Serum haematological and biochemical indices of oxidative stress and their relationship with DNA damage and homocysteine in Pakistani type II diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus [DM] is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, higher glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] as well as protein. Oxidative stress can cause damage to leukocytic DNAandenhancement of homocysteine [Hcy] level in sera of type 2 diabetic patients. Haematological and biochemical parameters are severely affected by oxidative stress, which results in damages to DNAandHcy in these patients. Eighty DM patients and 80 normal subjects, after having their consent, were selected for the present study. Leukocytes were characterized for DNA damage by comet assay kit while, blood plasma was taken into account for biochemical indices using commercial test kits. Results indicated that DNA damage was strongly linked with erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] [P<0.01], glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] [P<0.0001], glycated serum protein [P<0.005], cholesterol [P<0.011], triglycerides [P<0.001], albumin [P<0.001], creatinine [P<0.006], urea [P<0.007] and ALT [P<0.02], and negatively associated with packed cell volume [PCV] [P<0.002] and hemoglobin [P<0.001]. Homocysteine was strongly linked with ESR, HbA1C, glycated protein [P<0.002], cholesterol [P<0.016], triglycerides [P<0.0001], albumin, creatinine, urea, ALT and AST in diabetic patients. Hyc and DNA damages both were negatively linked with total hemoglobin and PCV. Both of these even in their normal range may have a role in the endothelium damage. Nutritional intervention to lower down Hyc and DNA damages in the Pakistani population may mitigate their effect and guarantee in maintenance of a healthy nation

Lipid lowering effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum in hyperlipidaemic albino rabbits

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lipid lowering effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum [Cinnamon] in hyperlipidaemic albino rabbits. For this purpose, forty eight albino rabbits were randomly divided into eight equal groups; untreated control on normal routine feed, untreated control on butter and cholesterol, treated control on synthetic cholesterol lowering drug simvastatin [Tablet survive[R] 20 mg], three treated groups on three respective doses of C. zeylanicum bark powder and two treated groups on water and methanol extracts of C. zeylanicum bark powder. Butter ad lib and cholesterol powder 500 mg/kg body weight were used to induce experimental hyperlipidaemia in all groups except untreated control group. The results suggested that C. zeylanicum bark powder at the rate of 0.50 g/kg, 0.75 g/kg and methanol extract equivalent to 0.75 g/kg powder produced respective percent reductions in total lipids by 45, 49 and 64; triglycerides by 38, 53 and 60; total cholesterol by 53, 64 and 69 and LDL-cholesterol by 50, 59 and 62. However, at these dosage levels HDL-cholesterol showed respective percent increase of 42, 48 and 53. Nonetheless, C. zeylanicum bark powder at the level of 0.25 g/kg and C. zeylanicum extract in water could not significantly reduce lipid profile indicators. Based on these studies, it can safely be said that C. zeylanicum bark powder methanol extract equivalent to 0.75 g/kg bark powder and simvastatin [0.6 mg/kg b. wt.] were equieffective in treating hyperlipidaemia

Therapeutic effects of ciprofloxacin on the pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in healthy adult male volunteers

Carbamazepine is a [CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme inducer] medicine which is used by epileptic patients for a long time. During the course of therapy, patients are generally caught by other diseases like urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infection, skin and soft tissue infection etc. To cure them, physicians commonly prescribe fluoroquinolones like Ciprofloxacin [CYP1A2 inhibitor] along with Carbamazepine [CBZ]. Interactions may result without recognition which may lead to unforeseen toxicity, untoward effects or even therapeutic failure. Therefore, studies were conducted to investigate the effect of Ciprofloxacin on the pharmacokinetics of Carbamazepine in healthy adult male volunteers. The main objective of this study was to generate new knowledge regarding CBZ and Ciprofloxacin interaction for physicians and research workers dealing with these medicines. Eight healthy adult male volunteers were selected to assess the effect of ciprofloxacin on the pharmacokinetics of Carbamazepine. After overnight fast the selected male volunteers were given CBZ orally. Blood samples were drawn at different time intervals after medication. Then the same volunteers were given CBZ along with ciprofloxacin. Blood samples were again drawn at the same time intervals as done previously. Plasma was separated from the blood samples. Concentration of CBZ in the plasma samples was determined by using HPLC technique. Results of the present study indicated that ciprofloxacin significantly increased the plasma concentration of CBZ when given concurrently to the healthy adult male volunteers. Ciprofloxacin increased C[max], AUC and t [1/2] while it decreased the CL and Vd of CBZ when administered concurrently to the adult volunteers. Change in pharmacokinetic parameters was due to slow metabolism or elimination of CBZ when given concurrently with ciprofloxacin to the adult volunteers. This is probably due to the inhibition of CYP3A4 isoenzyme by ciprofloxacin which is responsible for metabolism of CBZ. Ciprofloxacin increased the plasma concentration of CBZ so dose adjustment as well as drug monitoring of CBZ is required when both the drugs are given concurrently. The knowledge regarding interaction between ciprofloxacin and CBZ would be helpful for the pharmaceutical industries, physicians and a blessing for the patients