Effect of smokeless tobacco on the outcome of Swiss albino mice pregnancy and changes in their offspring's body weight; an experimental study

Objective: To study the harmful effects of smokeless chewing local tobacco on Swiss Albino mice pregnancy outcome and observe the effect on their offspring's body weight

Study Design: An Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Anatomy Department Al- Tibri Medical College, Isra University Karachi during June 2015 to December 2015

Materials and Methods: Twenty pregnant Swiss albino mice and their 40 offspring male and female equal number, Selected randomly. The mice were divided into Experimental and control groups. Inclusion criteria were the healthy offspring of two weeks age. At the time of birth initial weight was taken and the final weight was taken after two weeks. Exclusion criteria was unhealthy, less or more than two week's age. Independent sample t-test was used for analysis of data through SPSS version 20.0

Results: Total of 20 female Swiss albino mice divided equally into two groups experimental and control. Experimental group was kept on 5% smokeless tobacco. Twenty offspring from experimental and twenty offspring from control group of both sexes were taken. Initial and final weights of both groups were recorded. Significant difference was observed in initial and final weights of offspring with P-value=0.01

Conclusion: Tobacco which is frequently used in our region without any knowledge of its harmful effects. It is proved that smokeless tobacco not only reduces the weight of offspring but during pregnancy it effects the growing fetus leading to stillbirth and neonatal deaths

Comparative study of effects of azadirachtaindica [Neem] leaf aqueous extract and n-acetylcysteine on paracetamol induced liver damage in rats

Objective: To study the comparative effects of aqueous Neem leaf extract with N-Acetylcysteine on the basis of liver enzymes [AST, ALT, ALP] and histopathological changes in paracetamol induced liver damage

Study Design: Experimental / Interventional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Pharmacology Department, Al-Tibri Medical College, Karachi from January 2015 to June 2015

Materials and Methods: Total sixty [60] albino rats of either gender were equally divided into four [04] respective groups. Each group comprised of 15 animals. Animals of group A were considered as un-treated or control group. In group B animals were treated with a single dose 2mg/kg b/w of paracetamol orally. Group C animals with neem extract 500mg/kg b/w orally for 15 days along with oral administration of 2mg/kg b/w paracetamol. In group D, animals were treated with same dose of paracetamol and 140mg/kg b/w of N-Acetylcysteine intraperitoneal for 06 days

Results: The results showed that the liver enzymes were markedly increased in paracetamol treated group of animals, but decreased when animals were treated with Neem and N-Acetylcesteine. The mean serum level of enzymes such as AST, ALT and ALP were found to be more i.e, 110.8, 40.00 and 444.33 respectively but the mean level decreased in the animals of group C such as 29.133, 20.00 and 240.33. However, liver enzymes were also reduced in group D but their levels were relatively lesser than animals of group C. Regarding histopathological review, the tissue sections showed necrotic hepatocytes, congestion in blood vessels in paracetamol treated group of animals. However, the changes were found significantly reversed in group C and group D, but marked changes were seen in animals of group C as compared to N-Acetylcysteine treated group of animals

Conclusion: Paracetamol is a hepatotoxic drug causing histomorphological damage in liver along with alteration in the level of Liver enzymes. Azadirachta indica leaves have given better results compared to N-Acetylcysteine, on the basis of significant differences in biochemical parameters

Vitamin D status in young female reported with backache

To evaluate the Vitamin D status in young females who reported with the complaint of backache. This study was conducted in a private hospital in Karachi from Aug. 2010 to Dec.2011. A descriptive prospective study. This study was conducted in two private hospitals Memon Medical Complex and Mamji Hospital from Aug 2010 to Dec. 2011. In this study 113 adults females were taken. The age range between 21-35 with mean age 27.2 +/- 4.6 years. They attended the hospital with complaint of backache. The patients were enrolled through a Proforma with an inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Proforma recorded the basic information i.e. age, marital status, pregnancies, occupation, work load, duration of sun exposure, area of skin exposed, veiled, type of residence and dietary habits. The serum vitamin D level and simultaneously the serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. X-ray Lumbo/Sacral spine and pelvis were taken. All these tests were got done from a well reputed laboratory. Total of 113 cases, age ranging from 21-35 years with mean 27.2 +/- 4.6. All were females. Subjects were predominantly married 84 [74.33%], 54 [64.28%] had multiple pregnancies, 29 [25.66%] were house wives, 84 [74.33%] were working women, 34 [30.08%] were doing heavy work, sun exposure was almost negligible, 80 [70.79%] were veiled, 30[26.54%] had opened face, 11[9.73%] had opened face and forearm, 97[85.84%] were lived in flats, dietary habits were poor, black burqa were using outside. Vitamin D was deficient in 83 [73.45%] cases, insufficient in 21 [18.58%] cases and near normal in 9 cases[7.96%]. Inspite most of them belonged to middle class socio-economic status. The calcium was low in 90 cases [79.64%] while phorphorus was low in 83 cases [73.45%] and alkaline phosphate was not correlated positively. The X-ray of L/S spine and pelvis showed straightening of the spine and osteopenia. Vitamin D deficiency was the main reason of back pain of the young females

effects of mefenamic acid on hematocrit of the lizard, uromastix hardwickii

Mefenamic acid is an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition induces several hematological disturbances. Present study was conducted to determine the alterations in blood PCV of the lizard Uromastix hardwickii after the administration of 7.1 mg / ml; 10.5 mg / ml and 14.0 mg / ml mefenamic acid per individual per day for 12 days to 3 test groups. The mean values of PCV were 15.5 +/- 0.81%, 14.5 +/- 0.25% and 12.0 +/- 0.25% for 3 test groups respectively in comparison to 23.5 +/- 0.40% for control. Thus a significant dose dependant reduction in mean PCV per cent following the administration of mefenamic acid for 12 days indicates the extra vascular hemolysis due to destructive change in the red cell membrane through autoantibody mechanism

effects of mefenamic Acid on the osmotic fragility of lacertilian erythrocytes

Osmotic fragility of red cells is increased by the use of mefenamic acid. The use of this analgesic induces hemolytic anemia. Study of osmotic f agility of RBCs of control and test was observed following administration of 7.1 mg, 10.5 mg and 14 mg/day mefenamic acid to each lizard. Increased osmotic fragility was observed with increase in the amount of dose on day 6 and day 12

effects acetylsalicylic acid on the pituitary prolactin of the lizard, uromastix hardwickii

This study deals with the intravenous administration of 7mg acetylsalicylic acid [ASA] solution to Uromastix hardwickii for 4 days. It enhances the activity of anterior pituitary lactotrophs, when 0.1 ml of pituitary homogenate of ASA treated was injected hypodermically to crop- sac showed a greater diametric response and increased activity with milk like secretion than that of the injections of 0.1 ml homogenate of control pituitary. The present study indicated that ASA induces hyperprolactinemia