ABSTRACT
Robust evidence of the bioeffects of ultrasound is available from animal studies but human studies are less convincing. Nevertheless; it is disturbing that the only response to safety issues is a twenty-year old principle known as ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Applicable). Using experience from obstetrics and toxicology; and drawing information mainly from two recent systematic reviews and meta-analysis that extensively covered the subject of ultrasound safety; this review captures the current knowledge of ultrasound bioeffects and suggests that it may be time for an international; multidisciplinary meeting on ultrasound safety to decide how to provide the evidence (available data) to patients and sonographers in a succinct manner
Subject(s)
Diagnostic Imaging , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of vitamin B-complex on the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin in an established rat model. Methods: Adult Swiss albino rats weighing 170±20g were divided into 4 groups of 4 rats each. Each group was given one of the following: placebo injection (Control), 80mg/kg of gentamicin sulphate alone or with 1.5ml/kg/3ml/kg body weight of vitamin B-complex (intramuscular) containing 10mg thiamine, 1.5mg riboflavin and 1.0mg pyridoxal-6-phosphate per ml. Results: In the Swiss albino rats, daily intramuscular 80mg/kg gentamicin sulphate significantly (p<0.05) and consistently produced biochemical signs of nephrotoxicity after 5 days. Also, 1.5 ml/kg of B-complex significantly (p<0.05) ameliorated the rate and extent of increase in serum urea and creatine while 3ml/kg of the same drug completely prevented the increase in serum urea and creatine in this model. Conclusion: Vitamin B-complex dose-dependently ameliorated gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in adult Swiss albino rats when given intramuscularly. This finding may have important clinical utility