Effects of isoxsuprine hydrochloride on electrocardiographic and trace element status in sheeps.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of isoxsuprine hydrochloride on the ischaemic electrocardiographic change and trace element status in sheep. METHODS: This study was conducted from March 16 to 23, 2012, at Istanbul University, Turkey, and comprised sheep aged 6 months. The animals were divided into two equal groups. The control group was fed a standard diet and had free access to water. In the experimental group, isoxsuprine hydrochloride was injected at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg through the intramuscular route. Electrocardiographic changes, including creatine kinase and cardiac troponin-I, and serum levels of selenium, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc were investigated in healthy sheep. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The 14 sheep were divided into two groups of 7(50%) each. The overall mean weight of the study population was 35±10kg. Selenium, calcium, iron and zinc concentrations did not show any difference in serum samples (p>0.05). However, copper and magnesium concentrations decreased in serum after the administration of the drug (p<0.05). In the experimental group, ST segment depression and abnormal T-wave was found in 6(86%) animals within 60min. CONCLUSIONS: Isoxsuprine hydrochloride increased cardiotoxicity risk in sheep.

Effect of heavy metals in the meconium on preterm mortality: preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: There have been many studies that have investigated the risk factors of mortality in preterm infants, but none has shown an association between preterm mortality and exposure to heavy metals or trace elements. The aim of this study was therefore to measure the levels of toxic metals (lead, cadmium) and trace elements (zinc, iron, copper) in meconium samples and elucidate their association with preterm mortality. METHODS: Metals and trace elements were measured in the meconium of 304 preterm infants using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The level of heavy metals and trace elements in non-surviving infants was significantly higher than in surviving infants. Moreover, the level of heavy metals and trace elements in non-surviving infants whose gestational age was <30 weeks (n = 11) was significantly higher than in surviving infants (n = 12). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that gestational age and meconium lead level predicted early mortality in premature newborns. Furthermore, this curve analysis showed that, when comparing meconium lead level and gestational age, meconium lead level had a similar effect on mortality as gestational age. CONCLUSION: Meconium lead level and gestational age are associated with increased mortality risk in preterm neonates.