Effect of lithium on serum glucose and lipids in rats

The purpose of the present work was to investigate the proposed insulin like effect of lithium. The study was done on 22 albino rats chloride [20 mg/kg body weight] for 6 days, serum glucose and total lipids were estimated half an hour after the last injection. Seven rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of lithium and serum glucose was estimated two hours later. Nine rats served as controls for serum glucose and lipid levels. Serum glucose level was significantly increased in the experimental group half an hour after the last injection [6 rats for 6 days lithium treatment]. Lithium treatment for 6 days induced a significant reduction in total serum lipids. There was a significant reduction in total serum lipids. There was a significant reduction in serum glucose level measured in rats treated once by lithium at 2 hours after injection

Effect of verapamil and propranolol on serum lipids and lipoproteins in rats

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of two antihypertensive drugs verapamil [Ca-channel blocker] and propranolol [B-adrenergic blocker] on serum glucose, lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study was carried on thirty male albino rats [200-250 g weight]. Seven rats received daily intramuscular injection of verapamil in a therapeutic dose of 7 mg/kg body weight for three days [group I]. Seven rats were injected daily with propranolol intramuscularly in a therapeutic dose of 3 mg/kg body weight for three days [group II]. Six rats were injected daily with propranolol intramuscularly [3 mg/kg body weight] for five days [group III]. Ten rats served controls [group IV]. There was insignificant change in serum glucose, lipids, and lipoprotein cholestrol levels in rats that received propranolol and verapamil for three days. Rats that received propranolol for five days showed significant reduction in serum glucose, significant increase in serum triglycerides level and significant secrease in serum high-density lipoprotein cholestrol level

Effect of cadmium on sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase activity of rabbit kidney homogenate

Cadmium toxicity is alleged to induce sodium retention and hypertension. The possibility of activation of renal Na+ - K+ - ATPase adenosine triphosphatase by cadmium was proposed, and was the objective of this study. Seventeen male rabbits were used. Ten rabbits received daily intramuscular injection of cadmium chloride in a pressor dose for one month. Seven rabbits were used as controls. The activity of Na+ - K+ - ATPase of kidney homogenate as well as serum Na and K were estimated. Cadmium administration induced a significant increase in the renal Na+K+ - ATPase activity and an increase in serum sodium level. This study supports the hypothesis that cadmium-induced hypertension could be through sodium retention consequent to active tubular sodium reabsorption

Study of the effects of atrial extract on some renal functions in the rats

Atriopeptin, a cardiac hormone discovered in the last few years, seems to be involved in the regulation of renal and cardiovascular homeostasis. It is stored in the atrial cardiocytes and capable of exerting potent, selective and transient effects on fluid and electrolyte balance and on blood pressure. Plasma level of atriopeptin [ANP] rises in cases of extracellular fluid expansion, hypertension, atrial tachycardia, congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure and high salt diets. Extracts of rat atrial myocardium have been reported to induce substantial natriuresis. In this work, the effect of rat atrial extract on some renal functions was studied on albino rats in normovolemic and volume expanded conditions. It demonstrated an increase in the glomerular filtration rate, significant diuresis and natriuresis. The renal response to atrial extracts injection was dependent upon the pre- existing fluid volume state of the animals since it showed higher changes in the hypervolemia than in the normovolemic rats. Atriopeptins can provide new insights into physiologic and therapeutic processes. It may have a unique role as a therapeutic agent, especially in critical cases undergoing parenteral therapy e.g. chronic renal failure and congestive heart failure

Effect of obesity on respiratory functions

The present study included thirty obese subjects and ten controls. The obese subjects were classified into three groups of mild, moderate and severe obesity. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the abnormalities in respiratory functions, flow rates and arterial blood gases as a consequence of obesity. All patients of the three obese groups exhibited marked reduction in ERV, VC, MVV, FEV, PEF, MEFR and MMFR. This denotes that there is no correlation between the degree of obesity and pulmonary complications. PaO2 and PaCO2 were within normal in all three obese groups denoting increased efficiency of inspiratory muscles to keep minute ventilation within normal

Study of the effect of atrial extract on sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase activity of rat kidney

This study was carried out on 19 albino rats. Seven rats were infused with atrial extract and 12 rats were used as controls. 0.5 ml of the extract was infused intravenously, 20 minutes later blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture under light either anesthesia, animals were then sacrificed and the kidneys were removed. Na+K+ ATPase activity was estimated in kidney homogenates. Results showed a reduction in the Na+K+ ATPase activity with a parallel decrease in serum sodium levels, in the group infused with atrial extract as compared to control values

Study of the effect of prednisolone on normal human spermatogenesis

The effect of the sdministration of prednisolone in daily doses of 15 mg or 30 mg for one week on normal human spermatogensis and on level metals in seminal plasma was studied. Results showed significant reduction in sperm count and significant increase in copper level after the administration of 30 mg. Prednisolone/day for one week. There was no effect after the administration of prednisolone in a dose of 15 mg/day for one week. Results were discussed

Effects of a calcium-channel blocker verapamil on pulmonary obstructive dysfunction in asthmatic patients before and after exercise

This work was done on males and females suffering from asthma. Its aim was to study the effects of the calcium-channel blocker "verapamil" on the obstructive pulmonary dysfunction in asthmatic patients before and after exercise. A standarised exercise test, in the form of bicycle ergometry of 50 watt for 5 minutes work load was done on every patient twice. In the first sitting no medication had been given before exercise. While in the second sitting 80 mg of marapamil has been given orally one hour before the exercise. Improvement was noticed after varapamil in FVC, FEV[1], FEV[3], MEFR, MVV, PaO[2], PaCO[2] and PH

correlative study of changes of plasma calcium and Q-T interval during acute non complicated transmural myocardial infarction

Twenty patients and ten healthy persons were the candidates of this study. Patients were selected to have recent non-complicated transmural myocardial infarction. The aim of the present work was to define the Q-T interval changes and also changes in plasma calcium during the acute infarction. Results showed significant prolongation of Q-T interval of patients compared to controls from the first day post infarction up to the fifth day with maximal prolongation in the third day. Patients showed significant fall in plasma calcium and albumin. When a correcting factor was applied to convert the measured calcium to the values that would be expected at a fixed albumin concentration it showed insignificant hypocalcemia

Variations in zinc content of seminal plasma from fertile and sub-fertile men

Zinc concentration in the seminal plasma from 27 subfertile [less than 10 million sperms/ml] patients and 9 fertile [more than 60 millions sperms/ml] subjects was estimated by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed a significant reduction in the zinc concentration in subfertile group as compared to the control group. Low levels of seminal plasma zinc concentration have been explained by a poor secretory function of the prostate gland, also nutritional causes may be considered to be responsible for reduced zinc content in semen