[ efficacy and complications of metformin produced by Iranian Co in comparison with Canadian Co]

Different pharmaceutical types of metformin are available for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is some doubt about the efficacy of metformin produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. As a clinical trial, we compared the efficacy and complications of metformin produced by an Iranian company with metformin from a Canadian company in diabetic patients. Eighteen eligible women [age range: 32-62 years] with type 2 diabetes received metformin [500 mg twice a day] either from Iranian company or from Canadian company each for 6 weeks period in a randomized, double blind, crossover study. Fasting blood sugar [FBS], HbA1C, lipid profile [Chol, TG, HDL, and LDL], weight, and BMI were assessed before and after each treatment phase. The results were compared with each other by paired sample T-test and Independent sample T-test. Each of the two pharmaceutical types of metformin had the same therapeutic effects on FBS, HbA1C, lipid profile [except for HDL] and BMI. In addition, there was no significant difference between them in side effects [22.2% in each group]. According to the beneficial therapeutic effects of Iranian metformin, lower side effects and low cost, in comparison to its Canadian type, it seems that using Iranian metformin would be a suitable choice for control of glycemic patients. However, in this regard, further studies with greater samples are recommended

[Prevalence of bladder and sexual dysfunctions in patients with multiple sclerosis]

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabilitating neurological disease. More than 80% of MS patients show symptoms of lower urinary system impairment. Although rarely life threatening, these complications can affect the quality of life. The aim of this study was to find the frequency of bladder and sexual impairments among MS patients. All patients with diagnosis of MS with no previous history of bladder or sexual dysfunctions, referred to Farshchian hospital in Hamadan during 2006, were included. Information regarding the demographic characteristics and urinary/sexual problems were collected using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS ver.10. Out of 103 individuals, 85 [82.5%] and 18 [17.5%] were males and females, respectively. 76.6% of cases were found to have at least one sign of urinary problem. Also, it was revealed that 43.8% of individuals had at least one symptom of sexual dysfunction. A minimum of one sonography on urinary system to control the possible problems was performed in 14.6% of patients. Additionally, 7.8% of patients had experienced at least one period of urinary infection. Considering the high frequency of bladder and sexual dysfunctions in patient with MS, it is recommended that in addition to clinical examinations, the routine urinary test, urinary tract sonography, and urology and gynecology consultations to be performed for patients with MS. Appropriate and symptomatic treatment should also be considered for motor /bladder function/ fatiguabilityand depression to improve the quality of life and reduce the burden of disease

[Interaction between JWH133-induced antinociception and two extreme doses of celecoxib]

JWH133 is known to have cannabinoid-2 [CB2] receptor agonist properties. Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] inhibitor, is also known to have antinociceptive properties. Endocannabinoids produce analgesia possibly through cyclooxygenase [COX] pathway. The aim of the present work was: to study the effect of celecoxib on JWH133 induced antinociception and to compare the effects of two different dose ranges of celecoxib [mg/kg and nano g/kg] on the JWH133 antiniciceptive effect. We have studied the possible interaction of administration of mg/kg [50-200 mg/kg] and Ultra-Low Dose [ULD] [25 and 50 ng/kg] of celecoxib on the antinociceptive effect of intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of JWH133 using formalin test in mice. JWH133 [0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg] induced antinociceptive effect just in phase I of the formalin test. Celecoxib [50-200 mg/kg] and its ULD [25 and 50 ng/kg] attenuated and potentiated, JWH133 induced antinociception, respectively. It is concluded that JWH-133 induced antinociception is modulated by celecoxib and mg/kg doses of celecoxib showed opposite effects compare to its ultra-low doses

[Antinociceptive effect of peripheral and intracerebroventricular administration of JWH133 in mice]

Cannabinoids have a dose-related antinociceptive effect in animals and humans through Cannabinoid receptors [CB1,CB2]. Several studies have suggested that CB2 receptors are not expressed in the CNS but others suggest that there are a few, although significant, receptors in that area. To date no studies have been done on the antinociceptive effect of central administration of a CB2 agonist. In this study the central and peripheral analgesic effect of JWH133 [a CB2 agonist] was examined. Male mice were used in this study. The antinociceptive effects of intracerebroventricular [i.c.v.] administration of JWH133 using formalin test was studied in stereotaxed mice after one week of surgery and the insertion of a stainless steel cannula in the left cerebroventricle. To study peripheral effects of JWH133, the drug was administered intraperitoneally [i.p.]. The i.c.v injection of JWH133 had no effect but i.p. injection of the drug had analgesic effects. The present results may suggest that there are no any effective analgesic CB2 receptors in the CNS

[ effects of exposure to simulation cell phone waves on gonads of male mouse]

The increasing users of microwave appliances such as cell phones caused an increasing interest on investigation of its adverse effects on human health and development of animals. This study is done to investigate the effects of simulating cell phone waves on gonads and sex cells of male Balb/C mouse. This is an experimental study in which with the use of generating apparatus of simulating cell phone waves, adult male mice were exposed to cell phone waves for 10 days [4 hours per day]. Then structure and ultrastructure of testes and number of sex cells were examined by light and transmission electron microscope. Data was analyzed using t and Mann Whitney testes. The results did not show any significant differences in the size and weight of testes in mice exposed to the simulating cell phone waves. Results also showed that the number of spermatogonia cells and primary spermatocytes and spermatids and sperms were significantly increased in exposed mice [p<0.05], but the number of sertoli cells were significantly decreased [p<0.05]. The study of micrographs showed changes in ultrastructure of sexual cells, such as cleft and hetrochromatined nucleus and decrease of cell organelles and vacuolization of cytoplasm. Results indicate the effect of simulating cell phone waves on number and ultrastructure of sex cell in male Balb/C mouse

[Frequency of unofficial drug [out-of-drug list] prescription by physicians, Zanjan-2005]

A number of drugs available in Iran's drug market do not appear on official drug list of the country. However, they are prescribed by physicians for various reasons. Although the trade of these drugs is illegal, they are widely sold at different prices, without warranty for genuineness and production date. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the frequency of widely-prescribed unofficial drugs in Zanjan province in 2005. This descriptive study was carried out in 26 pharmacies selected through convenient sampling. Data collecting tool was the information form through which the data completed by the pharmacies was followed-up every two week for 6 months. The collected data was classified and analysed through descriptive statistics. Out of 1894 recorded drug articles by pharmacies fefol was the most frequent with 643 cases [33.94%] and the other drugs in descending order were osteocare with 170 cases [8.97%] ketrel with 141 cases [7.44%] glucosamine/ chondroitine/ MSM compounds with 132 cases [6.97%] and tres orix with 112 cases [5.91%]. Based on research results out-of-list drugs fell into three categories. The first category was drugs with similar domestic versions and without proven superiority over domestic drugs [e.g: fefol, osteocare]. The second category was drugs without similar domestic versions or with distinct superiority over domestic drugs [e.g: glucosamine, chondroitine], and the third category contained the drugs without particular superiority over domestic drugs [e.g MIM drop, kidicare]. Thus, it is recommended that clinical efficacy of foreign samples be compared with domestic ones and be added to official drug list of the country in case of appropriateness

[ antinociceptive effect of intracerebroventricular injection of soya oil in mice]

Several studies have shown that Soya oil has analgesic effects when it administered orally or injected. Oral administration of Soya oil has antinociceptive effect on bone dysplasia induced pain. Based on previous reports concerning analgesic effect of peripheral administration of Soya oil and the usage of the oil as a solvent or the oil part of emulsions to prepare water insoluble drugs, we investigated the analgesic effect of intracerebroventricular [i.c.v.] injection of Soya oil. The antinociceptive effects of i.c.v. administration of Soya oil using formalin test have been studied in stereotaxed mice after one week of surgery and insertion of a stainless steel canulla in the right cerebroventricle. Administration of pure Soya oil induced an antinociceptive effect in mice but the oil did not show any analgesic effects in 10 percent concentration. The results of this study are in agreement with previous data on analgesic effect of peripheral administration of Soya oil. Therefore, we suggest that minimum concentrations should be used to prepare emulsions with Soya oil for water insoluble drugs in antinociception studies

[ effect of gender and number of pups on postpartum depressive-like behaviors in rats]

Postpartum depression [PPD] is the most common complication of childbearing women. According to the effect of alterations of estrogen, progesterone, beta-endorphins, CRH and hCG on the etiology of PPD and considering the effect of fetal gender on some maternal hormone levels, the effect of fetal gender on PPD [due to hormonal mechanisms] is a ponderable hypothesis. Because of the interaction between cultural, social and economical factors with occurrence of PPD, study on the correlation between gender or number of infants and PPD is difficult in human populations. We purposed to study the correlation between gender or number of pups and PPD-like behaviors in rats. In this study postpartum depressive-like behaviors were assessed in 30 Wistar rats by Forced Swim Test [FST]. Behaviors observed in the FST such as increased immobility and decreased active behaviors [struggling, swimming and diving] are depression symptoms. On postnatal days 3 and 4 dams were placed in a swim tank and their behaviors [struggling, swimming and immobility time and diving number] were recorded and assessed. The correlation between postpartum depressive like behaviors and pups sexual ratio [females/males] or pups number was analyzed by the Bivariate Correlation [Pearson's test]. A significant positive correlation between pups number and immobility time was observed [r = 0.641, p<0.05]. However increase in pups number decreased the struggling and swimming time and diving numbers, the correlations were not significant [p>0.05]. There was not any significant correlation between pups sexual ratio and behaviors observed in FST [p>0.05]. Results of this study imply that PPD-like behaviors are affected by pups number but are independent to pups gender in rats