ObjectiveThe present study was conducted to investigate the impacts of active and passive immunization against synthetic inhibin and steroid-free bovine follicular fluid, respectively, on reproductive fecundity out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes.MethodsFollicular fluid was aspired from mature bovine follicles, treated with activated charcoal, and used for immunization of male rabbits for obtaining steroid free bovine follicular fluid (SFBFF) antiserum. Forty non-pregnant Awassi ewes were allocated into 4 groups (n = 10 each). At day 38 of experiment, ewes were treated with intra-vaginal MPA sponge (60 mg for 12 days). At days 0, 28, and 50, ewes were treated with 4, 2, and 2 mL of normal saline (control; C-ve), 400, 200, and 200 μg of ovalbumin (C+ve), 400, 200 and 200 μg of inhibin (SI group), respectively, and 4 mL of normal saline at day 0, and 4 and 2 mL of SFBFF antiserum at days 28 and 50, respectively, (AI group). After mating with Awassi rams, pregnancy and embryo number were diagnosed, at day 38 of pregnancy, using ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected at days 30, 60, 90, and 120 of pregnancy, for assessment of estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels. After parturition, numbers of delivered lambs were recorded.ResultsThe results revealed significant increase of P4 and significant decrease of E2 levels in SI and AI pregnant ewes than controls at days 30, 60, 90, and 120. Newborn number increased significantly in SI and AI treated than control ewes.ConclusionActive or passive immunization against endogenous inhibin could augment reproductive fecundity out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes.

The current study was conducted to investigate the impacts of active and passive immunization against synthetic inhibin-α subunit and steroid-free bovine follicular fluid, respectively, on reproductive hormones profile out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes. Follicular fluid was aspired from mature bovine follicles, treated with activated charcoal, used for immunization of male rabbits, and obtaining of SFBFF antiserum. Forty non-pregnant Awassi ewes were allocated into 4 groups (n = 10 each). At day 38 of experiment, ewes were treated with intra-vaginal sponge impregated with medroxyprogesterone acetate 60 mg for 12 days. Ewes were treated at 0, 28 and 50 days with 4, 2 and 2 ml of normal saline (control; C-ve), 400, 200 and 200 µg of ovalbumine (C+ve), 400, 200 and 200 µg of inhibin (SI group), and 4 ml of normal saline at 0 day, and 4ml and 2ml of SFBFF antiserum, at 28 and 50 days, respectively (AI group). Blood samples were collected at 24 and 48 hours before and after sponge withdrawal for assessment of FSH, LH, inhibin-B, Activin-A, E2 and P4. Before sponge withdrawal, FSH level increased in SI ewes, whereas only after sponge withdrawal, FSH, LH, activin-A and E2 levels increased in SI and AI ewes. Opposite results were shown of inhibin-B level. In conclusion, active or passive immunization against inhibin in Awassi ewes could augment reproductive functions out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes.

Cancer cells are distinguished by enhanced glucose uptake and an aerobic glycolysis pathway in which its products support metabolic demands for cancer cell growth and proliferation. Inhibition of aerobic glycolysis is a smart therapeutic approach to target the progression of the cancer cell. We employed acarbose (ACA), a particular alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, to induce glucose deprivation combined with oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to enhance antitumor activity. In this work, we used a mouse model of breast cancer with mammary adenocarcinoma tumor cells (AN3) that were treated with ACA, NDV, and a combination of both. The study included antitumor efficacy, relative body weight, glucose level, hexokinase (HK-1) level by ELISA, glycolysis product (pyruvate), total ATP, oxidative stress (ROS and reduced glutathione), and apoptosis by immunohistochemistry. The results showed significant antitumor efficacy against breast cancer after treatment with combination therapy. Antitumor efficacy was accompanied by a reduction in body weight and glucose level, HK-1 downregulation, inhibition of glycolysis products (pyruvate), total ATP, induction of oxidative stress (increase ROS and decrease reduced glutathione), and apoptotic cell death. The findings propose a novel anti–breast cancer combination involving the suppression of glycolysis, glucose deprivation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, which can be translated clinically.

This study was aimed to produce silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Nigella sativa, also to investigate the effects of green synthesized Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles on dyslipidemia and DNA fragmentation in hydrogen peroxide-exposed rats. The produced Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles were characterized through Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) style, and Scanning Electron Microscope was used to investigate the morphology and size of synthesized Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles. Forty adults male rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups and daily  had been remedying for two months as followings:  G1 group (Control), G2 group, rats in this group were received tap water containing 1%  H2O2, animals in G3 and G4 groups were injected IP  Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles 25 and 50 mg/kg B.W., respectively, and received ordinary tap water containing 1% H2O2 , and G5 group, animals in this group were injected IP  Nigella sativa seeds extract  50 mg/kg B.W. and received ordinary tap water containing 1% H2O2. Blood samples collected after one and two months of the experiment from each animal for DNA fragmentation measurements and serum estimated lipid profile.The results receded a case of dyslipidemia,  as well  significant elevation in DNA damage in G4 and G2 groups The results also confirmed the hypolipidemic and cytoprotective effect of Nigella sativa seeds extract (G5 group) and silver nanoparticles as25mg/kg B.W (group G3) clarified by correction of dyslipidemia, alongside significant alleviation in DNA damage. In conclusion, the results in the current study effectsof Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles at high dose and documents the ameliorative effect of Nigella sativaseeds extract and Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles on lipid profile and DNA damage.

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| This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative role of L-carnitine and/or sitagliptin on dyslipidemia induced by oral administration of 0.75% hydrogen peroxide in male rats. Thirty five (35) adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups (C, T1, T2, T3 and T4) and were treated for 60 days as following: Group C (Control group), rats in all treated groups from T1 to T4 were given 0.75% H 2 O 2 in drinking water. In addition to H 2 O 2 , 100mg/kg B.W of L-carnitine and 1.5mg/kg. B.W of sitagliptin were administered orally to rats in groups T2 and T3 respectively, while rats in group (T4)

This study was designed to investigate the effect of sodium nitrate as oxidant agent on hepatic function of adult male rats, as well as the possible protective role of vitamin E and flavonoid extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds against the deleterious effects of sodium nitrate. Forty adult male rats were randomly divided in to 4 equal groups and treated daily for 84 days as follows: Animals in the first group were received normal saline, serving as control (group C), rats of the second group (T1) were intubated orally sodium nitrate 30mg/kg. B.W.; animals in T2 group were intubated orally vit. E 40mg/Kg B.W. in addition to sodium nitrate, while rats in the fourth group (T3) were intubated orally 50mg/kg B.W of flavonoids was extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds with sodium nitrate. Blood samples were collected at 0, 21, 42, 63 and 84 days of experiment to study the following parameters: Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphtase activity (ALP), serum billirubin, as well as hemoglobin concentration. The result revealed that oral intubation of 30mg/kg. B.W of sodium nitrate (T1 group) for 84 days caused hepatic damage manifested by significant increase (p<0.05) in serum ALT and ALP activities, bilirubin concentration and depression in hemoglobin concentration. On other hand, the protective role of vitamin E and flavonoids extracted from Nigella Sativa was clarified in groupsT2 and T3, including correction of hepatic damage manifested by significant (p<0.05) depression in ALT and ALP activities and bilirubin concentration as well as significant (p<0.05) elevation in hemoglobin concentration. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm the protective role of vitamin E and flavonoids of Nigella sativa seed against hepatic dysfunction caused by sodium nitrate manifested by structural and functional changes.

One of the "hallmarks of cancer" is altered energy metabolism, which is increased glycolysis in cancer cells, the primary source of energy that uses this metabolic pathway to generate ATP. Oncolytic virotherapy with aerobic glycolysis inhibitor smart therapeutic approach to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The current study aimed to use the 2-Deoxyglucose (2DG), a specific glycolysis inhibitor, to enhance the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In this study, a mouse model of breast cancer allograft with mammary adenocarcinoma tumor cells (AN3) was used and treated with 2DG, NDV, and a combination of both. Anti-tumor efficacy and glycolysis analysis (hexokinase -1 (HK-1), pyruvate, and ATP) were determined. The induction of oxidative stress was investigated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total glutathione assay examination. Apoptosis induction was investigated using immunohistochemistry (cleaved Caspase-3) and histopathology. The result showed that combination therapy enhances anti-tumor efficacy (decrease in relative tumor volume and increase in tumor growth inhibition) of NDV against breast cancer. This effect was accompanied by a reduction in HK-1 concentration, pyruvate, and ATP (glycolysis products). Moreover, NDV+2DG therapy induces oxidative stress (decreases total glutathione and increases ROS). Immunohistochemistry and histopathological examination showed the apoptotic area in tumor tissues in treated groups. In conclusion, the present study found that the combination therapy could be considered as an effective cancer therapy through induction of glycolysis inhibition, oxidative stress, and apoptosis selectively in cancer cells.