Objectives: Tobacco use in all its forms represents a very well-known preventable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Alteration of plasma lipids levels is one of the mechanisms by which it causes CVD. In addition, there are controversial reports linking tobacco use with diabetes. This case-control study is aiming to investigate the interrelationship between tobacco use and BMI, lipid profile, and plasma glucose in Libyans residing in Tripoli region. Methods: The study was conducted on 200 healthy male subjects, including, 50 non-smokers aged 40.98±8.07, 50 cigarette smokers aged 41.32±7.39, 50 water-pipe users aged 42.04±7.39, and 50 snuff inhalers aged 39.36±7.00. BMI was estimated as (kg/m 2), lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose were estimated in triplicate by enzymatic colorimetric method and expressed as (mg/dL). Results: Our results showed that BMI is significantly higher in tobacco users than non-smokers (P 0.0001). Total cholesterol and triacylglycerols are significantly higher in tobacco users (P 0.0001). HDL is significantly higher in non-smokers (P 0.0001). LDL not affected by tobacco use (P 0.32). Fasting plasma glucose significantly higher in tobacco users (P 0.0001). Conclusions: In conclusion, tobacco use affects the BMI, lipid profile, and glucose which are components of the metabolic syndrome in the Libyan males population. arabic 31 English 133
H Alemam, Abdulla Bashein, (1-2015)

GLUT4 translocation in response to insulin involves the PI3K/Akt pathway and IR mediated phosphorylation of CAP (SORBS1), and formation of the CAP:Cbl. These pathways act in a coordinated manner to regulate glucose, lipid and protein metabolism. In previous studies, T228A polymorphism of SORBS1 gene has been shown to be a protective factor for obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), polycystic ovary (PCOs), and lacunars infarction. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between this polymorphism and T2DM, gestational diabetes (GDM), and obesity. Methods: Genotyping was achieved by PCR-RELP in 227 individuals chosen randomly from the out patient’s clinics of Al-Jala maternity hospital of Tripoli and Gharian hospital, including: 63 T2DM patients, 59 GDM patients, 57 obese, 47 healthy control individuals from Libyan pregnant women population (North-West Region). Results: The results revealed that this polymorphism has no association with T2DM, GDM, and obesity in comparison with the control sample. Conclusion: T228A polymorphism of SORBS1 gene is not associated with the pathological conditions studied. arabic 15 English 98
Abdulla Bashein(1-2013)

Exposure to chemicals has been shown to adversely affect CNS health in rodents and humans. The objective was to evaluate, in-vivo, the effects of trichloroethane (TCE), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, on the integrity of neural cells. A group of albino mice was injected intraperitoneally twice weekly for three weeks with TCE (100 and 400 µg/kg). Animals were followed up for signs of toxicity and death. Alterations in neural tissues have also been investigated by histopathology The results showed a large number of degenerative neural cells (pyknosis of nuclei, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation) in the 100 and 400 µg/kg TCE-treated groups comparing to controls. Although there were no significant effect on the neural cell counts, the pattern of increased degenerative cells in TCE-treated groups was higher compared to controls. The results also showed that TCE led to a significant increase in the percent of degenerative neurons. There was also a significant reduction in the percent of neurons. These results correlated with the increase in the percent of glia. This study indicates that TCE exposure had detrimental impact on neural cells, and that neurons are more vulnerable to TCE than glia in this in-vivo mouse model.
Mohamed A. Al-Griw, Naser M. Salama, Soad A. Treesh, Lubna N. Algadi, Abdul hakim Elnfati(7-2015)