Effects of Three Different Modes of Exercise Training on Plasma Lipoprotein Profile in Healthy Men.

Objective: The present study was designed to compare the effects of resistance, endurance, and combined endurance / resistance exercises on plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile in healthy untrained middle-aged men. Methods: Healthy middle-aged staff of Islamic Azad University of Sanandaj were randomly assigned to eight weeks of three-times weekly endurance training groups (ET, 30.67±1.1 years, n = 10), resistance training (RT, 31.75±1.1 years, n = 10), combined endurance resistance training (ERT, 30.38±1.1 years, n = 10) and control (c, 30.38±1.1 years, n = 10). Subjects of ET, RT and ER groups underwent endurance (E), resistance (R) and combined endurance / resistance (ER) training respectively. Control group subjects remained sedentary during the period of the study. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: Apolipoprotein B (apo B) decreased significantly (p =0.05) in ERT group. Triglyceride (TG) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly (p =0.05) in both ERT and ET groups. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly in RT group (p =0.05). Lipoprotein lipase, total cholesterol and apo A levels did not change significantly in none of the trained groups. Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, ERT is the mode of choice for correcting plasma TG, LDL and apo B abnormalities, while RT works better for boosting HDL.

Impact of pharmacists' intervention on identification and management of drug-drug interactions in an intensive care setting

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The primary and secondary objectives of this study were to identify and assess the risks associated with the occurrence of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and to determine the value of pharmacists' interventions in the management of clinically significant DDIs, respectively.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective, case-control study was carried out on patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and involved a review of patients' medication chart daily by the pharmacist and the clinical parameters. All identified DDIs were carefully analysed in order to provide recommendations on the management of clinically significant DDIs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The majority of DDIs were categorised as Type-C severity level (n = 305, 75.9%). 'Substitution' was recommended in 34 cases of clinically significant DDIs, 'dosage adjustment' in 17 (4.2%) and 'stop or avoid' in 13 (3.2%). The number of drugs prescribed (p = 0.001, rS = 0.539) and length of ICU stay (p = 0.001, rS = 0.364) were significantly associated and positively correlated with the occurrence of DDIs. Patients with DDIs had a longer length of ICU stay than those without DDIs (9.5 days vs. 2.4 days, p = 0.001). No significant difference was found between patients aged below 50 years and those above 50 years (odds ratio 0.488, 95% confidence interval 0.166-1.434) in terms of the risk of DDIs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A large number of DDIs were identified in this study, but only a small number were clinically significant. Pharmacists' participation in daily ward rounds could play an important role in the detection and management of clinically significant DDIs.</p>

Patient-reported adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions: a cross-sectional study on malaysian HIV/AIDS patients

This study aimed to explore the adverse drug reactions [ADRs] reported by patients and to identify drug-drug interactions [DDIs] among human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [HIV/AIDS] patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic, Hospital Sungai Buloh, an HIV/AIDS referral centre. The patients were randomly selected and were encouraged to describe ADRs caused specifically by any of the prescribed antiretroviral drugs [ARDs]. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded from the patients' medical records. In addition data on antiretroviral treatment [ART], DDIs and other conventional medication were also documented. A total of 325 randomly selected HIV/AIDS patients with a mean age of 22.94 years participated in the study. The most frequently prescribed ARDs were lamivudine [64.6%], zidovudine [40.6%] and efavirenz [42.5%]. Commonly reported ADRs were fatigue [54.8%], allergic reactions [41.5%], weight loss [41.5%], dry mouth [35.1%] and memory loss [35.1%]. Female [87.8%], non-complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] users [87.3%] and participants below 50 years old [81.1%] were identified as having a higher prevalence of ADRs compared to males [79.6%], CAM users [78.7%] and participants aged 50 years or more [77.5%]. Patient age was found to be significantly associated [p = 0.048] with the ADRs. In addition, a total of 44 cases of DDIs belonging to category D were also found in this study. This study enabled us to identify the most common ADRs and DDIs associated with the use of ART. Safe and effective treatment depends on the healthcare providers' knowledge of the same