ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the role of ghrelin in stimulating leukopoiesis of myelosuppressed rats by stimulating growth hormone release
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted at Department of Physiology, Foundation University Medical College, in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from February 2013 to June 2014
Material and Methods: Out of 130 Sprague-Dawley rats, 10 were used for baseline sampling and rest was randomly divided into four groups. Group I received ghrelin only while group II and III were administered intraperitoneally with both carboplatin and 5-flurouracil with and without rat ghrelin. Group IV in addition to chemotherapy and ghrelin received growth hormone releasing hormone antagonist [GHRH antagonist]. Total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count and growth hormone levels were measured on day 7 and 14
Results: The fall in leukocyte count of chemotherapy and ghrelin group on day 7 was less as compared to the chemotherapy-only treated group and chemotherapy, ghrelin and growth hormone releasing hormone antagonist treated group [p<0.05]. Further decreases were also prevented in the chemotherapy and ghrelin group. The serum growth hormone levels in chemotherapy and ghrelin treated group were higher as compared to the chemotherapy and chemotherapy, ghrel in, GHRH antagonist treated group [p< 0.05]
Conclusion: Enhanced leukopoiesis in ghrelin treated myelosuppressed rats as compared to the chemotherapy group [p<0.05] suggest role of ghrelin in enhancing leukopoiesis. While the failure of enhanced leukopoiesis and growth hormone level to rise in chemotherapy, ghrelin and GHRH antagonist treated group suggested the possibility of growth hormone as possible mediator of ghrelin in leucopoiesis
ABSTRACT
To see the radiographic cervical spine damage in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis [PJIA] coming to a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted in department of Rheumatology at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences from Jun 2013 to Dec 2013. A total of 50 patients of PJIA coming to Rheumatology Outpatient Department were recruited in the study after informed consent. Radiographs of cervical spine were performed for each patient in antero-posterior, lateral with flexion and extension and open-mouth views. Radiographs were reviewed for the following features: loss of cervical lordosis, odontoid process erosion, anterior atlantoaxial subluxation, C1-C2 arthritis, atlantoaxial impaction, inflammation of disc, apophyseal joint arthritis, anterior ankylosis, apophyseal joint ankylosis, anterior and posterior subaxial subluxation and growth disturbances. Data was analysed using SPSS version 18. Out of the total 50 patients, 28 [56%] were females while 22 [44%] were males. The mean duration of pJIA was 5.54 +/- 3.28 years. Radiological cervical spine involvement was seen in 52% patients. The most common structural lesions were anterior atlantoaxial subluxation [30%], C1-C2 arthritis [22%] erosion of the odontoid process [18%], and apophyseal joint arthritis [16%]. Loss of cervical lordosis was found in 7 [14%] patients. There was no growth disturbances observed in vertebra. Cervical spine involvement is common in patients of PJIA. It is mostly asymptomatic, so routine cervical spine radiographs in all patients suffering from PJIA is recommended