effect of beta-adrenergic blockers on portal hypertension secondary to schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

This study included 24 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis, 19 were males and 5 were females. All the patients were given 1 mg propranolol intrasplenic, after two hours the portal pressure showed insignificant increase. After three hours 1 mg propranolol was given intravenously, after I.V.I of propranolol the portal pressure showed insignificant decrease. On the second day the same patients received propranolol orally in a dose of 40-80 mg twice daily for 10 days. After the completion of the course of oral propranolol the portal pressure significantly decreased. Also the liver function tests were done to all patients before and after the treatment with propranolol. There were no statistically significant changes in the liver function tests [serum glutamic pyruic transaminase, serum bilirubin and plasma proteins] except prothrombin actiity which showed statistically significant increase after drug intake. We conclude that continuous oral administration of propranolol is more effective in treating portal hypertension more than intrasplenic or intravenous injection. The risk of deterioration of liver functions as a result of reduced hepatic blood flow by propranolol does not exist or is very small

achilles reflex in chronic renal failure

Thirty patients suffering from evidenced chronic renal failure, in addition to ten healthy volunteers were chosen for the measurement of the Achilles reflex time with an electromagnetic kinemometer. Prolongation of the whole reflex time [S-P interval], S-V interval and the V-P interval were detected. Derangement of the nerve function had been suggested to be responsible for the presence of prolonged S-V interval. Prolongation of the V-P interval explained by the presence of myopathy, hyperpotassaemia acidosis and/or the presence of carbohydrate intolerance in chronic renal failure

Chromium, copper and zinc in the serum and urine in diabetes mellitus

This study was conducted on the trace elements [chromium, copper and zinc] in the serum and urine in diabetes mellitus and compare its value, with that of normal controls. Twenty diabetic patients were subjected to blood samples taking after an overnight fast from an anti-cubital vein using stainless steel needles and acid cleaned, sterilized glass syringes; then estimation of serum zinc and copper is done by using Beckman atomic absorption accessory model 1300 with Di-2 spectrophotometer. Chromium excretion is almost exclusively via the urine 50. By this means any metabolic abnormalities could be detected

Some trace metals in acute cardiac infarction

Correct diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction may determine the survival of the patient. It was reported that serum trace and bulk metals show a decrease after the attack of myocardial infarction and there is an imbalance of copper and zinc metabolism which might be a major factor in the etiology of coronary heart disease. From 20 patients of myocardial infarction and 10 healthy controls blood samples were taken for the estimation of copper and zinc levels by the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method and the relationship between zinc and acute myocardial infarction was studied

Study of different insulin regimens in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis was invariably fatal before the introduction of insulin therapy. Small doses of insulin are sufficient to lead to a smooth recovery from ketoacidosis. In this work, a comparative study was done between big and small doses regimens in the management of ketoacidosis. It was conducted on 24 patients with varying degrees of diabetic ketoacidosis. All patients were subjected to complete physical examination including the level of conciousness, cardiac, chest, and neurological examination, blood sugar level, urine for glycosuria, ketoaciduria, pus cells and casts, complete blood picture serum sodium and potassium, blood urea and ECG. The results were discussed in details

Liver biopsy in hypothyroidism: histopathological and histochemical study

Liver biopsies were done in 10 healthy volunteers and 10 hypothyroid patients. Histopathological examination with H and E stain and glycogen content with Best's carmine were determined. Succinic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phophatase and alpha esterase activities were also evaluated. Increased hepatocyte glycogen content and decrease in both succinic dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities were found in hypothyroidism. The significance of these changes were discussed

Glucagon infusion test in hypothyroidism before and after T[3] therapy

T twenty primary hypothyroid patients and ten control subjects were studied. They were all subjected to: intravenous glucagon infusion test to study the response of their blood glucose. Also I.V. lgucose tolerance test was performed to estimate the glucose disappearance rate [Kg. value]. The same tests were repeated in hypo thyroid patients after triiodothyronine [T[3]] therapy. A supernormal response of blood glucose level was observed in hypothyroid patients before treatment. This finding was attributed to increased tissue glucose utilisation. Decreased secretion and increased glucagon degradation were also suggested. The response to glucagon infusion and the tissue glucose utilisation were normalised after T[3] therapy