Effect of thyroxine on experimental bronchospasm in guinea pigs.

Effect of Thyroxine was studied in histamine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. Chronic treatment with the drug significantly protected against experimental bronchospasm. Thyroxine also potentiated salbutamol evoked bronchodilation in this experimental model. Up-regulation of beta-2 adrenoceptors in bronchial smooth muscle may be the probable mechanism of action of thyroxine.

Frusemide-induced diabetes mellitus in insulin pretreated rabbits as an experimental model.

Single dose of frusemide 0.1 mg/kg orally was administered in 10 rabbits pretreated with soluble insulin 4 IU intravenously. Induction of diabetes after 24 h was confirmed by an increase in blood sugar and glucosylated haemoglobin and a decrease in serum insulin levels. Ten diabetic rabbits which received only frusemide without insulin pretreatment were used as controls, whereas equal number of insulin-pretreated rabbits receiving hydrochlorothiazide 250 mg/kg orally served as the positive control group. All biochemical parameters remained unaltered in the frusemide-treated test group as well as the positive control group after two weeks. The pancreatotoxic effect of frusemide may induce a stable hyperglycaemic state in rabbits which could lead to a useful diabetic model.

Ocimum sanctum Linn--a study on gastric ulceration and gastric secretion in rats.

The antiulcerogenic property of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) was studied in pyloric ligated and pyloric ligated & aspirin treated rats. The extract of OSL reduced the ulcer index, free & total acidity on acute and chronic administration. Seven days pretreatment with the drug increased the mucous secretion also. It may be concluded that OSL extract has antiulcerogenic property against experimental ulcers, and it is due to its ability to reduce acid secretion and increase mucous secretion.

Effects of trichloroethylene anaesthesia on salivary paracetamol elimination.

The effect of trichloroethylene (Trielene) anaesthesia was studied in 10 young male patients undergoing short surgical procedures. Equal number of males operated upon for the same indication under epidural anaesthesia, served as a control group. Paracetamol concentrations in saliva were measured at hourly intervals on the day before and after surgery. Paracetamol half life (t1/2) significantly decreased (from 2.5 to 0.84 h) and clearance rate (CL) significantly increased (from 8.0 to 14.0 ml/min/kg) as compared to preoperative values. The control also showed significant but smaller alterations in these parameters. Our result suggests that trielene exposure may accelerate the hepatic metabolism of paracetamol.