Evaluation of 99mTc-sulfadiazine as Bacillus microorganisms infection imaging agent using animal model

Bacterial infection is one of the vital sources of morbidity and mortality. The development of single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] radiotracer agents using antibiotics, for targeting in-vivo bacteria, helps in antibiotic dose calibration, targeted infection therapy and reduction in mortality rate. The aim of this study was to appraised [99m]Tc-labeling sulfadiazine as a radiopharmaceutical for bacillus infections imaging. Radiolabeling of sulfadiazine with technetium-99m was carried out by subsequent addition of 1.5 mL aqueous solution of sulfadiazine [1mg/mL], 120Mug stannous tartrate, gentistic acid as stabilizing agent and 185 MBq normal saline solution of 99mTcO4 -1 [pertechnetate] at pH = 5. The reaction mixture was incubated for 40 min at room temperature with light stirring. The quality control analysis [ITLC-SG and paper chromatography analysis] revealed 98% labeling yield. Biodistribution and scintigraphic study was carried using bacillus bacterial infection induced New Zealand white rabbits. Due to the ease of [99m]Tc-sulfadiazine conjugation method, high labeling efficiency, shelf stability [>95% up to 6h], blood serum stability [90% up to 6h] and high uptake in the infected muscle [T/NT =2.21 at 1h], [99m]Tc-SDZ could be used as radiopharmaceutical of choice for further pre-clinical and clinical studies

Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir combination therapy for HCV virus infected patients with decompensated liver cancer

Hepatitis C is the most common health problem worldwide and is major cause of death due to proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma. The medicines available for HCV treatment overcome up-to 95% complications of HCV. However, liver cancer needs some additional care. Normally Sorafenib tosylate 200 mg is recommended for liver cancer. There is no such trial in which this drug could effectively be used in combination of direct acting antivirals for HCV. The study was conducted for HCV patients [n=30] with liver cancer having decompensated stage. Combination of Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir were used for the pharmacokinetics of these medicines. Child pugh score less then 7 [CP A] in adults during treatment phase [received 12 weeks of Sorafenib tosylate 200 mg, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily] have no side effect while child pugh score 7-9 [CP B] have evidence of hypertension. The main efficiency end point sustained virology response with overcoming liver cancer as well in 12 weeks after end treatment [SVR-LLC 12]. Mean pharmacokinetic exposure to Sorafenib tosylate 200 mg, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir at week 8[th] was 2.1, 1.5,1.2 times greater in CP B than in CP A. Adverse effects [AEs] were observed in 12 out of 30 patients but not severe as lethal for life. Treatment with Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir for twelve weeks was harmless and well accepted, 100 % patients achieve [SVR LLC 12] with 10-fold cure rate more than previous ones. The combination therapy of Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir was found helpful for the management of decompensated liver cancer

Immunolocalization of aquaporin-10 in tuberculous human ileum

To determine the presence of AQP-10 in the ileum of patients suffering from intestinal tuberculosis. A cross-sectional analytical study. Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, in year 2010. Thirty seven paraffin embedded blocks of either surgically resected specimens or ileal biopsies with diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis were selected from records of the histopathology departments of local hospitals. These cases were subdivided into two groups: A-1 [with tuberculous granulomatous lesions with or without epithelium] and A-2 [without tuberculous lesion lying adjacent to the lesions and having an intact epithelium]. Specimens of small intestine with malignancy, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoeal diseases caused by Rota virus, adenovirus, Salmonella, Shigella and Escherichia coli were excluded. The variables studied were the presence/absence and location of AQP-10. The most common clinical symptoms found in tuberculous patients were abdominal pain followed by diarrhoea. A significant association was found between AQP-10 and site of granulomas and caseation necrosis [p=0.002 and p=0.006 respectively]. Absence of AQP-10 was observed in tuberculous ileum at the site of lesion with ulceration. A strong positive staining of AQP-10 was found in the intact epithelium at sites adjacent to the tuberculous lesion indicating its localization near the epithelial lining of ileum. AQP-10 was present only on the epithelial cells occurring at the luminal side of the villi and was absent in tuberculous ileum where epithelium was absent

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of cadaveric human pinealocytes in various age Groups

To determine age-related quantitative and qualitative changes in human pinealocytes using cadaveric material. Analytical cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from January to December 2008. Thirty pineal glands from human cadavers ranging from 16-80 years of age were collected from mortuary of King Edward Medical University, Lahore, using purposive non-probability sampling. These were divided into three different age groups: I, II and III each between 16 to 30, 31 to 45 and 46 to 80 years of age respectively. Pinealocytes were counted; their mean diameter and that of their nuclei was calculated from a total of 30 cells per slide, using 4 microm thick H and E stained histological sections. Mean +/- S.E.M. was calculated for quantitative variables. One-way ANOVA was applied to observe group mean differences among three groups. The number of pinealocytes decreased with aging but the difference was statistically insignificant when compared between groups [p=0.234]. There was no change in size of pinealocyte soma and its nucleus [p=0.889 and 0.898 respectively]. The number and size of pinealocytes, and their nuclei remained unaltered with advancing age

Gentamycin induced nephrotoxicity in albino mice

Twelve, male albino mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were injected intraperitoneally, aqueous solution of gentamicin [80 mg / kg / day] for fifteen days and the effects observed on the kidney structure and function. Group A served as control while Group B was given gentamicin. At the end of the experiment, blood was drawn from each animal by cardiac puncture for renal function tests and kidneys were fixed for histological studies. In group B, values of serum urea [66.40 +/- 0.54 mg/dl] and serum creatinine [1.41 +/- 0.08 mg/dl] were significantly increased [p < 0.001] when compared with control group A [34.73 +/- 0.84 and 0.53 +/- 0.04 mg/dl respectively]. Both body weight [p < 0.001] and kidney weight [p < 0.05] decreased significantly in gentamicin treated groups. In histological preparations from group B, the proximal convoluted tubules in cortex were dilated and their epithelial cells showed hydropic changes with cytoplasmic vacuolations in some areas. Loss of brush border, patchy necrosis, presence of cellular debris and accumulation of inflammatory exudates within lumina of proximal convoluted tubules were also observed. The renal medulla from group B, showed an increase in intra-luminal tubular protein casts. Chi-square test showed statistically significant [p < 0.00] association between tubular necrosis and tubular casts. It is concluded that gentamycin is nephrotoxic in albino mice

Prevention of ethambutol induced changes by memantine in optic nerve of rabbit

This study was designed to evaluate the prevention of ethambutol [EMB] induced toxicity in optic nerve by memantine. Forty optic nerve specimens were obtained from twenty New Zealand albino rabbits; these were divided into four groups, each comprising five animals. Group A, was given distilled water according to their weight, in addition to water ad libitum. Group B was treated with EMB 100 mg/kg/day and groups C and D were treated with memontine [MEM], 1 and 5 mg/kg/day respectively, in addition to EMB for four weeks which was given one hour before administering EMB. Optic nerves were removed after sacrificing the animals under anaesthesia and processed for histological examination. It was observed that the preparations from group B showed marked vacuolation of axoplasm [205.60 +/- 49.33] the difference was statistically significant when compared with groups A [2.80 +/- 0.22], C [2.80 +/- 0.98] and D [1.33 +/- 0.37], It was concluded that EMB induced vacuolar changes could be prevented by using MEM

Vitamin A induced teratogenicity of heart in albino mice

The current study was designed to determine in vivo the embryotoxic potential of retinoic acid during organogenic period of mouse embryo. Retinoic acid [60 mg/kg], was administered orally to pregnant mice on 7[th], 8[th] and 9[th] days of gestation. Animals were sacrificed on the 8[th] day. Fetuses, whose dams had received retinoic acid showed, growth retardation and cardiac malformations. The decrease in mean fetal weight and their CRL was statistically significant. Effects on the heart included enlargement and change in its shape; the myocardium showed myofibrillar disarray, apoptosis and hypoplastic compact zone. Retinoic acid, which is an effective therapy for cystic acne and other dermatological disorders, is highly teratogenic during the period of organogenesis and therefore, should be avoided in early pregnancy

Effects of tribulus terrestris on testicular development of immature albino rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of extract of Tribulus terrestris on body weight and testicular development of prepubertal rats. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. Two-week old rats were divided into two groups of 10 pups each [A: control and B: experimental]. Group B was given Tribulus Terrestris in an oral dose of 70mg/kg daily for 20 days. Pups were weighed and sacrificed on 34[th] day post-natally; their testes were removed for gross and microscopic studies using 4 micro m thick H and E and PAS stained histological sections. Statistical analysis was done using independent-samples t test. Pups received tribulus terrestris extract showed statistically significant increase in mean body [p<0.05] and paired testes weight [p<0.05] without significant effect on the mean relative tissue body weight index [p>0.05]. Histological slides of the testes showed a significant increase in seminiferous tubules containing early spermatids in the treated group when compared to that of control [p<0.05]. The mean diameter of seminiferous tubules in the treated group was also noticeably increased [p<0.05]. Spermatids of the experimental group were at acrosomal phase of spermogenesis, whereas, those of control group were at Golgi phase, implying thereby that spermatogenesis was present at an advanced stage in the experimental as compared to the control group of animals