Dietary honey and ginseng protect against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatonephrotoxicity in rats

Liver diseases are amongst the most serious health problems in the world today and hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the world's deadliest cancers. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effect of sider honey and/or Korean ginseng extract (KGE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rat. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were allocated into different groups and over a 4-week period, they orally received honey and/or KGE or were treated either with CCl₄ alone (100 mg/kg b.w) or with CCl₄ after a pretreatment period with honey, KGE or a combination of both. Clinical, clinico-pathological and histopathological evaluations were done and CCl₄-treated groups were compared with rats receiving no treatment and with rats given honey, KGE or a combination of these substances. The results indicated that oral administration of CCl₄ induced severe hepatic and kidney injury associated with oxidative stress. The combined treatment with CCl₄ plus honey and/or KGE resulted in a significant improvement in all evaluated parameters. This improvement was prominent in the group receiving CCl₄ after combined pretreatment with honey and KGE. Animals receiving honey and/or KGE (without CCl₄-treatment) were comparable to the control untreated group. It could be concluded that honey and KGE protect SD rats against the severe CCl₄-induced hepatic and renal toxic effects. Our results suggest that the protective activity of honey and KGE may have been related to their antioxidant properties.     

Evaluation of the relaxant effect of levetiracetam on isolated rat duodenum

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an approved drug for the treatment of some epileptic disorders. With few and controversial reports addressing its possible pharmacodynamic interactions, the current study aimed at studying the effect of LEV on isolated rat duodenal strips to enlighten its possible intestinal adverse effects using the isolated smooth muscle strips of rat duodenum. LEV showed a dose‐dependent inhibition in KCl (80 mm )‐induced contractions in normal Tyrode's solution. Moreover, preincubation with LEV (3 mm ) in K⁺‐rich/Ca²⁺‐free medium led to a significant decrease in the maximum contractions (E_max) coupled to a right shift of the cumulative CaCl₂ concentration curves implying a possible Ca²⁺ channel blocking potential. In addition, LEV exhibited a typical noncompetitive inhibition in the cumulative carbachol concentration curves evidenced as a decrease in E_max without the alteration of EC₅₀, thus eliminating any possible role of the muscarinic receptors in the relaxant effect. To rule out other possible relaxant mechanisms, tests were conveyed in Tyrode's solution containing either 100 μm l ‐NAME or 10 μm glimepiride to test the possible relaxant roles exhibited by nitric oxide (NO) and K_ATP channel opening, respectively. None of the tested pathways was involved in LEV‐mediated relaxation. Taken altogether, the results of the current study entail that LEV might exert a relaxant effect on intestinal smooth muscles through blocking L‐type voltage‐operated calcium channels, but not involving either NO release or K_ATP channel opening.     

Combined use of Mathieu and incised plate technique (Snodgrass technique) for repair of distal hypospadias in older children

ObjectivesTo evaluate the results and complications after combined use of Mathieu and incised plate technique for management of distal hypospadias in older children.Patients and methodsA total of 33 patients with primary distal penile hypospadias were operated upon using the Mathieu technique combined with deep urethral plate incision (Snodgrass technique). Each patient was evaluated according to the site of original urethral opening, original urethral stenosis, the presence and degree of chordee. The operative and postoperative results and complications were reported. Follow up of the patients was done weekly for 3 weeks postoperatively and then every month for at least 1 year.ResultsThe mean age was 6.5 ± 2.5 years (range 6–9 years). Bleeding was reported in one case. Wound infection was reported in two cases. Forcible slippage of stent occurred in one case. Meatal stenosis occurred in two cases and urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in one case. No urethral stenosis was reported in any of the patients.ConclusionCombined use of Mathieu and incised plate technique is suitable for primary distal hypospadias in older children with original meatal stenosis.