Diclofenac inhibits proliferation but not NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is prescribed for treatment of rheumatic diseases and as an analgesic. Although the information about these side effects has been widely reported, little is know about the effect of diclofenac on the neural cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of diclofenac on the proliferation and differentiation of PC12 cells. The cell proliferation was evaluated by using XTT assay in the both free-serum neurobasal medium supplemented with B27 supplement and DMEM/F12 medium containing 10% FBS. The nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation was assessed by measuring the neurite length. The drug toxicity was exhibited at the concentrations more than 310 microM in the supplemented neurobasal medium. The treatment of cells in the DMEM/F12 medium increased their sensitivity to diclofenac, with 40% and 75% growth inhibition at the 155 and 310 microM concentrations, respectively. The NGF-induced differentiation was not reduced by toxic and subtoxic concentrations of diclofenac. The results of this study indicated that diclofenac may be able to exhibit its neurotoxic effects through growth inhibition, but not differentiation inhibition. Supplement of B27 has several antioxidant compounds. Therefore, the difference of diclofenac cytotoxic effects in two culture media suggest that drug cytotoxicity may be related to the oxidative stress.

Pattern of drug prescription and utilization among Bam residents during the first six months after the 2003 Bam earthquake.

INTRODUCTION: It is important to identify what kinds of drugs are required by disaster-affected populations so that appropriate donations are allocated. On 26 December 2003, an earthquake with an amplitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale struck southeastern Iran, decimating the city of Bam. In this study, the most frequently utilized and prescribed drugs for Bam outpatients during the first six months after the Bam Earthquake were investigated. METHODS: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the data were collected randomly from 3,000 prescriptions of Bam outpatients who were examined by general practitioners from Emergency Medical Assistance Teams in 12 healthcare centers during the first six months after the Bam Earthquake. The data were analyzed for: (1) patient sex; (2) number of drugs/prescriptions; (3) drug category; (4) drug name (generic or brand); (5) route of administration; (6) percent of visits where the most frequent drug categories were prescribed; and (7) the 25 most frequently prescribed drugs, using World Health Organization (WHO) indicators of drug use in health facilities. RESULTS: Male patients represented 47.4% and females 52.6% of the total number of outpatients. The mean number of drugs/prescriptions was 3.5 per outpatient. Oral administration was the most frequent method of administration (81.7%), followed by injections (10.9%). Respiratory drugs were the most frequently used drugs (14.2%), followed by analgesics/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (11.3%), antibacterials (11.2%), gastrointestinal (GI) drugs (9.6%), and central nervous system drugs (7%). Penicillins (6.8%), cold preparations (8%), and systemic anti-acids (ranitidine and omeprazole) were among the 25 most frequently used drugs by outpatients and inhabitants of Bam during the first six months after the Bam Earthquake. CONCLUSION: Respiratory, analgesic, antibacterial, GI, and psychiatric medications were among the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals after the catastrophic Bam Earthquake. The results of this study may help to predict the needs of patients during future disasters and prevent unnecessary donations of medicine.

The quality of prescribing in general practice in Kerman, Iran.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the prescribing pattern of general practitioners (GPs) in Kerman province of Iran. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A total of 45,384 prescriptions issued in one year (2002) by GPs in ten cities of Kerman province were investigated for the number of drugs/prescription, drug name, drug category and route of administration. The mean number of drugs/prescription was 3.43. FINDINGS: Overall most of the drugs (97.2 per cent) were prescribed by generic name. The most frequently prescribed drugs were antibiotics (33.95 per cent), sedative/hypnotics (19.56 per cent), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (19.2 per cent) and corticosteroids (11.2 per cent). About 42.4 per cent of the patients received an injectable drug. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The results of this study showed inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids and injectable drugs. So intervention methods should be chosen to change physicians' prescribing behavior, through education of rational drug prescription, to improve the quality of prescribing practice of GPs.