influence of smoking habits and menopause on the blood lead level in relation to its effect on some body systems

In this study, blood samples were obtained from 300 adult men and women who had no occupational exposure to lead. One hundred and fifty men were subdivided into three equal groups, each of 50, to assess the influence of smoking on blood lead level: The first group was nonsmokers acted as a control group, the second group involved smokers with mean consumption <20 cigarettes daily and the third group involved smokers men with mean consumption >20 cigarettes daily. The duration of smoking averaged 3-5 years in both groups. In a separate analysis, 150 women were subdivided into three equal groups, each of 50, to assess the influence of menopause on blood lead level: The first group was premenopausal women as a control group, the second group was recent menopausal women [less than four years] and the third group was postmenopausal women more than four years

Cisplatin induced toxicity and the modulating effect of antioxidants

This study was conducted on 120 albino rats divided into 8 equal groups. The study showed that group V [cisplatin group] caused highly significant increases in blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT], serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT] together with highly significant reductions in serum electrolytes [serum calcium, Ca, serum potassium, K and serum sodium, Na], total proteins and albumin. Histopathological examination of kidney in group V showed tubular necrosis, focal cytoplasmic vacuolation and interstitial hemorrhages. Histopathological examination of liver in group V showed cloudy swelling of hepatocyte and sinusoidal dilatation

Status of mercury in dental patients and the relationship between mercury from dental amalgam and the cardiovascular system

This study involved 120 persons divided into 4 groups each of 30 persons: 15 male [male sign] and 15 female [famale sign]. All were admitted to the dentistry clinic. The first group [I] acted as a control group. The second group [II] involved persons with one filling tooth. The third group [III] involved persons with two filling teeth. The fourth group [IV] involved persons; with more than two filling teeth. The study showed significant increase in urinary mercury [U-Hg], blood mercury [B-Hg] and mean arterial blood pressure in groups [III] and [IV]. Comparison between persons with and without amalgam showed that groups III and IV had significant decrease in hearth rate, hemoglobin, hematocait and red blood cell count [BRCs]. The work showed that the more amalgam, the larger increase in mercury levels

Toxicity of a constant low dose of methotrexate as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Ninety patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] were studied for the long term toxicity of metho trexate [MTX], administered orally at a dosage of 7.5 mg/week. Twenty patients had to be with drawn from the study within the first 12 months due to adverse reactions. After 18 months, toxicity was noted in 50 patients consisting of clinical side effects in 35 patients and biological abnormalities in 34 patients. Thus methotrexate at this constant low dose appears to be temporarily valuable therapy for RA. Careful monotoring is necessary in view of the potentially dangerous side effects

Metabolic response in severely traumatized patients

Acute severe trauma induces alterations in glucose, protein and fat metabolism through neurohormonal mechanisms. This study investigated the temporal relationship between serum cortisol, insulin levels and metabolic changes in glucose, protein and fat following acute severe trauma. Thirty adult patients admitted with polytrauma were investigated after two to three days of admission compared with 30 normal adults. There were highly significant increases in fasting blood glucose, ketones, triglycerides, cortisol and insulin, and highly significant decreases in total proteins and albumin. The study speculate that post traumatic hyperglycemia, decreased total proteins and albumin are major metabolic changes following severe trauma. These changes were mediated through neurohormonal mechanism included mainly the increased blood cortisol level

relationship between corticosteroid level and other immunologic parameters in thermally injured patients

Thermal injury induces alterations in the immune system, but the precise mechanism have yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the temporal relationship between serum corticosteroid level and serum immunoglobulin levels in the postburn period. Thirty adult patients [mean age 40 years] admitted with thermal burns greater than 20% body surface area [BSA] [mean, 50%] were evaluated during four post burn periods. Serum cortisol level was increased during four postburn periods. Serum IgG, IgA and IgG concentrations were low during the initial postburn period. Serum IgG and IgA returned to normal and above normal levels in the late postburn period, but serum IgG show unsteady changes during late postburn period. The study speculate that the increased endogenous secretion of stress hormone results in an increase release of B cells from lymphoid organs. This lymphocyte redistribution may result in polyconal cellular interactions with subsequent B-cell activation, and increased IgG production