Study on drug utilization pattern of antibiotics among dermatology in-patients of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Karaikal, Puducherry.

Background: Skin diseases of microbial etiology are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and ectoparasites of which bacterial infections are most common than others. Although many bacteria reside on skin, they are unable to establish infection because of the natural defense mechanisms. Most of the bacterial infections are caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Antibiotic resistance among the micro-organisms is developing due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics and irrational prescription of drugs. Periodic study on drug utilization research and analysis of prescription pattern of antibiotics followed in recent past will guide physicians to prescribe the antibiotics judicially and with a rational approach. Methods: A prospective analysis of 291 in-patients admitted in the Department of Dermatology, Karaikal, over a period of 1-year (January 2013-December 2013) was carried out to analyze the usage of antibiotics through various routes to treat infections associated with dermatological disorders. Results: Among the study population, 60.48% were male and 39.51% were female. We found that out of 29 diseases observed, most common skin disease diagnosed was psoriasis (24.82%), followed by eczema (24.82%). The average number of drugs per prescription was 6.37±2.06. Oral antibiotics were mostly prescribed than parenteral and topical formulations among the study population. Among the oral antibiotics, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (29.6%) was widely prescribed. In the context of parenteral formulations, cefotaxime (38.92%) was majorly prescribed. Among the topical antibiotics, mupirocin (60.71%) was mostly used. Conclusion: Our study provided an idea about the prevalence of dermatological disorders in a coastal area of Karaikal, Puducherry, the drug utilization strategy of antibiotics, the rationality behind usage and has given useful suggestions to achieve treatment success through judicious use of antibiotics.

Evaluation of antioxidant effect of Salacia oblonga against aluminum chloride induced visceral toxicity in albino rats.

Background: Aluminum is present in several manufactured foods and medicines and is also used in water purifi cation. It is known that aluminum induces an oxidative stress characterized by an increase in lipid peroxidation and depletion of antioxidants. Therefore, the present experiment was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of hydroalcoholic extract of root bark of Salacia oblonga (SOHE) in modulating the aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced oxidative stress in rats. Methods: Animals were assigned into four groups: control; AlCl3 300 mg/kg b.w.; Salacia 67 mg/kg; AlCl3 (300 mg/kg b.w.) plus Salacia (67 mg/kg b.w.), respectively. Rats were orally administered their respective doses daily for 36 days. The effect of these treatments in infl uencing the aluminum induced biochemical changes on liver, kidney, lungs, and heart were studied. Result: The results showed that S. oblonga produced signifi cant (p<0.05) reduction of malondialdehyde, while the activities of superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase and catalase were positively modulated. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that S. oblonga protects against aluminuminduced oxidative stress, which is an important fi nding that further reinforces the antioxidant properties of this natural product.

Taurine prevents collagen abnormalities in high fructose-fed rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of collagen and changes in its physiochemical properties contribute to the development of secondary complications of diabetes. We undertook this study to see the effects of taurine on the content and characteristics of collagen from tail tendon of rats fed with high fructose diet. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups of six each: control group (CON), taurine-supplemented control group (CON+TAU), taurine supplemented (FRU+TAU) and not supplemented fructose-fed group (FRU). The physico-chemical properties of collagen isolated from the tail tendon were studied. RESULTS: Fructose administration caused accumulation of collagen in tail tendon. Enhanced glycation and advanced glycation end products (AGE)-linked fluorescence together with alterations in aldehyde content, solubility pattern, susceptibility to denaturing agents and shrinkage temperature were observed in fructose-fed rats. Elevated b component of type I collagen was evidenced from the SDS gel pattern of collagen from the fructose-fed rats. Simultaneous administration of taurine alleviated these changes. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Taurine administration to fructose-rats had a positive influence on both quantitative and qualitative properties of collagen. The results of the present study suggested a role for the action of taurine in delaying diabetic complications and the possible use of taurine as an adjuvant therapeutic measure in the management of diabetes and its complications.

Lipoic acid restores antioxidant system in tissues of hyperinsulinaemic rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Feeding rats with high fructose induces insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, elevation of blood glucose level and impaired glucose tolerance. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in pathology associated with insulin resistance. The present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on the oxidant-antioxidant balance in liver and kidney of high fructose-fed rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (170-180 g) were divided into six groups. The control group received diet containing starch; the fructose group was given a high fructose diet (>60% of total calories); the third and fourth groups were given fructose diet and administered with two different doses of lipoic acid as low dose (35 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (70 mg/kg bw) intraperitoneally using olive oil as vehicle; the fifth group received control diet and was administered with lipoic acid (70 mg/kg bw); the sixth group received the control diet and olive oil. The rats were maintained in their respective dietary regimen for 20 days. Lipid peroxidation indices and antioxidant status in liver and kidney were quantitated. RESULTS: The rats fed fructose showed increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, and impaired antioxidant defence potential as evidenced by a decrease in the levels of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. Treatment with LA to the fructose-fed rats mitigated these alterations and LA was effective uniformly at both the closes. Increased lipid peroxidation and inadequate antioxidant system are observed in the high dose fructose-fed rats. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: LA administration restored the antioxidant potential and lowered lipid peroxidation. These findings strengthen the utility of LA in the management of insulin resistance and associated pathology.

Response of liver antioxidant system to taurine in rats fed high fructose diet.

Fructose-fed rats were more susceptible to peroxidative damage as measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive species. The concentrations of lipid peroxides, diene conjugates, lipofuscin and hydroperoxides were significantly higher. The levels of enzymic antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in fructose-fed rats. When these rats received taurine in drinking water, peroxidative damage was minimal in both plasma and liver. Taurine was effective in inducing the antioxidant potential in fructose-fed rats. Increased peroxidative damage in liver is likely to be associated with fructose dependent pathology, which could be reduced by taurine by enhancing the antioxidant potential.