Nephro-protective effect of vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil on gentamicin associated nephrotoxicity in rabbits

Oxidative stress causes the generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] that lead to nephrotoxicity. An aminoglycoside, gentamicin, has pronounced nephrotoxic effect in humans and animals and this study was planned to observe the nephro-protective effect of antioxidants, vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and antioxidant activity were measured as indicators of nephrotoxicity for all the groups of rabbits. Results showed that vitamin C and Nigella sativa oil both had nephro-protective effect as they lowered the values of nephrotoxicity indicators [serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and antioxidant activity] as compared to gentamicin control group values. When these two antioxidants were given as combination, they proved to have synergistic nephroprotective effect

Screening for postpartum depression in ; recently delivered mothers

To identify the risk factors for postpartum depression and compare the rate and severity in abdominal versus vaginally delivered women at Fatima Hospital at Baqai Medical University using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Sale [EPDS]. It was a cross sectional comparative study conducted from 1[st] December 2007 to 28[th] February 2009. At Fatima Hospital total 393 women were interviewed using translated questionnaire of EPDS at 6-8 weeks postnatal, when they came for their post-delivery checkup in OPD. Women of all parities and age groups, who consented for the interview, were included in the study. Women who delivered stillborn, malformed and preterm babies were excluded. Additionally, women with complicated deliveries e.g. instrumental deliveries, extended episiotomies and with PPH were also excluded. Women were studied in two groups. Group-1 consisted of 195[47.3%] vaginally delivered women and group-2 consisted of 198[50.4%] abdominally delivered women. For convenience of patients EPDS was translated into Urdu. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 15. Score of >12 out of 30-point scale was used to diagnose postpartum depression while score of >15 indicated severe postpartum depression. According to this criteria, over all 15% of women had confirmed PPD; while 22/195 [11.3%] vaginally delivered women and 35/198[17.8%] women delivered by caesarean section were found to have PPD. Risk of postpartum depression was higher in the women delivered by caesarean section compared to vaginally delivered women [p-value of 0.004]. Both groups had the same chance of severity of symptoms. By using EPDS criteria our study identified that 15% of delivered women at Fatima Hospital at Baqai Medical University had sign and symptoms of postpartum depression. Risk of post partum depression increased with traumatic birth experience, while the risk of severe postpartum depression was independent of mode of delivery

Term pregnancy with uterovaginal prolapse and severe anemia

Cases of uterovaginal prolapse common in high parity societies. Cases concurrent with pregnancy are rare, but can present with its complication and require specific advice and management