effect of chlorpromazine, diclofenac and their combination on four models of induced pain in mice

Adjuvant or co-analgesic drugs, such as antipsychotics are commonly administered in combination with one of the primary analgesics. The present study is carried out to investigate the effects of the antipsychotic drug; chlorpromazine in four animal models of induced pain and to compare its effects with diclofenac sodium and with their combination. All experiments were performed on albino mice [Balb/C] strain. Mice were evaluated for their responsiveness to noxious stimuli using four tests: tail-flick test, hot-plate test, formalin test and acetic acid-induced writhing test. These effects were measured before and one hour after intraperitoneal drug administration. In some experiments, they were followed for 6 and 24 hours. In general,chlorpromazine,on its own, showed a significant analgesic activity in heat-induced pain models [tail-flick and hot-plate tests] increasing latency by around 34% and 80% in the two tests respectively. This is compared to 83% and 88% increase by diclofenac sodium. In the early phase of chemically-induced somatic type of pain [formalin test] and visceral-type of pain [writhing test], chlorpromazine had similar effect to diclofenac sodium. When chlorpromazine was given in combination with diclofenac sodium in writhing test, it did not enhance diclofenac effect. In the other three models, chlorpromazine resulted in a significant enhancement of diclofenac effect in at least two of the remaining three pain models to an extent, ranging from 46% to 55% more than that of the diclofenac effect. Chlorpromazine showed different analgesic activity according to the type of pain model utilized. The analgesic activities were either similar to diclofenac [in writhing and formalin tests], or less than diclofenac effect in tail-flick and hot-plate tests. Chlorpromazine increased the analgesic effect of diclofenac when used in combination in tail-flick, hot-plate and formalin tests

Effects of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on taste and serum levels of zinc and magnesium

To study the effect of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on the levels of zinc and magnesium in the serum of rabbits and humans and the histology of taste buds in rabbits. We conducted this study in the College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq from April 2005 to September 2006. It was in 2 parts: a clinical observational study of 54 patients treated with one of these drugs. The second part involved oral administration of metronidazole [45mg/kg], tinidazole [40mg/kg], captopril [3mg/kg] or valsartan [3mg/kg] or normal saline to 42 rabbits randomly. Serum zinc and magnesium were measured, and histological sections of tongues were examined for taste buds. In rabbits, oral metronidazole [13.6%] or tinidazole [7%] resulted in a significant reduction in serum zinc. Reductions in captopril [6.7%] and valsartan [4.2%] were smaller and insignificant. Body weight increased by 15.5gm [1391 +/- 225.3 gm to 1407 +/- 223.2 gm] in the control group, a lesser increase of approximately 8 gm, was found in the metronidazole group [1452 +/- 222.6 gm to 1460 +/- 221.9 gm]. Rabbit tongues showed moderate degeneration of taste buds caused by tinidazole, severe degeneration of captopril and minimal changes of valsartan. In humans, the drugs did not result in significant changes in serum zinc or magnesium. Approximately 73.3% of patients in the metronidazole group and 11.1% in the valsartan group had taste changes. It is concluded that metronidazole and tinidazole, but not captopril or valsartan resulted in a significant reduction of zinc level in rabbit, but not in human. Captopril and not valsartan caused severe degeneration in taste buds. Serum zinc level seems not to be related to taste buds changes

In vitro effect of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drungs on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of the whole blood

To define the well-known variability in the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and to search for predictors of such variability using an in vitro model. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of the whole blood using barium sulphate as a stimulator. Blood was taken from 40 apparently healthy volunteers [22 males and 18 females; their age ranged from 20-50 years]. Drugs [indomethacin 10ug/ml, aspirin 300ug/ml, ibuprofen 25ug/ml or diclofenac 8ug/ml] were added into the blood of each individual in vitro. The chemiluminescence was measured in a photon counting system. There was a marked inter and intra individual variation in the chemiluminescence response to the 4 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, added in vitro. The variation exhibited a continuous pattern. No statistically significant correlation was found between the in vitro effect of one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and the other 3 drugs, nor between the effect of each drug and factors like age, sex, weight, height, packed cell volume, hemoglobin percentage and white blood cell count. Subjects with hemoglobin-AS type [number = 9] responded mainly by enhancement to indomethacin and diclofenac. When the number of subjects rather than the average net effect was compared according to blood groups, those with blood group A showed chemiluminescence responses towards enhancement with indomethacin and diclofenac and blood group O with aspirin. A consistent pattern of enhancement and inhibition was evident; enhancements and inhibitions by any 2 drugs involve a seemingly constant proportion of subjects. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence responses of polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity could be a good in vitro model to study the variability in response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Characteristics of each individual are not able to predict the pattern of variability. Abnormal hemoglobin and the type of blood group seem to be an interesting area for research

Treatment of renal colic with injectable aspirin [Aspegic]

Forty-four [44] patients with severe renal colic were studied for their response to 500 mg injectable aspirin [Aspegic] administered intravenously twice daily for two days. It was found that 22.7% reported complete relief from pain after the first injection and 72.7% showed various degrees of improvement. In the overall assessment at the end of treatment, 63.6% showed an excellent response. Two patients did not show any response to treatment. Nineteen patients [43.2%] had felt or seen the stone pass out in urine, and none experienced any major adverse effects. Aspegic could be a useful drug in emergency treatment of severe renal colic

Effect of methoxyverapamil, diltiazem, morphine and their combination on the formation of irreversibly sickled cells: an in vitro study

The effect of methoxyverapamil and diltiazem [calcium antagonists] and morphine [calcium antagonist activity] on the formation of irreversibly sickled cells [ISCs] was investigated. Methoxyverapamil at therapeutic concentration and 10 times that level resulted in a 12% and 21% reduction in the formation of ISCs respectively, which was statistically significant. Diltiazem also produced a significant reduction in ISCs but morphine produced no significant reduction. Combination of these drugs produced a net effect similar to their individual effects. These drugs might be useful in decreasing the intensity of sickling crises and vaso-occlusive events. Thus in vivo trials in patients with sickle-cell disease are suggested

state of traditional medical practices in Basrah

Greater attention has been paid to traditional [alternative or complementary] medical practices in countries where modern medicine has reached an advanced stage. Reputable international medical journals have already published numerous studies concerning the subject. The world health organization, also showed a clear interest in this type of medicine, which highlights the importance of these practices from point of their widespread, risk or their potential benefit to the health of the population. Our study was conducted to show the extent of using these practices in Basrah governorate. The name and place of work of twenty two practitioners in traditional medicine who have long experience in this field were registered [faith healers were excluded]. Among them those who practiced herbal medicine [n=6], apothecaries with experience in traditional prescriptions [n=6], osteopaths and chiropractic [n=5], ear dissectors [n=3] and one practitioner for each treatment by blood suction, treatment of sciatica and the use of honey. Fourteen of them were visited at their site of practice with a follow-up form prepared for such visit to know their level of education, type of place where they practice, type of symptoms they treat and any referral to them from doctors. The details of one visit to a practitioner of ear dissectors for treatment of jaundice was described because of the risk it carries on human health. The study concluded that it is important to establish an association where all traditional medical practitioners are registered for the sake of control, guidance and education. It also points to the importance of encouraging scientific research in the subject of traditional and antiquitic medicine to investigate some of the treatments which have scientific basis, practical experience in its use, and a population demand

Use and abuse of thyroid function tests in Basrah

Nine hundred sets of thyroid function tests for referred patients were reviewed. Most of the patients were young [70% below 40 y]; the female to male ratio was 2.4, and housewives represented 45% of the total. Those requested for follow up of previously diagnosed and treated cases constituted 18.6%. Only 40.3% of those referred for the first time had abnormal function tests. Tests indicating hyperfunction is the more common abnormality affecting relatively more young patients compared to those indicating hypofunction. The commonest hyperfunction abnormality was high thyroxine, and free thyroxine index together with high or normal triiodothyronine[110 cases]. Primary hypothyroidism represented the major hypofunction abnormality. No clear association between various abnormalities and the written signs and symptoms, residence, occupation, or drugs used, were found. The significance of these findings was discussed and recommendations were suggested. Detailed from the referral and closer cooperation between clinicians and scientists are strongly emphasised