Evaluation of anticonvulsant activity of angiotensin receptor antagonists in an animal model

Background: Epilepsy is common chronic disorder in clinical practice and there was some studies which shows brain renin angiotensin system may be involved in upregulation of seizures hence present study was planned to investigate whether angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists possess anticonvulsant activity in experimental animals.Methods: The anticonvulsant activity of angiotensin receptor antagonists, losartan (50 mg/kg), telmisartan (30 mg/kg) and candesartan (20 mg/kg), were administered intraperitoneally to the mice and evaluated by using maximum electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazol induced seizures (PTZ) seizure methods. The standard was taken as phenytoin for MES and diazepam for PTZ method. Motor impairment of performance was assessed by the inverted screen test and spontaneous motor activity with digital actophotometer.Results: Losartan demonstrated the anticonvulsant efficacy in MES and PTZ models. Telmisartan and candesartan have anticonvulsant activity in MES induced seizures, but did not show protection against pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. Losartan at dose 50 mg/kg prolonged the mean latency to convulsion (p<0.01) and mean number of convulsions also significantly reduced (p<0.05) convulsions in the mice. Telmisartan and candesartan at dose 30 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg respectively showed significant prolongation in mean latency to convulsion (p<0.05). None of the test drugs i.e. angiotensin receptor antagonists showed significant motor impairment.Conclusions: Angiotensin receptor antagonists: losartan, telmisartan and candesartan had showed anticonvulsant activity in PTZ and MES seizure methods. The exact mechanism of action of their anticonvulsant action not precisely known and hence there is more studies need to test it in various other animal anticonvulsant models

Utility of serum lactate dehydrogenase in the diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia

Background: Megaloblastc anemia corresponds to severe macrocytic anemia with hypersegmented neutrophils and very high serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). The present study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of serum LDH and chloroform inhibited serum LDH in the diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia and to observe if this can be used to differentiate megaloblastic anemia from iron deficiency anemia and hemolytic anemia.Methods: The present study was carried out on 75 patients of anemia categorised on bone marrow examination (into megaloblastic and non-megaloblastic anaemia) to evaluate the efficacy of total serum LDH levels and LDH isoenzyme pattern in the diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia. About 25 healthy adults were taken as controls.Results: In megaloblastic anemia, total serum LDH level was found to be increased to about nineteen folds and in hemolytic anemia it was found to increased four folds as compared to normal. On statistical analysis this increased total serum LDH level in megaloblastic anemia and hemolytic anemia as compared to control group was found to be significant.In the present study serum LDH level above 3000IU/L was associated with megaloblastic anemia and serum LDH level below 900IU/L was suggestive of iron deficiency anemia. The chloroform inhibition test was less than 25% in megaloblastic anemia and more than 25% in hemolytic anemia and these differences were found to be statistically significant (t=9.62, df=49, pLDH2) by chloroform inhibition test is an adjuvant in the diagnosis where total serum LDH levels are between 451-3000IU/L and can also differentiate megaloblastic anemia from hemolytic anemia

Thermal comfort characteristics of knitted fabrics for abaya

Fabric material plays an important role in the thermal comfort of Abaya because it is the outer garment of Muslim women. Abaya is black in colour and covers the whole body except the hands, feet and face. It is mandatory to wear Abaya in the Saudi Arabia and certain parts of Middle East countries irrespective of the outside environmental temperature which could be up to 45°C. Therefore, the thermal transmission characteristics of the abaya are extremely important as human body responds to the external thermal environment through clothing. In a hot environment, it is extremely uncomfortable to wear several layers of clothing under the Abaya. Hence it is essential to enhance the thermal comfort of fabrics used for Abaya. This study investigated five selected knitted fabrics that could be used as Abaya fabrics for thermal resistance, air permeability, thermal comfort and vapour resistance. The results indicated that the fabrics with different knit structures, fibre composition and fabric weight have greater influence on thermal comfort performance

Drug utilization pattern in geriatric out patient in tertiary care hospital

Background: Inappropriate drug prescribing is a global problem affecting the healthcare system. Aim and objective of the study was to study the drug utilization pattern in geriatric patient at rural tertiary care hospital.Methods: This was a cross- sectional observational study involving 600 geriatric outpatient. This study was carried out from Nov 2015 to May 2016. The data were collected using predesigned proforma specially designed for this purpose. Relevant information was obtained by analyzing prescription for World Health Organization (WHO) core drug indicators.Results: Total number 600 prescriptions analyzed at the end of six months were from general medicine department. The mean age of the patients was 63.9 years in which male (61.33%) outnumber the female. Total number 2598 drugs were prescribed to 600 patients for different diseases. The mean number of drugs per prescription were 4.33, drugs were prescribed by generic name 26.42%. drugs were prescribed from WHO essential drug list86.33. The type of formulations used were tablets and capsules in 88.5%, syrups in 5%, injections 3.5 % and inhalers 2%. Drug for Cardiovascular diseases were the most common (29.66) followed gastrointestinal (16.67), vitamins and minerals (14.66). Analgesic and NSAIDS (14.13) also prescribed commonly. Antimicrobial drugs prescribed in (7.46%) and common antibiotic prescribed were Amoxicillin ciprofloxacin and metronidazole.Conclusions: This study also effectively provides very useful baseline data also demonstrates the prescribing patterns of drugs in the geriatric patients

Study of Eimeria necatrix in broiler chicken from Aurangabad District of Maharashtra state India

The objective of this study was first to investigate the prevalence of poultry coccidiosis and to identify the coccidial species occurring in the study area on local strain .The study involved   survey, fecal examination, and identification of coccidial species based on their morphology, predilection site in the intestine and sporulation time. During the present study ten species of Eimeria are found in Broiler chicken. Seven species are redescribed and three are new species. Â

Comparative study of seasonal incidence (Monsoon) of Chicken coccidia in different eight districts , Marathwada region (M.S.)

During the period of 4 months (Monsoon Season) that is from, Jul,2011 - Oct, 2011, total 699 faecal samples were examined for coccidial infections, out of which 172 samples were positive the percentage of prevalence being 25.40%. Comparative study of different eight districts shows minor differences in prevalence

New species of genus Eimeria(Eimeria shivpuri ) in Broiler chicken(Gallus Gallus Domesticus) from Aurangabad (M.S.) India.

The objective of this study was first to investigate the prevalence of poultry coccidiosis and to identify the coccidial species occurring in the study area on local strain .The study involved   survey, fecal examination, and identification of coccidial species based on their morphology, predilection site in the intestine and sporulation time.Chicken is more susceptible to Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria maxima. During our investigation three new species i.e. Eimeria nikamae, Eimeria tarabaie, Eimeria shivpuri, were recorded in Broiler chicken from Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.Â

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of pioglitazone in hyperlipidemic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disorder characterized by abnormal carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism along with specific long-term complications which are associated with hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Hence, it is important to find hypoglycemic drug that improves lipid profile and reduces oxidative stress in diabetic patient. This study, therefore, was performed to investigate hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of Pioglitazone (PIO) in hyperlipidemic rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in normal rats by including 0.75 gm% cholesterol and 1.5 gm% bile salt in normal diet and these rats were used for the experiments. PIO hydrochloride was administered as 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels to the hyperlipidemic rats. Hypolipidemic activity was estimated by plasma lipid profile parameters while antioxidant potential was estimated by ascorbic acid, catalase activity, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test.Results:  Treatment with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels of PIO hydrochloride resulted in a significant decrease in serum TG and VLDL only in 30 mg/kg PIO treated group and significant increase in serum HDL in both groups, but no significant decrease in cholesterol and LDL in both PIO treated groups. PIO increased activities of catalase enzyme and concentration of malondialdehyde significantly in only 30 mg/kg PIO treated group. But there were no significant changes in the superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbic acid concentration in both PIO treated groups.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that treatment with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels of PIO hydrochloride improves the plasma lipid profile and also reduces oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic animals

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MOUTH DISSOLVING TABLET OF AMLODIPINE BESYLATE

Objective: The main objective of this research work was to formulate and evaluate the mouth dissolving tablet of amlodipine besylate for the treatment of hypertension and coronary artery disease. Methods: In this study, mouth dissolving tablet were prepared by direct compression method by using croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate as superdisintegrants. The designed tablets were subjected to various assessment parameters like friability test, hardness test, disintegration test, wetting time, in vitro drug release and drug content. Results: All the prepared formulations were subjected to various assessment parameters, and the findings obtain within the prescribed limit. The calibration curve of pure drug using various solvents like phosphate buffer pH 6.8, methanol was plotted. F1-F9 containing croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate in various concentration demonstrate the minimum disintegration time. Among all these formulations F9 shows disintegration time up to 22±1.12 seconds due to the high concentration of superdisintegrants. In vitro drug release was tested in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 at a time interval of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 min. The F9 shows drug release 100.22±1.08%. Accelerated stability study of optimized formulation (F9) up to 2 mo showed there was no change in disintegration time and percentage drug release. Conclusion: The results obtained in the research work clearly showed a promising potential of mouth dissolving tablets containing a specific ratio of croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate as superdisintegrants for the effective treatment of hypertension and coronary artery disease