Some biochemical and heamatological changes in diabetes mellitus before and after treatment

This study was carried out on 23 female cases, non-obese, with newly diagnosed maturity onset diabetes [non-insulin-dependent]. The aims of the present study were to determine the antidiabetic activity of new sulphonylurea drug [Gliclazide] and to assess its effects on serum lipids, renal functions and blood fibrinolysis over three-month treatment. Total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly after treatment. Triglycerides level decreased significantly, while phospholipids and different lipoprotein fractions did not change significantly after treatment. Blood fibrinolytic activity was significantly increased, while fibrinogen level and fibrinogen degradation products levels showed insignificant changes. There was significant decrease in serum sodium and chloride levels, while serum creatinine was significantly increased after treatment

Guanfacine and hypertension: effect on blood pressure, electrocardiographic changes, heart rate and some biochemical values

This study was carried out on 18 dogs, using a new antihypertensive agent, Guanfacine. Experimental hypertension was performed by constriction of renal arterial blood supply and compression of the kidneys. Guanfacine was injected as acute intravenous single dose [0.02 mg/kg body weight] alone and combined with diuretic [furosemide] or B-blocker [pindolol]. No significant changes in serum electrolytes, glucose, FFA were reported with Guanfacine alone or combined with diuretic. While combination with [pindolol], resulted in significant decrease in arterial blood pressure with brady-cardia was observed after Guanfacine alone and not changed when combined with diuretic. Significant reduction in arterial blood pressure and heart rate was noted after combination with B-blocker

Hormonal and hemodynamic effects of angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitor on renal and essential hypertension

Twenty hypertensive patients [12 females and 8 males] were included in this study: Ten patients with renal hypertension complicated with chronic renal failure and 10 patients with mild to moderate uncomplicated essential hypertension with positive family history. Captopril was given in a dose of 75-150 mg/day in 3 divided doses for 10 days [after discontinuing any antihypertensive agent at least for one week prior to captopril]. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations were done for all patients before and 10 days after treatment. Captopril was found to be effective in treatment of both renal and essential hypertension

Serum and CSF copper and ascorbic acid concentrations in chronic and acute schizophrenia

Copper is intimately involved in brain myelination. Copper acts as a cofactor in dopamine B. hydroxylase, which is involved in the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine. Morning samples [serum and CSF] were drawn from 20 patients with schizophrenia and 12 healthy control subjects. Estimation of copper in serum and CSF by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ceruloplasmin by single radial immunodiffusion, and ascorbic acid in plasma and CSF by 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol titration were done. The level of serum copper was significantly changed in acute and chronic cases compared with the control group. Serum ascorbic acid was significantly decreased in acute case. CSF copper and ascorbic acid significantly changed in acute cases, while within normal level in chronic cases