The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination Side-Effects on Work Attendance among Saudi Healthcare Workers.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional-survey-based study aimed to investigate the severity of side-effects from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna), viral vector DNA (Oxford-AstraZeneca, J&J/Janssen), inactivated virus (Sinopharm, Sinovac), and other vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their impact on work attendance. METHODS: A total of 894 HCWs residing in Saudi Arabia participated in this study from March 2023 to May 2023. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic information, vaccination status, comorbidities, vaccine side-effects, and missed work information after vaccination. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (83.7%) and aged 25-34 years (42.8%). Most participants were predominantly vaccinated with mRNA vaccines. Common side-effects included pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever, and chills. However, no significant association was found between vaccine type, side-effects, and work absenteeism. While demographic factors such as age and healthcare profession did not influence work absenteeism, variations were observed among different racial groups. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs in Saudi Arabia is associated with common side-effects, but their impact on work attendance is not significant. Understanding these implications can inform strategies to support the healthcare workforce and mitigate the impact on patient care and staffing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Preparation, in-vitro and in-vivo characterization of transdermal patch containing glibenclamide and atenolol: a combinational approach.

A novel aspiration in treatment of chronic disease like diabetes associated with other non communicable disease risk factors, such as hypertension is to provide greater therapeutic effect, overcome the side effects by complex therapeutic regimen and to improve patient compliance upon administering combinational transdermal delivery of Glibenclamide (G) and Atenolol (A) which have not been tested literally. Hence, the present study was designed to develop a transdermal patch containing Glibenclamide and Atenolol using blends of different polymeric combinations such as Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Poly vinyl pyrolidone (PVP) and Carbopol (CP). The patches were subjected to physicochemical parameters, in-vitro and in-vivo drug release and in-vitro skin permeation studies. Good results were obtained in all the evaluated parameters. The drug release of all formulation follows zero order kinetics by diffusion mechanism of non fickian diffusion type. In-vitro transdermal permeation studies by using rat & goat skin and finally in-vivo studies by using rabbits were carried out for the optimized formulation (GA4 HPMC 1%, PVP 0.5%, CP 0.5%). The developed transdermal delivery system containing Glibenclamide & Atenolol might be a milestone in the combinational therapy of diabetes and hypertension.

Cardioprotective effect of the Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers in an oxidative stress model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury in rat.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the cardioprotective effects of Hibiscus rosa sinensis in myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury, particularly in terms of its antioxidant effects. METHODS: The medicinal values of the flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Chinese rose) have been mentioned in ancient literature as useful in disorders of the heart. Dried pulverized flower of Hibiscus rosa sinensis was administered orally to Wistar albino rats (150-200 gms) in three different doses [125, 250 and 500 mg/kg in 2% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC)], 6 days per week for 4 weeks. Thereafter, rats were sacrificed; either for the determination of baseline changes in cardiac endogenous antioxidants [superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase] or the hearts were subjected to isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis. RESULTS: There was significant increase in the baseline contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) [a measure of lipid per oxidation] with both doses of Hibiscus Rosa sinensis. In the 250 mg/kg treated group, there was significant increase in superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and catalase levels but not in the 125 and 500 mg/kg treated groups. Significant rise in myocardial thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and loss of superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione (suggestive of increased oxidative stress) occurred in the vehicle treated hearts subjected to in vivo myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that flower of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (250 mg/kg) augments endogenous antioxidant compounds of rat heart and also prevents the myocardium from isoproterenol induced myocardial injury.

Antioxidants and tumor necrosis factor alpha-inhibiting activity of sesame oil against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is currently considered to be the key factor in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Comparatively small quantity of the endogenous antioxidant content of the heart is assumed to be the predisposing factor for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. The present research was designed to evaluate the antioxidant potential and tumor necrosis factor alpha-(TNF-α) inhibiting activity of sesame oil against acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. METHODS: Male Wistar albino rats (180-200 g) were administered sesame oil in two dissimilar doses (5 and 10 ml/kg body weight, orally) for 30 days, followed by a single dose of doxorubicin (30 mg/kg s.c.). RESULTS: In the doxorubicin-treated group, increased oxidative stress was proven by a significant rise of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level and a decrease of myocardial superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione content. Histopathological studies showed myocardial necrosis with accumulation of inflammatory cells, vacuolization and overall enlargement of the myocardium. Western blot analysis showed marked expression of TNF-α in the myocardium. Alteration in biochemical parameters by doxorubicin administration was prevented significantly (p < 0.0001) in the 5 and 10 ml/kg sesame oil treated rat hearts. Treatment with 5 and 10 ml/kg of sesame oil reduced the doxorubicin-induced TNF-α expression in the myocardium, which was associated with reduced myocyte injury. The overall effect of sesame oil was comparable with probucol, which shows similar protection. CONCLUSION: The chronic oral administration of sesame oil prevents acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by enhancing cardiac endogenous antioxidants and decreasing myocardial TNF-α expression.

Antioxidant, lipid lowering, and membrane stabilization effect of sesamol against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in experimental rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of sesamol against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. In this study, the cardioprotective effect of sesamol against doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy in experimental rats was evaluated at the dosage of 50 mg/kg bw. Doxorubicin was administered to rats at a total cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg through intraperitoneal route for 2 weeks in six-divided dose on 8th, 10th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 21st day. After the last dose administration, the endogenous antioxidants and lipid peroxidation were estimated in heart tissue homogenate. Cardiac biomarkers such as troponin T, LDH, CK, and AST and lipid profiles such as cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and VLDL were estimated in serum. Sesamol has cardioprotective activity through normalization of doxorubicin-induced-altered biochemical parameters. Biochemical study was further supported by histopathological study, which shows that sesamol offered myocardial protection from necrotic damage. From these findings, it has been concluded that the sesamol has significant cardioprotection against doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy via amelioration of oxidative stress, lipid lowering, and membrane stabilization effect.

Putative antioxidant property of sesame oil in an oxidative stress model of myocardial injury.

BACKGROUND: Sesame oil is a potent antioxidant dietary source for human health. Oxidative stress through generation of free radicals damages the myocardium in different experimental condition. The present research was designed to evaluate the antioxidant property of chronic oral administration of sesame oil against isoproterenol induced myocardial injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6) and treated as per treatment protocol with two different doses of sesame oil (5 and 10 ml/kg b.w.) orally for thirty days. At the end of the treatment all the rats (except control rats) were administered with isoproterenol (85 mg/kg) two consecutive days and subjected to biochemical and histopathological estimation. Isoproterenol (group ISO) induced the oxidative myocardial damage via alteration in the endogenous antioxidant enzymes and myocardial marker enzymes. Sesame oil in both the dose (group S1 and S2) shows protective mechanism via decreasing thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and enhancing the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase). Sesame oil also increased the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transaminase (AST) as a myocardial marker enzyme in heart homogenate. As histologically evident isoproterenol induced myocardial injury was well preserved by the chronic administration of sesame oil. The protective role of sesame oil was compared with the reference standard α-tocopherol (group S3) also showing the similar effect. CONCLUSION: From this finding it has been concluded that chronic administration of sesame oil offers cardio protective action via putative antioxidant property.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of Ficus mollis leaves

The present research was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of ethyl acetate extract of Ficus mollis Vahl, Moraceae, against dexamethasone induced insulin resistance. Wistar albino rats were treated with dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) for ten days to induce insulin sensitivity. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of ethyl acetate extract of F. mollis were evaluated by using two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight p.o.). The day 11 all rats were sacrificed and serum was collected for biochemical estimation, liver and pancreas were excised for histopathology. Administration of dexamethasone shows hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia due to insulin resistance. Ethyl acetate extract of F. mollis reverted the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia caused by dexamethasone in a dose dependent manner. The changes were further confirmed by histopathological report. The extract effect was compared with reference standard glibenclamide, which shows a similar effect. From these findings it has been concluded that the ethyl acetate extract of Ficus mollis offered significant protection against dexamethasone induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.