Aim of the work: To measure the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis, and to evaluate any potential vascular risk factors in these patients.Patients and methods: This study included 30 patients with systemic sclerosis diagnosed according to the American college of rheumatology criteria and 20 healthy individuals were also included as a control group. Non-invasive vascular tests including; carotid duplex scanning measuring common carotid arteries (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT), and ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) were performed. Traditional vascular risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profiles, steroid usage and other immunosuppressive medications were assessed.Results: The mean IMT of CCA was higher in systemic sclerosis patients (right 0.67 ± 0.11 mm, left 0.67 ± 0.12 mm) when compared with the control group (right 0.48 ± 0.2 mm, left 0.54 ± 0.13 mm) (p < 0.001). Carotid plaques were found in 4 SSc patients. Mean IMT was correlated with patients' age (p < 0.001), disease duration (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), and dyslipidemia (p < 0.01). Ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) was significantly lower in SSc patients (0.94 ± 0.13) when compared with controls (1.16 ± 0.12) (p < 0.001). No difference was found between limited (n = 25) and diffuse (n = 5) disease subtypes in mean IMT, nor in mean ABPI. There was no significant correlation between mean IMT and steroid dose or other immunosuppressive intake.Conclusion: There is an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease in SSc patients. Increased systolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, long disease duration and older age were possible risk factors.

Background: Echinochrome (Ech) is the active ingredient in the Histochrome drug, which possesses strong antioxidant, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activity. Objective: The present work aimed to characterize the malformations induced by moderate and high dose of Ech during pregnancy. Methods: In this study, eighteen (18) female pregnant rats were assigned into 3 groups (6 rats/ group); control group, low dose Ech (0.1 mg/kg) and high dose Ech (1 mg/kg). Results: The high dose of Ech caused a significant decrease in the number of embryos, uteri weight, body weight gain, placenta weight, and embryo weight and length. Also, the high dose led to a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, urea and uric acid of mothers. Conclusion: Our findings revealed the first teratogenic effects of high dose Ech. The teratogenic mechanism of Ech works through induction of the hypoglycemic condition in pregnant rats.

Background:: Infertility is the first-rate public health trouble affecting one in five married couples globally, male causes embody a significant proportion. Natural products could be an alternative or complementary inexpensive treatment for such matters. Echinochrome (Ech) is a natural quinone pigment obtained from sea urchin, and it was confirmed to possess many pharmacological properties due to its chemical activity. Objective:: The current research paper was targeted to evaluate the potential effects of Ech on male fertility, and to highlight the possible involved mechanisms. Methods:: Eighteen adult male rats were randomly distributed into three groups: control (1 ml of 2% DMSO, p.o.), low dose Ech (0.1 mg/kg, p.o.), and high dose Ech (1 mg/kg p.o.). Results:: The high dose Ech caused a significant decline in the levels of glucose, ALT, AST, ALP, urea, Cr, uric acid, TG, TC and LDL-C and testicular tissue MDA, while it caused a significant rise in the levels of albumin, TP, HDL-C, FSH, LH, testosterone and testicular tissue GSH activity. Moreover, it showed a significant positive effect on the testis weight, caudal epididymis weight, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, fructose concentration, and α-glucosidase activity. However, no significant changes were observed in histological examination of testicular tissue among all groups. Conclusion:: High dose Ech improved male rat-fertility either directly by activating the pituitary gonadal axis, and or indirectly via enhancing: the renal and hepatic functions, the lipid profile and or the antioxidant pathways.

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