Role of cholinergic mechanism in the hypoglycemic action of B. pertussis vaccine.

The present work aims to study the role of the cholinergic mechanism in the hypoglycemic action of B. pertussis vaccine in rats. The vaccine resembles insulin in that the hypoglycemia produced is mainly due to the increase conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver and muscle. Both the hypoglycemia as well as glycogen deposition was partially blocked by atropine. On the other hand the vaccine potentiated the fall in the blood sugar and deposition of glycogen in the tissues produced by physostigmine. This suggests the possible involvement of the cholinergic system in the hypoglycemic action of the vaccine.

Efficacy and safety of Ascoril in the management of cough--National Study Group report.

A total of 768 patients were recruited by 81 physicians and paediatricians all over the country in this National Study Group of 'Ascoril + Expectorant'. The results of this first large scale study of a cough formula indicates that 'Ascoril + Expectorant' is effective in controlling cough, breathlessness and decreasing the volume of sputum. No serious adverse events were noted. Ascoril was well accepted by the patients and its efficacy was rated very high by the physician. The National Study Group concludes that 'Ascoril + Expectorant' is highly effective in the management of cough associated with lower respiratory tract infection and COPDs.

Effect of Bordetella pertussis vaccine on bleeding time, whole blood coagulation time and platelet aggregation in animals.

Bordetella pertussis vaccine, a hypoglycemic agent significantly prolonged the bleeding time and whole blood coaguistion time in rabbits and dogs when administered intraperitonially. The vaccine also affects platelet aggregation in rats 4 days after its intraperitonial administration. The effect on platelet aggregation is thought to be due to its beta adrenargic receptor blocking action which may also contribute to the hypoglycemia.

The insulin-like action of Bordetella pertussis vaccine in rats.

Treatment of rats with Bordetella pertussis vaccine significantly lowered the blood sugar level 4 days later but the vaccine did not alter the level in diabetic rats. The vaccine, like insulin, raised glycogen levels in liver, skeletal muscle and heart and reduced the plasma free fatty acid concentration. The action of a beta-adrenoceptor blocker was potentiated by the vaccine but not by insulin. Part of the hypoglycaemic action of the vaccine is probably due to beta-adrenoceptor blockade.

Candid-B cream in the treatment of candidiasis with inflammatory dermatoses--National Study Group.

Physicians (n = 84) across the country prescribed candid-B cream (clotrimazole 1% + beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025%) on 822 patients suffering from candidiasis with inflammatory diseases to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination. The results showed reduction in severity was more than 80% for all symptoms/signs except scaling and lichenification where the reduction was 76.05% and 66.03% respectively. Only one patient complained of adverse reaction. So in the treatment of coexisting candidiasis and inflammatory dermatoses the combination of clotrimazole 1% + beclomethasone 0.025% (candid-B cream) was found to be highly effective.