Protective effect of metformin against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits.

Gentamicin is used against gram negative infections, but major problem encountered is nephrotoxicity that occurs in 10-20% of therapeutic regimes. Gentamicin induced oxidative stress plays an important role in this nephrotoxicity. Recent data has shown metformin to possess antioxidant activity. Purpose of study was to evaluate potential role of metformin in protecting kidney from nephrotoxicant insult. Thirty-six rabbits were randomly divided into six groups (n=6). G-1 received 1 ml isotonic saline intraperitoneally (IP) daily for 13 days. G-2 received gentamicin (150 mg/kg/day) IP for last 6 days of 13 days. G-3 received gentamicin (40 mg/kg/day) IP for 13 days. G-4 received metformin salt (100 mg/kg/day) dissolved in drinking water via feeding tube for 13 days. G-5 received metformin salt (100 mg/kg/day) via feeding tube for 13 days plus gentamicin (150mg/kg/day) IP for last 6 days of 13 days. G-6 received gentamicin (40mg/kg/day) IP plus metformin salt (100mg/kg/day) via feeding tube for 13 days. Blood was collected on days 0 and 14 for serum urea & creatinine estimation. All animals were sacrificed and kidneys were removed for renal histological examination. Metformin showed nephroprotective effect. It blunted nephrotoxic insult at 150mg/kg/day of gentamicin, whereas showed complete nephroprotection at 40mg/kg/day of gentamicin. Metformin offers complete nephroprotection at low toxic dose ranges of gentamicin. This could offer an efficacious and cheaper treatment alternative in those diabetics who also suffer from gram-negative infections.

Report: prunes and liver function: a clinical trial.

Prunes are used by folks as a remedy of various diseases including hepatitis. A clinical trial was designed to see the effects of prunes (Prunus domestica) on liver function. 166 healthy volunteers were divided into three groups randomly. Either three (about 11.43g) or six (23g approx.) prunes were soaked in a glass of water (250ml) overnight. Each subject from two test groups was asked to drink prune juice & eat whole fruit(single or double dose of prunes) as well, early in the morning, daily for 8 weeks; whereas each subject from control group was given a glass of water to drink. Blood samples were taken at week 0 and week 8 for chemical analysis. There was significant reduction of serum alanine transaminase (p 0.048) and serum alkaline phosphatase (p 0.017) by the lower dose of prunes. There was no change in serum aspartate transaminase and bilirubin. Alteration in liver function by use of prunes may have clinical relevance in appropriate cases and prunes might prove beneficial in hepatic disease.

Use of prunes as a control of hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetables are shown to reduce blood pressure. It is not merely the antioxidants contained in fruits and vegetables that have health benefits such as lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures. This study was undertaken to see the cardiovascular protective effects of prunes. METHODS: A placebo controlled clinical trial study was designed to see the effects of Prunus domestica on blood pressure in 259 pre-hypertensive (Systolic BP = 120-139 mmHg, diastolic BP = 80-89 mmHg) volunteers. Treated groups drank prune juice and ate the whole fruit (dried plums) while either 3 (about 11.5 gm) or 6 prunes were soaked overnight in a glass of water whereas control group took only a glass of plain water early in the morning on empty stomach. Blood pressure was recorded fortnightly for 8 weeks, and blood samples were taken at 0 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: There was significant reduction of blood pressure by single dose of prunes daily group and the controls (p < 0.05). With the double dose of prunes, only systolic BP was reduced significantly (p < 0.05). Control group had significantly increased serum HDL whereas test groups had significantly reduced serum cholesterol and LDL (p < 0.05). Data was analysed by paired-sample t-test with 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: The data predicts cardiovascular protective effects of prunes.