Effects of the converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril on the metabolic abnormalities associated with Theophylline intoxication

The effects of enalapril administration in a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight on the metabolic abnormalities associated with theophylline acute intoxication and overmedication was studied in rats. The results showed that single dose administration of enalapril had provided a partial protection against acute theophylline-induced metabolic effect. A lesser changes were occurred in all measurable variables in the combined treatment group of animals. Repeated enalapril dosages were capable to prevent the development of such metabolic abnormalities. It seems that repeated enalapril administration could be beneficial in preventing the metabolic abnormalities associated with theophylline intoxication

Anti-Amebic drugs: reassessed

A study was conducted to reassess the effect of metronidazole or chloroquine administration on pancreatic and renal functions of the rats. Four groups of experimental animals each comprised from 30 rats were used in the study. They received oral doses of metronidazole [500 mg/kg], chloroquine [500 mg/kg], metronidazole [1000 mg/kg] and chloroquine [750 mg/kg], respectively. The results showed that high doses of metronidazole over extended periods of therapy can induce a potential toxic effect on the pancreas. Chloroquine in high doses has manifested a potential nephrotoxic effect. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pancreatic and renal effects of anti-amebic drugs and to study the possible mechanisms of such toxic actions

Comparative study on the protective effect of cimetidine and / or n-acetylcysteine on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

This study was conducted to evaluate the cytoprotective effect of cimetidine on paracetamol-induced hepatic toxicity, and to detect any additive protective action when cimetidine and N-acetylcysteine are used together. The study was conducted on 10 groups of albino rats. The animals received paracetamol in a dose of 500 mg/kg b. wt., cimetidine in a dose of 150 mg/kg b. wt., and/or N-acetylcysteine in a dose of 1 g/kg b. wt. Changes in the activities of aspartate and alanine transaminases were measured and pathological changes in hepatic sections were recoreded. The study showed that, cimetidine has a protective action against paracetamol hepatotoxicity was effective as the protective effect of N-acetylcysteine. No potentiating effects were recorded when cimetidine and N- acetylcysteine are used together

Enzymatic and metabolic alterations as an early predictor of a potential piroxicam-induced hepatorenal toxicity: a possible protective role for the calcium antagonist diltiazem

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of piroxicam administration on the enzymatic and the metabolic functions of the liver and kidneys in order to evaluate the effect of diltiazem administration on any piroxicam-induced hepatorenal toxic events. 120 rats were used in the study. They were divided into 4 major groups of 30 rats each. Piroxicam was given orally in a dose of 10 mg/kg [group 1] and diltiazem was given in a dose of 50 mg/kg [group 2]. Group 3 received a combination of both drugs and group 4 served as controls. The data obtained revealed that, piroxicam can induce hepatic and/or renal toxic effects on repeated administration and diltiazem may be able to protect against such toxic events if used with piroxicam in medical treatment of patients

Descriptive epidemiology of medicolegal cases investigated in a small town: one year study

An epidemiological study was conducted on all medicolegal cases referred to the Forensic Center of Mecca area during a one year period. During this period there was 136 dead cases, 17 living cases, 7 referrals of body remains and 23 cases of evidence examination. The study showed that, the age incidence of the majority of cases was above 50 years. It showed also that, homicidal tendencies [fire arm, stab wounds and handing] were the main prevalent attitudes among males. The suicidal tendencies prevailed among females. The study showed also that, the autopsy rate was low representing only 11.76% of total deaths. The study attributed this low incidence to the type of deaths, the Islamic beliefs and the lack of specialized complementary services. It is recommended that, histochemistry of tissues should be used in postmortem examination of dead bodies

Bacterial isolates and efficacy of antibiotics in acute otitis media in children

This research was done for study of bacterial isolates and efficacy of the antibiotics, amoxicillin, calvulanate amoxicillin and cefaclor, in AOM in children. 148 children with AOM were randomly assigned to receive a 10 day course of either treatment regimen. Aspiration of middle ear fluid for culture was done initially and repeated during treatment if fluid persisted. Bacterial isolates in initial aspirates were S. pneumonia [42%], H. influenzae[34%], S. pyogenes [9%], B. catarrhalis[6%], Staph. Aureus [5%] and nonpathogens [7%]. Isolated main strains were susceptible to the study antibiotics except 24% of isolates of H. influenzae, 67% of B. catarrhalis and 71% of Staph. Aureus were resistant to amoxicillin. Clinical responses were assessed at 3 and 10 days and 4 weeks later. On day 10 patients were either cured or unresolved with either drainage or persistent effusion. The cure rates were 71% for amoxicillin, 88% for clavulanate amoxicillin and 81% for cefaclor. However, the differences are not statistically significant. Recurrences during 4 weeks after treatment occurred in 15 children, 7 in amoxicillin, 3 antibiotics. While, in those with H. influenzae, cure rates were 60% for amoxicillin and 76% for cefaclor. Favorable clinical results were obtained with clavulanate amoxicillin and cefaclor as compared with amoxicillin, mainly in cases with H, Influenzae, B. catarrhalis and Staph. Aureus. This relates to amoxicillin resistant strains. Therefore, it would be prudent to consider them in the event of treatment failure and persistent effusion after amoxyclillin treatment or as initial therapy

Antibiotic concentrations in middle ear effusions

Concentrations of amoxicillin, clavulanate amoxicillin and cefaclor, were determined in middle ear fluid in 106 children with otitis media with effusion after the administration of single oral dose. One to four hours after administration, tympanocentesis was done and middle ear fluid and venous blood specimens were obtained. Concentrations of antibiotic in both specimens were determined with microbiological assays by disk diffusion method. The peak concentrations of amoxicillin and clavulanate amoxicillin in middle ear fluid were detected three hours after administration and one hour after their peak in serum, while that of cefaclor was detected after one hour and simultaneously with its peak in serum. Both clavulanate amoxicillin and cefaclor penetrated readily into middle ear fluid in concentrations greater than minimal inhibitory concentration for S. pneumonia, amoxicillin sensitive and resistant H. influenzae and S. pyogenes. Amoxycillin penetrated in concentrations greater than MICS for these pathogens except for resistant H. influenzae. So clavulanate amoxicillin or cefaclor can be considered either as reasonazble choice to amoxicillin for treatment of acute otitis media or as alternative antibiotics for treatment failure with amoxicillin due to resistant strains of H. influenzae