Malnutrition is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis, increasing morbidity and mortality. Limited data exist regarding the nutritional status of Sudanese hemodialysis patients. To assess protein–energy malnutrition (PEM/PEW) in hemodialysis patients at Kassala Kidney Center using biochemical and anthropometric markers. This case-control study included 140 participants (70 hemodialysis patients, 70 healthy controls). Blood samples were analyzed for albumin, total protein, hemoglobin, calcium, creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16, with independent t-tests; P<0.05 was considered significant. Hemodialysis patients had significantly lower BMI, albumin, total protein, hemoglobin, and calcium compared to controls (P<0.0001), while urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium were significantly elevated (P<0.0001). Based on BMI and albumin, 40% of patients were malnourished. Albumin correlated positively with BMI (r=0.707, P<0.0001) and hemoglobin (r=0.561, P<0.0001). Malnutrition is prevalent among Sudanese hemodialysis patients. Routine nutritional assessment, dietary counseling, and monitoring of biochemical markers are essential to improve patient outcomes.

Background: Etoposide is a popular chemotherapeutic agent that causes a massive oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity effect in male patients. Objective: Examined the protective properties of cinnamon alcoholic extract (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) to etoposide-induced testicular damage in male Wistar rats. Methodology: Forty adult male rats were randomly separated into four groups namely control, cinnamon extract, etoposide extract, and etoposide extract combined with cinnamon extract. The parameters of the hormones studied were testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testicular tissue histology, and molecular evidence of oxidative stress. Results: Findings revealed that cinnamon extract had an important ameliorative effect against etoposide induced hormonal imbalances, maintained testicular histoarchitecture, mitigated oxidative stress indicators as well as augmented antioxidant enzyme functions. Such findings imply cinnamon alcoholic extract has strong antioxidant and protective effect on chemotherapy-induced reproductive toxicity, and can be used as a potential therapy to preserve male fertility during cancer therapy. Conclusion: The alcoholic extract of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) offers great protection against the etoposide induced testicular damage in the male Wistar rats through intensive antioxidant action. These results propose cinnamon extract as a promising, safe adjuvant treatment in preserving male fertility in cases of chemotherapy.