Status of oxidant stress in Parkinson's disease and Friedreich's ataxia, clinical and biochemical evaluation

The status of oxidant stress was determined in 27 patients with PD and 21 age matched controls as well as 17 patients with FA and 12 age matched controls. This was achieved by the determination of plasma, RBCs and CSF, superoxide dismutase [SOD], lipid peroxides in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance [TBARS], plasma and RBCs total thiols, plasma and CSF nitrites and nitrates as a measure of NO* plasma ceruloplasmin, vitamins A, E, C and carotenoids. The study also determined plasma level of vitamin B6, triglycerides and cholesterol. The study revealed significantly increased oxidant stress in patients with PD and FD as reflected by significantly increased NO and LPER. Also, there was decreased antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and ceruloplasmin as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants total thiols together with chain breaking antioxidant vitamins A, E and C besides beta-carotene. These changes would suggest a role of increased oxidant stress in the etiopathogenesis of these diseases. Besides, the study supported the importance of supplementing these patients with antioxidant therapy

Preclinical detection of lead toxicity neurophysiological, radiological and biochemical study

Exposure to lead, especially among workers in the industries including lead as a main component, is still a serious occupational hazard even in highly developed countries. Early detection and early treatment are very important for such subjects. The aim of this study is the early detection of lead toxicity among workers in printing offices before the appearance of any clinical signs or symptoms and the determination of sensitive and cheap tests for detection of early lead poisoning in subjects at risk. Therefore, 39 workers in the printing offices of Assiut University who had no clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of lead toxicity were included in this study. They were subjected for neurophysiological, radiological and biochemical investigation together with 10 age and sex matched controls. The study clarified a significant [P < 0.0006] delay of distal latency of the right radial nerve. Significantly decreased RBCs levels of NAD synthetase, pyrimidine 5'-N, PHI and LDH as well as total thiol among patients were compared with controls. Abnormal radiological findings were recorded in 33.3% bands across the upper metaphysis of both tibial shafts were observed in patients who had abnormal radiological findings

Does butorphanol produce interaction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors [tranylcypromine]? comparative experimental study with pethidine

This study demonstrated the possibility of the interaction between tranylcypromine and butorphanol compared with pethidine. The LD50 of pethidine and butorphanol were determined in mice pretreated either with nonselective monoamine oxidase [MAO] inhibitors, tranylcypromine orally for eight days or with saline orally. Tranylcypromine decreased the LD50 of both pethidine and butorphanol by 70% and 41%, respectively. Anesthetized rabbits with halothane pretreated either with tranylcypromine or saline were given pethidine 5 mg/kg iv or butorphanol 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg iv, pethidine produced a marked increase in blood pressure in rabbits pretreated with tranylcypromine and did not affect significantly the heart rate. However, butorphanol did not affect either blood pressure or heart rate at dose of 0.5 or 1 mg/kg, but the largest dose of butorphanol [2mg/kg] produced hypotension and tachycardia in rabbits pretreated with tranylcypromine. Neither pethidine nor butorphanol affected the temperature of anesthetized rabbits pretreated with tranylcypromine or saline