ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate the role of beta carotene on histomorphology of rat kidneys in subacute Acetaminophen [APAP]-induced renal damage. Lab based randomized control trial. The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy Army Medical College, I Rawalpindi; in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad for one week in June 2009. Sixty young adult [4-6 weeks old] Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes weighing 180-240 g were randomized into three groups. Experimental group A was treated with 700 mg/kg body weight subacute APAP orally once daily for 7'consecutive days. Experimental group B was administered beta carotene 30 mg/kg body weight once daily one hour before 700 mg/kg body weight subacute APAP once daily for 7 consecutive days. Control group C animals were fed NIH laboratory diet. Kidney specimens were collected 24 hours after the last dose. Five micron thick sections of kidney were stained with H and E for histomorphological study. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to describe the variables p values less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Microscopic examination in experimental group A demonstrated tubular necrosis of level 2 [35% animals] and level 3 [65% animals]. Mild vacuolar degeneration was also observed in 90% of the experimental group A animals. In experimental group B, there was statistically significant difference p-value < 0.001 in levels of renal tubular necrosis [15% animals] and grades of vacuolar degeneration [5% animals] as compared to experimental group A. Findings in experimental group B were not significantly different from that of control group C. Beta carotene has protective role on histomorphology of kidneys in subacute APAP-induced renal damage in rats
ABSTRACT
Several non-invasive markers are being used to assess the structural liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C [CHC]. We evaluated Aspartate aminotransferase [AST] to platelet ratio index [APRI] in comparison with Metavir scoring for assessing the severity of hepatic fibrosis in the CHC patients in district Rawalpindi. One hundred twenty CHC patients, naive for HCV treatment, underwent liver biopsy in tertiary care hospitals of district Rawalpindi, participated in the study. Liver biopsies were reviewed by Metavir scoring system. Serum AST was analyzed by IFCC method. Platelets were measured on a haematology Analyzer. Patients with mild fibrosis [F0, F1] were differentiated from significant fibrosis [F2, F3, F4] and those with mild/moderate fibrosis [F0, F1, F2] from advanced fibrosis [F3, F4] based on APRI score as compared to liver biopsy. Liver biopsies examination revealed that out of 120 patients 10 [8.3%] had no fibrosis [F0], 46 [38%] portal fibrosis [F1], 34 [28%] septal fibrosis [F2], 21 [18%] bridging fibrosis [F3] and 9 [8%] cirrhosis [F4]. APRI correctly classified 58 [48%] patients of significant fibrosis with AUC=0.82 [95% CI, 0.73-0.88] at cut-off 0.5 and 1.5 with negative predictive value [NPV], Positive predictive value [PPV], sensitivity and specificity of 78%, 72%, 66%, 83% and 58%, 90%, 41% and 90% respectively. Eighty-seven [66%] CHC patients were correctly classified for advanced fibrosis with AUC=0.87[95%CI 0.79-0.94] at cutoffs 0.90 and 1.75 with a 95%NPV at 0.90 and 78% PPV at 1.75. APRI could correctly identify significant fibrosis in 48% and advanced fibrosis in 66% cases with acceptable degree of diagnostic accuracy in CHC patients in our clinical practice