Toxic effects of multiple anticancer drugs on skin

In this study cutaneous toxicities associated With the administration of chemotherapy in combination are discussed. Rapidly growing cells are the targets of chemotherapy, so the skin, hair follicles, and nail matrix are frequently affected by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy skin reactions are more likely toxic than allergic reactions. There are numerous chemotherapy-induced cutaneous reactions that have beelfi described in the literature. In addition to a variety of miscellaneous reactions, 19 major cutaneous reactions were discussed in current study. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical spectrum of all cutaneous toxicities over two years in hospitalized and ambulatory patients in the Department of Pediatric oncology and to establish probable relationship between the reaction and suspected anticancer protocol with the help of WHO [World Health Organization] Common Toxicity Criteria by Grade. The data on the cutaneous toxicities were analyzed by percentile and ranking method The minimal [0.8%] cutaneous adverse effects monitored during the study were Petechiae, photosensitivity, pruritis, urticaria wound-infection, erythema multiforme, hand-foot skin reaction, injection site reaction, dry skin. Alopecia was the single most common [64.3%] adverse effect observed during the study, where as the pigmentary changes were the second most common [18.2%] adverse effect monitored. While these side effects are generally not life threatening, they can be a source of significant distress to patients especially alopecia

Does adding garlic [Allium sativum] with antidiabetic therapy help achieving better glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients

With high incidence of diabetes and a wide spread belief among the general public that garlic has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors., we designed a study to evaluate the blood glucose lowering effects and potential adverse effects of garlic in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study was a 12 weeks randomized, single-blind placebo controlled study, comparing the additional blood glucose lowering effects of dried garlic powder tablet 300 mg [standardized to provide 1.3% allicin equivalent to 0.6% allicin] twice daily combined with standard anti diabetic therapy [which the patient is already taking] with that of standard antidiabetic therapy alone in type 2 diabetic patients. At the end of 12 weeks it was found that changes in blood glucose [P <0.01] and cholesterol [P <0.001] were significantly different between the garlic and placebo groups. Adding garlic to an anti diabetic regimen could be a good and safe method to achieve a good glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. Long term clinical trials at different doses of garlic is needed to further strengthen the current findings

Essential hypertension

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus also tend to coexist. The goal of antihypertensive therapy should consist of reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension by a strategy focused on lowering blood pressure while minimizing the impact on other associated cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes mellitus. To observe and compare any change in serum glucose in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension with Atenolol and Amlodipine. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Science Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi. 12 weeks [90 days] Patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension [N=70] were enrolled in this study and were divided into two groups, each comprised of 35 patients and were given tablet Atenolol 150/100mg once daily and tablet Amlodipine 5/10 mg once daily respectively for 90 days. Fasting Blood glucose was measured on day of inclusion i.e. day 0, day 45 and day 90. At each fortnightly visit, blood pressure was recorded. Atenolol raised mean blood glucose levels from baseline levels of 91.82 +/- 1.34 mg/dl to 99.73 +/- 1.33 mg/dl on day 90 [P<0.001] while Amlodipine had no significant effect on blood glucose level [P= N.S]. Atenolol may not be a good choice for essential hypertensive patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is found to impair the normal glucose metabolism. Long term clinical trials in diabetic patients are needed to confirm the observation of the present study

Effects of tryptophan and valine administration on behavioral pharmacology of haloperidol

Development of antipsychotics with slight/no extra-pyramidal symptoms [EPS] and/or other side effects is one of the exploring fields of drug research. Haloperidol is a high potency typical neuroleptic used in the treatment of schizophrenia but produces muscles related side effects commonly known as EPS. These effects are not produced following the administration of atypical neuroleptics such as clozapine. A severe side effect of clozapine treatment is however, agranulocytosis. This involves investigation on the mechanism by which a typical neuroleptic acting via serotonergic mechanism tends to produce less or no EPS. The present study was, therefore, designed to determine the effect of serotonin precursor tryptophan and a large neutral amino acid other than tryptophan [valine] on the modulation of haloperidol induced catalepsy and akinesia. Cataleptic effects of the drug and activity reducing effects were monitored on inclined surface and in an activity box or open field respectively. The results are discussed in the context of a role of tryptophan and valine induced changes of brain serotonin in modifying the extrapyramidal and monoaminergic effects of the typical neuroleptic haloperidol. In the present study administration of TRP and valine decreased activity in rats, haloperidol-induced catalepsy' was not modulated by prior administration of tryptophan or valine. Brain serotonin levels were elevated by haloperidol treatment and correlated very well with the behavioral response. These findings suggest a possible serotonergic involvement in neuroleptic induced tardive dyskinesia and an amelioration of the disorder through TRP supplementation

Pharmacokinetic difference of some generic tablet gliclazide 80 mg on Pakistani population

The goal of rational drug therapy is to produce a desired pharmacological response in an acceptable and predictable manner while minimizing the occurrence of undesired events. The Pharmacokinetics of different generics of tablet gliclazide 80 mg was investigated on healthy [10 x 2], Pakistani subjects. For this exploration an open-label, randomized, two-period crossover [Balanced in Complete Block Design] study, was conducted The out come of the said study suggests that all generics were found analogous regarding pharmacokinetic behavior in-spite of having different excipients, concentration of excipients, sources of raw material, manufacturing process, machinery, resources and also inter individual variation of the study. Results of the study also undoubtedly advocate that generics manufactured in different manufacturing units of Pakistan are near to the standard formulation and produce comparable results. No significant differences in pharmacokinetics parameters were observed, however, minor differences might narrate with inter individual variation in human volunteers and in different generic as well as different pharmaceutical unit