THE EFFECT OF EVOLOCUMAB ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH ATORVASTATIN ON LIPID PROFILE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: In this study, we try to investigate whether evolocumab or its combination with atorvastatin has potent effect on lipid profile? PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Forty local domestic male rabbits were included in this study, and categorized into four group, two untreated group (nohypercholostermic and untreated hypercholostermic) and treated groups (evolocumab treated group at dose 6.1mg/kg/2Wk and atorvastatin treated group at dose 3.5 mg/kg/day),the blood samples were analyzed at base line and after 5week and at the end of the study after 10 weeks for lipid profile by standard enzymatic methods. RESULTS: Results: The serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),were increased after 10 weeks of administration of the atherogenic diet significantly (p<0.05) as compared with other groups (group I: 61.19 ± 14, group ΙΙ: 1301 ± 443, group ΙΙΙ 41.01 ± 5.81: 280 ± 50, group ΙV: 190 ± 38 group Ι: 46 ± 15.0, group ΙΙ: 256.0 ± 24.0, group ΙΙΙ: 101.0±28, group ΙV: 48.18 ± 15.27, group Ι: 29±14.50, group ΙΙ: 929±251.0, group ΙΙΙ: 283.0±36, group ΙV: 209.0±33mg/dl) respectively while the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decrease (18.0±4.1 to 15.0±3.0mg/dl). Compared with evolocumab monotherapy, combination of evolocumab and atorvastatin reduce serum level of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein more than that of evolocumab. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Preproteins convert as esubtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor regulates the serum levels of lipid and cholesterol by lowering LDL-C, and the results also indicate that combination of evolocumab and atorvastatin are more potent in lowering the lipid profile and then reduce progression of atherosclerosis than evolocumab alone in rabbits suggesting that this combination might be beneficial for treatment of atherosclerosis.

Validating the measurement of social capital in Bangladesh: a cognitive approach.

Despite the growing evidence linking social capital to improvements in health and health behaviors, reliable measures of social capital are lacking in low-income countries. To accurately measure social capital in new contexts, there is a need to validate social capital survey questions in each new cultural setting. In this article, we examine the content validity of the measurement of social capital in Bangladesh using qualitative methods. In December 2012, we conducted four focus group discussions and 32 cognitive interviews in one rural subdistrict (Durgapur) and one urban slum (Mirpur). We used the findings from the focus groups and cognitive interviews to create a new social capital survey instrument that can be used by health and development organizations in Bangladesh. Furthermore, in this article, we provide insight into social capital survey research in general, including suggestions for the measurement of group membership, social support, collective action, and social trust.

Animal husbandry practices in rural Bangladesh: potential risk factors for antimicrobial drug resistance and emerging diseases.

Antimicrobial drug administration to household livestock may put humans and animals at risk for acquisition of antimicrobial drug-resistant pathogens. To describe animal husbandry practices, including animal healthcare-seeking and antimicrobial drug use in rural Bangladesh, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with key informants, including female household members (n = 79), village doctors (n = 10), and pharmaceutical representatives, veterinarians, and government officials (n = 27), and performed observations at animal health clinics (n = 3). Prevalent animal husbandry practices that may put persons at risk for acquisition of pathogens included shared housing and water for animals and humans, antimicrobial drug use for humans and animals, and crowding. Household members reported seeking human and animal healthcare from unlicensed village doctors rather than formal-sector healthcare providers and cited cost and convenience as reasons. Five times more per household was spent on animal than on human healthcare. Strengthening animal and human disease surveillance systems should be continued. Interventions are recommended to provide vulnerable populations with a means of protecting their livelihood and health.

Effects of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on taste and serum levels of zinc and magnesium.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on the levels of zinc and magnesium in the serum of rabbits and humans and the histology of taste buds in rabbits. METHODS: We conducted this study in the College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq from April 2005 to September 2006. It was in 2 parts: a clinical observational study of 54 patients treated with one of these drugs. The second part involved oral administration of metronidazole (45mg/kg), tinidazole (40mg/kg), captopril (3mg/kg) or valsartan (3mg/kg) or normal saline to 42 rabbits randomly. Serum zinc and magnesium were measured, and histological sections of tongues were examined for taste buds. RESULTS: In rabbits, oral metronidazole (13.6%) or tinidazole (7%) resulted in a significant reduction in serum zinc. Reductions in captopril (6.7%) and valsartan (4.2%) were smaller and insignificant. Body weight increased by 15.5gm (1391+/-225.3 gm to 1407+/-223.2 gm) in the control group, a lesser increase of approximately 8 gm, was found in the metronidazole group (1452+/-222.6 gm to 1460+/-221.9 gm). Rabbit tongues showed moderate degeneration of taste buds caused by tinidazole, severe degeneration of captopril and minimal changes of valsartan. In humans, the drugs did not result in significant changes in serum zinc or magnesium. Approximately 73.3% of patients in the metronidazole group and 11.1% in the valsartan group had taste changes. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that metronidazole and tinidazole, but not captopril or valsartan resulted in a significant reduction of zinc level in rabbit, but not in human. Captopril and not valsartan caused severe degeneration in taste buds. Serum zinc level seems not to be related to taste buds changes.