Comparison of the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis between combined rectal indomethacin and sublingual nitroglycerin with that of rectal indomethacin alone

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is now widely accepted as a therapeutic modality for benign and malignant diseases of the pancreaticobiliary tree. Acute pancreatitis is the most common and feared complication of ERCP, associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis in combined rectal indomethacin and sublingual nitroglycerin with that of rectal indomethacin alone. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from July, 2019 to September, 2020. In this study, 100 hospitalized patients of >18 years age undergoing ERCP based on clinical indication and proper investigation were included. The study population was randomly divided into two groups - group A (patients who were given indomethacin suppository plus sublingual glyceryl trinitrate) and group B (patients who were given indomethacin alone). Results: In this study, we found that PEP developed in 11 out of 100 patients (11%). Post-ERCP pancreatitis developed in 2 (4%) in group A and 9 (18%) in group B (p=0.025), which was statistically significant. Mild PEP developed in none in group A and 4 (8%) in group B whereas moderate in 2 (4%) in group A and 3 (6%) in group B. Severe pancreatitis occurred in none in group A and 2 (4%) in group B (p=0.231) which was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study showed that the combination of indomethacin suppository and sublingual GTN is superior to indomethacin suppository alone in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Effect of Ayurvedic mercury preparation Makaradhwaja on geriatric canine–A preliminary study.

Makaradhwaja, an alchemical Ayurvedic mercury preparation is used as stimulant and vitalizer. Towards veterinary practices, the acceptability, tolerability and toxicity studies were undertaken in geriatric pet dogs aged more than 10 years irrespective of breed and sex for future use. Makaradhwaja (2.5 mg/kg) was used with honey once daily for 30 days. Before and after treatment, blood was collected for hematological studies as well as liver, kidney function and anti-oxidant activity. In control group, honey itself showed no appreciable change whereas, Makaradhwaja lowered neutrophil and total leucocyte count. Serum cholesterol, urea, glucose, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, sodium, phosphorus and calcium were decreased. Haemoglobin and serum creatinine were significantly increased. There was appreciable physical, behavioral and body weight change including quality of life. The dose was used in replication of human dose (125 mg/50kg). Anti-oxidant study showed significant increase of lipid per oxidation in experimental group while the values of ABTS radical cation decolorisation assay although decreased but did not show any significant changes. Decrease of serum urea and increase of serum creatinine could not be explained on single dose response. Different dose study could only explain the optimum dose to be required in canine practices.