PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F al-Awadi

Publications and source records attributed to F al-Awadi.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Ischemic preconditioning is not additive to preservation with hypothermia or crystalloid cardioplegia in the globally ischemic rat heart.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the additive protective efficiency of ischemic preconditioning when used in combination with conventional clinically relevant cardioprotective methods of hypothermia or hypothermic cardioplegia during sustained global ischemia. Isolated rat hearts were aorta-perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and were divided into six groups (n = 10 each). Group I: Ischemia at 34 degrees C for 60 min; Group PC + I: preconditioned (PC) ischemia at 34 degrees C, 2 episodes of 5 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion at 34 degrees C followed by I; Group HI: hypothermic ischemia at 10 degrees C for 60 min; Group PC + HI: preconditioned (PC) hypothermic ischemia, 2 episodes of 5 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion at 34 degrees C followed by HI; Group CPL + HI: single dose of 'Plegisol' cardioplegia followed by HI; Group PC + CPL + HI: preconditioned hypothermic cardioplegia, followed by CPL + HI. At the end of 60 min ischemia, all the hearts were reperfused at 34 degrees C for 30 min when post-ischemic recovery in left ventricular contractile function and coronary vascular dynamics was computed and compared. There was a significant depression in the post-ischemic recovery of developed pressure (Pmax), positive derivative of pressure (+dp/dt), negative derivative of pressure (-dp/dt) and heterometric autoregulation (HA) of contractile force in all the groups, with no major differences between the groups. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was significantly elevated after I at 34 degrees C. Preconditioning (PC + I) prevented the rise in the LVEDP and this was accompanied by a significant reduction in the release of purine metabolites in the coronary effluents, particularly adenosine, during the immediate reperfusion period. Hypothermia (HI) provided essentially the same level of metabolic and mechanical preservation as offered by PC + I. Combination of hypothermia with preconditioning (PC + HI) or cardioplegia (PC + CPL + HI), did not further enhance the preservation. Post-ischemic recovery in the regional contractile function (segment shortening, %SS) followed nearly identical pattern to global (Pmax) recovery. Post-ischemic recovery in coronary flow (CF) was significantly reduced and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) was significantly increased in all the groups. Myogenic autoregulation (transient and sustained) was generally enhanced indicating increased vascular reactivity. Preconditioning did not alter the time-course of these changes. Preconditioned ischemia (34 degrees C) preserved left ventricular diastolic functions and prevented the contracture development after sustained ischemia reperfusion at 34 degrees C. This protective effect of preconditioning was possibly mediated by the reduction in the breakdown of purine metabolites. Hypothermia alone or in combination with crystalloid cardioplegia prevented the irreversibility of the ischemic injury but produced contractile and vascular stunning which was not improved by ischemic preconditioning. The results of this study indicate that preconditioning when combined with hypothermia or hypothermic cardioplegia offered no significant additional protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Factors affecting birth weight in Kuwait. Part II: Pregnancy characteristics and health factors.

The aim of this was to determine the mean birth weight of Kuwaiti infants, the incidence of low birth weight and the impact of maternal age, smoking, health status, parents' consanguinity and pregnancy characteristics on infants' birth weight. The study was conducted in the major maternity hospital in Kuwait where the body weight of 1995 newborn infants was recorded shortly after birth. Data describing maternal age, duration of pregnancy, sex of the infant and maternal illness during pregnancy were recorded. Mothers were interviewed to collect data on duration between present and last pregnancy, birth order of the infant, parents' consanguinity and frequency of smoking. The results show that the mean birth weight was 3.5 Kg and the incidence of low birth weight was 3.4%. The results illustrate that young mothers were more liable to have small infants while old mothers were more liable to deliver a very heavy or low birth weight infant. The weight of the newborn infant was positively correlated with duration of pregnancy, duration between present and last pregnancy and birth order. The mean birth weight of male infants (3.51 Kg) was higher than females (3.47 Kg). Parents' consanguinity and maternal smoking had a slight effect on infants' birth weight. The results show that diabetic mothers delivered large babies. On the contrary, the incidence of low birth weight was highest (7.0%) among infants of hypertensive mothers.

Birth Order↗
PubMed1991

Lipid peroxidation and retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Using the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model, we have established a time-related curve for lipid hydroperoxides (LHP) in plasma and have correlated the period corresponding to maximal increase with histologic changes in the outer retina. Measurement of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) provides a convenient assessment of LHP concentration in plasma. Our results demonstrate a seven-fold elevation of TBARS at 10 days post-induction which increased to fifteen times above normal at 22 days and then fell dramatically to below baseline values at 39 days. Structural damage to the retina consisted of a reduction in cell number throughout the inner and outer nuclear layers, disorganization and loss of photoreceptor segments, and dilation of the basal region of the retinal pigment epithelium. The present observations establish a correlation between LHP concentration and retinal structure and function. Taken together with other reports in the literature showing alterations of protective enzymes and antioxidants, it appears that free radicals and lipid peroxidation are involved in the etiology of diabetic retinopathy in the STZ rat model. The TBARS assay is a simple, sensitive and inexpensive method to monitor changes in oxidative status and may prove useful in diagnosis and monitoring of patients with diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Factors affecting birth weight in Kuwait. Part I, Maternal, dietary and socioeconomic factors.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal nutrition, vitamin supplementation and socioeconomic status on infants birth weight in Kuwait. The weight of 1995 newborn Kuwaiti infants was recorded shortly after delivery. Data on mothers' bodyweight just before pregnancy, height, weight gain during pregnancy and vitamin intake were recorded. Mothers were interviewed to collect data in family income, educational level and employment during pregnancy. The results show that mean birth weight in Kuwait (3.50 Kg) compares favourably with any country. The birth weight was affected by several factors. Maternal body weight, height and weight gain during pregnancy were positively correlated with birth weight. The results also show that the intake of vitamin supplement during pregnancy did not have a significant inference on birth weight. Obese mothers consuming a reducing diet delivered babies with birth weight slightly above normal. The results show that mothers from high income families had heavier babies when compared with a low income group. On the other hand, educated and employed mothers were more liable to have slightly smaller babies when compared with illiterate or unemployed mothers.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1991

The effect of a plants mixture extract on liver gluconeogenesis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

We have previously reported on plant mixture extract comprising of Nigella sativa, Myrrh, Gum Olibanum, Gum Asafoetida and Aloe to have a blood glucose lowering effect. The present study with streptozotocin diabetic rats is focussed on the mechanism of action, specifically on a) hepatic gluconeogenesis b) activity of key gluconeogenic enzymes, pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Similar studies using a biguanide, phenformin, have been conducted to compare the mode of action of these two compounds. The blood glucose levels (mean +/- SEM) before and after treatment with the plants extract were (16.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/L and 8.5 +/- 1.3 mmol/L) and with phenformin (15.1 +/- 1.3 mmol/L and 10.7 +/- 1.5 mmol/L). The rate of gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes as well as activity of PC and PEPCK in liver homogenates is significantly lowered following treatment with the plants extract. Although phenformin also lowers blood glucose, it does not affect hepatic gluconeogenesis under stated experimental conditions. It is concluded that the anti-diabetic action of the plants extract may, at least partly, be mediated through decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis. The extract may prove to be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Expatriate maids and food patterns in Kuwait.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the maid and her nationality on infant feeding patterns, nutritional status of mothers and food pattern in Kuwait. A multistage stratified sample of 2004 Kuwaiti families was taken to represent all districts in Kuwait. Mothers were interviewed to collect data on infant feeding patterns, types of foods presented daily and the nutritional status of the mother was assessed. When there was no maid, 65.3% of the infants were breast fed, such rate declined to 55.1% when a maid was employed. The duration of breast feeding was prolonged from 5.43 months in the presence of a maid to 7.29 months in her absence. Obesity was more prevalent among mothers (44.7%) when a maid was employed and decreased when they received no help (35.4%). The results show that traditional dishes are presented for lunch which is the major meal of the day. Food items presented for breakfast or dinner are more diversified. Hamburger, fried potato, macaroni and fried chicken have become popular dishes in Kuwait. The types of food presented were significantly associated with the nationality of the maid.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1989

Overweight and obesity in Kuwait.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult females. A multistage stratified sample of 2999 adult females was examined. 52.5% were found to be overweight (10-20% above reference weight tables) and 42% obese (more than 20% above reference standards). The numbers increased with age. There were fewer obese and more overweight the higher the standard of education, with a similar pattern with the husbands' standard of education. Obesity was more prevalent (46.8%) in non-working women, 36.8% among those in management and 32.9% among those in technical work, while the corresponding figures for those overweight were 47.7%, 56.9% and 62.2%. The prevalence of obesity increased with family size while that of overweight fell. A similar pattern was found with the number of children. Family income was inversely related to the prevalence of obesity and positively related to overweight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Infant feeding pattern and weaning practices in Kuwait.

A survey was carried out to investigate infant feeding pattern and weaning practices in Kuwait. The study covered 2833 mothers of children less than three years old. The results showed that 60.6% of the infants were breast-fed, 14.0% were bottle-fed and 25.4% received mixed feeding. The mean duration of breast feeding was 5.8 months and varied from 9.5 to 4.3 months among illiterate and educated mothers respectively. The results also showed that older mothers were more likely to breast-feed their infants for a longer duration. On the contrary, mothers from high-income families were less likely to practise breast-feeding. In addition, the study revealed that 37.4% of the infants were weaned suddenly; the reasons for weaning were stated as: insufficient milk (30.7%), new pregnancy (14.7%), infant reaching weaning age (12.3%), mothers' sickness (12.0%), infant refusal (10.6%) and mothers' desire (6.6%).

Adolescent↗