Negative correlation between serum S100B and leptin levels in schizophrenic patients during treatment with clozapine and risperidone: preliminary evidence

Recently, extensive efforts have been made to understand the rate of energy expenditure and the weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic treatment, including identification of markers of obesity risk. In recent years, leptin, an adipocyte hormone, has gained significant interest in psychiatric disorders. S100B has been considered as a surrogate marker for astrocyte-specific damage in neurologic disorders. Also, S100B has been detected in adipose with concentration as high as nervous tissue as a second release source. In this study we evaluated the relationship between S100B and leptin in schizophrenic patients under treatment with clozapine and risperidone. This study included 19 patients meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia, having body mass index [BMI] of 16- 25 kg/m[2] and suffering schizophrenia for more than 3 years and from this study. Twenty five healthy controls were group matched for age and gender whose BMI was 16-25 kg/m[2]. Serum S100B and leptin levels and positive and negative symptom scale [PANSS] were assessed at admission and after six weeks. During the study, S100B showed a strong and negative correlation with leptin [r = -0.5, P = 0.01]. Also, there were negative correlation between serum S100B level and PANSS negative subscale after 6 weeks of treatment [r = -0.048, P = 0.8]. Positive correlation between leptin level and PANSS suggested a potential role for leptin which can mediate the link between antipsychotic induced weight gain and therapeutic response in schizophrenia

role of Clinical Pharmacists in the improvement of a pharmacovigilance system: a review of the reported adverse drug reactions during 2004-2010 in Mazandaran Province of Iran

Following establishment of Iranian Adverse Drug Reaction [ADR] Monitoring Center in 1997, ADR committees were established in all hospitals of Mazandaran Province of Iran. Clinical pharmacists from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences have been involved with these committees since 2007. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the pharmacovigilance system before and after active involvement of clinical pharmacists. This study included Yellow Cards filled out by healthcare providers in Mazandaran Province during 2004-2010. Frequency of Adverse Drug Reactions [ADRs], route of administration, reporters, number of reports in each years and damaged organs were focuses. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16 software. P< 0.05 was considered as significant difference. A total of 793 yellow cards were completed during 2004 - 2010. Only 38 ADRs [4.8%] were related to 2004-2007. Most of the reports generated by Nurses [49.3%] followed by Pharmacists and Physicians [P< 0.001]. Forty-one reactions [5.2%] were serious, most related to Ceftriaxone, Desfonac and Vancomycin. Clinical pharmacists' intervention regarding establishing ADR committees in the hospitals improved the output of the pharmacovigilance system, although under-reporting is still a major drawback of spontaneous reporting.

[Evaluation of therapeutic effect of capsaicin pomade [Caspian 0.03%] in hemodialysis related pruritus]

Pruritus is one of the common problems in hemodialysis patients with end stage renal disease. Approximately, 60% of these patients suffer from this condition. There are several causes for pruritus, thus, various treatments are applied in order to control it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of capsaicin on pruritus, compared with placebo, in hemodialysis patients. This randomized double blind cross over clinical trial study, was performed on 34 hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus in 1386. All patients were divided in two groups. One group received Caspian 0.03%, while the other, placebo for four weeks. Treatment was stopped for two weeks and continued as cross over technique. Pruritus scores were analyzed with Paired t-test and Repeated measurement ANOVA. In this study, the difference between Mean of pruritus score before capsian treatment and in weeks following 1 to 4 was statistically significant [P=0.0001]. In placebo group, the difference between pruritus score before treatment and in weeks 1 to 4 was statistically significant [P=0.0001]. There was no significant difference before treatment in two groups, however, after each week, the difference was significant [P=0.0001]. Repeated measurement test showed that reduction in pruritus severity in capsian group was more than placebo group, during treatment period [P=0.0001]. Although our study indicated the appropriate effects of Capsian in pruritus, the placebo also has a good effect in controlling hemodialysis related pruritus. Our placebo had emollient property; therefore, we can apply it to control the pruritus in these patients

[Assessment of cardiac troponin I in patients with pulmonary emboli and its relationship with right ventricular dysfunction]

Right ventricular dysfunction is common in major pulmonary embolisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and diagnostic utility of cardiac troponin I and also to identify patients with RV dysfunction in pulmonary embolism. This study was conducted on 42 patients with pulmonary embolism in Ekbatan Hospital, in Hamedan city. Data from history, echocardiogram, and lung perfusion scan was obtained from medical records. Blood samples were obtained immediately after pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. Cardiac troponin was measured using chromatographic assay. Two patients [4.8%] had positive troponin I [>/= 0.5 microg/l], and 40 patients [95.2%] had negative troponin I [< 0.5 microg/l]. RV dysfunction was detected in 16 patients [38%]. RV dysfunction was detected in 1 of positive troponin I patients and 15 with negative troponin I [37.5%]. No significant relationship was found between RV dysfunction and troponin I level [p>0.05]. Our data demonstrates that troponin I measurement is not able to distinguish specifically between coronary and non- coronary causes of chest pain