Comparative role of pregabalin and carbamazepine regarding efficacy in painful diabetic neuropathy

Neuropathic pain is the most severe and resistant type of pain which has impact on quality of life ana behaviour; it most commonly occurs at night causing disturbed; sleep. Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of painful neuropathy. In this study, we are comparing the effectiveness of old treatment Carbamazepine with Pregabalin in painful diabetic neuropathy. The study was an open-label trial conducted in Diabetic Clinic of Medical Unit-Ill, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. The duration of the study was 90 days, from December 2010 to March 2011. The study has been approved from ethical committee of JPMC, Karachi with the reference NO.F.2-81/2010-GENL/195/JPMC. 60 established patients of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy from Diabetic Clinic of Medical Unit-Ill OPD were included in the 90-day study, irrespective of gender, with duration of diabetes more than 10 years. All subjects are placed into two groups. In group A, comprising of 30 patients [n=30], Pregabalin was administered and in group B, also comprising of 30 patients [n=30], Carbamazepine. The intensity of pain was compared on visual analog scale of McGill pain questionnaire. In group A [Pregabalin], the mean pain score fell from 6.17+/-0.14 to 3.50+/-0.15 from day 0 to day 90 [p-value=0.001] and the percentage of change also in visual analog scale of McGill pain questionnaire was -43.31%. In group B [Carbamazepine], the changes in pain score from initially 6.07+/-0.14 falling to 4.23+/-0.13 from day 0 to day 90 [p-value=0.001] and the percentage of change was -30.31%. Pregabalin was observed to be more potent. Both drugs were well tolerated by all participants that also completed the entire duration of the trial

Complexation of beta-sitosterol with tris [dibenzylideneacetone] dipalladium and its anti-microbial activity

Beta-sitosterol is a naturally occurring plant sterol [phytosterol] present in many fruits and vegetables. Scientific research has proven that beta-sitosterol is helpful in maintaining the proper functioning of our body. Previously we described the complexation of beta-sitosterol with trace metals [Mahmood et al., 2013]. Trace metals after the formation of complex unable to absorb in the body and hence eliminated out from the body thus reducing metal toxicity [Marsha, 1996]. The present article describes the complexation of beta-sitosterol with Palladium [Pd] metal. Palladium is a toxic metal and due to polluted and hazardous environment traces of this metal can be transferred into the body, which is harmful for human health. Our aim is to make Pd-sterol complex so that this toxic metal [Pd] does not absorb in the body and hence excreted out from the body in the complex form. In order to form this complex beta-sitosterol [Ib] is reacted with Tris [dibenzylideneacetone] dipalladium or [Pd[2] [DBA][3]] [Ia] in 2:1 ratio in an inert atmosphere and dimethylformamid [DMF] added as a solvent. The resulting complex [Pd[2] [DBA][3].[beta-sitosterol] [Ic] was identified by various spectroscopic techniques such as IR, Mass and [1]H-NMR. This new organo metallic complex [Ic] also showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. The present work revealed that Pd-sterol complex does not only reduce metal toxicity but also helpful in minimizing bacterial and fungal infections present in the body. Our research also concluded that we must take plenty of fruits and vegetables in our diet so that natural plant sterol such as beta-sitosterol can enhance our defense mechanism and maintain other functions of our body

Comparison of efficacy and safety profile of gabapentin and carbamazepine in painful diabetic neuropathy

Comparison of efficacy and safety profile of Gabapentin and Carbamazepine in painful diabetic neuropathy. open label 12 weeks randomized controlled trial. The present study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC] in collaboration of Diabetic Clinic of Medical Unit III of JPMC Karachi. December 2010 to May 2011. 60 diagnosed patients of painful diabetic neuropathy were selected for 12 weeks trial after taking written consent. The patients were randomly placed into two groups, 30 patients each. One group received Gabapentin [n=30] while the other received Carbamazepine [n=30]. The primary outcome was reduction in pain scale. It was compared on 11-point numerical visual analog scale [VAS]. In Gabapentin group the reduction in pain VAS was 6.17 +/- 0.15 on day 0 to 3.5 +/- 0.15 on day 90. The percentage of change was 43.3% from baseline [p-value 0.001]. In carbamazepine group the reduction in pain VAS was 6.07 +/- 0.13 on day 0 to 4.23 +/- 0.13 on day 90. The percentage of change was 30.4% [p-value 0.001]. The secondary outcome was improvement in sleep interference that is measured on 11-point numerical VAS of sleep interference. It also improved in both groups which is highly significant. In patients of diabetic painful neuropathy treatment of Gabapentin and Carbamazepine both are effective but Gabapentin is superior in relieving symptoms than Carbamazepine

Correlation between traffic noise induced hearing loss [NIHL] and occupation

To examine the subjects who are more prone to traffic noise exposure such as auto rickshaw drivers, traffic constables and shop keepers in central business area in Karachi [Pakistan]. This was hospital based prospective study comprising of 200 subjects. The results were obtained by testing the subjects which were investigated on the basis of interviews by [a] completing performa [b] Pure tone audiometry [PTA]. Correlation between traffic NIHL and occupation was found statistically significant with P<0.001 distributed as 15 [34.1%] in auto rickshaw drivers, 34 [40%] in shopkeepers and 29 [34.1%] in traffic constables. The fact that road traffic is the most significant source of noise pollution in Karachi was established by investigating our subjects. They had significant degree of hearing impairment i.e. 42%