Study to assess the prevalence of human leukocyte antigen-A*3101 allele among Indian epileptic patients and its infl uence on safety and effi cacy of antiepileptic therapy.

Background: The objective was to study the prevalence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*3101 allele among epileptic patients and to assess the safety and effi cacy of antiepileptic therapy. Methods: 295 subjects were selected and divided into two groups, Group I had 192 epileptic patients and Group II had 103 normal healthy controls. After written informed consent, 30 ml of mouthwash sample was collected from each subject and DNA was extracted by standard salting-out technique and used for HLA-A*3101 genotyping by two-step nested allele-specifi c polymerase chain reaction amplifi cation and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: In Group I, 12 (6.25%) of the 192 patients were tested positive for HLA-A*3101 allele and all were taking carbamazepine (CBZ). Among them, 56 (30%) subjects had developed less severe adverse effects such as headache and giddiness, skin rashes and memory disturbances, and HLA-A*3101 was present in 8 of them while 136 had no adverse effects in which 4 of them were tested positive for the allele. In Group II, 3 (2.9%) of the 103 healthy controls were tested positive for the allele. No difference was found in response to antiepileptic therapy between allele positive and negative patients. Conclusion: The present study had shown that HLA-A*3101 is prevalent in 6.25% of the Indian epileptic population under study. The presence of this allele has a signifi cant association with the development of mild cutaneous reactions like skin rashes. However, no difference was observed in allele positive patients in response to antiepileptic therapy in comparison with allele negative patients.

Effect of vitamin D on atorvastatin induced blood sugar changes in Wistar albino rats.

Background: Statins are hypocholestrolemic agents used in atherosclerotic vascular disorders. They act by inhibiting hepatic hypoxanthine methyl glutaryl CoA reductase enzyme. They are reported to cause hyperglycemia as an important adverse event. This study was conducted to investigate atorvastatin induced blood sugar changes in Wistar, albino, male rats and the infl uence of vitamin D on the blood sugar changes. Methods: Forty, 12 weeks old male, Wistar albino rats, were selected and randomly allocated to 5 groups of 8 animals, each. Animals in Group 1 were administered normal saline orally and served as controls. Group 2 and 3 received atorvastatin 2 mg and 4 mg, respectively, orally. Group 4 and 5 received 200 IU of vitamin D along with 2 mg and 4 mg of atorvastatin respectively, orally. The drugs were administered once, every day for 3 months. Body weight and fasting blood sugar were estimated at baseline and at the end of every month for 3 months. Results: In control animals (Group 1) and animals treated with atorvastatin along with vitamin D (Group 4 and 5), fasting blood sugar levels did not change signifi cantly and the body weight increased. In animals treated with only atorvastatin (Group 2 and 3), fasting blood sugar was signifi cantly increased and body weight did not change. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that chronic use of atorvastatin 2 and 4 mg may lead to fasting hyperglycemia and it could be prevented by co-administration of 200 IU of vitamin D, in male Wistar albino rats. Randomized control studies in humans are further required to recommend routine use of vitamin D in patients receiving atorvastatin.