Prophylactic and curative effects of oat bran [Avena sativa] against hyperlipidaemia in albino rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidaemic effect of oat bran in albino rats. To achieve this goal, two main experiments included 56 female Swiss rats were conducted. The first was Prophylactic experiment comprised of 24 rats in three groups as follows: Group 1: negative control, fed on normal diet, Group 2: positive control received hyperlipidaemic diet [HL-D] and Group 3: received daily HL-D along with oat bran at a dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 8 weeks. The second was Curative experiment comprised of 32 rats. Eight rats served as negative control [Group 1], and the other rats were subjected to the induction of experimental hyperlipidaemia for 4 weeks. Then the hyperlipidaemic rats were divided randomly into equal three groups as follows: Group 2: Hyperlipidaemic rats served as positive control for 4 weeks. Group 3: Hyperlipidaemic rats received oat bran at a daily dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 4 weeks Group 4: Hyperlipidaemic rats received a daily p.o dose of 3.6 mg kg[-1] b.w of simvastatin as reference drug for the same period. The results revealed that HLD supplementation increased plasma lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol [T.C] and LDL], risk ratio [T.C/HDL and LDL/HDL], liver cholesterol, serum enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]]. However, a daily administration of oat bran with HL-D was significantly able to suppress the lipotropic effects of HL-D in plasma and liver in both experiments. This study concluded that oat bran supplemented diet is an effective hypolipidaemic agent

Delayed gastric emptying in children with type I diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is considered a cause of gastroparesis in 30-50% of children and it Is presented with various gastrointestinal symptoms. Erythromycin has a variable effect in treating gastroparesis and the increase in blood sugar can affect its effect. The aim of the work is to assess gastroparesis in diabetic children and to evaluate its relation to gastrointestinal symptoms and also to study the role of erythromycin in the treatment of gastroparesis. The study included 67 children suffered type I diabetes mellitus of moro than 5 years duration. Their ages ranged from 7-11 years. Ten children of matchable age and sex were taken as controls. Clinical history and examination were done with the measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin% and gastric emptying time by scintigraphy. Glycosylated hemoglobin% [HbA1c%] was significantly high in the diabetic patients in comparison to that of the controls [8.02 +/- 1.77 and 4.92 +/- 1.64 respectively]. Out of the 67 patients 31[46.26%] showed delayed gastric emptying time and 18 of them were with gastrointestinal symptoms. HbA1c% was significantly high in those patients with delayed gastric emptying time in comparison to those with normal gastric emptying time [8.48 +/- 1.92 and 7.06 +/- 0.81 respectively]. Also it is higher in those with symptoms than those without symptoms [9.64 +/- 1.75 and 6.89 +/- 0.39 respectively]. As regards the other possible complications that are found in diabetes, patients with neurological type showed significant higher HbA1c%and more delayed gastric emptying time than those without neurological complications [8.31 +/- 2.13 and 6.92 +/- 1.39 and 236.21 +/- 79.12 and 102.1 +/- 43.21 respectively]. By giving erythromycin to the symptomatized patients in a dose of 250, mg 3 times daily for 3 months, 8 out of 18 showed improvement. A positive correlation was found between HbA1c% and GET. In conclusion, gastroparesis could be found in diabetic patients even without symptoms. The presence of other complications especially the neurological type and the uncontrolled blood sugar augment gastroparesis. Therefore, the variable response to erythromycin in gastroparesis is multifactorial

Malignant otitis externa in upper Egypt: why do not all diabetics have malignant otitis externa?

Eighteen diabetic patients [7 men and 11 women, with an age ranged between 50 and 75 years] among 1730 cases of malignant otitis externa in the ENT Clinic at Assiut University Hospitals were studied and treated in this work. This group consisted of seven men and eleven women. Diabetes was long-standing in all patients and uncontrolled, except in one. Laboratory investigations in the form of high and low-density lipids, ESR, creatinine and blood sugar curves were done to all patients. Biopsy for histopathological examination was taken from the granulation tissues or aural polyp. Computerized tomography of the temporal bones and radioisotope bone scan using technetium 99 MDP was done to all patients in the Nuclear Medicine Unit in Assiut University Hospitals. The clinical features and presentation were summarized. The strategy of the diagnosis and treatment was discussed. The combination of antibiotic and drugs that improve microcirculation was found to be essential in treatment of malignant otitis externa. Liporegulation drugs are also valuable in controlling high levels of LDL. ESR is a useful tool to monitor patients with MOE during treatment and in the follow up

Transurethral resection of large and giant prostates

From January 1982 to February 1992, 1700 patients were subjected in our institution for transuretheral resection. One hundred and fourty patients with large [50 - 100 gm] and 52 patients with giant prostate [> 100 gms] were subjected to transuretheral resection. We reported our technique of resection and methods of anaesthesia utilized in these patients. The post operative complications are minimal and the course was smooth in the majority of cases. Long term follow up was also studied. TURP: Transuretheral Resection of Prostate

role of calcium in propranolol-verapamil toxic interaction

Simulaneous administration of propranolol and verapamil is toxic to the experimental animals. The total and differential serum calcium level and serum protein level were estimated in 4 groups of rabbits. One group received propranolol, the second received verapamil, the third received both drugs and the fourth received both drugs plus calcium. Significant increase in the level of serum ionized calcium was observed in the 4 groups. The result indicates that these drugs induce their toxic interacation through the blockade of calcium channels