ABSTRACT
The present study deals with the erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of paracetamol and chloroquine in an in vitro protocol using Michaelis Menten parameters [Apparent Michaelis Constant [aKm] and Apparent Maximum Velocity [aVm]. Paracetamol showed marked inhibition of the erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase. The inhibitory values for aKm and aVm were 65.6% 51.36% respectively, which reduced with respect to control and therefore, proposed an un-competitive type of antagonism. When chloroquine was tested, it showed 45.14% inhibition for aKm which increased while 69.21% for aVm decreased with respect to control; proposed a mixed type of antagonism. In conclusion, the cholinergic intervention by paracetamol in this study suggested a new mechanism for its analgesic activity as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have already shown both peripheral and central analgesic activity, while the cholinergic activation by chloroquine provided explanation for some of its side effects
ABSTRACT
To determine the efficacy of combined treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy [NB-UVB] and topical tacrolimus in comparison with NB-UVB alone with placebo control in the treatment of vitiligo affecting face and neck. We included 60 patients with vitiligo affecting face and neck with or without involvement of the rest of body, in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The patients were randomly allocated in two groups as A and B. Topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment was given for vitiligo patches twice daily in group A, while placebo ointment was given to be applied in similar way for vitiligo patches in group B. Tri-weekly NB-UVB for depigmented areas with starting dose of 0.1J/cm2 with increment of 10% at every visit was given to the patients in both groups. Percentage of depigmented patches was calculated at the baseline, 1, 2 and 3 months. All patients completed the treatment period of 3 months. The mean response at the end of the 3rd month revealed excellent response [>75% repigmentation] in 16 [53.3%] patients in group A and 9 [30%] patients in group B. Good response [50-75% repigmentation] was seen in 11 [36.7%] in group A and 12 [40%] patients in group B. Moderate response [25-49% repigmentation] was shown by 3 [10%] patients in group A and 5 [16.7%] patients in group B. None of the patient showed poor response [<25% repigmentation] in group A, however 4 [13.3%] patients showed poor response in group B. Comparison of efficacy in both groups show excellent and efficacious response in 16 [53.5%] of patients in group A and in only 9 [30%] of patients in group B [P <0.05]. Combined treatment with NB-UVB and topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in comparison with NB-UVB with placebo control in the treatment of vitiligo affecting face and neck is more effective