The study aimed to investigate the effect of the oral administration for 15 days of either Echinacea (E) or genuphil (a composite of chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine and methyl sulfonyl methane [GCM]) nutraceutical supplements on female rat model of acute or chronic arthritis induced by bacterial outer membrane protein (OMP) from faecal flora of healthy and rheumatic humans. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP2), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) values increased (p < 0.05) in both arthritic groups as compared to normal values. The rheumatic markers anti-CCP2, CRP and RF values decreased significantly in E- and GCM-treated groups compared to arthritic none-treated acute or chronic groups. The results of RF values of GCM-treated groups in acute and chronic models decreased exhibiting no statistical difference compared with the normal value. Histological examinations of the hind paw sections revealed moderate inflammation, oedema and mild proliferation of synovial cells in acute arthritic rats and more damage to cartilage and bone with severe inflammation in chronic ones. Echinacea acute treated group showed edema with proliferated synovial membrane and partial damage in cartilage and bone. While in the E-chronic treated group, rough edge with destructed cartilage and bone existed. However, the acute GCM group revealed mild cartilage damage. But the chronic GCM group showed mild synovial cells proliferation and revealed no inflammation with mild cartilage damage edge. Results demonstrated the OMP arthropathic property and through promising light on arthritis treatment using E- or GCM, with the advantage of GMC results over that of E-. The composite GCM is needed for further studies over the dose and duration to assess its preventive effects against the bacterial OMP arthrogenicity.

Isotretinoin is the most effective anti-acne treatment but to some extent it has side effects. So, the aim of the present study was focused on the combined effect of isotretinoin treatment and hypothyroidism on cerebral monoamines in male albino rats. The animals were divided into four groups; control, hypothyroid, hypothyroid treated with isotretinoin and isotretinoin only treated. Hypothyroidism was induced by using 5 mg kgG 1 propylthiouracil for 30 days. Oral isotretinoin was given in olive oil 1.5 mg kgG 1 b.wt. equivalent to human therapeutic dose for 4 weeks. The withdrawal period is 2 weeks after drug stoppage. The concentration of epinephrine, nor epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin were estimated in different brain areas. Also, the serum level of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxin and thyroid stimulating hormone were measured to insure the hypothyroid state. Total body weight was recorded throughout the experimental period. Hypothyroid rat's model exhibited a decrease of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin contents in most of the brain areas examined. Hypothyroid rats treated with isotretinoin exhibited elevated levels of neurotransmitter in most brain areas. isotretinoin treatment does not aggravate the monoamines dysfunction in hypothyroid rats.

Objectives: We aimed to studythe effect of Schsitosoma mansoni co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) on IL-28B levels. Design: We collected plasma from107outpatients(range30–81 years old) from six governates of Delta, Egypt attending Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo, Egyptin 2012–2014. Subjects were divided to three groups, 35 healthy controls, 50naïve chronic HCV patientsand 22S. mansoni/HCVco-infected patients.For all participants,anti-schistosomal antibodies levels, hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg), HCV viral loadand routine liver function tests were measured. We assayed IL-28B and IFN-γ plasma levels for all participants. Results: We found that IL-28B levelsweresignificantly higher in S. mansoni/HCV co-infected patients than in HCV mono-infection. IFN-γ and IL-28B levels showed positive correlation in both infected groups. Patients with high HCV viral load had significantly higher IFN-γ and IL-28B levelswhether suffering from mono- or co-infection. Conclusions: A strong link between IFN-γ and IL-28B in naïve chronic HCV patients whether mono- or co-infected with S. mansoni. This suggeststhat co-infection with S. mansoni might not affect IFN-γ levels, however, significantly increases IL-28B levels. Therefore, IL-28B plasma levels might be a useful novel biomarker forprognosis and therapy ofS. mansoni/HCV co-infection

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