Assessment of peripheral neuropathy in male hospitalized patients with lead toxicity in Iran

Background: This study assessed the effect of lead exposure on the peripheral nervous system in 40 hospitalized patients with lead toxicity [blood lead level (BLL) >70 μg/dl] and compared their electrodiagnostic indices with the results of the control group. Materials and Methods: We assessed signs and symptoms of neuropathy in patients and conducted nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in patients and control groups, then compared the results between the two groups. Results: Average duration of exposure to lead was 10.85 years. The mean BLL of patients was 100.32 μg/dl (SD = 18.42). The most common symptoms in patients were mood and sleep disturbance (64.1%) and paresthesia (47.5%). Among the patients, all of the NCV indices in median, ulnar, and radial nerves were normal. On comparing the average indices of NCV in lead-exposed men with controls, significant reductions were noted in most of the indices and with prolonged distal motor latency and peak latency. Significant but weak correlations were found between BLL and some of the indices (P value < 0.05, r = 0.33-0.52). Conclusion: Comparing electrophysiological study indicators between case vs controls and considering the symptoms of patients, our study showed that patient may progress to sensory neuropathy

Study of Protoscolicidal Effects of Hypertonic Glucose on Protoscolices of Hydatid Cyst at Different Concentrations and Exposure Times

Surgical operation is the treatment of choice for hydatid cyst. To date, many protoscolicidal substances have been used for inactivation of hydatid cyst contents but most of these compounds may produce several side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protoscolicidal effects of hypertonic glucose on protoscolices of hydatid cyst at different concentrations and exposure times. Protoscolices were obtained aseptically from the livers of slaughtered sheep at Qazvin abattoir, Iran. Protoscolices were exposed to different concentrations of hypertonic glucose (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) at different times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min). Viability of protoscolices was evaluated by 0.1% eosin and the movement of protoscolices flame cells. The highest protoscolicidal effect (100%) of hypertonic glucose was obtained at concentrations 40% and 50% following 40 and 20 min exposure times, respectively. Some protoscolicidal agents show a variety of dangerous complications such as biliary tract fibrosis and liver necrosis; however, hypertonic glucose especially at a concentration of 40% may demonstrate less side effects compared with glucose 50%. Further in vivo investigations are suggested