Clinical and experimental study of beta 2 selectivity of some beta adrenergic drugs

Beta2 agonists are the most widely prescribed antiasthmatic medications. However data of their wanted and unwanted effects are scarce. The cardiovascular and metabolic effects on serum potassium and free fatty acids level of salbutamol, hexaprenaline and fenetrol were studied in 45 ashmatic children. Experimentlly; equipotent doses of the three drugs had been tried on isolated frog's heart and then challenged with increasing doses of propranolol. In this study both clinical and experimental data showed that beta2 agonist under study have a substantial beta2 effects and fenetrol has more cardiovascular and metabolic adverse effects than salbutamol and hexaprenaline; So fenetrol may be less selective for beta2 receptors

Hepatic effects of halothane and isoflurane anaesthesia in rats and their relation to enzyme induction

The present study was carried out on 42 rats, classified into six equal groups; three of them served as controls and the others were treated with rifampicin as an enzyme inducer. Control and pretreated rats were either not exposed to inhalational anesthetics or exposed to halothane or isoflurane anesthesia. Liver functions were assessed by measuring gamma glutamyl transferase, aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT] and serum bilirubin. The present study showed that repeated halothane anesthesia resulted in impairment of liver function. This impairment was exaggerated when halothane was administered to rifampicin pretreated rats. No evidence of hepatic injury occurred in rats exposed to isoflurane anesthesia

Mechanism of arachidonic acid induced vasodilatation in the intact rat intestine

The dose dependency and mechanism of arachidonic acid [AA]-induced change of total superior mesenteric blood flow [MBF] was investigated in anaesthetized albino rats. MBF of the intact autoperfused mesentery was measured with an extracorporeal electromagnetic flow probe. Direct measurements of systemic blood pressure [BP] were also determined. Intramesenteric arterial [IMA] bolus injections of 10-40 ug of AA caused dose-dependent vasodilatation and decrease in mesenteric vascular resistance [MVR]. Mesenteric vascular responses to AA were abolished by indomethacin 5 mg/kg I.V. The preparation was capable of active dilatation when challenged with acetyl choline [ACh] and of active constriction when angiotensin II [A II] was injected. Prostaglandin I2, [PGI 2], PGE 2 and PGD 2 caused mesenteric vasodilatation, whereas PGF 2gamma caused mesenteric vasoconstriction. These results indicate that cyclooxygenase derived product [S] are responsible for the mesenteric vasodilator effect of AA in the intact rat mesenteric preparation

Antiepileptic drugs and oral contraceptives

The present work was conducted to investigate the effect of some of the popular antiepileptic drugs on the efficacy of oral contraceptive pins containing D-norgestrel 0.15 mg and ethinyl oestradiol 0.03 mg in adult female non-pregnant rats. Oral treatment started while the animals were in the oestrus stage of their cycle. Drugs were administered orally for twelve successive days. Half the animals in each group was isolated and the other half was kept with males during the period of treatment. The oral contraceptive used caused a significant increase in both estrogen and progesterone levels compared to the control group. No pregnancies occurred in female rats kept with males during the period of treatment in this group. The simultaneous administration of the oral contraceptive with clonazepam [12.5 mg/kg/day] caused insignificant change in the level of estrogen and progesterone compared to the contraceptive group. No pregnancies occurred in this group. While the concurrent administration of the oral contraceptive with sodium valproate [150 mg/kg/day] resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of both estrogen and progesterone compared to the contraceptive group and insignificant change compared to the control group. Seventy percent of the female rats kept with males in this group became pregnant. On the other hand, the combination of this oral contraceptive with sulthiame [50 mg/kg/day] caused no change in the level of estrogen while progesterone level was significantly decreased compared to the contraceptive group reaching a level nearly that of the control group. No pregnancies occurred in this group. In conclusion we would emphasize that sodium valproate caused failure of the oral contraceptive used in this study. The same cannot necessarily be assumed for other contraceptive drugs. Even though we feel that patients under antiepileptic drugs should be advised as a precaution to use other contraceptive methods in addition to the oral contraceptives

Comparative study of the effects of antiepileptic drugs [diphenyl hydantoin and sodium valproic acid] on the thyroid function in rabbits

The effect of diphenyl hydantoin [DPH] and sodium valproic acid on serum T3, T4 and TSH of the thyroid gland was studied in 21 adult male rabbits receiving DPH and sodium valproic acid for three weeks treatment and was compared to controls. In the DPH treated group, serum T3, and T4 were significantly decreased, while serum TSH was significantly increase. Possible mechanisms underlying this antithyroid effect of DPH are then discussed. In the group of animals received sodium valproic acid, nonsignificant changes in the serum levels of T3,T4, and TSH were observed

Effect of a calcium channel blocker [nifedipine], a beta blocker [oxprenolol] and their combination on the cardiovascular system

Twenty-four adult male dogs were used for the determination of the effects of the nifedipine, oxprenolol and their combination on arterial blood pressure [BP], electrocardiographic changes [ECG], serum lipids free fatty acids [FFA], triglycerides, total cholesterol and lasting blood glucose levels. Nifedipine produced significant increase in heart rate [HR] with inverted T wave, FFA, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose levels. Administration of oxprenolol alone produced significant decrease in BP, HR with biphasic T wave, serum FFA, triglycerides, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels. The effect of combined administration of both nifedipine and oxprenolol resulted in a significant decrease in BP and a nonsignificant change in serum FFA, triglycerides, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels. No changes were recorded in the ECG tracings. The results were discussed

Effect of combined administration of two antibilharzial drugs [oxamniquine and praziquantel] on some liver and kidney functions tests in rabbits

The object of the study was to identify any toxic effects in using the antischistosomal drugs, oxamniquine and praziquantel, in combination on some liver an kidney functions. Ten adult male rabbits were used. The effect of combined administration off both oxamniquine and praziquantel resulted in a nonsignificant change in serum levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase, blood urea, total proteins and creatinine. The results were discussed

Some side effects after the individual and combined administration of converting enzyme inhibitor [captopril] and anti-inflammatory drug [proquazone] on some kidney liver functions and blood picture in rabbits

The incidence of side effects of captopril are variable in the form of proteinuria and reultropenis, specially in patients with impaired renal functions, or those taking drugs which may affect the kidney, liver and blood as the anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. proquazone. Proquazone should be used cautiously in patients with digestive disorders, kidney or liver insufficiency. Twenty-eight adult male rabbits were used in this experiment; some were given captopril, some were given proquazone, and some were given both. Blood samples were taken to study blood urea, serum creatinine, total proteins, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and blood picture, which reflect the side effects of the both drugs

Indapamide-digoxin interaction

Thirty-two adult male rabbits [1-1.5 kg body weight] were used in this study. They were divided into four groups: Indapamide group, digoxin group, combined group, and the control group. Determination of serum digoxin level by radioimmunoassay, serum sodium and potassium by flame photometer, serum calcium and magnesium by atomic absorption was done. A significant increase of serum digoxin level by indapamide was observed. Also, nifedipine had increased serum digoxin concentration