ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the age related changes in thickness of skin epidermis in different age groups in the Pakistani population
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, for a period of five months, from Jul 2010 to Nov 2010. All protocols were approved by the Ethical committee of centre for research in experimental and applied medicine [CREAM], Army Medical College, Rawalpindi
Patients and Methods: In this study, 60 volunteers of both genders, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were divided according to age, into three equal groups, 18-29 years, 30-49 years, and more than 50 years, Groups A, B and C respectively. All study participants gave written consent before their inclusion in the study Four-mm full-thickness punch biopsy of sun protected upper arm skin of left side was obtained from each individual after administration of local anesthetic injection. The samples were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin for histomorphological study and comparison of epidermal thickness was done between the three groups. In each section, the epidermal thickness was measured at three points to determine maximum thickness, under 10X objective. Mean of three readings of each sample was taken. Then, mean of each group was taken and that of the three groups was compared to determine the presence or absence of epidermal atrophy
Results: There was no appreciable difference in epidermal thickness between the three groups. Mean of group A was 144.833 micrometer, that of group-B was 142.833 micrometer and the mean value of group C was 125.5 micrometer
Conclusion: It was concluded that, although human skin markedly deteriorates visibly with age, the epidermal thickness remains constant
ABSTRACT
Rifampicin continues to be an effective drug for treatment of tuberculosis. A variety of drug reactions have been reported of which hepatotoxicity is well known. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid as dietary supplementation in case of Rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity. Animal house NIH [National Institute of Health]. Randomized control trial. Thirty adult BALB/c mice weighing 30-60 grams were taken. They were kept under standard laboratory conditions. Mice were randomized and divided into three groups A, B and C each containing 10 mice. Group A was given Rifampicin 100 mg/kg body weight, group B was administered Rifampicin 100 mg/kg body weight along with ascorbic acid 500 mg/kg body weight orally and group C was given regular NIH lab diet for six weeks. Liver specimens of animals given rifampicin showed formation of necrotic foci. Simultaneous administration of ascorbic acid significantly reduced histological changes induced by Rifampicin. Ascorbic acid has protective role against hepatotoxic effect of Rifampicin used in chemotherapy of tuberculosis in animal models