Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes in skin, resulting in photoaging. Natural botanicals have gained considerable attention due to their beneficial protection against the harmful effects of UV irradiation. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of curcumin (Cur) to protect human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced photoaging. HDFs were treated with 0–10 µM Cur for 2 h and subsequently exposed to various intensities of UVA irradiation. The cell viability and apoptotic rate of HDFs were investigated by MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The effect of UVA and Cur on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde levels, which are an indicator of ROS, and the levels/activity of antioxidative defense proteins, including glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase, were evaluated using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and commercial assay kits. Furthermore, western blotting was performed to determine the levels of proteins associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, the apoptotic pathway, inflammation and the collagen synthesis pathway. The results demonstrated that Cur reduced the accumulation of ROS and restored the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes, indicating that Cur minimized the damage induced by UVA irradiation in HDFs. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that Cur may attenuate UVA-induced ER stress, inflammation and apoptotic signaling by downregulating the protein expression of glucose-regulated protein 78, C/EBP-homologous protein, nuclear factor-κB and cleaved caspase-3, while upregulating the expression of Bcl-2. Additionally, it was demonstrated that Cur may regulate collagen metabolism by decreasing the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3, and may promote the repair of cells damaged as a result of UVA irradiation through increasing the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Smad2/3, and decreasing the expression of the TGF-β inhibitor, Smad7. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate the potential benefits of Cur for the protection of HDFs against UVA-induced photoaging and highlight the potential for the application of Cur in skin photoprotection.

Objective:To report on the clinical presentation, etiology, and laboratory features of acute and chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively studied records of 720 patients with AF seen in outpatients and inpatients departments at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, during the period of 1 January 2002 to 31 August 2008.Results:Documented acute and chronic AF was present in 157 (21.8%) and 563 (78.1%) patients, respectively. Palpitations, dizziness and syncope were the most frequent symptoms in acute AF, while dyspnea and palpitations were the most common symptoms in the chronic type. Acute respiratory problems and acute myocardial infarction were significantly more common in acute AF, while congestive heart failure and acute respiratory problems (chest infection, bronchial asthma, and pulmonary embolism) were significantly more common in chronic AF. The most common causes of both types of AF were diabetes mellitus (DM) in 68.8%, hypertension (HTN) in 59.3%, chronic lung diseases (bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease) in 31.8%, valvular heart disease in 23.6%, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in 23.1%. In 9 (1.3%) patients, no cause was detected. The echocardiographic findings of left ventricular hypertrophy, valve lesions, and depressed left ventricular function were significantly more common in chronic AF (P<0.01).ConclusionsNowadays, DM, HTN, and IHD are becoming the most common predisposing factors for AF in the central region of Saudi Arabia and require prevention and control

This study sought to compare the effectiveness and side effects of praziquantel versus oxamniquine in treating 200 patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection and praziquantel versus metrifonate in treating 100 patients with S. haematobium infection. Praziquantel and oxamniquine were given in single doses of 40 mg/kg body weight and 25 mg/kg, respectively. Metrifonate was given in doses of 10 mg/kg, and repeated three times at fortnight intervals. In S. mansoni infections, the cure rate was 96% for praziquantel and 91% for oxamniquine. In S. haematobium infections, the cure rate was 98% for praziquantel and 90% for metrifonate. Side effects were generally minor and temporary and were noted in 44% of patients treated with praziquantel, in 60% of patients treated with metrifonate, and in 70% of the patients treated with oxamniquine. The most common side effects were dizziness and abdominal pain. It is concluded that the three drugs are effective against the species of Schistosoma present in our area. Praziquantel appears to be the drug of choice for S. haematobium. Praziquantel and low-dose oxamniquine (25 mg/kg) were comparable in their effect on S. mansoni.

Background: Green coffee as a functional food has an antioxidant effect, which can reduce the cancer incidence, promote weight-loss and improve glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Objective: Assessing the effect of green coffee administration on experimental cisplatin induced renal apoptosis in adult male albino rats of local strain. Design: Randomized Block Design was used. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats of local strain were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals each. G1: control negative group was received isotonic saline (0.5 ml, i.p.) for 30 consecutive days, G2: sham operated group mice were received green coffee extract in water (40 mg/kg/day) for 30 consecutive days, animals of G3 and G4 were administered cisplatin (8 mg/kg/day, i.p.) at 10th day, which is well known to produce significant nephrotoxicity in rats. Animals in G3 were received green coffee extract in water (40 mg/kg/day) and G4 was received isotonic normal saline (0.5 ml, i.p.) for 30 consecutive days. All rats were sacrificed after 30 days and blood was withdrawn for biochemical examinations of kidney function tests (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid). Kidneys were removed for determination of renal oxidative stress markers (H 2 O 2) biochemically and caspase-3 by Immunohistochemical examination. Results: Cisplatin administration was associated with significant higher levels of BUN, creatinine, uric acid and H 2 O 2 as compared with normal control group. Green coffee administration in cisplatin-induced renal apoptosis groups produced significant lower levels of BUN, creatinine, uric acid and H 2 O 2 (24.4 ± 4.14, 1.730 ± 0.2830, 5.50 ± 0.850 and 0.51 ± 0.12 respectively) as compared with cisplatin-induced renal apoptosis group not administrated green coffee (27.4 ± 6, 2.04 ± .31, 7.00 ± 1.25 and 1.1 ± 0.16 respectively). Cisplatin administration increased expression of the apoptotic protein caspase-3.

Background: High protein (HP) diets are increasingly being recommended as one of the management strategies for weight control in overweight and obese individuals. The health benefits of high protein diets are well-established, but the mechanisms of action on body systems responsible for the changes in body weight and glycaemic control are not well-clear. Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effect of HP diets on the kidney functions of diabetic obese albino rats. Material and Methods: Eighty male adult male albino rats were used in this study. The animals were divided into eight equal groups (10 rats for each). Type 2 DM and obesity were induced. At the end of the 12 weeks, samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Results: The high protein diet led to significant decrease in BW, FI, BG, TC, LDL, TG, Lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, urine pH and urine citrate; while serum insulin, HDL, urea, creatinine, total protein, urine volume and urinary excretion of Ca were significantly higher in high protein diet groups. Conclusion: A high protein intake in diabetic obese albino rats for 12 weeks led to changes in the serum and urine levels of markers of renal function which indicated abnormalities in the functions of the kidney.