Effects of ciprofloxacin and zinc chloride in adult albino rat and pre-natal conceptus.

BACKGROUND: Administration of quinolone therapy is controversial during growing age as stated by earlier authors. The flouroquinolones are currently not indicated for young children because of arthropathy and adverse effect as new born shown by studies. However the effects of ciprofloxacin and ZnCl2 on prenatal conceptus have remained undocumented. The present study was designed to compare the effects on conceptus after maternal ingestion of ciprofloxacin and ZnCl2 using Wastar albino rats. METHODS: Ciprofloxacin and ZnCl2 was administrated to pregnant female albino rats. Ciprofloxacin with a dose of 20 mg/Kg bodyweight and ZnCl2 120 microg/100 gm bodyweight two times therapeutic dose for 10 days (from day 8-18 of pregnancy). Each animal was weighted on day 1, day 8 and day 18 of pregnancy. Abortion resulted on day 18th of pregnancy. Each group of pregnant animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation by over dose of either anaesthesia, abdomen opened, uterus and both cornua containing conceptus identified, removed, there weight recorded, crown rump length was measured and was compared with similar value of control animals. The results were statistically analysed to find out the significance. RESULTS: The ciprofloxacin induces a mordanting effect as obviated by increased basophilia. Our study reveals that ciprofloxacin administered in maternal, decreased maternal body weight to 38.4 +/- 0.9 gm. However simultaneous ZnCl2 maintained the body weight to 41.4 +/- 0.7 gm, while ZnCl2 increased the body weight to 46.5 +/- 2.25 gm. The body weight and Crown Rump length (CR Length) in conceptus decreased by 4.52 +/- 0.10 gm and 3.06 +/- 0.09 Cm respectively. That ciprofloxacin and ZnCl2 administration maintained the body weight and CR length by 5.46 +/- 0.09 gm and 3.79 +/- 0.13 Cm respectively. That ZnCl2 administration increased the body weight and CR length by 6.71 +/- 0.05 gm and 4.15 +/- 0.08 Cm respectively. CONCLUSION: Prenatal administration of Ciprofloxacin caused reduction in growth rate and CR length, and ZnCl2 maintained body weight and CR length and growth of the rat conceptus.

A new and novel treatment of opioid dependence: Nigella sativa 500 mg.

BACKGROUND: Opioid dependence is one of the major social and psychiatric problem of society. Unfortunately there is no non opiate treatment available. For centuries man has used plants for their healing proprieties. These plants play a fundamental part in all treatment modalities, both ancient and modern. METHODS: This study was conducted to find non opiate treatment for opiate withdrawal. Total 35 known addicts of opiates were included in the study. This study was based on DSM IV criteria for opioid dependence. RESULT: This study demonstrates that non opioid treatment for opioid addiction decreases the withdrawal effects significantly. It further demonstrates that there are no changes in physiological parameters of subjects during treatment (BP, Pulse rate etc.). There is increased appetite but no significant weight gain in the subjects. CONCLUSION: Non opioid drug Nigella sativa is effective in long-term treatment of opioid dependence. It not merely cures the opioid dependence but also cures the infections and weakness from which majority of addicts suffer.

Morphological changes in human placenta of wet snuff users.

BACKGROUND: Wet snuff is commonly used by both males and females in different parts of Pakistan. Apart from other ingredients, tobacco is the major component of snuff. Adverse effects of smoking on morphology of human placenta have been shown by some previous studies. But snuff is not considered as dangerous as smoking during pregnancy. This study was designed to see the effects of snuff on morphology of human placenta. METHODS: In present study total 80 human placentae, 40 from normal and 40 from snuff users were used. This study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy Basic Medical Sciences Institution (BSMI) Karachi. Duration of study was six months. Samples were obtained from Gynaecology and Obstetric unit-I JPMC. Placentae washed well with running tap water to remove blood clots. Umbilical cord and other membranes were removed and placenta gently squeezed to expel the foetal blood. Gross features like weight, diameters, central thickness and attachment of umbilical cord were noted in normal and snuff users' placentae. Then placentae were preserved in 10% formalin for at least five days before the sectioning for micromorphology. Placentae divided in two groups-A & B. 4 microm thick sections of the tissue were taken on rotary microtome and stained with H & E, Mallorys trichrome and methanamine silver for different histological observations. RESULTS: Micromorpholgical changes have been observed in placentae of snuff users leading to loss of functional components of placentae. This loss of functional component may have deleterious effects on outcome of pregnancy. No significant gross morphological changes were found in snuff user placentae. CONCLUSION: Wet snuff effect the micromorphology of placenta leading to loss of functional component and in turn effects the exchange of materials between mother and foetus which may leads to intrauterine growth retardation. Loss of trophoblasts may lead to hormonal imbalance necessary for normal pregnancy and this imbalance can cause premature labour. Nocotine can cross the placental barrier, which may produce foetal tachycardia.

Effect of gestational diabetes and maternal hypertension on gross morphology of placenta.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes is much more common than pre-existing diabetes i.e. it complicates 2% to 5% of pregnancies. When metabolic control is good, perinatal mortality should be no higher than in general population. However, macrosomia continuous to be a problem in higher than average proportions of such cases. Macrosomia also involves placenta within the chronic hypertensive disease, the most common diagnosis is essential vascular hypertension. METHODS: Total 60 full term placenta, 20 from normal and 20 each from gestational diabetics and chronic hypertensive mothers were studied grossly. Shape, attachment of umbilical cord, weight, diameter and central thickness of all placentas were noted. RESULTS: The study demonstrates that there is change of shape i.e. two lobes in one placenta from diabetic group. All other placentae were singly lobed and discoidal shape with central attachment of umbilical cord to the foetal surface of placenta. Weight central thickness and diameter were significantly greater in diabetic group as compared to normal and hypertensive group. Hypertensive group shows non significant decrease in weight of placentae while there was no change in central thickness and diameter of placenta in hypertensive than the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of results of present study, it is concluded that diabetic's placentae showed increase in weight, central thickness and diameter. One out of 20 placentae in diabetic group also showed change of shape and attachment of umbilical cord to one love. Hypertensive's placentae showed no significant change in weight, shape central thickness and attachment of umbilical cord when compared with normal group.

Effects of ciprofloxacin on secondary ossification centers in juvenile Wistar albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Administration of quinolone therapy is controversial during juvenile age as stated by earlier workers. The fluroquinolones are currently not indicated for young children, because of the arthropathy and adverse effect on growing cartilage shown by studies. However the effects of ciprofloxacin on secondary ossification centers has remained undocumented. This study is therefore aimed to determine the risk of Ciprofloxacin administration on neonatal skeletal differentiation by a prospective and comparative animal study model using Wistar albino rats. METHODS: Ciprofloxacin was administered to newly born Wistar albino rat pups at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally twice daily from day-1 to day-14 after birth. These animals were killed by deep ether anaesthesia and fixed in 80% alcohol. They were then bulk stained with Alizarin red and Alcian blue. Finally they were cleared in 4% KOH and stored in glycerin. The fore and hind limbs were disarticulated from the axial skeleton and observed under stereomicroscope for evidence of skeletal differentiation in the form of presence of secondary ossification centers in long hones (left humerus and left femur). The time of appearance of these centers were noted and compared statistically with those in control animals. RESULTS: The study revealed that the skeletal differentiation in long bones was delayed by 2.4 +/- 0.2 days at both proximal and distal ends in humerus and 2.4 +/- 0.2 days at proximal end and 2.2 +/- 0.2 days at distal end of femur in experimental animals as compared with controls. CONCLUSION: The ciprofloxacin administration during post-natally presents a risk to skeletal differentiation and therefore to its growth up to the age of six weeks is albino rate pups.