DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOPICAL HYDROGEL FORMULATION OF IRBISARTAN

Objective: Irbesartan is an antihypertensive with limited bioavailability. The objective of the study was to develop controlled release matrix tablets of irbisartan drug. Methods: Tablets were prepared by wet granulation process. Result: In vitro drug release study revealed that HPMC causes initial burst release of drug hence combining HPMC sustained the action for 8 h (95.92±0.57% release). Fitting the in vitro drug release data to Korsmeyer equation indicated that diffusion along with erosion could be the mechanism for drug release. Compared to conventional tablets, the release of model drug from these HPMC matrix tablets was prolonged, leading to achieve an effective therapy with a low dosage of the drug, to reduce the frequency of medication. The pharmacological and clinical properties of irbesartan, a noncompetitive angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist, successfully used for more than a decade in the treatment of essential hypertension. Results: Compatibility Studies In order to investigate the possible interactions between irbesartan and distinct polymers and/or diluents, FT-IR and DSC studies were carried out. FT-IR results proved that the drug was found to be compatible with excipients as wave numbers are almost similar for pure drug and also drug excipients mixture. In picture 1 and 2. DSC studies indicate that chosen excipients for the formulation were found to be compatible with the active ingredient as the melting endothermic peaks are in the range of 250-320 °C which is same as the melting point of irbisartan. Conclusion: Irbesartan exerts its antihypertensive effect through an inhibitory effect on the pressure response to angiotensin II. Irbesartan 150–300 mg once daily confers a lasting effect over 24 h, and its antihypertensive efficacy is further enhanced by the coadministration of hydrochlorothiazide

Assessment of WT1 expression as a marker of treatment outcome in karyotype normal acute myeloid leukemia patients in Pakistan

Currently, there is an effort to predict relapse by follow-up monitoring of MRD and subsequently to begin the treatment of the patients during their clinical and hematological remission prior to overt hematological relapse. Expression of WT1 in AM Lis known to be independently associated with significant inferior response to therapy and short survival outcome. Follow-up monitoring of WT1 gene expression during or after therapy would be a valuable predictive marker for early recurrence or relapse of AMLdisease. This pilot study evaluated newly diagnosed and post-induction or consolidation chemotherapy of AMLpatients who were registered with the Oncology Clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. High WT1 burden (\u3e 5000 copies/ml) in 2 patients was indicative of early recurrence of the disease along with shorter disease-free and overall survival. Low WT1 expression (\u3c 200 copies/ml) in 2 patients after induction and consolidation therapy, respectively, was suggestive of better prognosis

Clinico-pathological profile and outcomes of patients with polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis: a tertiary care center experience from southern Pakistan

Background: The “Philadelphia Negative Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms” include polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) andidiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). These three disorders share several clinical and laboratory features including JAK2 V617F mutation. Our objectives were to determine the clinicoat hological profile and outcomes of Pakistani patients with polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) in order to have an insight regarding behaviour of these conditions. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the cases of PV, ET and IMF diagnosed at our institute from January 1995 to December 2013 was performed.Age, gender, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, treatment provided and duration of follow up were included for analysis. Appropriatestatistics were utilized for calculation of data. Results: A total of 58 patients were diagnosed as PV, ET or IMF during the study period. Male to female ratio was 1.1:1Forty five percent (n=2) patients came to medical attention due to abnormal laboratory results, 3 had cerebrovascular events, 3 had pruritus, and 1 patient each with gangrene and BuddChiari syndrome. Haemorrhag was not seen in any patient. Sixty percent (n=35) patients were treated with phlebotomy, hydroxyurea and aspirin alone or in combination. None of the patients transformed to myelofibrosis (MF) ormyelodysplasia (MDS) during the mean (±SD) followupperiod of 57.2±50 months.One patient with ET transformed to acute myeloid leukaemia9 yearsafter the diagnosis. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a relatively more benign form of PV, ET and IMF with lesser frequency of symptoms, good response to treatment andless likelihood of transformation to MF, MDS or AM

Giant juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast in a 13-year-old Pakistani girl with excellent cosmetic outcome after subareolar enucleation - A case report

Introduction: Fibroadenoma is the most common benign lesion of breast in young women, characterized by an aberrant proliferation of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements. It is termed giant fibroadenoma when it is larger than 5 cm or weighs more than 500 g with an incidence of 0.5-2% of all fibroadenomas.Presentation of case: In this report, we discuss a case of a 13-year-old Pakistani girl who presented with a giant juvenile fibroadenoma in left breast and was treated by a subareolar lump excision through a periareolar incision with excellent cosmetic outcome. To the best of our literature search, this is the first case of giant juvenile fibroadenoma in an adolescent being reported from Pakistan.Discussion: Surgical management of giant juvenile fibroadenoma in immature breast is challenging as it may either result in asymmetric defect or damage to developing breast tissue resulting in long term poor outcomes. Surgical decision should be carefully undertaken and reported for future reference in such cases.Conclusion: The diagnosis and management of giant juvenile fibroadenoma can be challenging because these tumors clinically and histologically mimic phyllodes tumor due to their rapid growth and large size. Excision through a periareolar approach for fibroadenomas located in subareolar region provides good cosmetic results in these patients with minimal scar visibility