Pituitary gland dysfunction as a parameter for early detection of chronic cadmium toxicity: an experimental study

Cadmium [Cd] is considered one of the most toxic trace elements in the environment. Kidneys have been used as standards for delimiting metal toxic concentration. However, recent reports indicate that chronic exposure to low doses of cadmium can cause pituitary gland and reproductive disturbances. Since the clinical manifestations of cadmium intoxication become evident only after a certain period of its accumulation, it is important to know if there is an early parameter to detect cadmium toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate pituitary gland dysfunction as an early parameter of chronic cadmium toxicity by comparing cadmium toxic effects on pituitary gland, as regard order of appearance, with renal function disturbances. This work was conducted on 66 adult male albino rats that were divided into three main groups; group I [negative control] consisted of 18 rats, group II [positive control group] consisted of 18 rats and received I ml distilled water daily by gavage and group III [Cadmium group]; consisted of 30 rats ad received Cd C12 in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg BW/daily by gavage. Each one of these three main groups was subdivided according to the experimental period into three equal subgroups; [a], [b] and [c]. The experimental period was one month for subgroups Ia, IIa, and IIIa, two months for subgroups Ib, IIb and IIIb and three months for subgroups Ic, IIc and IIIc. Estimation of FSH, LH, creatinine, BUN, Beta2- microglobulins [beta 2-MG] serum levels and Cd tissue level in the kidney and pituitary gland was carried out together with histological examination of pituitary gland and kidneys. The results of this study show that admium has induced toxic effects in both pituitary gland and kidneys with cadmium accumulation in both organs being more in the renal tissues. However, pituitary sysfunction appeared earlier than renal dysfunction. These findings suggest that pituitary gland may be more sensitive to cadmium toxicity than the kidney. So, further researches are recommended for evaluation of estimation of pituitary functions for early detection of chronic cadmium toxicity. Also, strictly enforced limits of cadmium in foods are necessary for an overall decrease in exposure. Moreover, persistence in the environment of this metal requires a long-term move toward minimizing human exposure through environmental measures and preservations of lower cadmium levels wherever possible

Evaluation of the potential protective effect of quercetin on experimentally induced gastric ulceration in adult albino rats

Quercetin is the major member of flavonoids which are phenolic compounds widely distributed in many edible plants. Several studies reported that quercetin has many beneficial effects on human health including gastroprotective and antiulcerogenic effects. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential protective effect of quercetin on experimentally induced gastric ulceration by ethanol. 42 adult male albino rats were implemented in this study and divided into 6 equal groups as follows: group I: negative control, group II: distilled water, group III: quercetin 100 mg/kg/day, group IV: 1 ml ethanol 70%, group V: quercetin for 3 days then ethanol in the same doses and group VI: ethanol followed by quercetin for 3 days in the same doses. All drugs were given to rats by gavage. The duration of the experiment was 3 days after which all animals were sacrificed and macroscopic examination of the stomach was done to determine ulcer index. Samples were collected from gastric mucosa for determination of gastric tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha], histamine, malondialdehyde [MDA] and total protein sulfhydryl [SH] content. Microscopic examination of the stomach was also done. Ethanol administration in group IV resulted in significant increase in the levels of TNFalpha, histamine and MDA and significant decrease in total protein SH content. Histological results revealed that ethanol induced gastric ulceration with significant increase in ulcer index. This study proved that quercetin protected against and ameliorated ethanol-induced gastric ulceration through cytokine modulation, antihistaminic and antioxidant mechanisms as shown by biochemical and histological results. This gastroprotective effect of quercetin was more significant in group V than in group VI. So, the use of quercetin can be considered in the prevention and treatment of drug induced gastric ulceration. Also, further studies are recommended to evaluate the protective effect of quercetin on other types of gastric ulcer

Efficacy of albendazole in giardiasis

Albendazole and metronidazole were compared in 68 patients diagnosed positive for giardiasis. Albendazole 1200 mg, one dose was given to 24 patients, albendazole 400 mg twice a day for 3 days was given to 23 patients, and metronidazole 400 mg 3 times a day for 5 days to 21 patients. Response to therapy was monitored by clinical examination and analysis of fresh faecal samples on days 0, 3, 7 and 10. Response to the single dose of albendazole was 55%, to the divided dose of albendazole 70%, and to metronidazole 84%. The results show that albendazole, originally recommended for helminthic infection, can also be used in patients with mixed protozoal infection or for infections resistant to metronidazole

Prevalence of genitourinary tuberculosis

The purpose of study was to diagnose and treat genitourinary tuberculosis in the Pakistani population and to save the organs before they were irreversibly damaged. Patient and methods: A total number of 45 cases were included in the two year study. All the cases were treated as out patients unless some surgery was required. Diagnosis was based on positive urine cultures for tuberculosis, typical histological findings or both. In few cases diagnosis was presumptive and subject to response to empirically given anti-tuberculosis therapy, was diagnostic. Chemotherapy was given for 6 months. Of the forty five cases 29 were males and 16 females. The commonest clinical presentation were non-specific bladder symptoms. Low grade pyrexia was not very common. Pyuria was present in 78% of cases, and of these 49% had sterile pyuria. In 47% urine stain for AFB was possible while urine culture for AFB was positive in 38% cases. Genitourinary tuberculosis should be suspected in presence of sterile pyuria, chronic cystitis, epididymitis, haemospermia and chronic discharging scrotal sinuses

Clinical presentation of Guillain-Barre syndrome in Karachi

To assess the clinical presentation of Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS] in the local population, a hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Neurology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre between the years 1995-1998. A total of 95 patients suffering from GBS who were admitted in the department, were studied. 50 were males [53 percent]. The maximum number of cases belonged to the age group 20-29 years [n=25]. All the 95 patients had reported motor system involvement with symmetrical involvement in 85 with respiratory involvement in 35.8 percent. Fifty nine cases had sensory symptoms and 29 had cranial nerve involvement. Autonomic disturbances were noted in 24.2 percent cases. CSF showed raised protein with paucity of cells. Demyelination was noted in 49 cases and axonopathy in 46 cases. Seven cases had fatal outcome. GBS is uncommonly seen but by no means is a rare disease. In the present series a fatal out come was relatively less and in accordance to the literature. More cases with axonopathy were noted than reported previously

Reliable and realistic approach to sensitivity testing

Antibiotic testing by Disc was compared with Break-Point method using 535 clinical isolates; Disc sensitivity method was carried out in the routine way using the disc provided by pharmaceutical company. Break-point sensitivity was done by incorporating the substrate into solid medium, the results obtained showed greater resistance by Break-point which appears to be more realistic in the light of indis criminate usage of antibiotic. The method is simple, cost effective, reliable and realistic

UTI: a new approach to its diagnosis

The incidence of urinary tract infection in our community is studied taking into consideration the indiscriminate and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents and describing a simple method which could be adopted to evaluate samples of urine for the presence of antimicrobial agents. It reveals that 42.9% individuals were actually on antimicrobial agents and had sufficient levels in their urine to inhibit growth of the most common causative agent of urinary tract infection

Legionella pneumophila: laboratory diagnosis in developing countries like Pakistan

Three hundred random sputum samples were collected for analysis from cases of mild to severe respiratory infections and screened for Legionella pneumophila by both the culture method and also the direct fluorescent antigen test. In one third of the cases, blood specimen was also collected and screened for Legionella serum antibodies. With the direct fluorescent test it was possible to identify Legionella in 9% of the samples while the culture gave positive results in 4.3% of cases. Diagnostic antibody titers [1:256] were obtained in 12% of the samples while another 12% cases showed serum antibody titers of 1:64 to 1:128. In Pakistan where antibiotics are used extensively, the direct fluo rescent examination of sputum samples gives more accurate diagnosis of Legionella cases than the culture method

Curing gonococci of Blactamase production with ethidum, acridius orange or acriflavine

In 12 beta-lactamase producing strains of N gonorrhoeae tested, the coding for enzyme production was sensitive, to varying degrees, to one or more of the three agents - ethidium bromide, acridine orange, or acriflavine. The substances tested were able to eliminate the plasmid responsible for beta-lactamase production but the time required varied. The Far Fast type of gonococci [plasmid 4.4 Md] were cured in under a week whereas the Liverpool/Ghana type [plasmid 3.2 Md] required more than 7 days treatment