Effect of methionine on doxycycline induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

To study the effect of methionine in doxycycline induced hepatotoxicity in relation to body weight and liver weight in albino rats. The body weight and liver weight were measured in thirty male albino rats of six weeks age, after methionine therapy in doxycycline induced hepatotoxicity. It was observed that there was significant increase in body weight and non-significant change in liver v/w ratio. It is concluded that methionine antagonizes the hepatotoxic effect of doxycycline

Knowledge and practices of barbers about Hepatitis B and C Transmission in Rawalpindi and Islamabad

To assess the knowledge and practices of barbers regarding transmission risk of HBV and HCV viruses. A cross-sectional survey of barber's shops in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was conducted during September- November1998. Barbers were queried about hepatitis, knowledge regarding hepatitis transmission through razor, vaccination, sterilization, and the form of media they use for information and entertainment. Use of instruments on at least 2 clients were observed in each shop. Proportion and their 95% confidence intervals were computed. Of 96 barbers approached, 12 [13%] knew that hepatitis is a disease of the liver, causing jaundice, it is transmitted through parenteral route and could also be transmitted by razor. During the actual observation of 192 clients, razors were cleaned with antiseptic solution for 22 [11.4%] and reused for 88 [46%] shaves. Level of awareness among barbers about hepatitis and risks of transmission is very low, and their practice of razor reuse that may spread hepatitis is very common. Messages about hepatitis need to be incorporated in media campaigns, in addition to regulation of practices

Effect of hypothyroidism and thyroxin replacement on growth of long bones in prenatally treated albino rats

To study the effect of induced hypothyroidism and thyroxin replacement on bone growth. Design: An animal study carried out on experimental Albino rats. Place and duration of study: The study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from June 1999 to May 2002. Pregnant female Albino rats obtained from the animal house of Basic Medical Sciences Institute, JPMC, Karachi were treated with carbimazole and carbimazole plus thyroxin from 10th day of gestation till parturition. Another group of pregnant rats did not receive any treatment and acted as controls. Pups born to the treated as well as control animals were sacrificed on 10th postnatal day and fixed in formal saline. They were then processed through 95% ethanol and acetone, bulk stained with alizarin red and cleared in 4% KOH to reveal their bony and cartilaginous elements. The ulna and tibia of both sides were disarticulated from the treated and control animals and measured for intact bone length and diameter. The measurements of the three groups were then compared statistically. The retardation in length observed at the end of experimental period in ulna was by 13.67% and in tibia by 27.84% in carbimazole treated group while in carbimazole plus thyroxin treated group the reduction in length of ulna was 5.08% and of tibia 3.91% when compared with their age matched controls. Prenatal hypothyroidism has an adverse effect on bone growth and results in reduction of long bone length

Effects of ciprofloxacin on foetal hepatocytes

To evaluate the hepatotoxic risk of Ciprofloxacin administration during gestation on Wistar albino rat foetuses. An animal study carried on experimental pregnant female Wistar albino rats and their foetuses in the department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Ciprofloxacin was administered to pregnant Wistar albino rats at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally [twice the therapeutic dose] from day-8 to day-18 of gestation. The intact rat foetuses were isolated on day-18 of gestation. These animals were killed by deep ether anaesthesia. Liver removed, weighed and fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraplast, 3 micro m thick sections were cut on rotary microtome, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The histomorphological features of liver were compared with those of control animals and analyzed statistically. The study revealed that prenatal Ciprofloxacin produced degenerative changes in liver of foetuses. The results strongly suggest that Ciprofloxacin, given during pregnancy, causes severe liver damage in foetuses of Wistar albino rats

Injection practices and sharp waste disposal by general practitioners of Murree, Pakistan

To describe the injection and sharp waste disposal practices of general practitioners of Murree, Pakistan. In-depth interviews of all general practitioners available between 10th to 20th July 2000 were conducted. Practitioners were interviewed about injection administration and disposal of waste due to injections and other sharp material. Twenty general practitioners out of 25 were interviewed. All claimed using disposable syringes only once. None of them was disposing off syringes in sharp containers in the clinic. Of 20, 12 [60%] were throwing syringes at open places and 5 [25%] in municipal waste bins. Most of the injections by general practitioners were administered for fever, body aches, diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Sharp waste disposal is not safe in Murree. Improper disposal of sharp waste needs development of cost effective methods that are applicable at a small scale. Larger studies are required to quantify the gravity of the problem

Age related changes in the rat adrenal gland during prenatal period; [study-1]

Adrenals are complex and important glands of dual character in mammals. The growth of the rat adrenal gland is relatively slower than the general body growth. To observe the age related changes in the adrenal gland of the albino rat during prenatal period. SETTING: Albino rats used were obtained from Animal House of BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. Twenty four fetuses of 15,17,19 and 21 days of gestation were used by dividing into four groups [A to D] each composing 6 fetuses. METHODS: Right adrenals were dissected free, fixed and then stained with 1% toluidine blue solution to study under light microscope. Were dissected free, fixed and then stained with 1% toluidine blue solution to study under light microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The adrenals showed continuous growth throughout the study. The pancenchymal zonation of cortex started on 15th day and developed on 21st day. In all the cortical zones, the predominance of desk cells over the light cells was observed irrespective of age group studied. The mitotic activity was maximum at the time of birth in both the zones of cortex. The lipid globules in the cortex started developing on 21st day. The medulla appeared distinctly on the 19th day. Both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers were observed in between the cortical cells traversing the whole thickness of cortex from capsule to the medulla

Distribution of epidermal melanin pigment among the inhabitants of Karachi

A study was conducted at Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC] Karachi, to investigate the distribution of epidermal melanin with respect to age and ethnic groups in Pakistan and intensity of epidermal melanin under ultraviolet radiation among the inhabitants population of Karachi. Epidermal malanin in 5 micro m thick vertical paraffin embedded sections of eighty human skin samples were studied with light microscopy from different age and ethnic groups with schmort technique. The quantity of epidermal melanin diminished as the age advanced. There was no significant difference among different ethnic groups in Pakistan, and the amount of epidermal melanin was significantly higher in exposed than in unexposed parts of body among the population of Karachi. The distribution of epidermal melanin appeared to be inversely proportional to the advancing age, it remained constant among different ethnic groups of Pakistan, but the intensity was significantly higher in exposed than in unexposed parts of body among Karachiites

fibre size of the hindlimb nerves and their roots in albino rat

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number and diameters of myelinated fibres in the tibial nerve[TN]; common peroneal nerve[CPN] and their dorsal and ventral roots L4, L5 and L6 in albino rat. SETTING: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. SUBJECT: Male adult albino rats. Period: One year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The number and diameters of myelinated fibres were estimated from the photomicrographic montages of their araldite embedded transverse sections. The mean count of myelinated fibres in TN was more than CPN while their population in both the dorsal and ventral roots of L5 segment outnumbered the other two segments. The mean diameters of myelinated fibres forming TN and CPN ranged between 2.3-12.2 [micro]m and 2.4-12 [micro]m respectively, while their dorsal and ventral roots measured between 1-12 [micro]m and 2-14 [micro]m. A decrease in the fibre size in both the nerve roots occurred rostrocaudally, however, the size range in the ventral roots appeared to be larger than in the dorsal roots whereas the CPN has slightly more larger sized fibres than the TN

Morphological and morphometrical study of human lens in senile cataract

Histological changes were studied in 34 senile cataractous lenses removed surgically from patients aged 50 to 78 years. Sixty-eight% had nuclear sclerosis, 44% swollen cells and morgagnian globular changes, 23% calcium deposition, 15% migration of epithelial cells beneath posterior capsule and villous projection in posterior in 7%. Several cases had more than one histological abnormality. There was significant reduction in the diameter of epithelial cells of the cataract and insignificant change in capsular thickness

Study of myelinated fibers in the common peroneal nerve in monkey

The common peroneal nerve [CPN] motoneurons were localized by horseradish peroxidase neuronal tracing technique. They extended from caudal part of L4 to the caudal part of L6 segments of the spinal cord in monkey [macaca mulatta]. The number and diameters of myelinated fibres in the CPN and its ventral roots, L4, L5 and L6 of the monkey were estimated from the photomicrographic montages of their araldite embedded transverse sections. The mean count of these fibres was 896 in L4, 3228 in L5, 6959 in L6 and 7497 in CPN. The average diameters of myelinated fibres in ventral root measured between 2 and 1 [micro]m and in CPN between 2 and 22 [micro]m. The percentage of myelinated fibres measuring 9 [micro]m and above was 79.1% in L4, 86.7% in L5, 63.4% in L6 and 63.5% in common peroneal nerve

Visualization of neurons forming the obturator nerve in albino rat

To localize and estimate the size, number and segmental distribution of motor, dorsal root ganglion [DRG] and postganglionic sympathetic [PSN] neurons whose axons form the obturator nerve in albino rat. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Subjects: Male, adult albino rats of Charles River strain. Main outcome measures: Horseradish peroxidase [HRP] method of tracing neurons by injecting 25-30% HRP solution into the muscles supplied by the obturator nerve. The motoneurons extended between L2 and L4 segments of the spinal cord, appeared as groups of neurons occupying anterolateral, posterolateral and central groups. The labelled sensory neurons located in L2-L4 ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia were densely populated in L3 DRG without any somatotopic organization. Ike sympathetic neurons were labelled in L2-L4 sympathetic ganglia with heavy labelling in The. The somal diameters of the motoneurons ranged between 10 and 50 micro m with majority having somal diameters greater than 25 micro m. The size spectrum of sensory neurons measured between 12 and 50 micro m and that of sympathetic ganglion cells between 10 and 38 micro m

Protective role of vitamin B3 against streptozotium-induced diabetes in albinos rat

To evaluate the role of nicotinamide [vitamin B3] in streptozotocin diabetes. Design: Light microscopic study of rat endocrine pancreas, after simultaneous treatment with nicotinamide and streptozotocin. Setting: Dept. of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Subjects: Thirty two male adult albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups; normal control [A], diabetic control [B], nicotinamide control [C] and the experimental group [D]. In group D nicotinamide [500 mg/Kg] was injected simultaneously with streptozotocin 32 mg/Kg. At two weeks post treatment all the animals were sacrificed, their pancreas removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and and chrome alum haematoxylin and phloxine. Simultaneous treatment with nicotinamide and streptozotocin showed un-altered morphology of endocrine pancreas which was in every aspect comparable to that of groups A and C pancreas. The morphological findings correlated with other parameters like the general condition of the animals changes in body weight and blood glucose levels. Streptozotocin induced diabetes in albino rat may be prevented by simultaneous treatment with nicotinamide

Study of motor units innervated by common peroneal nerve in monkey

The average number and size of motor units were assessed by investigating the components of motor units supplied by Common Peroneal Nerve in monkey [macaca mulatta]. The motoneurons forming the common peroneal nerve [CPN] localized by horseradish peroxidase neuronal tracing technique extended from the caudal part of L[4] to the caudal part of L[6] segments of the spinal cord. The average somal diameter of motoneurons ranged between 14 and 78 m. The motoneurons measuring more than 38 [micro]m [presumably the alpha neurons] were 69.23%. The motor end-plates on skeletal myofibres of muscles supplied by the CPN were localized by using Bromo-indigo and urea-silver technique. The average number of motor units was assessed as the ratio between the number of motoneurons and the motor endplates. The total of 992 motor units with the size of 157 of the muscles innervated by the CPN have been observed in the present study

Localization of motor, sensory and postganglionic sympathetic neurons forming the femoral nerve in albino rat

The present study yields informations on the location, number and size of motor, sensory and postganglionic sympathetic neurons forming the femoral nerve in albino rats localized by horseradish peroxidase [HRP] method of tracing neuronal connections. It showed that the motoneurons of femoral nerve extended between L[1] and L[4] segments of the spinal cord. They appeared as groups of neurons occupying anterolateral, posterolateral and central groups. The labeled sensory neurons were located in L[1] - L[4] dorsal root ganglia[DRG] and were concentrated mostly in L[3] DRG with no somatotopic organization of the cells. The postganglionic sympathetic neurons [PSN] were labeled in L[1] - L[4] sympathetic ganglia with peak frequency in L[4] sympathetic ganglion. The somal diameters of motoneurons forming the femoral nerve ranged between 10 and 58 [micro]m with majority having somal diameters greater than 25 [micro]m. The size spectrum of sensory neurons measure between 14 and 60 [micro]m. The sympathetic neurons measure between 10 and 44[micro]m

Age related changes in the rat adrenal cortex

The present study revealed that the growth of the rat adrenal gland was relatively slower than general body growth. However, growth of the cortex preceded that of the medulla. The parenchyma showed three usual zones but a fourth inconstant lipid-poor, zona intermedia between outer glomerulosa and middle fasciculata was also observed. In all cortical zones, the predominance of dark cells over the light cells occurred irrespective of the age groups studied. The advancing age replaced capsular cellular elements with fibrous ones whereas the mitotic activity of the parenchymal cells decreased and an increase in the intracellular lipid in the outer and ascorbic acid in the inner cortex was observed. The glycogen which was restricted mainly to the inner cortex remained unaffected by aging process while the acid phosphatase activity from the inner reticularis extended to the outer cortex in aged group

effect of paracetamol on naprosyn induced damage to gastric mucosa in albino rat

The effect of paracetamol against ulcerogenic agent, naprosyn on the gastric mucosa of albino rat was observed under dissecting as well as laboratory microscope. Paracetamol in a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight provided protection against the ulcerogenic effect of naprosyn under dissecting microscope. Under laboratory microscope, a significant increase in the mucosal thickness with the administration of paracetamol followed by naprosyn was observed, while the flattening of the surface epithelium with slight exfoliation may be attributed to relative increase of pepsin from the chief cell. The increased secretory activity of the mucous neck cells in animals treated with paracetamol followed by naprosyn may be due to the increased bio-synthesis of prostaglandin from these cells which might have produced protective influence against the damaging effect of naprosyn

Measurements of the normal adult lumbar spinal canal

To assess the normal dimensions of the lumbar spinal canal, 100 normal healthy subjects of either sex between 25 and 45 years age were x-rayed for lumber vertebral column in both posteroanterior and lateral views and the canal was measured by Jones and Thomson method1. The lumbar spinal canal showed constant dimensions in both sexes in all age groups when studied separately in the male and female subjects. However, no change in relative dimensions was observed between 25 and 45 years. The canal showed gradual decrease in measurement from L1 to L5 vertebral levels in both sexes but relative width of the canal was more in the females than in the males of the same age group. The normal values of the canal to vertebral body ratio [C/B] varies between 1:2.0 and 1:5.0. The ratio 1:2.0 indicates a wider canal whereas any ratio beyond 1:5.0 would be conclusive of stenosis of the lumbar vertebral canal