Zinc therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica.

The therapeutic effect of orally administered zinc sulphate was evaluated in 16 patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica [AE]. Zinc serum levels in these patients and apparently healthy close relatives to patients [the control group] were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique. The present study was found a low zinc serum levels in all patients with AE compared to the control group [p<0.001]. Oral zinc sulphate therapy resulted in rapid and complete clinical response. The study concluded that zinc therapy could be used as a diagnostic test as the basic treatment of AE

Microcrystal test for the identification of some drugs in medical use

Microcrystal tests for the identification of minute quantities of some drugs are discussed. A technique is described for identifying drugs as well as the quantity needed for the test. Descriptions and some photographs are given of the crystals obtained from 27 different drugs and the names of the reagents used are also given

simple and rapid screening method of drugs in biological fluids

A simple technique, using solvent extraction and thin - layer chromatography for the detection and separation of a number of commonly prescribed drugs which may also be taken in overdose was studied. It has been found that this method was able to detect and separate many drugs, and this can be achieved in a very short period [less than 1 hr.], which makes this method very valuable in checking compliance and drug overdose in clinical practice

circadian variation of cyclophosphamide toxicity to rabbit bone marrow

Four groups, each six white New Zealand rabbits were used. Group one and two received either cyclophosophamid [CP] 50 mgkg [-1] or distilled water i.p. at hour 08.00 respectively. Group three and four received either C.P. or distilled water i.p. at h 18.00 respectively. Rabbits received CP at hour 18.00 had more rapid recovery of peripheral white cell count than did rabbits received CP at hour 08.00. This work suggests a circadian variation of CP toxicity to rabbit bone marrow. Extrapolating these to human chemotherapy, it would appear that administration of CP during specific time minimizes bone marrow depression. Further invertigation is needed in man

pharmacogenetic approach to bladder cancer

Thirty-four patients with bladder cancer and fifty-seven normal subject [controls] were included in the study with the aim of investigating the association between bladder cancer and the slow acetylator phenotype. Acetylator phenotypes were determined either by dapsone [DDS] or sulphamethazine [SMZ]. A higher incidence of slow acetylators was found among patients with bladder cancer compared to controls. It seems that individuals who are slow acetylators are more liable to develop this cancer than rapid acetylators