[Comparison of the toxic effects related to experimental induction of diabetes by Alloxam and Strepytozotocin in rats]

Both Alloxan and Streptozotocin [STZ] are selective substances used to induce experimental diabetes, because they have an important property to damage beta-cells that secrete insulin in Pancreas. But their use has some problems; they have toxic effects on important body organs and also cause some necrosis in tissue. The aim of this study was to clarify the best way of administration, so we examine the acute way which includes giving a single high dose of both the previous materials. Indeed, we also examine a gradual way that includes giving the substances in repeated low doses with intervals last for several days. We measured the changes of weight, the elevation in blood sugar and the mortality for both previous ways. Indeed, a histological study was performed for important body's organ following the administration of the mentioned materials in the gradual way. The findings indicated clearly that the gradual way for both Alloxan and STZ was more safe and effective than acute administration. STZ was best from Alloxan especially in the gradual way concerning the inducing of diabetes and the low mortality. According to these results we recommend to use STZ with the gradual way in the researches that require experimental diabetic animals

[Microscopical and chemical study of Al Qaesoum [Achillea falcata[L]]]

Medicinal plants are considered as a major source of the therapy to obtain new components which have activities in curing and protecting from various diseases. al Qaesoum [Achillea falcate from the family Asteraceae] is one of those plants which spread widely in Syria, and used in the folk medicine as a reducing agent of the blood sugar, so that our study aimed to investigate the microscopial fragments of the powdered flowers to distinguish it from other species which belong to the same genus, and to determine the major and the active ingredients which may form the reason behind this use. Our plant was gathered from Soga [in the countryside of Damascus]; microscopical study and chemical investigation were done. The flowers [the used part] contain sugars in addition to fatty acids, and a high percentage of some metals in addition to alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids [such as quercetin] and tannins

Evaluation of the effects of rofecoxib and nitric oxide-releasing aspirin on stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats

The study was conducted to investigate possible mechanisms of the protective actions of rofecoxib [a selective COX-2 inhibitor] and nitric oxide-releasing aspirin [NO-aspirin] against experimentally induced gastric lesions in rats. The rats were randomly assigned to vehicle [carboxymethylcellulose], rofecoxib [5 mg/Kg] and NO-aspirin [55mg/Kg]-pretreated groups, in addition to the non-stressed control group. Gastric lesions were induced by exposing the rats to 3 hrs cold restraint stress [CRS] and ulcer indices were determined. Gastric juice parameters [pH, free and total acid output, mucin and pepsin concentrations] were determined. The stomachs were used for determination of gastric mucosal level of lipid peroxides as well as total nitrites. Results showed that both rofecoxib and NO-aspirin displayed protective effects against lesions formation. Pretreatment with both drugs significantly lowered gastric acid secretion, mucin and pepsin concentrations as well as mucosal levels of lipid peroxides and total nitrites compared to CRS rats. This protection was possibly mediated through lowering of gastric juice acid secretion and proteolytic activity and increasing mucin concentration as well as free radical scavenging and reduction of the detrimental increase of nitric oxide during CRS

Sensorineural hearing loss following radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A prospective study

This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of radical external irradiation on hearing function after treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Twenty-eight patients [52 ears] were included in the study. Pure tone audiogram was performed before and one year after completion of the radiotherapy course. The results revealed a deterioration of bone conduction threshold at 4 kHz in eight ears. Patients older than 50 years and ears with bone conduction threshold >10 dB at 4 kHz before radiotherapy were more vulnerable

Alterations of the red blood cels charge children with nephrotic syndrome

Portal vein thrombosis [PVT] is characterized by obscure obstruction of the portal vein somewhere along its course between the hilum of spleen and portahepatis though hypercoagulable states are implicated in the causation of PVT, the etiology remains unknown in most cases. Anticardioitpin antibodies [aCL] are autoantibodies, whose presence is a known cause of hypercoagulable state. In view of the strong association if aCL with thrombosis, we estimated the levels of aCL-JgG and IgM in 25 children suffering from PVT with age ranged from 3.5 to 12.0 years with the mean +/- SD6.9 +/- 2,7 to evaluate the role of aCL in the pathogenesis and causation of PVT. An indirect ELISA technique was used for the assay. Values exceeding the mean +/- 2SD [cut-off value] of healthy controls were taken as abnormal. The study revealed that the levels of aCL, specially the IgG were significantly elevated [p<0.01] in patients with PVT in comparison to the control group [the mean values and SD were 12.94 +/- 6.56 versus 6.75 +/- 2.19 GPLU/ml] while there was a mild non-significant increase of aCL-IgM than the control [the mean values +/- SD were 1.60 +/- 2.25 versus 1.05 +/- 0.66 MPL U/ml] [p>0.05]. Also the levels of aCL-IgG were above the cut-off value of the normal control in 13 patients [52%]. We found significant thrombocytopenia in children with PVT, the mean value +/- SD was 114.36 +/- 89, 39 thousand/cmm, while that of the control was 240.1+45.47 thousand/cmm. In conclusion, aCL may have a role in the pathogenesis and causation of PVT, and it should be included in the investigation list of causes of PVT in children, as these patients may get benefit from the long-term use of anticoagulants

Tamoxifen induced hypercalcaemia: a case report

The present case demonstrates the important of close observation of patients with cancer metastatic to bone, newly started on endocrine therapy. Nonspecific symptoms should alert the physician to the possibility of hypercalcaemia. The serum calcium is better monitored regularly during the first 2 weeks of tamoxifen therapy, especially in patients with renal impairment. Volume repletion with normal saline is the most important initial treatment for hypercalcaemia. Patients with serum calcium levels above 3.25 m mol/1 [13 mg/dl] required additional intravenous bisphosphonate treatment. Oral bisphosphonate given for two weeks may prevent possible recurrence of hyperercalcaemia when tamoxifen therapy is reinstitkuted

Early cardiac effects of radiotherapy following radial mastectomy in patients with carcinoma of the left breast

Nineteen patients with left breast cancer, who had no risk factors for coronary artery disease, underwent radical mastectomy followed by radiotherapy. Every patient received 50 Gy delivered to an inverted L-shaped field, from a cobalt-60 source. After radiotherapy, patients were followed for cardiac complications over an average observation period of 19.7 months. Of the 19 patients, five [26%] developed effusive pericarditis without cardiac tamponade. Echocardiography was superior to clinical examination and chest radiography for the detection and follow-up of pericardial effusions. Other cardiac complications reported to follow radiation injury to the heart were not observed and probably represent late effects of radiotherapy. In conclusion, patients with left breast cancer, especially those who have additional risk factors for coronary disease, may be at an increased risk of cardiac complications following radiotherapy. Suggestions for regular follow-up cardiac evaluation and irradiation treatment are discussed