ABSTRACT
Human brain cholesterol acts as structural components of cellular membrane, synapse and dendrite formation.Researchers have found a possible association between low serum cholesterol levels and mood disorders though the literature from India in this regard is limited. To estimate serum levels of total cholesterol in patients with major depressive disorder. 75 patients of MDD were compared with equal number of age and sex matched controls. 5 ml of fasting sample of blood was obtained in a plain vacutainer to analyse total cholesterol level by Cholesterol oxidase-peroxidase method. Statistical analysis: The obtained results were tabulated and analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis, independent t-test, Chi-square test and area under the curve. The mean level of cholesterol in cases (158.85±61.22 mg/dL) which was significantly lower compared to the controls (182.71±40.98 mg/dL) with P <0.01. The symptoms of MDD negatively correlated with lower serum cholesterol level with odds ratio of 0.99. There was statistically significant lower level of cholesterol in the MDD group below 140 mg/dL compared to the control group with P <0.001. As the measurement of total serum cholesterol is simple and cost effective, it can be used as an important biochemical marker for MDD.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anti-depressant drugs have great benefit in treating a many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, although all these drugs are associated with many potential adverse effects. In this study, the occurrence of adverse effects like weight gain, sleep disturbances, dry mouth were assessed and reported in drug naïve patients Anti-depressant drugs.Methods: It is a prospective observational study of patients attending Psychiatry department in NRI General Hospital of age 10 to 80 years who were prescribed with anti-depressant drugs. The study was conducted for a period of 8 months from June 2018 to February 2018.Results: Among 86 patients prescribed with antidepressants, the occurrence of adverse drug reactions due to antidepressants was 60.78% with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors being the most common class of drugs implicated for adverse drug reactions followed by 24.49% with Tricyclic antidepressants. A total of 51 adverse drug reactions were noted of which weight gain was most common, closely followed by sleep disturbances and drowsiness. Out of 52 adverse drug reactions assessed for causality, 88.2% of the adverse drug reactions cases were probable, while 11.7% were possible. According to Hartwig and Siegel’s Scale 84.3% of the cases are found to be mild, 15.68% moderate.Conclusions: The study allows knowing information about the occurrence and pattern of adverse drug reactions associated with Anti-depressant drugs in the population thus reducing its incidence and protecting the user population from available harm.
ABSTRACT
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a medical condition induced by diseases or lesions in the primary or inner cell systems that influence somatosensory nervous system buildings. Central NP, including backbone pain; multiple sclerosis, is recurrent. NP has an important impact on the life of patients and a strong economic impact on people and the society. some small neuropathy responds like a NSAID, aspirin and ibuprofen to an over-the-counter drug. More strong medicine (such as anti-depressants and serotonin-epinephrine reuptake inhibitors), anticonvulsants (pregabalin and gabapentin), and topical lidocaine-these are recognized as the most advanced neuropathical treatment-is also needed for other serious circumstances to increase ache leadership. Supplemental drugs, such as beta lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, taurine and others, have been studied for neuropathic pain relieve under doctors to guarantee safe use and not bring any medicines that may interact with the dietary supplement. A medical procedure has been investigated for a neuro-lipoic pain relief. In specific, owing to the power of drug contrast with alternative products and owing to the effect of some drugs, it was considered that the drugs are (in spite of their side effects) more helpful and efficient to relieve neuropathic pain than the option, since neuropathic pain represents a serious illness and needs a more strong and effective therapy technology (particularly in severe cases).
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Antidepressants are being used as analgesics for various pain related disorders like neuropathic and non neuropathic pain. Although their analgesic activity is well recognized but anti-inflammatory potential of antidepressants is still inconclusive. Since the antidepressants are used for longer duration, it becomes important to elucidate effect of anti-depressants on blood pressure and gastric mucosa. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of various antidepressant drugs as well as their effect on blood pressure and gastric tolerability on chronic administration in rats. Methods: Rat paw oedema model was used for studying anti-inflammatory activity, single dose of test drug (venlafaxine 20 and 40 mg/kg, amitryptline 25 mg/kg, fluoxetine 20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 45 min prior to administration of 0.1 ml of 1 per cent carrageenan in sub-planter region. Oedema induced in test group was compared with normal saline treated control group. For studying effect on blood pressure and gastric tolerability, test drugs were administered for 14 days. Blood pressure was recorded on days 0, 7 and 14 using tail cuff method. On day 14, 4 h after drug administration, rats were sacrificed and stomach mucosa was examined for ulcerations. Results: Pretreatment of rats with venlafaxine (40 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in paw oedema as compared to control (2.4 ± 0.15 to 1.1 ± 0.16 ml, P<0.01). Similarly, in the group pretreated with fluoxetine, significant decrease in paw oedema was observed in comparison to control (P<0.05). Significant change in mean blood pressure was seen in rats pretreated with venlafaxine 40 mg/kg (126.7 ± 4.2 to 155.2 ± 9.7, P<0.05) and fluoxetine (143.5 ± 2.6 to 158.3 ± 1.2, P<0.05) on day 7. No significant difference with regard to gastric tolerability was observed among groups. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed significant anti-inflammatory activity of venlafaxine (40 mg/kg) and fluoxetine but these drugs were also associated with an increase in blood pressure. No significant change in mean ulcer index was observed among groups.
ABSTRACT
Disruption of normal neuronal networks and neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine levels in post traumatic brain injury (TBI) are observed to be the primary causative agent for depression/anxiety. This communication reports the efficacy of various classes’ anti-depressants in the treatment of depression/anxiety following TBI in rats. Chronic treatment with anti-depressants (escitalopram and venlafaxine) leads to improvement in the depressive/anxiogenic -like behaviour in the TBI rat and corroborates the notion of the involvement of serotonin and norepinephrine in the behavioural consequences of post-TBI. Chronic treatments with escitalopram and venlafaxine significantly reversed the effect of TBI as compared to vehicle-treated TBI group. The results showed a quantitative battery of neuro-behavioural functional assessments that correlates with neuronal damage following traumatic brain injury.