The Role of Curcuma longa Against Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)-Induced Toxicity in Rats

Al-Tahtawy, Ragaa Hosny Mohamad,El-Bastawesy, Amal Mohamad,Zekry, Zekry Khalid,Al-Mehdar, Hussain A.,Al-said, Mohamad Gamil Abdel Monaam,Aly, Soaad Shaker,Sharawy, Sabry Mohamed,El-Merzabani, Mahmuod The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.2

The major component, called curcumin, of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) (Family Zingiberaceae) powder is responsible for its biological actions. The present study aimed to prove the protective effect of turmeric extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicity as evaluated in rats. Body weight and urine volume of the animal groups under investigation were recorded daily throughout the experimental period. Also, the cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicities were determined by estimating the changes in serum activities of the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, nitric oxide, albumin, and calcium, and kidney and liver tissue activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the contents of glutathione and malondialdehyde. Hyperlipidemia was also determined, and protein and albumin changes in urine were estimated. Biochemical and histopathological findings demonstrate that turmeric extract has multiple therapeutic activities that are beneficially protective, and it has an ameliorative effect against DOX-induced cardiac toxicity and hepatotoxicity and blocks DOX-induced nephrosis. Similarly, turmeric extract inhibited the DOX-induced increase in plasma cholesterol, LDH, and CK. The present findings conclude that the turmeric extract has multiple therapeutic activities that block the cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicities induced by DOX, and it also possibly acts as a free radical scavenger.

Genetic and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Ali Al Ahmari,Osama Alsmadi,Atia Sheereen,Tanziel Elamin,Amal Jabr,Lina El-Baik,Safa Alhissi,Bandar Al Saud,Moheeb Al-Awwami,Ibrahim Al Fawaz,Mouhab Ayas,Khawar Siddiqui,Abbas Hawwari 대한혈액학회 2021 Blood Research Vol.56 No.2

Background Our study was designed to investigate the frequencies and distributions of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) associated genes in Saudi patients. Methods FHL associated gene screening was performed on 87 Saudi patients who were diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) between 1995 and 2014. The clinical and biochemical profiles were also retrospectively captured and analyzed. Results Homozygous mutations and mono-allelic variants were identified in 66 (75.9%) and 3 (3.5%) of the study participants, respectively. STXBP2 was the most frequently mutated gene (36% of patients) and mutations in STXBP2 and STX11 accounted for 58% of all FHL cases and demonstrated a specific geographical pattern. Patients in the FHL group presented at a significantly younger age than those belonging to the unknown-genetics group (median, 3.9 vs. 9.4 mo; P=0.005). The presenting clinical features were similar among the various genetic groups and the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 55.4% with a 5.6 year median follow-up. Patients with PRF1 mutations had a significantly poorer 5-year OS (21.4%, P =0.008) and patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (72.4%) had a significantly better 5-year OS (66.5% vs. 0%, P =0.001). Conclusion Our study revealed the predominance of the STXBP2 mutations in Saudi patients with FHL. A genetic diagnosis was possible in 80% of the cohort and our data showed improved survival in FHL patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Novel Mutations in IL-10 Promoter Region -377 (C>T), -150 (C>A) and their Association with Psoriasis in the Saudi Population

Al-Balbeesi, Amal O.,Halwani, Mona,Alanazi, Mohammad,Elrobh, Mohammad,Shaik, Jilani P.,Khan, Akbar Ali,Parine, Narasimha Reddy Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.3

Background: Psoriasis, a common cutaneous disorder characterized by inflammation and abnormal epidermal proliferation with a prevalence of 2-3% in the general population, may be linked to certain types of cancer. Several studies have reported an association between interleukin 10 (IL-10) variant polymorphisms and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris although the results vary according to the population studied. No studies have been performed in the Saudi population. The present study concerned novel variants and other genetic polymorphisms of the promoter and exonic regions of the IL10 gene in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and potential differences in genotype compared to a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and healthy controls with no personal or family history of psoriasis were selected from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Polymorphisms of the IL 10 gene of both groups were genotyped. Results: We observed two novel variants in 5'UTR region of the promoter precursor with higher prevalence of the genotype with both wild-type alleles in patients compared to the healthy control group. The differences at positions -377 and -150 were significantly associated with disease, both the variants conferred strong protection against psoriasis in Saudi patients. Conclusions: This observation provides further support for the importance of the part that IL10 plays in the pathophysiology of this disease. Confirmation of our findings in larger populations of different ethnicities would provide evidence for the role of IL-10 in psoriasis.

The Role of Curcuma longa Against Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)-Induced Toxicity in Rats

Ragaa Hosny Mohamad,Amal Mohamad El-Bastawesy,Zekry Khalid Zekry,Hussain A. Al-Mehdar,Mohamad Gamil Abdel Monaam Al-said,Soaad Shaker Aly,Sabry Mohamed Sharawy,Mahmuod M. El-Merzabani 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.2

The major component, called curcumin, of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) (Family Zingiberaceae) powder is responsible for its biological actions. The present study aimed to prove the protective effect of turmeric extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicity as evaluated in rats. Body weight and urine volume of the animal groups under investigation were recorded daily throughout the experimental period. Also, the cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicities were determined by estimating the changes in serum activities of the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, nitric oxide, albumin, and calcium, and kidney and liver tissue activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the contents of glutathione and malondialdehyde. Hyperlipidemia was also determined, and protein and albumin changes in urine were estimated. Biochemical and histopathological findings demonstrate that turmeric extract has multiple therapeutic activities that are beneficially protective, and it has an ameliorative effect against DOX-induced cardiac toxicity and hepatotoxicity and blocks DOX-induced nephrosis. Similarly, turmeric extract inhibited the DOX-induced increase in plasma cholesterol, LDH, and CK. The present findings conclude that the turmeric extract has multiple therapeutic activities that block the cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicities induced by DOX, and it also possibly acts as a free radical scavenger.

Impact of targeted education on managing warning and error signals by children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using the Accu-Chek Combo Insulin Pump System

Asma Deeb,Nabras Al Qahtani,Amal Al Ali,Mariette Akle 대한소아내분비학회 2017 Annals of Pediatirc Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol.22 No.3

Purpose: Insulin pumps are widely used in diabetes. They are equipped with safety alarms to alert users. Pump manuals contain alarm codes and how to troubleshoot them. However, these manuals are lengthy and difficult to use, particularly in emergencies. We aim to assess the impact of targeted education on warnings and errors in improving competency to troubleshoot the alarms. Methods: Twenty­one patients, with a median age of 13, were recruited over a 5­month period. Each patient had 2 study visits. The frequencies and types of alarms were recorded, and patients were given a summary sheet that outlined common alarms encountered and troubleshooting tips. In visit 2, the frequencies and types of alarms were compared to those of visit 1. The patients were asked to fill a questionnaire and to rate the education session given in visit 1, their level of competency in decrypting alarm codes, and their promptness in responding to alarms. Results: Low cartridge (W1), low battery (W2), and bolus cancelled (W8) were the commonest warnings. The most noted errors were occlusion (E4), power interruption (E8), empty battery (E2), set not primed (E11), and cartridge empty (E1). The numbers of warning and error signals markedly decreased after targeted education (P<0.05). The ability in decrypting warning signals significantly improved (P=0.02), and the frequency of response to pump alarms significantly increased (P=0.001). Conclusion: Certain warnings and errors are more common than others in insulin pumps. Targeted education is useful in improving competency and response of patients in managing pump alarms.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Associated Risk Factors in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Hospital Based Case Control Study

Quadri, Mir Faeq Ali,Alharbi, Fahd,Bajonaid, Amal Mansoor S,Moafa, Ibtisam Hussain Y,Sharwani, Abubakker Al,Alamir, Abdulwahab Hussain A Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.10

Background: Oral cancer is the third most common malignancy in Saudi Arabia, the highest incidence of which is reported from Jazan province. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of various locally used substances, especially shamma, with oral cancer in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was designed and patient records were scanned for histologically confirmed oral cancer cases. Forty eight patients who were recently diagnosed with oral cancer were selected as cases. Two healthy controls were selected for each observed case and they were matched with age (+/- 5 years) gender and location. Use of different forms of tobacco such as cigarettes, pipe-smoking and shamma (smokeless-tobacco) was assessed. Khat, a commonly used chewing substance in the community was also included. Descriptive analysis was first performed followed by multiple logistic regression (with and without interaction) to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs). Results: Mean age of the study sample (56% males and 44% females) was 65.3 years. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that shamma use increased the odds of developing oral cancer by 29 times (OR=29.3; 10.3-83.1). Cigarette (OR=6.74; 2.18-20.8) was also seen to have an effect. With the interaction model the odds ratio increased significantly for shamma users (OR=37.2; 12.3-113.2) and cigarette smokers (OR=10.5; 2.88-3.11). Khat was observed to have negative effect on the disease occurrence when used along with shamma (OR=0.01; 0.00 - 0.65). Conclusions: We conclude that shamma, a moist form of smokeless tobacco is a major threat for oral cancer occurrence in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. This study gives a direction to conduct further longitudinal studies in the region with increased sample size representing the population in order to provide more substantial evidence.