therapeutic and prophylactic role of oral zinc sulfate in management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis [ras] in comparison with dapsone

To evaluate the therapeutic and prophylactic effectiveness of oral zinc sulfate in recurrent aphthous stomatitis RAS in comparison with dapsone. A double-blind placebo controlled study, conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospitals, Baghdad, Iraq between May 2005 and October 2006, in which 45 patients with RAS were recruited and divided into 3 equal groups: group A on zinc sulfate 150 mg twice daily, group B on dapsone 50 mg twice daily, and group C on glucose 250 mg as placebo. The drugs were prepared in identical capsules, and the patients were instructed to take the capsules twice daily after meals in a double-blind manner. Assessment of each patient was carried out by the Oral Clinical Manifestation Index OCMI and the diameter of the ulcers at day 0, day 4, and at the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth weeks of therapy. Forty-five patients were included in the study 25 males and 20 females, and their ages ranged between 16-45 years mean +/- SD 31.24 +/- 8.14. In group A, the mean of OCMI and diameter of ulcers improved, with a p=0.0001 for OCMI, and 0.0001 for the diameter for ulcers at the end of the twelfth week of therapy, which was statistically significant. Group B, also showed significant improvement, however, the action was lower and slower p=0.0001 for OCMI, and 0.001 for the diameter for ulcers. Group C revealed slight non-significant improvement p=0.028 for OCMI, and 0.034 for the diameter of ulcers. In the sixth week of therapy, zinc sulfate was more effective than dapsone in reducing the OCMI of the ulcers p=0.007. The present study showed that both zinc sulfate and dapsone had significant therapeutic and prophylactic effects in controlling RAS, however, zinc sulfate had much more rapid and sustained action

Clinical and radiological response and side effects of beta interferon in Iraqi patients with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis

To determine the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous Interferon beta 1a [IFN beta -1a] among Iraqi patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis [RRMS]. The study was held at the Multiple Sclerosis clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from January-October 2004. Thirty-seven patients with clinically definite RRMS and disability status scale below 6.5 were enrolled in this study. Patients received IFN beta -1a, 22 micro g subcutaneously 3 times a week. Clinical measures, including number of relapses and disability progression, with MRI measures including number, size activity of lesions, and brain atrophy were used for evaluation of response to treatment. Side effects were also looked for. Patient ages ranged between 17-60 years with a mean age of 34.85 years, with 20 female patients and 17 male patients. After 2 years of treatment, there was a significant reduction in relapse rate [54.1% were relapse free, and 21.6% had reduction in relapse rate]. There was also a significant effect on disability progression [the mean expanded disability status scale [EDSS] before treatment was 3.22 and mean EDSS after treatment was 2.84]. Significant effects on MRI measures were also shown, presented by a reduction in the number of lesions, which was seen in 64.9% of the patients, and a reduction in the size of lesions, which was seen in 64.9% of the patients. Also, significant effects on the activity of lesions was seen, as 67.6% of the patients had non-active lesions before treatment and remained non-active after treatment, and 29.7% of the patients had active lesions before treatment, which became non-active after 2 years of treatment. Mild adverse reactions were seen, mainly influenza like reactions and injection site reactions. Interferon beta -1a was effective in the treatment of RRMS with minimal side effects

Acetylator phenotype in Iraqi patients with allergic contact dermatitis

Few studies have been done on acetylator status in ACD. This study determined acetylator status in Iraqi patients with allergic contact dermatitis [ACD] in comparison to a matched control group. The study included 35 ACD patients and 67 healthy volunteers. The ACD patients were diagnosed clinically and the diagnosis was confirmed by patch test. A detailed history was taken from the patients. After an overnight fast, each control subject and each patient received a single oral dose of 100 mg of dapsone. A blood sample was collected after 3 hours and plasma was separated for determination of dapsone and monoacetyldapsone by HPLC. Twenty-six of the 35 ACD patients returned for follow up. The frequency of slow acetylators in healthy individuals was 71.6%, while the frequency of rapid acetylators was 28.4%. The frequency of slow acetylators in ACD patients was 60.0% while the frequency of rapid acetylators was 40.0%. There was no association between the acetylator status, personal history of allergy, patch-test positivity or sites of dermatitis in ACD patients. A rapid acetylator status might predispose to ACD, but does not seem to influence other features of the disease

Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis

Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis DCL is a condition rarely seen in the Middle East. We report a case of disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 60-years-old lady. The patient first presented 1996 with an initial lesion, which started on the butterfly area of the face and spread, probably due to immunosuppression, to involve the whole face. The lesions consisted of nodules, which did not ulcerate. The histology showed abundance of macrophages filled with amastigotes L-D bodies. The patient was started on oral zinc sulphate 10 mg/kg in 3 divided doses daily. The condition showed gradual improvement. Repeated biopsies showed upgrading of the histopathological picture. After 6-months of treatment there was complete clearance of the condition. The patient was followed up for 6-years with no recurrence. However, she presented with a new lesion on the butterfly area again in February 2003. The biopsy again showed abundance of macrophages filled with amastigotes L-D bodies. A 4-months course of zinc sulphate 10 mg/kg in 3 divided doses daily resulted in complete clearance of the lesions. Zinc sulphate might represent a new treatment for this condition that has no adequate treatment until now

Lallemantia iberica leaves promote wound healing in mice

In folk medicine leaves of Lallemantia iberica have been claimed to promote wound healing. This study was designed to examine this claim. Wounds [10 10 mm] were made on the back of 24 mice. 12 mice were treated daily for 6 days or 9 days with Lallemantia iberica leaves incorporated in a vasaline base [1:4]. Another 12 mice were treated with vasaline alone for the same period. Results show that the wound size decreased significantly after 6 and 9 days of treatment compared to the control group. This results substantiates the folk medicine claims and supports more research into this medicinal plant to extract a useful drug to promote wound healing

Assessment of the effect of changes in examination questions types on student performance in medical pharmacology: a six years retrospective study

Assessment of student performance has been made in the two examinations in pharmacology held annually for a six year period from 1986-1993 and the results correlated with the content of the different examinations of multiple choice questions [MCQ] and short answer questions [SAQ]. Results indicate that there is a very strong negative correlation between student performance and the percentage of MCQ in each examination. This is in contrast to previous published reports from other parts of the world which indicate a better performance in MCQ rather than SAQ. Linguistic, cultural and educational factors may contribute to the results obtained. Further studies are clearly needed to assess this trend

effect of the water extract of flowers of Anchusa Strigosa on the minimal electroshock seizure threshold in mice

The effect of the water extract of the flowers of Anchusa strigosa on the minimal electro-shock seizure threshold in mice was investigated. Administration of the extract increased minimal electro shock seizure threshold dose dependently. The effect of the extract on the minimal electro shock seizure threshold persisted up to 6h but disappeared after 24h. The effect of the extract of Anchusa strigosa on the Minimal electro-shock seizure threshold was partially blocked by the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil. This indicates that the effect of the extract of Anchusa strigosa is partially mediated by the central type of benzodiazepine receptors

effect of diazoxide of theophylline on blood glucose and liver cyclic amp levels during endotoxemia in mice

The effect of diazoxide or theophylline on blood glucose and liver cyclic AMP levels during endotoxaemia in mice were compared. Administration of endotoxin resulted in a decrease in both parameters after eight and twelve hours. Diazoxide administered at seven hours post- endotoxin improved blood glucose and liver cyclic AMP levels at both eight and twelve hours post-endotoxin. Theophylline administration, using the same time schedule, increased liver cyclic AMP level but increased blood glucose slightly. Differences in the effect of both drugs is probably due to their possible different effect on insulin release