Lobna Abd Elrazick M. Elkhateb’s research while affiliated with Ain Shams University and other places

Background Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disease that could be presented by discomfort, burning, itching, redness, light sensitivity, visual problems, and instability of the tear film. It might be complicated by damage to the surface of the eye. The nutritional composition of chia seed oil (CSO) provided many health-promoting properties. CSO is generally considered to be the best plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids. In ophthalmology, omega-3 is considered as essential fatty acid for ocular surface homeostasis. It works by blocking proinflammatory eicosanoids and reducing cytokines through anti-inflammatory activity. Aim of the Work assess possible protective effect of chia seed oil on atropine induced dry eye in male adult albino rat. Materials and Methods Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided in to four groups (10 in each group): Group I (Control group), Group II (CSO group) CSO 2. 5 ml/kg/day orally by gavage feeding tube for 14 days, Group III (DED group) induction of DED by injecting 1 mg/kg atropine (single dose) into the extra orbital lacrimal gland in the right eye, Group IV (treated group) CSO was given as in group II and on day 7, dry eye was induced as in group III. Results In group III, there was prominent detachment in the corneal epithelium and increase in the conjunctival epithelium thickness with irregular cellular arrangement. Newly formed blood vessels were observed in substantia propria of cornea with irregular organization of collagen lamellae. Inflammatory cells infiltration was seen in subconjunctival connective tissue. All these findings showed improvement in group IV. Conclusion Chia seed oil extract could be beneficial in reducing the symptoms associated with DED.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium compound derived from glutamic acid. Excessive daily ingestion of MSG leads to elevated amounts of glutamic acid in the bloodstream, which can be detrimental to brain structures. Camellia sinensis, often known as green tea (GT), is a rich source of essential hexogen antioxidants that are necessary for the body. Thirty-two adult male albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8). Group 1 served as a control -ve group. Group 2 was given GT (1.5 ml/rat/day). Group 3 was given MSG (600 mg/kg/day). Group 4 was given MSG (600 mg/kg/day) and GT (1.5 ml/rat/day). All treatments were given orally for 28 days. MSG administration resulted in significant neurotoxicity in rats that was revealed by the significant reduction of serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and nitric oxide (NO), and the significant elevation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) accompanied by the significant reduction of levels of serum monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) and histological changes in the hippocampus area CA1, dentate gyrus, and cerebellar cortex and positive immunohistochemical staining of glial fibrillary acidic proteins (GFAP) and calretinin. Administration of GT with MSG counteracted the MSG-mediated oxidative stress by significantly increasing serum concentrations of GPX and NO and significantly decreasing concentrations of TAC. Furthermore, GT significantly increased levels of serum monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine). Moreover, it ameliorated the histological changes, GFAP, and calretinin immunostaining in brain tissues. It is envisaged that GT will serve as a viable protective choice for the inclusion of the neurotoxicity treatment procedure.

Introduction Induction of diabetes in rat models injected with streptozotocin (STZ) had led to increase activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis accompanied with hypercortisolism and adrenocortical growth. Proanthocyanidin, a grape seed extract (GSE) that was observed to have beneficial effect on different metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Aim To study the structural changes of the adrenal cortex in diabetic rats and the beneficial effect of GSE on the suprarenal cortical injury. Materials and methods 35 adult male albino rats were divided randomly into 4 groups. Group I (control). Group II (GSE), rats received GSE orally (200 mg/kg), daily for 21 days. Group III (STZ), rats were injected with STZ (40 mg/kg) given intraperitoneal once. Group IV (STZ + GSE), rats received STZ as in group III. After rats confirmed to be diabetic, they were treated with GSE as in group II. After 21 days, the adrenal glands from all groups were dissected and processed for light microscopic examination. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also done. Results H&E stained section of Group III (STZ) showed increase in the capsular thickness and congested blood capillaries. Both zona glomerulosa & zona fasciculata showed increased thickness with some cells appeared with vacuolated acidophilic cytoplasm while others were shrunken with closely packed pyknotic nuclei. Inflammatory cells infiltration was also observed. Moreover, silver stain showed focal significant increase in thickness of the capsule, dense trabeculae and dense irregular reticular fibers of the cortex. Meanwhile, immunohistochemical results showed significant increase in the reaction for caspase 3 antibodies. Group IV (STZ + GSE) showed restoration of the cortical structure & organization nearly similar to that of control group. Conclusion It can be considered that GSE might have a protective effect on the structure of diabetic rats’ adrenal gland.