Anti-hyperglycemic Effects of Diacerein in Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Wistar Albino Rats

Objective: To determine the anti-hyperglycemic effects of interleukin-1 inhibitor (diacerein) in alloxan induced diabetic albino wistar rats. This experimental study was performed at the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam within 6 months from April 2016 to September 2016. Total of 160 adult Albino Wistar Rats having an average of 200 to 300 grams body weights were selected. Animals were categorized into 4 groups as;  Group A (n=15): Control rats – receive 0.9% normal saline as placebo Experimental Groups  Group B (n=15): Experimental Control (Diabetic rats) - Alloxan50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal.  Group C (n=15): Diabetic rats + Diacerein (30 mg/kg/day) orally daily.  Group D (n=15): Diabetic rats + Diacerein (50 mg/kg/day) orally daily. Animals were kept and treated as per the NIH Guideline for Use and Care of Laboratory Animals. Diabetes mellitus was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 milligram/kg alloxan monohydrated dissolved in aseptic 0.9% saline. After 72 hours, blood specimens were taken from the caudal vein of the rats and glucose level>200 mg/dL was taken as diabetes. Experimental rats were given diacerein approximately 30 and 50 mg orally for 6 weeks. At the completion of experiment the body weight was measured of each animal by electronic measuring balance and blood sample was taken from each animal of all groups to assess the blood glucose level and HbA1c level. Data were recorded via self-made proforma and analysis was done by using SPSS version 20. Results: Average body weight of Diabetic control (Group B) was 193.33±22.50 grams, which was lower in contrast to Diacerein treated group C 202.47±25.70 grams and significantly lower as compared to Diacerein treated group D as 212.6±23.43 grams. A significant increase in blood glucose levels 182.07±10.63 mg/dl was noted in the Diabetic control (Group B) compared to Diacerein treated group C (110.13± 8.54 mg/dl) and group D (85.87±8.41 mg/dl) (P=0.001). HbA1c was markedly raised in the Group B- diabetic controls, while diacerein treated diabetic rats (groups C and D) showed a significant decrease in HbA1c (P=0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that Diacerein achieves the Euglycemic state by reducing the levels of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Alloxan-Induced diabetes mellitus in Wistar Albino Rats

Mortality prediction in patients admitted in surgical intensive care unit by using APACHE IV

Objective: To predict the mortality by the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] IV score of all the patients admitted in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit [ICU] and comparing the score of the survivors and non-survivors

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from June 2013 to November 2014

Methodology: All adult patients admitted in the Surgical ICU were included in this study. The demographics and other data of the patients were recorded. The APACHE IV scores of all patients were calculated at the time of admission. The scores of the survivors and the non-survivors were compared for prediction of survival and mortality

Results: The age of these patients ranged from 13 to 70 [mean 38.39] years with 86 [55.48%] males and 69 [44.52%] females. The mean APACHE IV score of these patients was 34.96 +/- 14.93 ranging from 11 to 63 years. Eighty-three [53.55%] patients survived and 72 [46.45%] died. With respect to gender, 41 [47.67%] males out of 86 and 31 [44.92%] females out of 69 did not survive. The mortality increased with an increase in APACHE IV score and all the patients with score more than 39 did not survive

Conclusion: The predicted mortality can be assessed by APACHE IV score, so it is good for application among the surgical ICU patients

Synthesis and DPPH scavenging assay of reserpine analogues, computational studies and in silico docking studies in AChE and BChE responsible for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a fast growing neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system and anti-oxidants can be used to help suppress the oxidative stress caused by the free radicals that are responsible for AD. A series of selected synthetic indole derivatives were biologically evaluated to identify potent new antioxidants. Most of the evaluated compounds showed significant to modest antioxidant properties (IC50 value 399.07 140.0±50 µM). Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies were carried out on the compounds and their corresponding free radicals. Differences in the energy of the parent compounds and their corresponding free radicals provided a good justification for the trend found in their IC50 values. In silico, docking of compounds into the proteins acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which are well known for contributing in AD disease, was also performed to predict anti-AD potential.

A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença neurodegenerativado sistema nervoso central, em rápido crescimento, e antioxidantes ajudam a suprimir o estresse oxidativo causado por radicais livres, responsávies pela DA. Avaliou-se, biologicamente, série de derivados sintéticos de indol selecionados para identificar novos antioxidantes. A maioria dos compostos avaliados apresentou de significativa a boa propriedade antioxidante (valor de IC50 399,07140.0 ± 50 µM). Eftuaram-se estudos de Teoria do Funcional de Densidade (DFT) com os compostos e os seus correspondentes radicais livres. As diferenças de energia entre os compostos protótipos e os radicais livres correspondentes proporcionaram boa justificativa para a tendência encontrada nos seus valores de IC50. O ancoramento in silico dos compostos com a acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e com a butirilcolinesterase (BChE), que contribuem para a DA, foi, também, realizado para prever o seu potencial anti-DA.

Congenital hypothyroidism: an underestimated clinical entity

The aim of study was to determine the clinical features of Hypothyroid Children in various age groups residing in Rahim Yar Khan. Prospective, descriptive, study, over a span of one year. This study was conducted in Pediatrics department at Sheikh Zayed Hospital and Medical College Rahim Yar Khan from 1st March 2010 to March 2011. The thirty children of both sexes in age group of 1 day - 12 years presenting with clinical features, suspicion of Hypothyroidism were included in study. Children with subtle as well as full fledged sign and symptoms of hypothyroidism were considered for further evaluation. The clinical history, feeding pattern and clinical examination of these cases were recorded. Their blood was examined for T4, T3 and TSH. The X-rays of chest, X-rays of Skeleton, particularly X-ray wrist and X-ray knee joint were obtained. Serum cholesterol, glucose, electrolytes [Na[+] and K[+] and perchlorate [KC10[4] discharge test were obtained. Thyroid scintigraphy was done for isotope uptake. Ultrasonography for thyroid position, its size and detection of solid and cystic lesions was performed.Cardiac monitoring was gained by E.C.G. The data analysis was done by software SPSS 16. All children with clinical features and investigations in favor of hypothyroidism were kept in four groups according to the age. The sluggish behavior, bradycardia, typical coarse faces and TSH in values above normal range were consistent findings in all thirty [n=30] cases. Congenital Hypothyroidism is usually under diagnosed that leads to mental retardation in a child. Therefore any child having suspicion of hypothyroidism should be evaluated by thyroid functions test [TFT], including new born screening

Risk factors leading to aural myiasis

To study the various risk factors leading to aural myiasis. This is a descriptive study. The study was conducted at the ENT Deptt of District Headquarter Hospital Charsadda from 1[st] September 2004 to 31 August 2006. This is a secondary care hospital where patients from all over the primary health centers within the district and nearby tribal areas are referred. A questionnaire was made to collect the necessary information for analysis and comparison with other studies. A thorough history was taken. Systemic, general and local physical examination was done. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 months to assess the clinical out come. A total of fifty [40 females, 10 males] patients of both sexes admitted to the ENT department with aural myiasis entered the study. Age range was from 2-15 years. The major risk factor was long standing chronic supporative otitis media [CSOM] in all 50 [100%] cases. Other risk factors were poor socioeconomic status in 40 [80%] cases, swimming in stagnant water in 30 [60%] cases, and diabetes mellitus in 3 [6%] cases. The patients were treated both conservatively and surgically. By addressing the various risk factors associated with aural myiasis through health education with better health facilities we can prevent the problem at an early stage