A comparative study of Iraqi crude oil taken from the Nasiriyah refinery with various local and global crude oils.

In the present work, was evaluated and compared some physicochemical properties of crude oil which is obtained from Nasiriyah refinery in south of Iraq with some physicochemical properties of various local and global of crude oils. Many methods were used in this study to evaluate some chemical content as sodium ,potassium ,calcium, magnesium, vanadium,Iron, copper, lead and nickel in samples of  Iraqi Oil in Nasiriya Refinery , as well as some physical properties included color , density, Ash content wt%, carbon residue wt% , water, salt , Sulfur content % wt, Heat of combustion Kcal/Kg , Thermal conductivity, Specific heat and Latent heat of vaporization were determinate . Also in this study viscosity were measured with different temperatures to observe the effect of temperature on oil viscosity. Range concentration of metals can be cleared by the series Ca > Na > Mg> V > Ni > K > Fe>  Pb > Cu. The present study has shown that high levels of metals ions in oil refinery whereas the physical properties were closed to previous findings conducted on a crude oil in Iraq and other countries. The study recommended to possible using of high levels of heavy metals in oil in scientific and industrial purposes as well as removal these metals contribute in reducing of contaminations problems

A comparative study of Iraqi crude oil taken from the Nasiriyah refinery with various local and global crude oils.

In the present work, was evaluated and compared some physicochemical properties of crude oil which is obtained from Nasiriyah refinery in south of Iraq with some physicochemical properties of various local and global of crude oils. Many methods were used in this study to evaluate some chemical content as sodium ,potassium ,calcium, magnesium, vanadium,Iron, copper, lead and nickel in samples of  Iraqi Oil in Nasiriya Refinery , as well as some physical properties included color , density, Ash content wt%, carbon residue wt% , water, salt , Sulfur content % wt, Heat of combustion Kcal/Kg , Thermal conductivity, Specific heat and Latent heat of vaporization were determinate . Also in this study viscosity were measured with different temperatures to observe the effect of temperature on oil viscosity. Range concentration of metals can be cleared by the series Ca > Na > Mg> V > Ni > K > Fe>  Pb > Cu. The present study has shown that high levels of metals ions in oil refinery whereas the physical properties were closed to previous findings conducted on a crude oil in Iraq and other countries. The study recommended to possible using of high levels of heavy metals in oil in scientific and industrial purposes as well as removal these metals contribute in reducing of contaminations problems

Changes to the Haematological Parameters of Rat Offspring Born From High Fat High Carbohydrate (HFHC) Diet-Induced Prediabetic and Preeclamptic Sprague Dawley Rats: Assessing the Effects on Selected Haematological Markers

Nombuso Xulu,1 Ayanda Nkosi,1 Andile Khathi,1 Ntethelelo H Sibiya,2 Phikelelani S Ngubane1 1Schools of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; 2Pharmacology Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South AfricaCorrespondence: Nombuso Xulu, Email [email protected]: Infants delivered from preeclamptic pregnancies frequently exhibit developmental programming which leads to foetal growth restriction and foetal haematological abnormalities. Diabetes is recognised as a predisposing factor for preeclampsia (PE). Hyperglycaemia, a characteristic feature of pregestational type 2 diabetes, has been associated with the pathogenesis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a condition associated with disrupted foetal haematological pathways. Prediabetes pre-empts the onset of type 2 diabetes and is characterised by moderately elevated blood glucose levels, which have been shown in prediabetic models to induce erythrocyte dysfunction. However, the precise relationship between prediabetes and the development of preeclampsia or associated foetal complications remains to be fully elucidated. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate prediabetes as a risk factor for preeclampsia and its effects on selected haematological markers in Sprague Dawley rat pups.Methods and Materials: Male and female pups born from normal, L-NAME preeclamptic and HFHC diet-induced prediabetic dams were immediately collected and weighed. The pups were then carefully returned to the dams for further development. On day 21, the pups were weaned and separated into males and females. Thereafter, the pups were sacrificed using a guillotine and blood and plasma was collected for haematological and biochemical analysis.Results: Pups born from prediabetic and preeclamptic dams exhibited significantly lower birth weights than those born from normal pregnancies. Moreover, pups born from prediabetic and preeclamptic dams exhibited dysregulation of red blood cell (RBC) count, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), erythropoietin (EPO) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations compared to those delivered from normal dams.Conclusion: These findings suggest prediabetes caused dysregulation of haematological parameters in offspring and may be a predisposing factor for the development of preeclampsia in pregnancy. Therefore, strict monitoring of prediabetes during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia and resultant foetal morbidity and mortality.Keywords: pregestational diabetes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, haematological parameter

The Haematological Effects of Oleanolic Acid in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: Effects on Selected Markers

Background. Sustained hyperglycaemia leads to the development of haematological alterations which, if left untreated, is associated with cardiovascular complications. Insulin is the mainstay drug in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D); however, the use of insulin is associated with haematological alterations that could further worsen cardiovascular complications. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the haematological effects of oleanolic acid (OA) in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. Methods. The animals were separated into five groups; the nondiabetic group (ND), the diabetic control group (DC), and the treatment groups of insulin (170 μg/kg, s.c), metformin (500 mg/kg, p.o), and OA (80 mg/kg, p.o). OA was administered orally twice a day. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed, and blood and tissues were collected for haematological, hormonal, and oxidative status analysis. Results. Untreated diabetic rats exhibited hyperglycaemia, elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), oxidative stress, and a reduced erythropoietin (EPO) concentration when compared to ND rats. However, administration of OA attenuated hyperglycaemia, HbA1c, and EPO concentrations compared to DC rats. The reduction of blood glucose concentration, HbA1c, and improved EPO concentrations was further associated with a notable increase in red blood cell (RBC) count and other RBC indices. We also observed an increase in the antioxidant status of the RBCs with a concomitant decrease in oxidative stress. Conclusion. These findings suggest that OA improves diabetes-induced haematological changes caused by hyperglycaemia and attenuates the progression of cardiovascular complications in DM individuals

Cardioprotective effects of a ruthenium (II) Schiff base complex in diet-induced prediabetic rats

Lindokuhle Patience Mabuza,1 Mlindeli Wilkinson Gamede,1 Sanam Maikoo,2 Irvin Noel Booysen,2 Phikelelani Siphosethu Ngubane,1 Andile Khathi1 1Department of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; 2Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agricultural, Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Background: Prediabetes and the onset of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are strongly related. Prolonged hyperglycemia has been identified as a major contributing factor in the pathogenesis of CVD and diabetic complications. The management of hyperglycemia and prediabetes-associated vascular complications rely on pharmacotherapy and lifestyle intervention strategies. However, patients still take the conventional drugs and neglect lifestyle intervention; therefore, newer alternative drugs are required. The synthesized ruthenium Schiff base complex has been shown to have elevated biological and antidiabetic activity. Thus, the research investigated the cardioprotective effects of ruthenium (II) Schiff base complex in diet-induced prediabetic (PD) rats. Materials and methods: The rats were randomly allocated to respective groups and treated for 12 weeks. Ruthenium (15 mg/kg) was administered to PD rats once a day every third day. Blood pressure and plasma glucose were monitored throughout the study. Blood and heart tissue were collected for biochemical assays. Results: Ruthenium complex with dietary intervention lead to reduced mean arterial blood pressure which correlated with a restored heart to body weight ratio. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in tissue malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase concentration in both the plasma and heart tissue. Furthermore, there was a decrease in plasma triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein with an increased high-density lipoprotein concentration in ruthenium-treated rats. This was further evidenced by reduced plasma tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and cardiac C-reactive protein concentrations in ruthenium-treated rats. Conclusion: Ruthenium coupled with dietary intervention decreased the risk of developing cardiac injury, thus preventing CVD in prediabetes. Therefore, this complex may be a beneficial therapeutic agent in the prevention of PD cardiovascular complications. Keywords: prediabetes, cardiovascular complications, ruthenium, dietary intervention, lipid profile, antioxidants, anti-inflammator