[ efficacy and complications of metformin produced by Iranian Co in comparison with Canadian Co]

Different pharmaceutical types of metformin are available for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is some doubt about the efficacy of metformin produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. As a clinical trial, we compared the efficacy and complications of metformin produced by an Iranian company with metformin from a Canadian company in diabetic patients. Eighteen eligible women [age range: 32-62 years] with type 2 diabetes received metformin [500 mg twice a day] either from Iranian company or from Canadian company each for 6 weeks period in a randomized, double blind, crossover study. Fasting blood sugar [FBS], HbA1C, lipid profile [Chol, TG, HDL, and LDL], weight, and BMI were assessed before and after each treatment phase. The results were compared with each other by paired sample T-test and Independent sample T-test. Each of the two pharmaceutical types of metformin had the same therapeutic effects on FBS, HbA1C, lipid profile [except for HDL] and BMI. In addition, there was no significant difference between them in side effects [22.2% in each group]. According to the beneficial therapeutic effects of Iranian metformin, lower side effects and low cost, in comparison to its Canadian type, it seems that using Iranian metformin would be a suitable choice for control of glycemic patients. However, in this regard, further studies with greater samples are recommended

[Evaluation of the influence of intravenous carnitine on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in end stage chronic renal failure patients under hemodialysis]

Anemia is present in 60-80% of hemodialysis patients. Recombinant erythropoietin is the treatment of choice for anemia in these patients, but it is expensive. Many researchers have shown the effect of carnitine on anemia. Therefore, this work was designed to evaluate the influence of intravenous carnitine on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in chronic renal disease patients who were under hemodialysis. This study was accomplished on 29 patients who were under hemodilysis for at least one year and did not have other reasons for their anemia. Using balance block randomization method the patients divided in to two groups: placebo group [n=15] and case group [n=14]. After each dialysis session [3 times a week for 3 months] the case group was injected 1 gr intravenous carnitine while the placebo group received 1 gr distilled water. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding sex and age. The average amount of hemoglobin and hematocrit was equal in two groups before the intervention. But, finally after the intervention the amount of hemoglobin and hematocrit significantly increased in the case group [P=0.001 and P=0.003 respectively]. Findings of this study revealed that carnitine increases the amount of hemoglobin and hematocrit in hemodialysis patients and improves their anemia. However, further studies with more patients are recommended

[Predictive value of nucleated red blood cells count in cord blood of newborn]

The screening of infants who need to be admitted immediately following birth but without application of invasive procedures is of prime importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of nucleated red blood cells [nRBCs] count of cord blood in predicting the need for admission to NICU or neonatal ward. This was a case-control study performed on 100 live, newly born full-term infants [70 healthy infants and 30 infants admitted to NICU or neonatal ward] at Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Zanjan [Iran] in 2005. Umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery time to measure the nRBCs count. Data were collected through questionnaires and further analyzed by SPSS using chi square and Mann-Whitney Tests. The mean nRBCs counts in admitted neonates [case group] and healthy infants [control group] failed to show a statistically significant difference however, by omitting the cases for whom negative nRBCs counts were reported, a significant difference between two groups was observed. The number of abnormal nRBCs, the mean number of abnormal nRBCs, and the number of absolute abnormal nRBCs [nRBCs>1000] in cord blood of the case group were significantly higher than those in control group. The sensitivity and specificity of nRBCs count were 33.3% and 100%, respectively. Although the nRBCs count alone could not be considered as an ideal screening tool for those group of neonates with clinical complications however, it seems that the nRBCs count could be a helpful diagnostic parameter in predicting a need for admission