Effect of antimalarial drugs and malaria infection on oxidative stress in pregnant women

This work studied the effect of malaria infection and antimalarial drugs on oxidative stress in 259 pregnant and non-pregnant women at Ade-Oyo hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring serum lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels using spectrophotometer. The results showed that mean lipid peroxidation was significantly higher (p<0.05) in malaria positive than malaria negative women, while GSH and ascorbic acid levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. The parasite density was significantly reduced in patients who had taken antimalarial drugs relative to those without. While mean ascorbic acid and GSH levels were significantly reduced in those who had taken drugs as compared with those without drugs, the lipid peroxidation level was significantly higher in them. The increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in GSH and ascorbic acid levels in women who were malaria positive and in those who had taken drugs is indicative of oxidative stress. (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 209-212)

The Effect of Sympathomimetic Medication on Cardiovascular Functioning of Children with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder : Cardiovascular Topic

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sympathomimetic medication on the cardiovascular system of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods : Cardiovascular functioning of children with ADHD (n = 19) was tested while the children were stimulant free and during a period in which they were on stimulant medication. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained by means of a Schiller CardioLaptop AT-110 ECG recorder using the standard 12-lead cable positioning for a resting ECG. Blood pressure was measured by means of a stethoscope and mercury sphygmomanometer. Results : The main findings of this study were that methylphenidate usage is associated with increases in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP); and that it does not adversely affect HR-corrected QT and JT intervals or cardiac dispersion values. Conclusion : Methylphenidate causes an increase in HR as well as increases in both systolic and diastolic BP; but no change in cardiac depolarisation and repolarisation duration or homogeneity

Ultrastructural Changes in Ascaris Suum after Oxibendazole Treatment

The effect of oxibendazole treatment on adult Ascaris suum was assessed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The changes included collapse of the lip papillae; rupture of buccal cavity cuticle; prolapse of the pharynx; degeneration of epithelial cells and erosion of microvilli. Theses changes may lead to impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients and cause cellular autolysis; resulting in the death of the worm