Restorative effect of garlic on fatty liver

Objective: To assess the restorative role of garlic on high-fat induced hepatocellular damage

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done at BMSI, JPMC from 1st - 30th October 2008 after obtaining ethical approval. Thirty adult albino rats, weighing 220 to 240 gram were divided into three groups according to dietary regimen. Group A served as control, group B received high-fat diet [20 mg butter in 100 gm of diet] and group C was given same quantity of butter as in group B along with 6% fresh crushed garlic in diet for 4 weeks. The rats were sacrificed, liver removed, weighed and processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining

Results: There was significant increase in the body weight and absolute liver weight in group B animals receiving high-fat diet, both of which decreased significantly after the concomitant use of garlic in group C. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections revealed shrunken portal triad, swollen hepatocytes with pyknotic nuclei in high-fat diet group as compared to control animals,while in group C hepatocytes were polygonal in shape with vesicular nuclei comparable to control group A

Conclusion: Garlic has restorative role in high-fat induced hepatocellular damage. Fatty liver produced by high quantities of saturated fats, such as butter can be ameliorated by the use of garlic

Thermodynamic dissociation constant studies of caffeine at different temperatures and in organic water solvent mixture

Thermodynamic dissociation studies have been carried out potentiometrically at various temperatures from 25 to 50oC and in 10, 20, 30 and 40% v/v dioxane-water solvent mixture at 25oC. The influence of temperature and nature of solvent on dissociation equilibria of caffeine is being investigated A computer program in GW-BASIC has been used to calculate the pK values

Two-stage hypospadias repair: a method applicable to all types of hypospadias

To assess the results of two-stage repair in proximal hypospadias and cases of distal hypospadias with chordee, revision surgery and in circumcised cases. Design: Prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Kharian and Pano Aqil, from July 1998 to June 2002. Patients and Nineteen patients, with distal as well as proximal hypospadias, underwent two-stage hypospadias repair during the last 04 years. Splitting of glans and full thickness grafting was carried out in the first stage. Tubularization was carried out 3-6 months later and the repair was covered with water proofing layer. The results were evaluated. Distal hypospadias was seen in 13 patients, 06 cases had proximal hypospadias, 08 patients had undergone repair previously by different techniques and 05 cases were circumcised. Chordee was seen in 12 cases. Common age of presentation was below 5 years. Adequate cosmetic and functional results were achieved in all these cases. Fistula occurred in 02 cases and meatal stenosis was seen in 01 case, which responded to regular dilatation. Two-stage hypospadias repair gives excellent cosmetic and functional results in all cases of proximal hypospadias and cases of distal hypospadias with chordee, revision surgery and circumcised cases

Polypropylene mesh repair of incisional hernia

The purpose of this study is to report the results of tension-free repair of primary and recurrent incisional hernias using polypropylene [Prolene] mesh. Design: Descriptive Study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Kharian and Pano Aqil from January 1998 to September 2002.Subjects and Twenty-seven patients underwent tension-free repair of primary and recurrent incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh in extrafascial position. Nine of them had recurrent incisional hernias, 02 hernias were irreducible and 01 presented with acute intestinal obstruction. Ten patients had hernias in the midline incision, 04 at paramedian incision and rest of them had hernias on transverse abdominal incisions. The mean age was 43.7 years. The only death occurred in a known cirrhotic presenting with obstructed hernia. Another patient was seen developing seroma and wound infection in one case. No recurrence was seen during the mean follow-up period of 2.2 years. The tension-free repair of incisional hernia, with polypropylene mesh in extrafascial position, is safe and easy procedure with acceptable morbidity and no recurrence