Asymmetric dimethylarginine [ADMA]: an emerging contributor to endothelial dysfunction in hyperthyroidism

Cardiovascular manifestations are frequent findings in patients with hyperthyroidism. Nitric oxide [NO], a key regulator of endothelial function, is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase [NOS]. Evidence has accumulated that asymmetric dimethylarginine [ADMA] is an endogenous competitive inhibitor of NOS. To measure plasma L-arginine and dimethylarginines [ADMA and SDMA] in patients with hyperthyroidism in order to assess their contribution to endothelial dysfunction and their relationship to plasma NO. The study was conducted on 50 newly diagnosed patients with overt hyperthyroidism as well as 30 age and sex matcned healthy controls. Plasma L-arginine, ADMA and SDMA were analyzed by HPLC. Plasma NO was measured by a colorimetric method based on Griess reagent. L-arginine, ADMA and SDMA were significantly increased, while NO and L-arginine/ADMA ratio were significantly decreased in hyperthyroid patients compared to controls. Serum freeT4 and free T3 were negatively correlated with plasma NO and L-arginine/ADMA ratio and positively correlated with L-arginine, ADMA and SDMA. Moreover, NO was significantly negatively correlated with each of the L-arginine and ADMA and significantly positively correlated with T.arginine/ADMA ratio. Results provide evidence of the presence of endothelial dysfunction in hyperthyroidism. The decrease in NO, and the increase in ADMA emphasizes that ADMA is an emerging contributor of endothelial dysfunction in hyperthyroidism

Colorimetric determination of ramipril, enalapril maleate and fosinopril in their pharmaceutical formulations

Two new spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of three angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, namely, ramipril, enalapril maleate and fosinopril. The first method was based on the oxidation of the three drugs by Fe[III] in presence of 1.10-phenanthroline, the formed tris-[Fe-o-phen]complex in acetate buffer and optimum pH was measured at [lambda][max] 510 nm with linear relationship over concentration range from 6-50 micro gml[-1] and molar absorptivity 1.2x10[4] 1 mol[-1]cm[-1] for ramipril and enalapril maleate and 1.8x10[4] 1 mol[-1]cm[-1] for fosinopril. The second method was based on measuring the formed tris -[Fe-bipyridyl]complex in the same condition at [lambda][max] 540 nm with linear relationship in concentration range from 10-54 micro gml[-1] and molar absorptivity of 1.0x10[4] 1 mol[-1]cm[-1] for ramipril, 1.6x10[4] 1 mol[-1]cm[-1] for and enalapril maleate and 1.57x10 [4] mol[-1]cm[-1] for fosinopril. The two methods hold their accuracy and precision well when applied to the determination of the studied drugs in their dosage forms

Identification of some volatile compounds extracted from certain medical plants

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, licorice [Glycyrrhiza glabra L.], carob [Ceratonia siliqua L.] and chicory [Chichorum intybus L.] are considered medicinal plants with many traditional uses such as sweetener plants. The volatile oils of these plants were isolated by steam distillation process. Identification of volatile compounds present in these volatile oils was assayed using Gas chromatography - Mass spectrometry [GC-MS]. The volatile oil contents were about 0.24, 0.12, 0.08, and 0.27% of dried stevia leaves, licorice roots, carob pulp and chicory roots, respectively. The nerolidol, benzyl, delta cadinene and caryophyllene were the major volatile compounds of stevia leaves, while methyl chavicol and benzaldehyde were the main ones of licorice. Carob pulp contained the hexanoic acid as the major component. The main constituents were benzoic acid, verapamil and verbenone in chicory roots. The volatile oils are very important for their activity as an anti-inflammatory drug, and also could be used as an anti-bacterial and flavouring agents in the field of food industry

Copper, mercury and zinc pollution of claries lazera

A total of 50 samples of Clarias lazera were collected from Alexandria fish markets. The average content of copper [ug/g] in muscles, kidneys, liver, gills and blood were 05.8 +/- 1.1, 11.6 +/- 2.1, 36.3 +/- 2.14, 06.3 +/- 1.32, and 04.6 +/- 0.57, respectively, and 0.02 +/- 0.001, 0.03 +/- 0.027, 0.09 +/- 0.015, 0.02 +/- 0.001, and 0.03 +/- 0.017, for mercury, while 22.5 +/- 0.884, 28.3 +/- 2.26, 06.7 +/- 1.75, 31.5 +/- 2.7, and 24.5 +/- 1.85 for zinc. The public health significance of the pollution with such elements was discussed

Prevalence of dental caries in Assir, Saudi Arabia

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dental caries inSaudi children and young adults, referred to Assir Dental Center, Abha inAssir, the South-West region of Saudi Arabia. The study sample included 400individuals of both sexes, with age ranging from 6-25 years, comprising ofchildren and young adults. The details of decayed, missing and filled teethwere collected from the dental records of the patients. This study revealedthe dental caries prevalence of 71.15% in children and 72.58% in young adults. Females showed a higher caries prevalence and DMFT in both groups and thesefigures were comparatively higher in adults than in children. Preventivemeasures were suggested to reduce the prevalence of dental caries inthis region

Effects of a mixture of bicarbonate, saccharin and fluoride on dental caries induction and bacterial count

The possible inhibitory effects of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, [NaHCO3] sodium fluoride [NaF] and sodium saccharine [NaS] on dental caries and bacterial count were studied in albino rats. Thirty young male conventional albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into two equal groups [groups I and II] fed on highly cariogenic diet [diet 2000]. Topical application of a freshly prepared suspension of the mixture by a sterile cotton tipped applicator was done daily to the molar teeth of rats in group II. After two months, the dental caries was significantly inhibited in group II in comparison with that of group I. The bacterial count also showed significant reduction in group II, especially that of streptococcus mutant organisms