Danazol-induced biochemical changes in the rat ovary.

Effect of varying doses of danazol, a synthetic steroid derivative of 17 alpha-ethinyl testosterone has been observed on the biochemistry of the rat ovary. Biochemically total proteins decreased and total lipids increased with the danazol treatment. Triglycerides, the stored form of lipids formed the major components of lipids in the treated ovaries. The amount of phospholipids, glycolipids, cholesterol and free fatty acids decreased in the ovaries with increased danazol treatment. The functional significance of these changes have been discussed with ovarian physiology especially in relation to follicular growth and atresia.

Renal involvement in leprosy.

Renal involvement was studied in 70 patients with leprosy by urine analysis, detailed biochemical investigations and renal histopathology. Of these 70 patients, 40 had lepromatous and 30 had non-lepromatous leprosy. Creatinine clearance was reduced in 20 patients. Renal biopsies were studied in 50 cases (25 lepromatous, 25 non-lepromatous); of which in 13 cases (10 lepromatous, 3 non-lepromatous) abnormal histopathological lesions were found by light microscopy. Amyloidosis was seen in only one lepromatous patient. No acid-fast bacilli and leproma like lesion were demonstrated in any case.

Impact of multidrug therapy on leprosy in Baroda district (Gujarat).

Though much information is available on MDT organising, it poses a challenge to the field staff due to limited field trials conducted and varied field conditions. The MDT project was begun on 11th June, 1984 in Baroda by the Govt. of India, with active assistance of State Government, the World Health Organisation and the Swedish International Development Agency. The Drug combinations for MB cases were Rifampicin 600 mg, Clofazamine 300 mg and dapsone 100 mg daily for 14 days intensive supervised therapy followed by once a month (Pulse) supervised dose of Rifampicin 100 mg, Clof. 300 mg and dapsone 100 mg for minimum period of 2 years or more if indicated and Clof 50 mg daily with dapsone 100 mg daily unsupervised for minimum period of 2 years or more if indicated, for PB cases, dapsone 100 mg daily for 6 months along with Rifampicin 600 mg supervised (Pulse) once a month for minimum period of 6 months or more if indicated. Total number of active cases at commencement of MDT was 10706, out of these 10348 (96.37%) brought under MDT till Dec. 1987. Amongst 10348, old active cases 9112 (88.05%) are cured with MDT, (3110 MB + 6002 PB) 180 old MB cases BI is still positive inspite of completed 24 pulse. The rest 1056 (10.23%) stopped the treatment for various reasons. 790 (74.81%) cases have left the villages to earn their livelihood, 30 (2.86%) were being treated by skin specialist, 86 (7.19%) refuse to continue the treatment inspite of best efforts of field staff. New cases detected since June 1984 till Dec. 1987 are 7628, out of which 7549 (96.28%) brought under treatment. Now cases cured till Dec. 1987 are 4640 (1120 MB + 3520 PB) 17 cases relapsed after MDT (15 PB + 2 MB). 280 (1.56%) cases got complications, 250 developed reactions, 3 cases Jaundice, 15 cases Gastritis and rest 12 got moderate to severe anaemia. The prevalence rate came down from 5.81 to 1.01% per thousand population till Dec., 1987. The deformity rate came down amongst new cases from 6.15 to 1.50% till Dec. 1987. regularity of treatment among PB cases is 90.84% as compared to 90.48% for MB cases. The study showed that MDT can be implemented in tribal, rural and urban populations with high rate of compliance.