Background and study aim: Helicobacter pylori infection is distributed worldwide. H. pylori colonize the liver and increase the severity of the liver pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to detect the H. pylori in the HCV patients using serology and immunohistochemistry diagnostic methods. The aim was extended to evaluate the hematological and biochemical changes during the co-infection. Materials and Methods: ELISA and immunohistochemistry diagnostic methods were utilized to examine patients chronically infected with HCV for H. pylori, and some hematological and biochemical parameters were detected. Results: Overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 10.81%, 8.00%, using ELISA, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In the current study, no significant difference based on gender, residence, age, biochemical assessment and HCV RNA load was observed. Liver cirrhosis at patient coinfected with H. pylori and HCV recorded high percentage compared to those with chronic HCV mono-infection. A significant increase in the relative lymphocyte count was detected in patients with concomitant H. pylori and chronic HCV infections compared to patients with chronic HCV mono-infection. Conclusion: Because H. pylori infection is frequent among Egyptian HCV infected patients, regular screening and treatment for H. pylori among this category is extremely important.

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Epilepsy is one of the greatest common neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures.The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate juice with and without valproic acid on epileptic rats. Pomegranate juice (PJ) used in popular folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases due to its antioxidants content. Valproic acid (VPA) is a wellestablished anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of many forms of generalized epilepsy and psychiatric disorders to control epileptic seizures. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) is a central nervous system convulsant which induce seizures and used as a routine test for screening of anticonvulsants.In the present study 35 rats were divided into 7 groups: control group, PTZ group, PJ group, VPA group, VPA+PTZ group, PJ+PTZ group, and PJ+VPA+PTZ group. Groups treated with pomegranate juice received daily oral doses of 10 µL/g of body weight for 28 days. Groups treated with valproic acid received daily intraperitoneal (IP) doses of 500 mg/kg body weight for 14 days.At the last day of the experiment groups treated with PTZ were injected with a single IP dose of PTZ (60 mg/kg B.W), while other groups without PTZ received the same dose of sterile isotonic saline solution. After 30 minutes animals were decapitated. Injection of rats with PTZ or VPA resulted in significant increase in liver functions and lipid profile except HDL-c. Results showed significant decrease in antioxidants while treatment with pomegranate juice showed significant decrease in liver functions and lipid profile and significant increase in antioxidants.