ABSTRACT
Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide [AC protocol] combination is usually considered as a first line therapy in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Thus, a retrospective observational study was conducted to monitor the effect of AC protocol on liver synthetic functions and production of plasma proteins in breast cancer patients, reporting to specialized cancer care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 75 patients [n=75] on AC protocol with breast cancer were observed in this study. The patient data including age, gender, body surface area, dosage, disease status and laboratory biochemical values were recorded by reviewing historical treatment records. Pre-treatment values were taken as baseline values for albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], albumin/globulin [A/G] ratio and total proteins. The baseline values were compared after each cycle of by applying ANOVA using statistical tool SPSS[Registered sign] version 21. The plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen [BUN], total protein and globulin dropped significantly [p<0.05] in patients of all age groups. However, the albumin levels were not significantly changed [p>0.05]. The A/G ratio level increased [p<0.05] as a result of reduction in globulin levels. Significant changes in plasma protein levels were observed in the elderly patients [50 to 65 years] than patients between 20 to 50 years of age. AC protocol impairs liver synthetic functions as observed by decreased blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and plasma protein levels
ABSTRACT
In Pakistan, a funded flour fortification program was launched for malnourished population, residing mainly in rural low income areas, but the urban population having comparatively better nutritional as well as economic status was focused wherein excessive intake of fortificants might cause complications. Therefore, the present study describes the physicochemical properties, elemental composition, nutritional components and hemoglobin/ferritin increasing potential of fortified and non-fortified flour. Domesticated chicken [Gallus gallus domesticus], either sex, age one month, weight 380 +/- 18.28 g, were randomly segregated into 4 groups [n=6]. The group I, II and III were fed on fortified flour, whereas group IV was fed on non-fortified flour for 30 days. The birds were weighed and blood samples of each of the birds were analyzed for determination of markers of iron status, hemoglobin [Hb] and serum ferritin [SF]. Moisture, ash and iron contents were found to be lower in non-fortified flour than that of the fortified samples. Hb and SF levels in groups fed on fortified flour were significantly higher than the one received non-fortified flour [P < 0.05]. The consumption of iron-fortified flour increases iron stores in the body without any further complication but long-term usage needs to be monitored.
Subject(s)
Animals , Flour , Food, Fortified , Iron , Hemoglobins , Ferritins , ChickensABSTRACT
Gentamicin induces nephrotoxicity, hence the present study explores protective and curative effects of alpha-lipoic acid and selenium alone and in combination in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Forty rabbits were randomly segregated into control, protective and curative groups. The groups A and B received water [10 ml/kg/day] and gentamicin [I/M, 80 mg/kg/day], respectively as normal and gentamicin controls. Four hours before gentamicin nephrotoxic dose, the protective subgroups C, D and E received alpha-lipoic acid, selenium and combination [50 mg/kg/day alpha-lipoic acid and 10 mg/kg/day selenium], respectively and then continued for 20 days. Nephrotoxicity was induced in curative subgroups F, G and H with gentamicin sulphate for 9 days and from 10[th] day onwards, followed the same treatments as for protective group for 26 days. Blood urea nitrogen [BUN], creatinine and antioxidant activity [AOA] were measured in all the groups. Combination of alpha-lipoic acid [50 mg/kg/day] and selenium [10 mg/kg/day] significantly reduced BUN [58.64%] and creatinine [17.48%] in protective subgroups treated for 20 days as compared to control without affecting AOA [p<0.05]. Decrease of 82.19% BUN and 77.38% creatinine, and 46.66% increase in AOA was noted on day 26 in curative group treated with the combination of antioxidants. The combination of alpha-lipoic acid and selenium [50 mg/kg/day alpha-lipoic acid and 10 mg/kg/day selenium] was found to be effective in prevention and treatment of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity
ABSTRACT
Zinc [Zn] plays a pivotal role in highly proliferative tissues including immune system. The long-term therapy of neoplastic and autoimmune disorders is associated with immunosuppression and myleosuppression. In the current study role of Zn on anti-Newcastle disease virus response and agranulocytes count of methotrexate and prednisolone treated rabbits. Thirty six healthy rabbits were randomly segregated into six groups [group I to VI] each containing six rabbits. Oil based Newcastle disease virus [NDV] vaccine was administered subcutaneously to rabbits of all the groups at day 0 and 21 and after one week, all the groups received Zn, [Zn + prednisolone], prednisolone, [Zn + methotrexate] methotrexate orally from day 7 to day 21, except the control. The serum antibody titer, total and differential leukocyte count were measured weekly for 6 weeks. The administration of zinc in combination with methotrexate showed same antibody titer as that of the control suggesting that Zn has ability to counteract the methotrexate-induced immunosuppression. However, Zn did not show any significant impact in combination with prednisolone [p<0.05]. The results of the present study indicate that co-administration of Zn and methotrexate is beneficial in the activity of immune system