Comparative effects of lovastatin and simvastatin on liver function tests in hyperlipidaemic patients

To evaluate the effect of lovastatin and simvastatin on liver function tests in a number of hyperlipidaemic patients. case control study. The study was conducted in Al-Salam Hospital in Mosul during the period from July 2003 to July 2004. Forty-two patients taking lovastatin and fifty-three patients taking simvastatin. Another fifty, apparently healthy subjects, were also involved as a control group. ALT, AST and ALP activities and bilirubin concentrations of patients on lovastatin, simvastatin and control group were compared. measurement of serum of ALT, AST and ALP activities and serum bilirubin concentration in lovastatin, simvastatin and control groups. results of the study revealed a minor elevation of ALT, AST and ALP activities and bilirubin concentrations above the upper normal limit values in a number of participants taking lovastatin or simvastatin therapy. A significant elevation of ALT, AST and bilirubin in the lovastatin group compared with the control group and a significant elevation of ALT and bilirubin in the simvastatin group when also compared with the control group were found. Stratification of the patients according to age, duration of treatment and dose, revealed a good correlation between some of the hepatic parameters and the age, duration of treatment and dose, though some of these elevations were not statistically significant. Therapy with lovastatin or simvastatin is associated with a mild effect on the liver and the effect is related to the variables of age, duration of therapy and dose. Periodic monitoring of biochemical hepatic parameters during therapy with lovastatin and simvastatin may be of value to observe any serious elevation of these parameters

Comparison of the effects of cabergoline and bromocriptine in women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea

Dopamine agonists are the preferred treatment for most patients with hyperprolactinemic disorders, these agents are extremely effective in lowering serum prolactin levels, eliminating galactorrhea, restoring regular menses and decreasing tumor size. Dopamine agonists, including bromocriptine, quinagolide and cabergoline are differ in their efficacy and tolerability. However, there are relatively few reports in the world comparing the beneficial and adverse effects of bromocriptine and cabergoline in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic patients and there is also lack of such studies in Iraq. Therefore, this study sets out to compare the efficacy and safety of cabergoline with those of bromocriptine in women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea in Mosul city. One hundred and thirty women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea were treated with either cabergoline [0.5 mg weekly] or bromocriptine [2.5 mg twice daily] administerd randomly for 8 weeks. Clinical and biochemical status was assessed at baseline and at the end of trial. Amenorrhea persisted in 9 women of the cabergoline-treated women and 20 of the bromocriptine-treated women. Galactorrhea disappeared in the cabergoline group and persisted in 12 of the bromocriptine group. Normoprolactinemia was achieved in 87.7% women treated with cabergoline and in 67.7% of women treated with bromocriptine. The reduction of prolactin level is statistically higher in the cabergoline group compared with the bromocriptine group. cabergoline and bromocriptine are effective in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea .Cabergoline has the advantage over bromocriptine in terms of both efficacy and tolerability and therefore it is preferred in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea