Assessment of renal affection in opioid abusers admitted to Ain Shams university hospitals

Opioid abuse represents an often neglected risk factor for the development of wide spectrum of renal diseases. The aim of this study was to assess renal affection in opioid abusers. The current work was carried out on 25 adult opioid abusers admitted to Ain Shams University Hospitals in the period from April 2008 to October 2008, in addition to ten healthy adult individuals serving as controls. All subjects were subjected to sociodemographic study, full clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations that included assessment of serum creatinine, BUN, beta 2microglobulin [beta 2M] and CPK levels, screening for viral infections [HIV, HCV and HBV], detection of proteins in urine and urine screening for opioids. Results of this study revealed significant increase of both beta 2M and CPK serum levels in the studied opioid abusers compared to the control group with no significant difference between the two groups as regard serum creatinine and BUN. Proteinuria was detected in 40% of opioid abusers. Significant increase of infection was observed in opioid abusers including skin infection and viral infections. In conclusion, renal affection is a significant finding in opioid abusers. So, during treatment of opioid abusers it is recommended to assess beta 2M level and to test urine for proteinuria as they both are early and sensitive indicators of renal affection. Additionally, a campaign for awareness of the people about the complications of drug abuse should be carried out

Cisplatin induced toxicity and the modulating effect of antioxidants

This study was conducted on 120 albino rats divided into 8 equal groups. The study showed that group V [cisplatin group] caused highly significant increases in blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT], serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT] together with highly significant reductions in serum electrolytes [serum calcium, Ca, serum potassium, K and serum sodium, Na], total proteins and albumin. Histopathological examination of kidney in group V showed tubular necrosis, focal cytoplasmic vacuolation and interstitial hemorrhages. Histopathological examination of liver in group V showed cloudy swelling of hepatocyte and sinusoidal dilatation

protective role of nifedipine and vitamine C om bromobenzene hepatorenal toxicity

In this study the hepatorenal protective effects of nifedipine and vitamin C were investigated in albino rats during acute and chronic bromobenzene [Br B] induced hepatorenal toxicity. Hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective activities were monitored by estimating serum transaminase [SGPT and SGOT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], total bilirubin [TB] and total proteins [TP]. Nephrotoxicity and nephroprotective activities were monitored by estimating blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and serum creatinine. Histopathological and histochemical studies of the livers and kidneys of experimental rats were also done. Administration of nifedipine and vitamin C concomitant with Br B to rats led to complete normalization of toxin induced alteration assessed by biochemical parameters and almost abolishing the toxin induced histopathological and histochemical changes in the rats livers and kidneys. A conclusion was made that infedipine and vitamin C have protected against bromobenzene induced hepatorenal toxicity