Aluminum, one of the most abundant metallic elements, is known to be toxic to multiple organs including the kidneys. This study aimed to investigate the pleiotropic nephroprotective effects of Hesperidin in aluminum chloride (ALCL3)-induced renal injury, highlighting the potential molecular mechanisms underlying. Twenty-four male albino rats were divided into four groups: control, Hesperidin (80 mg/kg BW, orally), ALCL3 (10 mg/kg BW, IP), and ALCL3 + Hesperidin groups. By the end of the study, blood samples were collected, and tissue samples were harvested at sacrifice. ALCL3 rats showed dramatically declined renal function, enhanced intrarenal oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and extravagant renal histopathological damage with interstitial fibrosis as shown by a higher Endothelial, Glomerular, Tubular, and Interstitial (EGTI) score. Hesperidin significantly reversed all the aforementioned detrimental effects in ALCL3-treated rats. The study verified the nephroprotective effects of Hesperidin on ALCL3-induced renal damage and confirmed the critical role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and apoptosis inhibition.Graphical Abstract

Intestinal tissue is highly susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion injury in many hazardous health conditions. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant glycoprotein fetuin-A showed efficacy in cerebral ischemic injury; however, its protective role against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion remains elusive. Therefore, this study investigated the protective role of fetuin-A supplementation against intestinal structural changes and dysfunction in a rat model of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion. We equally divided 72 male rats into control, sham, ischemia/reperfusion, and fetuin-A-pretreated ischemia/reperfusion (100 mg/kg/day fetuin-A intraperitoneally for three days prior to surgery and a third dose 1 h prior to the experiment) groups. After 2 h of reperfusion, the jejunum was dissected and examined for spontaneous contractility. A jejunal homogenate was used to assess inflammatory and oxidative stress enzymes. Staining of histological sections was carried out with hematoxylin, eosin and Masson’s trichrome stain for evaluation. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect autophagy proteins beclin-1, LC3, and p62. This study found that fetuin-A significantly improved ischemia/reperfusion-induced mucosal injury by reducing the percentage of areas of collagen deposition, increasing the amplitude of spontaneous contraction, decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, and upregulating p62 expression, which was accompanied by beclin-1 and LC3 downregulation. Our findings suggest that fetuin-A treatment can prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced jejunal structural and functional changes by increasing antioxidant activity and regulating autophagy disturbances observed in the ischemia/reperfusion rat model. Furthermore, fetuin-A may provide a protective influence against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion complications.

Background: The knowledge of anatomical measurements of cerebral arteries has a great value for understanding of several neurologic disorders. Aim of the work: To measure diameters and lengths of anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) on both sides to give basis for normal Egyptian measurements of cerebral arteries using Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA). Subjects and Methods: Fifty healthy individuals who had normal DSA, including 33 males and 17 females aged from 20 years to 60 years were examined during this study. Chosen subjects were classified into two age groups, Group 1: that included 18 persons (between 20-39 years old). Group 2: that included 32 persons (between 40-60 years old). DSA used to measure the diameters and lengths of main cerebral arteries (ACA , MCA and PCA) at different segments. Results: Regarding to the age of studied subjects, there was statistical significant difference between the diameters of cerebral arteries at different segments in the studied groups and the diameters of these arteries were decreased by advancing in age. There was statistical significant difference between the lengths of cerebral arteries at different segments in the studied groups and the lengths of these arteries were more in the older age group. The differences between means of lengths of cerebral arteries on the right and on the left side was statistically non-significant in all segments except that of middle cerebral artery-segment 1 (M1) which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Establishment of Egyptian normal measurements of cerebral arteries using Digital Subtraction Angiography has a great value in interpretation of cranial angiograms as these measurements may vary in different races .

Background: Making accreditation results easily accessible has become a worldwide essential issue, especially after international standards were created for medical education. The Egyptian Society for Medical Education (ESME) expects Egyptian medical schools to be more open about their accreditation results to build trust with students, families, and the community. This will help ensure newly graduated doctors are of high quality. Our literature review found almost no information on how transparent Egyptian medical school websites are with posting their accreditation results. Students and families use these websites to choose schools and be confident in the quality of education, so accreditation results should be easily accessible. Methods: This study was conducted to estimate the information transparency of Egyptian medical colleges’ websites regarding their accreditation process. Twenty-five official websites of Egyptian medical colleges, as well as official website of the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE) were reviewed. The websites’ search considers two main criteria for transparency. Each criterion is further divided into several information items. Data was recorded and analyzed using Research Electronic Data Capture software (REDCap). The authors excluded, from the data analysis, newly established schools of less than five years of age that were not required to apply for accreditation yet. Results: The results of the research showed that only thirteen colleges registered their credentials on their websites. However, the amount of data available about the process, dates, and documents was very limited. Accreditation information for these thirteen schools is confirmed by information on the NAQAAE website. Other information on other important elements such as accountability and future plans was almost completely missing. Conclusion: The authors concluded that due to the lack of basic information on the websites of Egyptian medical schools about their institutional accreditation status, serious steps should be taken by medical schools and the National Accreditation Authority to encourage openness and ensure transparency towards institutional accreditation.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by polycystic ovarian follicle morphology, ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Spexin has a role in satiety control, lipid and glucose metabolism. Metformin is an insulin sensitizing agent that has some hepato-protective functions. Aim: This study aimed to declare and compare the effect of spexin and metformin treatment on ovarian and liver function changes in letrozole-induced PCOS in rats and the possible mechanisms involved.Methods: Thirty-two adult female Wistar albino rats divided into control, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), PCOS metformin-treated, and PCOS spexin-treated groups. In PCOS groups, rats were given oral letrozole 0.5 mg/kg dissolved in 0.9% NaCl once daily along the study. In PCOS metformin-treated group, rats were treated with metformin hydrochloride orally (300 mg/kg/day) for the last 4 weeks. In PCOS spexin-treated group, rats were treated with spexin i.p. 35 μg/kg/day, dissolved in normal saline for the last 4 weeks. Results: In PCOS group, there was a significant increase in; BMI, relative ovarian weight, HOMA-IR, serum (LH, FSH, testosterone, insulin, glucose, TC, TG, LDL, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, total & direct bilirubin) and hepatic (MDA, NO & TNF-), with a significant decrease in; serum [estradiol, progesterone, HDL, albumin and spexin] and hepatic GPX, when compared with the control group. Histopathological results showed ovaries of PCOS marked expression of caspase-3 and P53 and decreased KI67 expression of granulosa and theca cells. Vacuolated hepatocytes, dilated and congested portal vein and positive reaction of immunostaining with αSMA, caspase and TNFα. Treatment of PCOS rats with either metformin or spexin reversed these changes significantly.Conclusion: Spexin serum level could be used as a metabolic biomarker for polycystic ovary syndrome. Also, treatment with either metformin or spexin ameliorated ovarian and hepatic dysfunctions in rat model of PCOS through their insulin sensitizing, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.