Impact of UGT1A9 polymorphism on mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetic parameters in stable renal transplant patients

There are wide individual differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of mycophenolate mofetil [MMF] among transplanted patients. Some studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] of the Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronosyl Transferase1A9 [UGT1A9] are responsible for these differences in early days after transplantation. Therefore it was decided to evaluate the influence of UGT polymorphism on MMF pharmacokinetics among stable Iranian transplant patients. This was a cross sectional study from March 2008 through December 2008 in Imam Khomeini Hospital affiliated to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Blood samples were taken from 40 de novo stable Iranian renal transplant patients taking 2 g MMF daily with Sr[Cr]

Determination of residual methylmethacrylate monomer in denture base resins by gas chromatography

Acrylic base resins are widely used in orthopedics and dental surgery. It is generally accepted that due to the incomplete conversion of methyl methacrylate [MMA] monomer to the polymer form during polymerization of the resin, some MMA monomers remain in the hardened material. MMA monomer has been reported to cause abnormalities or lesions in several organs of animals. Study of the literatures showed that there are no perfect and valid methods for analysis of MMA. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and valid method for determination of MMA residual monomer in the denture base resins. We have developed and validated an analytical procedure employing gas chromatography with flame ionization detector [GC-FID], with temperature programming, and a close analogue internal standard for fast and repeatable analysis of MMA residual monomer contents in denture base polymers. For quantification of monomer, two calibration curves were used by two different methods of solution preparation and they were compared to each other. The assay was linear over the range of 0.03-0.6 mg/ml MMA with correlation coefficients [r[2]] of greater than 0.99. Accuracy, intra-day [Error<9.1%] and inter-day [Error<6.6%], precision [RSD<5.5% and RSD<6.5%, respectively] were in acceptable values over the examined concentration range. Limit of detection [LOD] and limit of Quantification [LOQ] for MMA were 0.01 and 0.02 mg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed method was a simple and fast assay for MMA residual monomer in denture base resins

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of the seed and root extracts of ferula gummosa boiss in mice and rats

Ferula gummosa Boiss [Apiaceae] has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for the relief of stomach pain. In this study, effects of aqueous, methanolic and acetone extracts of the seed and root of this plant in experimental models of acute pain [Tail-flick=TF], chronic pain [Formalin test=FT] and inflammation [Cotton pellet granuloma=CPG] was investigated. The results showed that the highest non-sedative dose of each of these three extracts had no effect in TF. Among the extracts, only the acetone extract of the root could reduce licking and biting time in the late phase of FT, although this effect might be to some extent due to the solvent [Tween 80]. None of the extracts had anti-inflammatory effect in CPG. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of methanol and acetone extracts showed presence of terpenoids and alkaloids and small amounts of cardenolids. The results of our study suggest further evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of other kinds of extracts in order to determine the best extract with highest efficacy and lowest side effects