effect of omeprazole on pharmacokinetics of methadone in the rabbits

Omeprazole is a gastric H [+] K [+]ATPase acid pump inhibitor, increases gastric pH and metabolized in microsomal enzyme system in liver. Pharmacokinetic interaction of methadone with omeprazole was investigated first time in rabbits. Fifteen male New Zeeland White rabbits weighing 4.5 kg of 9 - 15 months age were grouped, comprising of 8 and 7 animals in test group [Methadone + Omeprazole] and control [Methadone] respectively. The test group of rabbits were given omeprazole [60 umol/kg], suspended in normal saline orally by gavage for one week and methadone [10mg/kg] orally after one hour of omeprazole dose only on seventh day while the control group of rabbits were given physiological 0.9% of normal saline instead of omeprazole. Omeprazole delayed the oral absorption of methadone with average peak time of 2.4 hrs as compared to mean 1.38 hrs in controls [>0.05] and increased its AUC by 26%. The elimination half life and mean residence time were increased while total clearance reduced 29% in omeprazole treated rabbits [P < 0.01]. It is concluded that omeprazole slows elimination phase of methadone, so patients taking omeprazole for peptic ulcer, should be followed for any symptoms of methadone toxicity and the dose must be adjusted

Reference values of common blood chemistry analttes in healthy population of Rawalpindi-Islamabad area

The reference values of common blood chemistry analytes in healthy population, aged newborn to 80 years, of Rawalpindi Islamabad area were determined at AFIP, Rawalpindi. A total of 2115 healthy subjects, 1206 males and 909 females, were included in the study. Plasma glucose was analysed by GOD/POD, serum cholesterol by CHOD/PAP, triglycerides by GPO/PAP, urea by urease/GLDH, creatinine by Jaffe' rate reaction, uric acid by uricase, total bilirubin by Jendrassik and Grof, total protein by biuret, alanine transaminase [ALT] by optimized IFCC and alkaline phosphatase [AP] by optimized DGKC method. The between batch CVs of all the parameters were within acceptable quality goals. The reference values were calculated using 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles as lower and upper limits [95% CI]. In healthy adult males the reference values were: fasting plasma glucose, 3.6-6.0 mmol/l; serum cholesterol; 3.2-6.6 mmol/l; triglycerides, 0.6-2.3 mmol/l; urea, 2.8-6.4 mmol/l; creatinine, 65-132 umol/l; uric acid, 164-430 umol/l; total bilirubin, 5-18 umol/l; total protein, 57-83 g/l; ALT, 15-45 U/l and AP, 185-620 U/l. The values in adult females, children and elderly subjects were slightly different than adult males. The reference values of our population show mild to moderate differences from the other Asian, European and American populations. It is recommended that reference values of different biochemical investigations should be established in various areas of Pakistan to make appropriate use of such investigations

Changes in plasma electrolytes during acclimatisation at high altitude

The effects on plasma electrolytes and related hormones were determined in non-acclimatized low lander males, exposed for 96 hours to an altitude of 4424 meters. Twenty healthy soldiers aged 18-34 years travelled by road from an altitude of 2303 meters to 4424 meters over a period of 10 hours. Plasma sodium levels [142.09 +/- 1.14 mmol/l] and aldosterone [16.61 +/- 5.70 ng/ml] decreased to 139.69 mmol/l and 11.6 +/- 4.60 ug/mI respectively after 96 hours of acute expoure to high altitude [p<0.05]. The plasma potassium and chloride levels did not show significant change, while, plasma HCO3 decreased gradually from 21.06 +/- 1.38 mmol/l to 18.55 +/- 0.82 mmol/l after 96 hours exposure to this altitude [p<0.01]. The plasma ionized calcium and plasma phosphate concentration decreased from 1.32 +/- 0.11 mmol/l and 1.58 +/- 1.3 mmol/l to 1.20 +/- 0.05 mmol/l and 1.47 +/- 0.99 mmol/l respectively [p<0.05]. Plasma parathyroid hormone [PTH] level increased from 4.54 +/- 2.1 ng/ml to 11.19 +/- 4.31 ng/ml after 48 hours with subsequent decline to 2.52 +/- 1.7 ng/ml after 96 hours exposure to high altitude. It maybe concluded that the process of acclimatization to sudden exposure to high altitude is characterised by fall in plasma aldosterone and PTH with subsequent decrease of related electrolytes

Screening for chronic lead poisoning in lead factory workers

One hundred and forty-nine lead factory workers comprising of 46 fume exposed, 78 handling lead materials and 25 controls were screened for chronic lead poisoning. Blood lead level was determined by atomic absorption spectrometery and urinary ALA by ion-exchange chromatography. Fume exposed workers had significantly higher [P<0.01] blood lead [median 61.20 ug/dl, range 21.20 - 171.10 ug/dl] and urinary ALA levels [median 4.10 mg/l, range 01.0-22.9 mg/l] than workers handling lead materials and controls. Urinary ALA was found to be a more sensitive and specific test for lead poisoning than estimation of blood lead levels

Azospermia in clinical practice at Rawalpindi

Azoospermia is one of the major disorders leading to male infertility and its incidence has been variously reported in different population. Incidence of azoospermia leading infertility in a representative Pakistani population in clinical practice was studied. Out of the 2313 cases of male infertility who reported for semen analysis, 12.32% patients had azoospermia. The percentage incidence of azoospermia was high in Pakistani population than in Scotland, similar to that in Nigeria, Kenya and USA but lower than studies reported from Turkey and Zimbabwe