ABSTRACT
Background: Taurine is a non protein amino acid found in most animal tissues. It is a powerful antioxidant which shares in combating the harmful effect of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), associated to many chronic diseases as diabetes mellitus (DM). The disease is characterized by hyperglycemia and metabolic disorders in the body that leads to the release of ROS in the cells. Methods: The present work evaluates the biochemical and immunological role of taurine (500 mg/kg bwt) in ameliorating diabetes harm in rats when compared to the effect of the antidiabetic drug (amaryl). Six groups were established for the experiment. Group1: control rats without any supplementations. Group 2 : diabetic non treated rats. Group 3: rats received taurine for three weeks. Group 4: rats were supplemented with taurine for three weeks then injected streptozotocin (STZ) (prophylactic gp). Group 5: rats were injected with STZ then supplemented with taurine for four weeks (therapeutic gp). Group 6: rats were injected STZ then treated with amaryl drug for four weeks. Serum glucose and insulin levels in addition to liver function enzymes and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme were determined. ROS effect was monitored in liver tissue by detecting malondialdhyde resulting from lipid peroxidation and detecting glutathione reductase enzyme activity. With respect to the immunological responses, the thymocytes and splenocytes numbers were counted besides measuring serum IgG level. Histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed in pancreatic sections. Results: showed the ability of taurine in decreasing glucose level and increasing insulin with the same efficacy as amaryl drug besides affecting liver enzymes and improving the antioxidant system in cells. Taurine also restored the decrease in mean number of thymocytes and splenocytes caused by DM. Sera IgG levels from pre- and post-treatment with taurine showed non significant increase compared to the diabetic non treated group. Conclusion: post-treatment supplemention of taurine is recommended for T2DM.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective: </b>The use of generic drugs is promoted for the purpose of reductions of medical costs and patient’s copayment. In general, it is thought that clinical effects of the original brand and the generic drugs are equal if they are bioequivalent. However, it is necessary to inspect their therapeutic equivalence to use the generic drugs securely. We, therefore, assessed the therapeutic equivalence and pharmacoeconomics by substitution of an original drug (Amaryl®) with a generic drug (Glimepiride [Tanabe]).<br><b>Methods: </b>Therapeutic Equivalence: The total variation was calculated by using the HbA1c levels before it switched from Amaryl® to Glimepiride [Tanabe]. The tolerance limits were set as 1/4 of the total variation. Pharmacoeconomics: The difference of drug prices and the difference of patient’s copayment were calculated.<br><b>Results: </b>As the variation of HbA1c levels was within tolerance limits before and after switching from Amaryl® to Glimepiride [Tanabe], we evaluated that their therapeutic effect was equivalent. The difference of drug prices after switching from the original to the generic one was 4,582.6 yen/year on average (minimum: 949.0 yen, maximum: 12,045.0 yen); the difference of patient’s copayment was 872.5 yen/year on average (minimum: 0 yen, maximum: 3,613.5 yen). These data show that the use of the generic drugs is effective to reduce medical costs.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>For further promoting the use of the generic drugs, we consider it essential to compare the therapeutic equivalence and the safety of the original and the generic drugs in clinical practice.