Investigating the effect of exposure to monosodium glutamate during pregnancy on development of autism in male rat offspring.

In present study, we investigated the relationship between the pregnancy exposure to monosodium glutamate (MSG) and autism development in male offspring of rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were allocated into five groups. The first group was control group that pregnant animals received normal saline orally from day 1-18 of pregnancy. Group 2, 3 and 4 pregnant rats received different doses (1.5, 5 and 10 g/kg) of MSG by the same way respectively. Group 5 received 500 mg/kg of Valproic acid (VPA) on the 12.5th day of pregnancy. Different behavioral tests including marble burying, self-grooming, and Barnes maze test were performed on offspring. The levels of glutamate and GSH markers were also measured. The results showed that MSG similar to VPA led to induction of autistic anxiety and repetitive behaviors. It could also deteriorate the spatial memory. Besides we found that behavioral symptoms potentiated with increasing the MSG dosage. Similarly, we had an increase in glutamate and a reduction in GSH levels in offspring. Findings indicated that MSG was able to induce autism in offspring of rats in a dose-dependent way. This effect could be through increasing of glutamate and reduction of GSH. Consequently, MSG should be avoided during pregnancy.

Accidental Chronic Poisoning with Methotrexate; Report of Two Cases.

Methotrexate has been used widely in dermatology, oncology and rheumatology fields. However, methotrexate-induced mucocutaneous lesions may occur in rare cases. In this case presentation, we report two cases of accidental poisoning with methotrexate. They had accidentally used methotrexate instead of digoxin. This case report emphasizes that early diagnosis and appropriate management is critical in order to improve outcome.

Tramadol-induced apnea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In contrast with other opioids, there are few cases of tramadol-related respiratory depression described in the literature, and renal impairment is a proposed risk factor. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of and predisposing factors for tramadol-related apnea in patients referred to our center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients referred to Loghman-Hakim Hospital between February 2009 and April 2010 with pure tramadol intoxication were identified retrospectively. Data collected included the patient's age, sex, ingested dose, route of exposure, reason for poisoning (acute overdose or supratherapeutic use), previous history of suicidal attempts, previous history of drug or substance abuse (including tramadol), and clinical features on admission including seizures and apnea. RESULTS: We identified 525 patients with deliberate self-poisoning (359; 68.4%) or abuse (146; 27.8%), and in 114 (21.7%) of these, there was a history of tramadol abuse. Four hundred twenty-nine (81.7%) of patients had acute poisoning and were referred to hospital within 6 hours of ingestion. Nineteen patients (3.6%) experienced apnea and received respiratory support (16; 84.2%) or naloxone administration (3; 15.8%) within 24 hours of ingestion (mean, 7.7 ± 7 hours; range, 1-24 hours). The mean dose ingested by patients experiencing apnea was 2125 ± 1360 mg (range, 200-4600 mg), which was significantly higher than those who did not experience apnea, 1383 ± 1088 mg (range, 100-6000 mg), P < .001. One death occurred in each group, which was significant (P < .001). Renal impairment was not observed in any of the patients who experienced apnea.

Temperature changes among organophosphate poisoned patients, Tehran- Iran.

BACKGROUND: Acute poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OPs) is a major global clinical problem in the developing countries. There have been many animal studies and few human surveys on the effects of organophosphorus pesticide (OP) poisoning on thermoregulation. The aim of this prospective study was to document the pattern of tympanic temperature changes among OP poisoned patients throughout the length of their hospital stay. METHODS: 60 patients with diagnose of organophosphate poisoning were included in this study. Questioner was filled out by trained nurses including demographic, clinical and paraclinical data. Tympanic temperature and Pulse rate data of the cases were collected on five- occasions after admission. RESULTS: There were 41 (68.3%) male and 19 (31.7%) female, with a mean age of 34.4 ±19.4 years (range 13-89 years). Forty five patients had intentional poisoning for suicidal attempt. At the time of entry, the mean tympanic temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) of the OP poisoned patients were respectively 37.1+/-0.6°C (36.0- 39.5), 91+/-18 (55-145), 18+/-5.6 (8-44), 116+/-20 mm Hg (70-170) and 75+/-11.6 mm Hg (40-110). 41.7% of the cases had serum butyryl cholinesterase activities (BChE) ≥ 50% normal (≥1600 mU/ml). Our patients had normal temperature at the time entry (mean = 37.1). Tympanic temperature decreasing below 36°C was not detected among the patients during the study period. A rise in mean tympanic temperature was found after atropine administration. CONCLUSION: Our study showed hypothermia was not considerable factor among organophosphate poisoned patients, although more studies with similar situations in tropical countries are needed.