Impact of mono or combined interferon therapy on thyroid function in chronic hepatitis C virus adult patients

Egypt has the highest prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus [HCV] in the world, estimated nationally at 14.7%. Numerous HCV prevalence studies in Egypt have published various estimates from different Egyptian communities, suggesting that Egypt, relative to the other nations of the world, might be experiencing intense ongoing HCV transmission. Interferon-alpha [IFN-alpha] monotherapy or combined therapy with ribavirin is the cornerstone therapeutic agent for chronic HCV infection. Treatment with IFN may cause thyroid dysfunction. Unfortunately, the clinical approach to this toxic effect is often carried out by personal judgment rather than by defined guidelines. Indeed, clinicians often reduce the dose or sometimes discontinue IFN-alpha treatment in those patients who develop thyroid dysfunction. This may reduce the therapeutic response to this drug. Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of INF-alpha monotherapy or combined therapy with ribavirin on thyroid function in chronic HCV adult patients of both sexes in the period from January 2009 to August 2009. Sixty adult chronic HCV patients with normal thyroid function before the start of treatment with IFN-alpha - or IFN-alpha + ribavirin were selected for the study. Of them, 7 patients discontinued treatment, 1 patient died and 5 patients could not be followed during the study period. So the number of patients enrolled in the study after 6 months was 47. Clinical examination for thyroid dysfunction as well as thyroid function tests was then carried out. The study revealed that 17 patients [36.1%] developed abnormal thyroid dysfunction. This risk increased with female gender and in combined therapy with ribavirin. The incidence of hypothyroidism was more than hyperthyroidism particularly, in patients treated with combined therapy. Given the high prevalence of HCV disease in Egypt, it is essential that physicians treating patients with IFN-alpha be aware of the clinical spectrum of thyroid dysfunction, and test for thyroid function prior to starting IFN therapy. Careful thyroid surveillance throughout the treatment period is mandatory, especially in female patients and in those receiving combined therapy with ribavirin. Moreover, patients should be informed of this risk and should be advised to tell their physicians of any related symptoms

Role of zinc in hepato- and nephrotoxic effects of chlorpyrifos. A biochemical, trace elemental and histological study

Chlorpyrifos [CPF] is one of the most potent broad-spectrum organophosphates used frequently against cockroaches and other structural pests. Repeated exposure to chlorpyrifos may endanger many populations with resultant toxic effects on many organs. Recent studies revealed that zinc might modulate these toxic effects. This work was carried out to ascertain the toxic effects of CPF on the rat liver and kidney. Also, the possible protective role of zinc had been evaluated. The study was conducted on 70 adult male albino rats divided into seven equal groups. Group I: negative control, group II: distilled water, group III: zinc, group IV: low dose CPF, group V: high dose CPF, group VI: zinc and low dose CPF and group VII: zinc and high dose CPF. The duration of the study was eight weeks then hepatic, renal profiles, plasma zinc, copper, MDA, SOD, GSH, GSSO were measured. Also, histological examination of liver and kidney was done. The obtained biochemical and histological results revealed hepatic and renal toxic effects induced by CPF in a dose dependent manner. Zinc supplementation resulted in a remarkable protective effect at the biochemical and histological levels. Further studies on zinc supplementation to either patients or workers exposed to CPF are recommended

Potential protective effect of L-Arginine on cyclosporine A induced osteopenia in adult albino rats

This study aimed to assess the possible toxic effect of cyclosporine A [CsA] on bone and the potential protective effect of L-arginine on CsA-induced osteopenia. The study was conducted on 120 adult male albino rats divided into eight equal groups: Group I [negative control], group II [distilled water], group III [corn oil], group IV [L-arginine, low dose], group V [L-arginine, high dose], group VI [CsA], group VII [L-arginine, low dose + CsA] and group VIII [L- arginine, high dose + CsA]. The duration of the study was six weeks, then the level of urinary deoxypyridinoline [Dpd] and N- terminal telopeptide [NTx] [markers of bone resorption], serum calcium, osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase [BSALP] [markers of bone formation] were measured. Also, bone mineral density [BMD] of spine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA] was measured. The results showed that CsA had an osteopenic effect and L-arginine provoked a significant protective effect

Some of the toxic responses accompanying both short and long term administration of mycophenolate mofetil in adult albino rats

Some of the toxic hazards associated with short- and long-term administration of mycophenolate mofetil [Cellcept] were evaluated in this study. It was conducted on 36 adult albino rats of both sexes [180 +/- 20 g body weight]. They were divided into four main groups: A negative control group [group I], positive control groups [IIa and IIb] received distilled water orally and Cellcept groups [III and IV] received Cellcept 72 mg/day and 36 mg/day orally for one and three months, respectively. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for the determination of Hb concentration, red blood cells count [RBCs], white blood cells count [WBCs] and platelets counts, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine, uric acid, potassium [K+], sodium [Na+] and calcium [Ca++] levels. Furthermore, a histopathological examination of the small intestine and the kidneys was carried out