Abioequivalence study on two closantel oral suspensions in sheep: an Iranian product [fascinil[registered sign]] versus flukiver[registered sign] as a reference product

Closantel is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent and is widely used for the control of Fasciola spp. and Haemonchus spp. infestations in sheep and cattle. The present study was carried out to evaluate the bioequivalence of a domestic closantel formulation, Fascinil[registered sign] [Damloran Pharmaceutical Co., Iran], in comparison with Flukiver[registered sign] [Janssen pharmaceutical Co., Belgium] in sheep. In a parallel design, twenty-eight male sheep, 4- 5 months of age, were randomly divided into two groups. First group received a single dose of Fascinil[registered sign] oral suspension as a test product at 10 mg/kg BW, and the second group received Flukiver[registered sign] as a reference product with the same dose. Blood samples were taken on 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 48, and 72 hours after drug administration, and the plasma concentrations of closantel were determined using a high performance liquid chromatographic [HPLC] method. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed; in addition, the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves at 0-72h [AUC0-72], maximum plasma concentrations [Cmax], and times to reach Cmax [Tmax] of the closantel in test and reference groups were compared. There were no significant differences in the AUC0-72 [2913.00 +/- 648.18, 2957.88 +/- 623.41 micro g.h/mL], Cmax [62.22 +/- 7.74, 71.71 +/- 13.03micro g /mL], and Tmax [23.38 +/- 4.27, 23.23 +/- 4.28h] between Fascinil[registered sign] and Flukiver[registered sign], respectively. The 90% confidence intervals for test: reference ratios of these pharmacokinetic [PK] parameters were within bioequivalence acceptable range [80-120%]. It is concluded that the test product [Fascinil[registered sign]] and Flukiver[registered sign] are bioequivalent, and they can be used as interchangeable anthelmintic drugs

[Evaluation of auditory brainstem responses [ABR] in healthy term infants with elevated bilirubin levels requiring exchange transfusion]

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal abnormality. Severe hyperbilirubinemia is a risk factor for auditory system injury. Auditory brainstem responses [ABR] are important in early diagnosis of hearing impairments in healthy term infants with elevated bilirubin levels requiring exchange transfusion. During a two-year-period [2007-2009], in a prospective descriptive analytical study, in Tehran Milad Hospital, 64 [32 female, 32 male], healthy term [>37 weeks] infants, who required treatment or were treated with phototherapy or received exchange transfusion for elevated bilirubin levels or jaundice, were studied. After obtaining a written consent from their parents, the infants were tested with auditory brain responses and results were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. No significant correlation was found between ABR and age, weight, bilirubin level or ABO blood group. Nineteen out of 64 infants received exchange transfusion. Three out of 19 infants [16%] exhibited abnormal ABR and 16 infants [84%] had normal ABR. There was no significant correlation between exchange transfusions and ABR [P>0.05]. The results pointed out that 14% of the infants with elevated bilirubin who required exchange transfusion had abnormal ABR. This indicates that elevated bilirubin levels even without inducing kernicterus should be considered as risk factors for hearing impairments. Further studies are needed on how long these tests may remain abnormal

Evaluation of auditory brainstem responses [ABR] in healthy term infants with elevated bilirubin levels requiring exchange transfusion

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal abnormality. Severe hyperbilirubinemia is a risk factor for auditory system injury. Auditory brainstem responses [ABR] are important in early diagnosis of hearing impairments in healthy term infants with elevated bilirubin levels requiring exchange transfusion. During a two- year- period [2007 - 2009], in a prospective descriptive analytical study, in Tehran Milad Hospital, 64 [32 female, 32 male], healthy term [> 37 weeks] infants, who required treatment or were treated with phototherapy or received exchange transfusion for elevated bilirubin levels or jaundice, were studied. After obtaining a written consent from their parents, the infants were tested with auditory brain responses and results were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. No significant correlation was found between ABR and age, weight, bilirubin level or ABO blood group. Nineteen out of 64 infants received exchange transfusion. Three out of 19 infants [16%] exhibited abnormal ABR and 16 infants [84%] had normal ABR. There was no significant correlation between exchange transfusions and ABR [P>0.05]. The results pointed out that 14% of the infants with elevated bilirubin who required exchange transfusion had abnormal ABR. This indicates that elevated bilirubin levels even without inducing kernicterus should be considered as risk factors for hearing impairments. Further studies are needed on how long these tests may remain abnormal

[ study of phagocytosis defects of polymorphonuclear cells in diabetic patients affected with periodontitis]

Introduction: diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases in which elevated blood glucose level interferes with activity of Polymorphonuclear [PMN] cells. Prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases in diabetic patients are also reported to be higher than nondiabetics. Considering different opinions regarding the interrelationships of PMN cell dysfunction and destruction of periodontal tissues in diabetics, this study was performed

Materials and Methods: this study was a case-control one. 53 cases [22 with IDDM, 21 with NIDDM and 10 non diabetics] were selected for this study. Diabetic patients [equal males and females] were referred from Mashhad Diabetic Center. The examined parameters were PMN cell function [using NBT test], fasting blood sugar, plaque index, pocket depth, bleeding index and bone loss [using panoramic x- ray]. The data were analyzed using One - Way ANOVA, multivariable analysis, Tukey test and correlation coefficient

Results: the fasting blood sugar level of both diabetic groups were significantly higher than that of nondiabetic groups [P<0.001]. The plaque index was significantly higher in NIDDM group compared with control group [P=0.002]. Bone loss was more severe in NIDDM group than IDDM and control groups. The difference was statistically significant. PMN cell function in IDDM group was significantly lower than NIDDM and control groups [P=0.011]

Conclusion: observing the result, it is tempting to claim that with aging and in the presence of suitable condition for the plaque bacteria, the periodontal disease in the diabetic patients become more server. Prevention of the periodontal diseases will be possible provided that the blood sugar level and the bacterial plaque are controlled

[Nitric oxide mediated non-adrenergic non-cholinergic system in sheep coronary arteries]

Objective: this study aimed to examine the role of nitric oxide [NO] as mediator of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic [NANC] system in coronary arteries of sheep

Design: in vitro study

Samples: sixtheen hearts of sheep aged 8-10 months

Procedure: in viiro experiments were conducted using isolated tissue preparations. The isolated tissues were obtained from the left coronary arteries of hearts collected from lambs aged 8-10 months. They were mounted in organ bath system to record the isometric forces by a physiograph. The tissues were suspended in 37[degree]C Krebs' solution bubbled with 95% oxygen and 5% CO2. Four experimental groups were prepared and the isolated tissues were treated with 5X10[-5]M acetyl choline [Ach], an inhibitor of NO synthethase, nitro- L- arginine methyl ester [L-NAME] and Larginine [L-arg] as precursor for NO

Statistical analysis: student t-test

Results: the tissues treated with Ach contracted for a short time before they were relaxed permanently. The relaxation induced by Ach was dependent on the viability of endothelium. The pretreatment of tissues with L-NAME, not only decreased the relaxation induced by Ach, but also significantly [Pc0.02] increased the level of tissue contraction. It was also found that L-arg was significantly able to decrease the primary contraction induced by Ach [F'<0.01] as well as reducing the effects of L-NAME on coronary arteries of sheep and the results of this study further suggest that there are different types of muscarinic receptors in sheep coronary arteries

Conclusion: the results of this study showed that a NANC system mediated by No is present in sheep coronary arteries and also approved the findings that there are dufferent Achreceptors in these

Antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis [IBR], rift valley fever [RVF] and bluetongue [BT] viruses in sheep sera

A total of 106 sheep sera were tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against IBR and RVF viruses and precipitating antibodies against BT virus. The results indicated that 13.2, 28.3 and 41.5% of the tested sera were seropositive to IBR, RVF and BT viruses, respectively