RESUMEN

Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia in the elderly. Several reports have suggested neurotoxic effects of amyloid beta protein (Aß) and role of oxidative stress in AD. Figs are rich in fiber, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin K, and are a good source of proanthocyanidins and quercetin which demonstrate potent antioxidant properties. We studied the effect of dietary supplementation with 4% figs grown in Oman on the memory, anxiety, and learning skills in APPsw/Tg2576 (Tg mice) mice model for AD. We assessed spatial memory and learning ability, psychomotor coordination, and anxiety-related behavior in Tg and wild-type mice at the age of 4 months and after 15 months using the Morris water maze test, rota-rod test, elevated plus maze test, and open-field test. Tg mice that were fed a control diet without figs showed significant memory deficits, increased anxiety-related behavior, and severe impairment in spatial, position discrimination learning ability, and motor coordination compared to the wild-type control mice on the same diet, and Tg mice fed on 4% fig diet supplementation for 15 months. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation of figs may be useful for the improvement of cognitive and behavioral deficits in AD.

Asunto(s)

Enfermedad de Alzheimer/dietoterapia , Ansiedad/prevención & control , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Ficus , Frutas , Discapacidades para el Aprendizaje/prevención & control , Trastornos de la Memoria/prevención & control , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/fisiopatología , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/psicología , Animales , Ansiedad/etiología , Conducta Animal , Suplementos Dietéticos , Femenino , Ficus/química , Ficus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Frutas/química , Frutas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Alimentos Funcionales , Discapacidades para el Aprendizaje/etiología , Trastornos de la Memoria/etiología , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Nootrópicos/uso terapéutico , Omán , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Desempeño Psicomotor , Aprendizaje Espacial , Memoria Espacial , Organismos Libres de Patógenos Específicos

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: At present, the treatment options available to delay the onset or slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are not effective. Recent studies have suggested that diet and lifestyle factors may represent protective strategies to minimize the risk of developing AD. Date palm fruits are a good source of dietary fiber and are rich in total phenolics and natural antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid. These polyphenolic compounds have been shown to be neuroprotective in different model systems. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether dietary supplementation with 2% and 4% date palm fruits (grown in Oman) could reduce cognitive and behavioral deficits in a transgenic mouse model for AD (amyloid precursor protein [APPsw]/Tg2576). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental groups of APP-transgenic mice from the age of 4 months were fed custom-mix diets (pellets) containing 2% and 4% date fruits. We assessed spatial memory and learning ability, psychomotor coordination, and anxiety-related behavior in all the animals at the age of 4 months and after 14 months of treatment using the Morris water maze test, rota-rod test, elevated plus maze test, and open-field test. We have also analyzed the levels of amyloid beta (Aß) protein (1-40 and 1-42) in plasma of control and experimental animals. RESULTS: Standard diet-fed Tg mice showed significant memory deficits, increased anxiety-related behavior, and severe impairment in spatial learning ability, position discrimination learning ability and motor coordination when compared to wild-type on the same diet and Tg mice fed 2% and 4% date supplementation at the age of 18 months. The levels of both Aß proteins were significantly lowered in date fruits supplemented groups than the Tg mice without the diet supplement. The neuroprotective effect offered by 4% date fruits diet to AD mice is higher than 2% date fruits diet. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that date fruits dietary supplementation may have beneficial effects in lowering the risk, delaying the onset or slowing down the progression of AD.

RESUMEN

Oxidative stress may play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Changes in the oxidative stress, antioxidants, and membrane-bound enzymes were investigated in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD transgenic mice model after long-term dietary supplementation of date palm fruits from Oman. The 4-month-old mice with double Swedish APP mutation (APPsw/Tg2576) were purchased from Taconic Farm, NY, USA; mice were fed two different doses of dates (such as 4 and 2%) or control diet for 15 months and then assessed for the influence of diet on oxidative stress. Significant increase in oxidative stress in terms of enhanced levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyls and parallel decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes were observed in control diet-treated Tg2576 AD mice. Dates (4 and 2%) treated APPsw/Tg2576 AD mice exhibited significantly attenuated oxidative damage, evidenced by decreased LPO and protein carbonyl levels and restoration in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, and glutathione reductase). The activities of membrane-bound enzymes (Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and acetyl cholinesterase) were altered in control diet-treated APPsw/Tg2576 AD mice brain regions. Meanwhile, both the percentages of date supplementation were able to restore the activity of enzymes to comparable values observed in controls. In summary, we have shown that chronic dietary supplementation of date palm fruits grown in Oman showed possible beneficial effects concomitant with oxidative stress reduction and increased antioxidant enzymes in AD transgenic mice model. These results warrant further exploration of how anti-reactive oxygen species properties of dates offer such beneficial effects on the AD-like brain.

Asunto(s)

Enfermedad de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo , Phoeniceae , Acetilcolinesterasa/metabolismo , Animales , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Catalasa/metabolismo , Cognición , Dieta , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Glutatión/metabolismo , Glutatión Peroxidasa/metabolismo , Glutatión Reductasa/metabolismo , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutasa/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Oxidative stress may play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Pomegranates ( Shí Liú) contain very high levels of antioxidant polyphenolic substances, as compared to other fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols have been shown to be neuroprotective in different model systems. Here, the effects of the antioxidant-rich pomegranate fruit grown in Oman on brain oxidative stress status were tested in the AD transgenic mouse. The 4-month-old mice with double Swedish APP mutation (APPsw/Tg2576) were purchased from Taconic Farm, NY, USA. Four-month-old Tg2576 mice were fed with 4% pomegranate or control diet for 15 months and then assessed for the influence of diet on oxidative stress. Significant increase in oxidative stress was found in terms of enhanced levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyls. Concomitantly, decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes was observed in Tg2576 mice treated with control diet. Supplementation with 4% pomegranate attenuated oxidative damage, as evidenced by decreased LPO and protein carbonyl levels and restoration in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), and Glutathione S transferase (GST)]. The activities of membrane-bound enzymes [Na(+) K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] were altered in the brain regions of Tg2576 mouse treated with control diet, and 4% pomegranate supplementation was able to restore the activities of enzymes to comparable values observed in controls. The results suggest that the therapeutic potential of 4% pomegranate in the treatment of AD might be associated with counteracting the oxidative stress by the presence of active phytochemicals in it.

RESUMEN

We assessed the changes in the plasma Aß, oxidative stress/antioxidants, and membrane bound enzymes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) transgenic mice (Tg2576) after dietary supplementation of Omani figs fruits for 15 months along with spatial memory and learning test. AD Tg mice on control diet without figs showed significant impairment in spatial learning ability compared to the wild-type mice on same diet and figs fed Tg mice as well. Significant increase in oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant status were observed in AD Tg mice. 4% figs treated AD Tg mice significantly attenuated oxidative damage, as evident by decreased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls and restoration of antioxidant status. Altered activities of membrane bound enzymes (Na(+) K(+) ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)) in AD Tg mice brain regions and was restored by figs treatment. Further, figs supplementation might be able to decrease the plasma levels of Aß (1-40, 1-42) significantly in Tg mice suggesting a putative delay in the formation of plaques, which might be due to the presence of high natural antioxidants in figs. But this study warrants further extensive investigation to find a novel lead for a therapeutic target for AD from figs.

Asunto(s)

Enfermedad de Alzheimer/patología , Suplementos Dietéticos , Ficus/química , Estrés Oxidativo , Acetilcolinesterasa/metabolismo , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/sangre , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/fisiopatología , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/sangre , Animales , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Catalasa/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/enzimología , Corteza Cerebral/enzimología , Corteza Cerebral/patología , Corteza Cerebral/fisiopatología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Hipocampo/enzimología , Hipocampo/patología , Hipocampo/fisiopatología , Humanos , Peroxidación de Lípido , Ratones Transgénicos , Carbonilación Proteica , Memoria Espacial , Superóxido Dismutasa/metabolismo

RESUMEN

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is an environmental toxin which selectively induces oxidative damage and mitochondrial and proteasomal dysfunctions to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra leading to Parkinsonian syndrome in animal models and humans. MPTP is one of the most widely used in vitro models to investigate the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and, screen for novel therapeutic compounds that can slow down or ameliorate this progressive degenerative disease. We investigated the therapeutic effect of pomegranate juice extracts (PJE), Helow, Malasi, Qusum, and Hamadh against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in primary human neurons by examining extracellular LDH activity, intracellular NAD(+) and ATP levels, and endogenous antioxidant levels including lipid peroxidation products, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. MPTP induced a reduction in SOD and GPx activities and intracellular NAD(+), ATP, and GSH levels parallel to an increase in extracellular LDH and CAT activities, although lipid peroxidation was not altered. We report that helow and malasi can ameliorate MPTP-induced neurotoxicity by attenuating the observed changes in redox function to a greater extent than qusum and hamedh. Selected PJE varieties may exhibit properties which may be of therapeutic value to slow down age-related degeneration and neurodegeneration in particular.

Asunto(s)

Bebidas , Lythraceae/química , Neuronas/patología , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/farmacología , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , 1-Metil-4-fenil-1,2,3,6-Tetrahidropiridina , Adenosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Muerte Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Peroxidación de Lípido/efectos de los fármacos , NAD/metabolismo , Neuronas/efectos de los fármacos , Neuronas/enzimología , Neurotoxinas/toxicidad , Omán , Fenoles/farmacología , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the incidence and burden of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) in Oman or the Arabian Gulf. OBJECTIVES: To determine the epidemiology of CIN at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of all eligible CIN episodes in adult (>18 years) patients with solid tumors and hematological malignancies at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) from January to December 2010. Analyses were performed using univariate statistics. RESULTS: A total of 1,357 episodes in 159 patients with a mean age of 50 ± 15 years (19-91) were evaluated. Fifty-four percent (n = 86) of the patients were female. A total of 46 % (73/159) of the patients developed CIN accounting for 15 % (210/1,357) of all episodes. Twelve percent (25/210) of these CIN episodes were associated with fever in 26 % (19/73) patients. There was significant association between CIN and chemotherapy regimen (P < 0.001), younger age (P < 0.001), low hemoglobin (Hb) levels (P < 0.001) and advanced cancer stage (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a high incidence of CIN in SQUH patients which resulted in chemotherapy delays, longer hospital stays, and inpatient mortality. CIN was significantly correlated with chemotherapy regimen, younger age, low Hb levels and cancer stage.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos/efectos adversos , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Neutropenia/epidemiología , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Femenino , Hemoglobinas/metabolismo , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Incidencia , Tiempo de Internación , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Neoplasias/patología , Neutropenia/inducido químicamente , Omán/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Adulto Joven

RESUMEN

This study looks at the chemical composition of traditional eye cosmetics ("kohls") used in Qatar and Yemen. Of especial interest was how many samples in each country contain the toxic element lead. In Qatar 19 observably different kohl samples were obtained, and in Yemen ten such samples obtained. The analytical techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) were used to study the samples. For the samples from Qatar, six of the 19 (32%) contained galena (lead sulfide, PbS)--all as the main component. However, for the samples from Yemen, five of the ten (50%) samples contained galena as the main component, with another three having it present as a minor component. Overall, the other main components were found to be: amorphous carbon (3), iron oxides (hematite, Fe2O3; and goethite, FeO(OH)) (1), quartz (SiO2) (1), sassolite (H3BO3) (5), talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) (1), and zincite (ZnO) (7).

Asunto(s)

Cosméticos/análisis , Plomo/análisis , Sulfuros/análisis , Humanos , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Qatar , Difracción de Rayos X , Yemen

RESUMEN

This study was undertaken in order to determine the availability and chemical composition of potentially lead-toxic traditional eye cosmetics ("kohls") in six of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Thus of especial interest was the percentage of the purchased samples that contained the toxic element lead. A total of 53 observably different kohl samples were found to be available overall in the six emirates: Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah. It was found that 19 of these samples had been previously analyzed by us in studies covering Oman, Abu Dhabi (city), and Egypt (Cairo). The techniques of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the remaining 34 samples. Overall, for the 53 kohl samples, it was found that 20 (38%) contained a lead compound (galena, PbS) as the main component. The other main components were found to be one of the following: amorphous carbon, calcite/aragonite (CaCO3), goethite (FeO(OH)), hematite (Fe2O3), sassolite (H3BO3), talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2), or zincite (ZnO).

Asunto(s)

Cosméticos/análisis , Plomo/análisis , Sulfuros/análisis , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Emiratos Árabes Unidos , Difracción de Rayos X

RESUMEN

A total of 18 kohl samples were analysed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the samples were purchased in Cairo and eleven of them originated in Egypt. The main component of six samples was found to be galena (PbS); where four of these samples originated in Egypt and two in India. For a further ten samples the main component was found to be one of the following: amorphous carbon, calcite (CaCO(3)), cuprite (Cu(2)O), goethite (FeO(OH)), elemental silicon or talc (Mg(3)Si(4)O(10)(OH)(2)). For the last two samples the main component of each was an unknown amorphous organic compound.

Asunto(s)

Cosméticos/química , Plomo/análisis , Sulfuros/análisis , Carbono/análisis , Egipto , Humanos , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Difracción de Rayos X

RESUMEN

The College of Medicine at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman has opted for the credit system that makes the designing of an integrated, multidisciplinary course a challenging proposition. The human nervous system course is no exception to that. The aim of the course is to guide students to understand the structure and function of the brain and to learn about the disorders afflicting it. There are 4 major problems encountered in this course. First, due to the relative weighting of different subjects in the course, the students tend to ignore the topics that have less credit hours and contribute fewer marks to the total marks. Secondly, students make minimal effort to analyze and synthesize information. Thirdly, poor knowledge of the English language hampers comprehension. Finally, it is felt that in its present form the course is too long. We are trying to evolve a version of hybrid problem-based learning that suits our local needs and resources.