Supplying rats with halfa-bar and liquorice extracts ameliorate doxorubicin-induced nephrotic syndrome.

In the current work, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of liquorice and halfa-bar extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced nephritic syndrome (NS) in rats. Twenty albino male rats were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg of DOX. The injected rats were supplied daily with 400 mg/kg of liquorice, halfa-bar extract, or their combination for 2 weeks.

Anti-apolipoprotein A-I antibodies and paraoxonase 1 activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Identification of at-risk patients and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in SLE remain elusive. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and anti-apolipoprotein A-I antibody (anti-Apo A-I) appear to have a potential role in premature atherosclerosis in SLE.

Oxidative status and the response to pegylated-interferon alpha2a plus ribavirin in chronic genotype 4 HCV hepatitis.

Oxidative stress may play a pathogenic role in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The present study examined the oxidative status in plasma of patients with CHC who received pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. The following groups were included: (1) sustained virological response (28 patients), (2) null response (26 patients), (3) breakthrough (24 patients), (4) relapse (24 patients), (5) spontaneous cure (23 patients) and (6) twenty five normal subjects as a control group.

A comparative study on efficacy of UVA1 vs. narrow-band UVB phototherapy in the treatment of vitiligo.

Background/purpose: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is considered the most effective and safe initial treatment for moderate-to-severe vitiligo but phototoxicity and possible carcinogenicity are the reported side effects. Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) phototherapy has overlapping biological effects to NB-UVB and is relatively free of side effects associated with other phototherapy regimens.

Methods: Forty patients with vitiligo were included in this prospective, randomized controlled comparative clinical trial.

The role of liver in leptin metabolism in experimental nephrotic syndrome.

Leptin is a hormone influencing food intake, energy expenditure and body weight. It is produced by adipocytes, exerts its effects on brain, endocrine pancreas and other organs by activating trans-membrane receptors and is cleared from plasma mainly by the kidneys. Several studies have suggested that leptin's effects on metabolism are mediated by the liver.