Two years post marketing oral poliomyelitis vaccine [OPV] evaluation during national immunization days

To measure, monitor and document the potency of oral poliomyelitis vaccine samples and their storage conditions in the field over two years period during National Immunization days [NID5]. years 2002 and 2003. 115 post marketing OPV vaccine samples were received at NRA-NODCAR from 13 different Egyptian Governorates [central stores and Primary Health Unit [PHU] stores] as well as VACSERA stores, during national immunization campaigns. All OPV samples returned from the field [PMS samples] were retested for potency [total virus content] in parallel with those kept at NRA stores, utilizing tissue culture techniques in 96-well microtitre plates. The results of the present study showed the possibility of cold chain defect at two sites, one of which the titre was still higher than WHO recommended minimum potency level 10 6.23 CCID[50]/0.1 ml. 11.3% of OPV samples showed also border line results but titre drop did not exceed 0.5 log[10] CCID[50] [P>0.05]. The second year, with the improvement of cold chain and the use of vaccines of higher potency, all OPV samples showed satisfactory results. This study emphasizes that good quality vaccines and proper maintenance of cold chains are key factors for the success of national immunization programmes

Biochemical and molecular studies on the hepatoprotective effect of ginger

The hepatoprotective effect of acetone soluble fraction [ASF] of petroleum ether extract of ginger was evaluated in vivo by using CC1[4] model, which induced hepatotoxicity. The results revealed that the activities of ALP, AST, ALT and TBARS were increased after adminsitraiton of CC1[4]. This effect of CC1[4] This effect of CCL[4] was attenuated by acetone soluble fraction of ginger by two doses. Also, lysosomal enzymes were markedly increased after administration of CC1[4], but this effect was ameliorated by ASF of ginger nearly to the control group. These results demonstrate that acetone soluble fraction of ginger plant exerted a hepatoprotective activity in vitro and in vivo and may be useful in the treatment of hepatotoxicity and liver diseases

Caffeine administration enhances acetaminophen-induced hepatic glutathione depletion lipid peroxidation in rats

The time course of caffeine-induced depletion of hepatic glutathione and the influence of caffeine on the basal lipid peroxidation state of the liver were examined in rats. These parameters were also evaluated in caffeine-pretreated rats after challenge with acetaminophen. Following a dose of 200 mg/kg of caffeine, the hepatic glutathione content was significantly depleted to 61 and 47% of the value at 0 time, after 2 and 4 hours, respectively. An almost complete recovery of hepatic glutathione was evident at 16 hours after caffeine administration. During this period of time, no significant rise in lipid peroxidation was observed. Subsequent studies with caffeine and acetaminophen showed that the livers of the rats injected with acetaminophen after pretreatment with caffeine exhibited greater glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation than did the livers of the rats of the other experimental groups. Since hepatic glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation are important events in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity, the present results suggest that the intake of a large amount of caffeine should be considered cautiously during acetaminophen administration

M, in single and multiple doses on hypatic microsomal aminopyrine n-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase activities in the rat: comparison with the effects of skf 525-A

The effects of diclofenac sodium administration, in single and repeated doses, on hepatic microsomal activities of aminopyrine N- demethylase and aniline hydroxylase were evaluated in rats. Two groups of rats treated with SKF 525-A, were used to demonstrate the inhibition and induction of these enzymes. In rats treated with a single dose [50 mg/kg] of SKF 525-A, aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase activities were significantly decreased, compared with control values. Under similar experimental conditions, diclofenac sodium administration, in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, did not affect the activities of these enzymes. With repeated daily administration of diclofenac sodium for 15 days, a dose-dependent induction of the microsomal enzymes was evident. With a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day, a significant increase in the activities of the two enzymes was observed. The extent of this induction was greater than that caused by repeated doses [50 mg/kg/day] of SKF 525-A. Rats treated with a smaller dose of the drug [1.25 mg/kg/day], did not show a similar response. In conclusion, repeated administration of daily doses of diclofenac sodium may induce hepatic microsomal drug metabolism depending on the dose used