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Background: Tartrazine (Tz) is one of the most commonly used food additive and synthetic color that is added to food for attracting the consumers' vision. However, it might cause many toxic effects on the long run.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential ameliorating effect of thymoquinone (TQ) against possible neurotoxic effect of Tz.Materials and Methods: Forty adult male rats were allocated into four groups: Group (1) received distilled water, Group (2) was given 10 mg TQ /kg b.wt., Group (3) was given Tz (7.5 mg/kg b.wt.) and Group (4) was given TQ concurrently with Tz. All treatments were given orally daily for 30 days. Brain neurotransmitters; norepinephrin (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT) and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) beside glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) protein, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were evaluated in cerebellar homogenate. Also, histological and immunohistochemical examinations for cerebellar tissue were studied.Results: Tartrazine significantly decreased NE, DA, 5HT and GABA; as well as GSH and CAT with increased MDA, while TNF-α and Bax showed significant increase versus decreased Bcl-2. Nevertheless, TQ significantly increased NE, DA, 5HT and GABA as well as GSH and CAT beside Bcl-2, while decreasing MDA, TNF-α and Bax. Histologically, the swelling and vacuolar degeneration of the cerebellar cortex with decrease numbers of Purkinje cells and the increased apoptotic cell number that were noticed in Tz treated group improved after TQ supplementation. Conclusion:Thymoquinone could be a good candidate for modulation of Tz -induced neurotoxicity through its antioxidant, neurotransmitter modifying, anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

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Background: Bile acids (BAs) are cholesterol-derived steroid acids and constitute one of the major components of bile. They are known to have a part in assimilation of lipid, cholesterol and fat dissolvable vitamins. Recent researches have revealed that bile acids operate as signaling molecules that regulate the metabolism of bile acids, fatty acids, glucose homeostasis, lipoproteins and energy metabolism via interfering with nuclear and surface receptors.Objective: to investigate the role of bile acids signaling in farnesoid x receptor (FXR) / fibroblast growth factor(FGF)19 pathway in cholesterol metabolism in normal and gallstone gallbladders.Methodology: Thirty individuals participated in this study and were separated into 2 groups, each group 15 individuals. Group (i) normal group: adult persons with healthy gallbladder underwent elective cholecystectomy as a part of another procedure as they were living-donor liver transplant, and group(ii) gallstone group (GS): adult persons underwent elective cholecystectomy for gallstone disease. Serum concentration of cholesterol, Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase enzyme (CYP7A1) and Sterol 12-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) and bile concentration of Phospholipid, Cholic acid (CA), Deoxycholic acid (DCA) and Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were determined.Results: Concentration of cholesterol,CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the serum as well as concentration of cholesterol in bile were all significantly higher in gallstone group. While, concentration of FGF19 in serum as well as concentration of phospholipids, CA, DCA and CDCA in bile were all significantly lower in gallstone group. Conclusion:The bile acids/FXR/FGF19 pathway regulates cholesterol metabolism and prevents gallstone development by reducing the levels.

Background Cold stress is one of the potentially life-threatening challenges that could exert dramatic effects on adult health. Cold stress could affect the synthesis of some important neuroproteins and increase the susceptibility for infection. Besides, it is one of the famous predisposing causes that can affect mood and result in actual mood effect. Hawthorn plant possesses various bioactive natural compounds. However, there has been little attempt toward exploring the potential health effects of hawthorn. Objective The aim of the research is to validate if hawthorn extract could be used as a strategy against the multiple health adverse effects that might result from cold stress. Materials and methods A total of 50 adult male albino rats were equally divided into five groups: control; hawthorn administered; cold stress exposed; cold stress exposed and pretreated by hawthorn; and cold stress-exposed and concomitantly treated by hawthorn. Blood samples were collected to investigate the proinflammatory markers, such as serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), oxidative stress markers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Results Rats exposed to cold stress showed significant increase in serum IL-6 and MDA, whereas serum SOD and BDNF were significantly decreased. Fortunately, hawthorn-administered rats revealed alleviation of these disturbances, as serum IL-6 and MDA were significantly decreased, with an associated significant increases in serum SOD as well as BDNF. Conclusion Hawthorn extract can be used as a neuromodulator, an antioxidant, and an anti-inflammatory agent for reversing the adverse effects of cold stress.