Effect of 5-fluorouracil plus vitamins A and E on methotrexate toxicity

The synergistic sequential administration of methotrexate [MTX] and 5-fluorouracil [5-FU] plus vitamins A and E was investigated in 60 mature albino rats. The animals were divided into six equal groups, five test groups and a control one that received distilled water. The results of the hematopoietic elements revealed non- significant differences between scheduling of MTX after a priming dose of 5-FU plus vitamins A and E or 5-FU plus vitamins A and E and the control; while BW and BM cellularity showed a very mild reduction with the group of prior administration of 5-Fu plus vitamins to MTX. The simultaneously treated group revealed a moderate reduction in BW and BM cellularity with a significant reduction in hematopoietic elements. However, a sequential treatment with MTX, followed by 5-FU plus vitamins A and E and MTX alone resulted in a marked reduction in BW and BM cellularity, together with an extremely highly significant reduction in hematopoietic elements

Correlation between EMIT and GC/MS analysis of benzodiazepines in whole blood

The usefulness of using urine immunoassay kit for benzodiazepines screening in whole blood was evaluated by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique [EMIT] Cobas Mira. Acetone extraction and rising of low cut-off calibrator to 70 ng/ml was done to avoid false positive results. Gas chromatography/mass spectrum analysis was performed for identification, quantification and confirmation of the results. Blood samples were collected from 48 benzodiazepines levels than GC/MS. Thirty samples of the estimated cases were positive, while 18 were negative. GC/MS analysis confirmed EMIT positive results and found that 12 cases of the negative samples were diazepam of low concentration and the remaining six negative cases were flunitrazepam i.e. GC/MS can identify the type of benzodiazepines

Microscopical study of spermatozoal stability in semen stains

Spermatozoal stability in semen stains was evaluated microscopically in 18 normozoospermic semen samples. Each semen sample was examined microscopically in the fresh state [time 0] to determine sperms concentration [million/ml] and morphology. Then, every semen was divided equally into two aliquots to be stored on white cotton and nylon fabrics at room temperature. Seminal fluid was extracted by the use of 1% HCl soaking and examined at different intervals [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 25 days, then 1,1.5,2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 months, respectively]. For morphological study, three wet smears were formed from each soaked portion for every studied interval. The first was examined unstained by phase contrast microscope. The second was stained by Gram stain and examined by light microscope. The third was stained with SpermMac stain and examined by both light and phase contrast microscopes. AutoSperm [the computerized assisted system] connected to phase contrast microscope was used to determine sperms concentration in fresh semen and seminal stains in unstained state

Teratogenic effect of amitriptyline and amineptine antidepressants: an experimental study on albino rats

Teratogenicity of amitriptyline and amineptine antidepressants was investigated in pups of 60 dams. They were divided into three equal groups. The first group was served as a control. The second and third groups were treated orally, by gavage, with daily therapeutic doses of amitriptyline [0.0054 mg/g b.w.] and amineptine [0.009 mg/g b.w.], respectively, from the first day of gestation till the end of pregnancy. On the 20th day of gestation, ten dams from each group were sacrificed and their uteri and pups were examined and followed up for four weeks. The data of the present study proved the teratogenic potential risk of amitriptyline and amineptine antidepressants in albino rats and it was recommended that these drugs should not be prescribed during pregnancy

Deliberate self-poisoning A toxicological study

The present work was designed to detect drugs and chemicals commonly ingested by suicidal patients. This study was carried out on 100 male and female patients treated from deliberate self- poisoning. Biological samples [20 ml blood, 50 ml urine and 100 ml gastric contents] were collected from every patient. Toxicological analysis was done by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique [EMIT] and fluorescent immunoassay system [TDX-FLX] for qualitative and quantitative detection. Thin layer chromatography [TLC] was used for the confirmation of EMIT negative results and the detection of insecticides and drugs, which can not be detected by EMIT ad TDX- FLX. From the results obtained it was concluded that the detection of drugs and chemicals used by self-poisoned patients needs more than one analytical method to give accurate results

Vitreous / blood concentration ratio in drug overdoses an experimental study

Serum and vitreous concentrations in three drug overdoses [phenobarbitone,morphine and theophylline] were measured in albino rats after 1, 2, 4 and 12 hours of i.p. injection. Vitreous/blood ratio was determined for every drugoverdose. It was found that this ratio remained constant regardless of thetime passed since injection. The study demonstrated that vitreous is a cleanbiological fluid that can be used for the detection of drug overdose by EMIT and can predict the blood concentration of the drug as long as vitreous/bloodratio is known

Effect of organophosphorus insecticide on immune system in experimental animals

The immunotoxic effect of repeated sublethal doses of trichlorfon was studiedby using 512 male Lewis mice. They were divided into 4 control groups [n =32] received distilled water and 4 test groups [n = 96] received trichlorfon[an organophosphorous insecticide] in daily oral doses for 15, 30, 45 and 60days, respectively. Each test group was divided into 3 equal subgroupsaccording to trichlorfon dose [30, 60 and 90 mg/kg body weight, respectively]. The degree of immunotoxicity was studied by determining serum immunoglobulinsconcentrations, the percentage of lymphocyte blastogenesis, phagocyticpercentage and index. The phagocytic percentage showed a significantreduction with low dose for 45 and 60 days and for all durations with mediumand high doses. Phagocytic index reduction following the low dose for 30, 45and 60 days was significant and for all durations with medium and high doses

Cysteine: as a radio-protector against total body irradiation syndromes an experimental study

The radioprotective effect of cysteine on the haemopoietic and gastrointestinal syndromes, was investigated on forty five mature albino rats which divided equally into: two test groups and a control group. The rats of the two test groups were exposed to total body irradiation [2000 cGy]. Cysteine was given intraperitoneally[1 05 mg/gm.] to the rats of the second group, 15 minutes before exposure to the irradiation. Statistical analysis of the blood picture and jejunal crypts mitoses, showed a high significant decrease in the first group with a remarkable significant improvement in the second group [except for Hb concentration and RBCs count]. All these results are supported by the clinical observations, bone marrow cellularity and histopathological findings

Toxicity of methotrexate on fertility and internal organs of male albino rats

Fifty male adult albino rats with average weight of 220 - 250 gm were used in this study. Animals were divided into four test groups and a control group each comprised of ten rats. Test animals received methotrexate [MTX] in a therapeutic constant low dose of 7.5 mg/kg/ week for eight weeks. The effects of the drug were assessed by histopathological, biochemical and spermatozoal examination immediately after its stoppage and within one month recovery period. Significant histopathological changes in internal organs of albino rats associated with marked functional biochemical abnormalities were observed. Also there was marked alteration in sperm count, motility and increased percentage of abnormal forms. Gradual improvement was observed during the recovery period

Percutaneous toxicity of ethylene glycol and 1,2 propylene glycol in rats

Forty albino rats were divided into four equal groups. The three test groups were applied percutaneously with 1000 mg /kg of ethylene glycol, 1, 2-propylene glycol and a mixture of equal amounts of both ethers respectively, while the fourth group served as a control. The application was done 6 days / week for 8 weeks. Results of the ethylene glycol and combined [ethylene and propylene glycols] groups revealed depression of bone marrow cellularity with significant changes in the Hb concentration and the blood cell counts. Histopathological findings of liver, lungs and kidneys showed marked evidences of toxicity whereas the testes were slightly affected and the application site of the skin was found normal. Minimal changes were observed in the propylene glycol group

Biochemical and histopathological changes as markers of alcoholism in atbino rats

Fourty mature albino rats of buth sexes were divided into four equal groups. Three groups received doses equivalent to 1/20, 1/10 and 1/5 L D50 of ethanol, six days/week orally for eight weeks. The remaining group served as a control. Serum and vitreous levels of Na, K, uric acid, ALT, AST and GGT were measured. Most of the obtained results were significantly different from those of the control group in such a way that would help in detecting alcohol abuse especially the GGT levels. Histopathological findings in the internal organs of rats [liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen and testes] revealed changes of variable degree of severity, but are not pathognomonic for alcohol abuse

Vitrous humour magnesium in sea and river water drowning an experimental study

Vitreous humor magnesium was estimated in two equal groups and a control groupof albino rats. Each test group [N-80] was divided into 8 equal subgroupswhich were drowned [first group in seawater, second group in river water] andremained immersed for 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours, respectively. Magnesium was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer after aciddigestion of the vitreous. Significant increase of the vitreous magnesium wasfound in seawater drowning and immersion till the 24th hour after which thechanges became insignificant. In river water drowning, there wasinsignificant decrease with no correlation to immersion interval

Effect of concurrent administration of acetaminophen with acetyl salicylic acid or indomethacin on the kidney, liver and stomach of rats

This study was conducted on 72 albino rats weighing averagely 100- 120 g. Theywere divided into 6 equal groups, the first group was served as control, the2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th groups were given acetyl salicylic acid, indomethacin,acetaminophen, acetyl salicylic acid + acetaminophen and indomethacin +acetaminophen, respectively. Drugs were given orally in dose of 1/10 LD50daily for 30 days. After this period, the animals were subjected tobiochemical investigations [serum urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, ALT, AST]and histopathological studies [kidney, liver and stomach]. It was found thatconcurrent administration of acetaminophen with acetyl salicylic acid orindomethacin had good protection against gastric erosive effect of eitheracetyl salicylic acid or indomethacin, moreover, no exaggeration of thehepatic and renal impairment was detected