects and serum was prepared.

Optimization of the Conditions for Plasmid DNA Delivery and Transfection with Self-Assembled Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanoparticles.

Polymeric systems have been extensively studied as polyelectrolyte complexes to enhance the cellular delivery and transfection efficiency of genetic materials, such as plasmid DNA (pDNA). Here, self-assembled nanoparticles were formulated by complexation of hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol) (HA-PEG) and poly(ethylenimine) (HA-PEI), respectively, with pDNA creating relatively small, stable, and multifunctional nanoparticle complex formulations with high transfection efficiency. This formulation strategy offers high gene expression efficiency and negligible cytotoxicity in HeLa and A549 human lung cancer cell lines.

Zingerone alleviates the delayed ventricular repolarization and AV conduction in diabetes: Effect on cardiac fibrosis and inflammation.

Background: The study aims to analyse the action of zingerone in diabetes-related cardiac arrhythmias.

Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozocin while treatment groups received 20 mg/kg zingerone daily. Following extra seven weeks, electrocardiography, extraction of blood, urine and heart for biochemical analysis, histopathology and immunofluorescence were undertaken.

The inflammatory state provokes sexual dimorphism in left ventricular and electrocardiographic effects of chronic cyclosporine in rats.

Although cardiotoxicity has been recognized as an adverse effect of cyclosporine A (CSA), no information exists regarding sex specificity of CSA cardiotoxicity. We tested the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of CSA and related inflammatory/histopathological derangements are sex related. CSA reduced the LV slope of end-systolic pressure volume relationship and increased isovolumic relaxation constant.

Geraniol alleviates diabetic cardiac complications: Effect on cardiac ischemia and oxidative stress.

The present study was planned to assess the possible protective effect of geraniol on cardiovascular complications in an animal model with diabetes. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single streptozotocin injection. In the treated group, geraniol (150mgkgday) was administered orally starting from the 15th day after induction of diabetes, and ending after 7 weeks; diabetic control rats were given vehicle for the same period.

Mangostanaxanthones III and IV: advanced glycation end-product inhibitors from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are associated with a non-enzymatic reaction between the amino group of a protein and the carbonyl group of a sugar during hyperglycemia. The precipitation of AGEs in different tissues leads to many complications, such as endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular complications, atherosclerosis, retinopathy, neuropathy, and Alzheimer's disease. Garcinia mangostana L.

Phenolics from Garcinia mangostana alleviate exaggerated vasoconstriction in metabolic syndrome through direct vasodilatation and nitric oxide generation.

Background: Exaggerated vasoconstriction plays a very important role in the hypertension, a major component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In the current work, the potential protective effect of methanol extract of fruit hulls of Garcinia mangostana L. on the exaggerated vasoconstriction in MetS has been investigated.

Cardioprotection by 6-gingerol in diabetic rats.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 6-gingerol (6G) on cardiac complications in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic (DM) rats. STZ-induced DM rats (single 50 mg/kg i.p.

Protective effect of zingerone on increased vascular contractility in diabetic rat aorta.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of action of zingerone, the main constituent of ginger, on vascular reactivity in isolated aorta from diabetic rats. The results show that incubation of aortae with zingerone alleviates the exaggerated vasoconstriction of diabetic aortae to phenylephrine, as well as the impaired relaxatory response to acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, Zingerone directly relax phenylephrine-precontracted aortae.

New Cerebroside and Nucleoside Derivatives from a Red Sea Strain of the Marine Cyanobacterium Moorea producens.

In the course of our ongoing efforts to identify marine-derived bioactive compounds, the marine cyanobacterium Moorea producens was investigated. The organic extract of the Red Sea cyanobacterium afforded one new cerebroside, mooreaside A (1), two new nucleoside derivatives, 3-acetyl-2'-deoxyuridine (2) and 3-phenylethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (3), along with the previously reported compounds thymidine (4) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl heptacosanoate (5). The structures of the compounds were determined by different spectroscopic studies (UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS), as well as comparison with the literature data.

Phenolics from Garcinia mangostana Inhibit Advanced Glycation Endproducts Formation: Effect on Amadori Products, Cross-Linked Structures and Protein Thiols.

Accumulation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) in body tissues plays a major role in the development of diabetic complications. Here, the inhibitory effect of bioactive metabolites isolated from fruit hulls of Garcinia mangostana on AGE formation was investigated through bio-guided approach using aminoguanidine (AG) as a positive control. Including G.

6-Gingerol alleviates exaggerated vasoconstriction in diabetic rat aorta through direct vasodilation and nitric oxide generation.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of action of 6-gingerol on alterations of vascular reactivity in the isolated aorta from diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into two experimental groups, control and diabetics. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg kg(-1)), and the rats were left for 10 weeks to develop vascular complications.

Quality by design coupled with near infrared in formulation of transdermal glimepiride liposomal films.

This study is aimed at developing glimepiride (GMD) liposomal films using quality by design (QbD) and process analytical technology (PAT) principles. Risk analysis and Plackett-Burman design were utilized to evaluate formulation variables in two paths. Internal path included liposomal parameters (phosphatidylserine, cholesterol and drug concentrations, and pH of hydration medium).

Solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with iron to overcome barriers for treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

According to the World Health Organization, 46% of the world's children suffer from anemia, which is usually treated with iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate. The aim of this study was to prepare iron as solid lipid nanoparticles, in order to find an innovative way for alleviating the disadvantages associated with commercially available tablets. These limitations include adverse effects on the digestive system resulting in constipation and blood in the stool.

2,3-seco-2,3-dioxo-lyngbyatoxin A from a Red Sea strain of the marine cyanobacterium Moorea producens.

Chemical investigation of the organic extract of a Red Sea strain of the cyanobacterium Moorea producens has afforded 2,3-seco-2,3-dioxo-lyngbyatoxin A (1). Five known compounds including lyngbyatoxin A (2), majusculamides A and B (3 and 4), aplysiatoxin (5) and debromoaplysiatoxin (6) were also isolated. Their structures were elucidated by using HR-FAB-MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses.

Optimization of self-nanoemulsifying systems for the enhancement of in vivo hypoglycemic efficacy of glimepiride transdermal patches.

Objectives: To optimize and use of glimepiride (GMD)-loaded self-nanoemulsifying delivery systems (SNEDs) for the preparation of transdermal patches.

Methods: Mixture design was utilized to optimize GMD-loaded SNEDs in acidic and aqueous pH media. Optimized GMD-loaded SNEDs were used in the preparation of chitosan (acidic) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) (aqueous) films.

Crystallization of a new polymorph of acetohexamide from 2-hydroxybutyl-β-cyclodextrin solution: form VI with a high aqueous solubility.

A new polymorph of acetohexamide (Form VI) was prepared via the formation of a complex with 2-hydoxybutyl-β-cyclodextrin (HB-β-CD) in aqueous solution. An alkaline solution of acetohexamide and HB-β-CD was adjusted to pH 4.0 by titration with hydrochloric acid.

The formulation of a nasal nanoemulsion zaleplon in situ gel for the treatment of insomnia.

Background: Zaleplon is a drug used for the treatment of insomnia and is available in tablet form; however, it has two major problems. First, the drug undergoes extensive first pass metabolism, resulting in only 30% bioavailability, and second, the drug has a poor aqueous solubility, which delays the onset of action.

Objective: The objective of this study is to utilise nanotechnology to formulate zaleplon into a nasal in situ nanoemulsion gel (NEG) to provide a solution for the previously mentioned problems.

Effect of nonylphenol on male reproduction: analysis of rat epididymal biochemical markers and antioxidant defense enzymes.

The mechanism by which nonylphenol (NP) interferes with male reproduction is not fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of NP on male reproductive organ's weight, sperm characteristics, and to elucidate the nature and mechanism of action of NP on the epididymis. Adult male Wistar rats were gavaged with NP, dissolved in corn oil, at 0, 100, 200 or 300mg/kg/day for 30 consecutive days.

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced impairment of spermatogenesis in LPS-treated rats: modulatory role of lycopene.

The current study investigates the potential toxicity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the mitochondrial fraction of rat testis and the possible protective efficacy of lycopene. Adult male Wistar rats were categorized into four groups. Two groups were administered LPS (0.

Homocysteine level and other biochemical parameters in cardiovascular disease patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in many countries. It is believed that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for premature atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in both men and women.

Material/methods: Plasma samples from 31 non-CVD and 51 CVD patients with diabetes were studied.

Genetic and antigenic analysis of human rotavirus prevalent in Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia.

The subgroup, serotype and electropherotype diversity of human rotavirus strains was investigated in Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia. Out of 349 faecal samples collected from diarrhoeic children, 150 (43 percent) tested rotavirus positive by a group-A specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The majority (87 percent) of the infected children were below 2 years of age.

Human rotavirus genomic RNA electropherotypes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 1988 to 1992.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the double-stranded RNA of rotavirus recovered from stool specimens collected between March 1988 and December 1992 from children with acute diarrhoea admitted to the central hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Rotavirus was detected by ELISA in 523 specimens of the 1242 collected during the study, giving an overall prevalence of 42.2% for the 5 years of investigation.

Human rotavirus subgroups and serotypes in children with acute gastroenteritis in Saudi Arabia from 1988 to 1992.

Rotavirus infection was detected in 524 (42.2%) of the 1,242 stool specimens collected from infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis admitted to a major pediatric hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between March 1988 and December 1992. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and monoclonal antibodies specific for subgroup I and II were used to examine 80 rotavirus positive specimens.

Rotavirus infection in children in Saudi Arabia.

Three hundred sixty-three fecal specimens were collected from infants and young children with gastroenteritis over a 13-month period in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. Rotavirus was detected in 46% of the 363 specimens tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and in 40.7% of 113 specimens using a latex agglutination test.