Cetirizine and loratadine - comparing their antagonist effects on isolated trachea of rabbit

To study and compare the antagonist effects of Cetirizine and Loratadine on histamine induced contractions of isolated trachea of rabbit. Comparative controlled invitro experimental study. This study was conducted at The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI] Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC] Karachi, for the period of six months. Isolated tracheal smooth muscles of twenty four rabbits were used. Fresh Kreb's nutritional solution was prepared for each subject. Tracheal smooth muscles were exposed to standard dilution of Histamine, and then they were challenged with serial dilutions [10 [-18]to 10 [-3]gm. /ml] of Cetirizine and Loratadine separately. Responses as rate and amplitudes of contractions were recorded by 7B Grass Polygraph machine. Cetirizine inhibit the rate of histamine induced contractions of tracheal muscles from 0.85 to 12.33% and amplitude from 0.0 to 82.69%, as concentration of drugs increased. While Loratadine inhibit the rate of histamine induced tracheal contractions from 0.85 to 10.59% and amplitude from 6.5 to 76.82% as concentration of drugs increased. Cetirizine found more potent than Loratadine as inhibitor of histamine induced contraction in isolated tracheal smooth muscles of rabbit. Basic Sciences

Psyllium husk to increase HDL- Cholesterol; placebo controlled study

To examine the effects of Psyllium husk on HDL-Cholesterol. Single blind placebo controlled study. Study was conducted at department of pharmacology and therapeutics at Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from January 2006 to July 2006. Forty hyperlipidemic patients were included, among which 20 patients were on placebo as control group, and 20 were on Psyllium husk, 3 gram daily, in divided doses for the period of three months. Patients with peptic ulcer, renal disease, hepatic disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and alcoholism were excluded from the study. HDL- Cholesterol was determined by using kit Cat. #303210040 by Eli Tech Diagnostic, France. Data were expressed as the mean +/- SD and [t] test was applied to determine statistical significance as the difference. A probability value of <0.05 was the limit of significance. Two patients were dropped from the study due to low compliance of metallic taste of psyllium husk. Psyllium husk has increased HDL-Cholesterol, in 90 days of treatment, from 34.61 +/- 1.85 to 36.77 +/- 1.96 [mg/dl], which was highly significant statistically when paired [t] test was applied for results. Percentage change was +6.24. It is concluded from this study that Psyllium husk decreases the risk of CHD by increasing HDL-Cholesterol

Verapamil and loperamide; to compare the inhibitory effects on isolated guinea pig ileum

In smooth muscle cells, an increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration is an essential step for the cells to contract. The increase in calcium concentration occurs by influx from the extra cellular medium through calcium ion channels. Calcium channels have potential role in regulation of motility in gastrointestinal tract so there is growing interest in calcium channel blockers as a potential pharmacological approach to the treatment of various gastrointestinal motor disorders. In this study we evaluate the inhibitory effects of verapamil on spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum and compare them with inhibitory effects of loperamide. Isolated intestinal segments of sixteen guinea pigs were used in this study. Serial dilutions [10-18 -10-3 gm/ml] of loperamide and verapamil were administered; effects observed and recorded by 7B Grass Polygraph machine. We observed that at lower concentrations, loperamide showed more inhibitory effects than verapamil while at higher concentrations [10-4 and 10-3 gm/ml] verapamil showed more inhibitory effects than loperamide on the contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum. This study gave us a clue that verapamil found a potent inhibitor of small intestinal contractions as loperamide. However one can presume further that calcium channel blocker verapamil acting on calcium channel receptor on GIT will be developed with more specific effects on smooth muscle of intestinal tract

investigation of mechanism of vasodilator activity of 17 beta-estradiol as being geriomic or non-genomic

To determine the vasodilator activity of 17 beta-estradiol as being genomic or non-genomic. The experimental protocol was divided into three groups, In group I aorta of rat was subjected to serial dilutions of norepinephrine and a standard concentration was selected, which produced optimal vasoconstriction. In group II, tissue was challenged with serial dilutions of 17 beta-estradiol in the presence of vascconstriction induced by the standard concentration of norepinephrine. Meanwhile in group III tissue was challenged with serial dilutions of 17 beta-estradiol in presence of standard concentration of norepinephrine after pretreatment with dactinomycin, which was used to inhibit protein synthesis so that genomic mode of action could be blocked. In our study 17 beta-estradiol, after pretreatment with dactinomycin, produced vasodilator activity in the same pattern as obtained without administration of protein synthesis inhibitor in the tissue preconstricted with norepinephrine [P<0.001]. The observations demonstrate the vasodilator activity of the 17 beta-stradiol to be its non-genomic action