Disruption of glucose tolerance caused by glucocorticoid excess in rats is partially prevented, but not attenuated, by arjunolic acid.

Arjunolic acid (AA) obtained from plants of the Combretaceae family has shown anti-diabetic effects. Here, we analyzed whether the diabetogenic effects of dexamethasone (DEX) treatment on glucose homeostasis may be prevented or attenuated by the concomitant administration of AA. Adult Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups: vehicle-treated (Ctl), DEX-treated (1 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally for 5 days) (Dex), AA-treated (30 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage twice per day) (Aa), AA treatment previous to and concomitant to DEX treatment (AaDex), and AA treatment after initiation of DEX treatment (DexAa). AA administration significantly ameliorated (AaDex) (P>0.05), but did not attenuate (DexAa), the glucose intolerance induced by DEX treatment. AA did not prevent or attenuate the elevation in hepatic glycogen and triacylglycerol content caused by DEX treatment. All DEX-treated rats exhibited hepatic steatosis that seemed to be more pronounced when associated with AA treatment given for a prolonged period (AaDex). Markers of liver function and oxidative stress were not significantly altered among the groups. Therefore, AA administered for a prolonged period partially prevents the glucose intolerance induced by DEX treatment, but it fails to produce this beneficial effect when given after initiation of GC treatment. Since AA may promote further hepatic steatosis when co-administered with GCs, care is required when considering this phytochemical as a hypoglycemiant and/or insulin-sensitizing agent.

Qualidade da prescrição de medicamentos em Unidade de Pronto Atendimento do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil / Quality of drug prescription in health care units of the Brazilian Unified Health System

Estudo descritivo transversal unicêntrico com objetivo de identificar possíveis erros relacionados a medicamentos em prescrições médicas de pacientes admitidos em uma Unidade de Pronto Atendimento do Sistema Único de Saúde. Para coleta dos dados, consideraram-se atendimentos realizados no mês de janeiro de 2013 e analisaram-se 20 prescrições por médico plantonista. Os dados obtidos foram organizados em planilhas, e a análise estatística se procedeu com 5% de significância. Apresentou-se significância quanto ao pedido de exames laboratoriais, sendo solicitado em 167 (31%) atendimentos e não solicitado em 381 (69%); também se obteve significância em relação à prescrição por nome de referência (37,4%). Com o presente estudo, pôde-se observar a quantidade de medicamentos por prescrição, bem como as suas associações, aumentando a probabilidade de interações entre eles. Ficou evidente a importância de conscientização da equipe de profissionais envolvidos nos processos de prescrição, dispensação e administração dos medicamentos.

Single-center cross-sectional descriptive study in order to identify possible errors related to drug prescriptions in patients admitted to the Emergency Unit of the Brazilian Unified Health System. For data collection,attendances in the month of January 2013 were considered and 20 prescriptions per physician on dutywere analyzed. The data were organized into spreadsheets, and statistical analysis was carried out on the 5% significance level. There was significance as to laboratory tests, being requested in 167 (31%) calls and not requested in 381 (69%) of the cases; significance was also obtained regarding the prescription by reference name (37.4%). With the present study, we could observe the amount of drugs per prescription and their associations, increasing the probability of interactions between them. It was evident the importance of awareness of professionals involved in the process of prescription, dispensation and administration of drugs.