Zinc in the seminal fluid

The authors review the literature concerning analytical and experimental studies of zinc in seminal fluid: its origins, its secretion, its measurement, its usefulness and its pathology.     

Fibrinolytic treatment for acute ischaemic stroke

Ischaemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the US. At present, intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator within 3 h of symptom onset is the only proven effective treatment for patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Unfortunately, most treated patients do not make a functional recovery and very few patients presenting with acute stroke qualify for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator therapy. The focus of current research is to extend the therapeutic window for intervention beyond 3 h, and to improve the outcome of treated patients. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the current state of affairs for intravenous plasminogen activators, and to review recently published research. Agents and strategies under investigation include the intra-arterial delivery of plasminogen activators or antiplatelet agents, as well as combined intravenous/intra-arterial protocols.     

Effects of methanol extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella and Bauhinia racemosa on hematology and hepatorenal function in mice

The aim of the present investigation deals with the hematology and hepatorenal function of Caesalpinia bonducella Flem. and Bauhinia racemosa Lam. belonging to the Family: Caesalpiniaceae, and used in the traditional system of medicine. The tribal people of Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India, use the leaves of Caesalpinia bonducella and the stem bark of Bauhinia racemosa in combination with some other herbs for the treatment of various tumors, liver disorders, inflammation and some other diseases. In ancient Ayurveda medicine these plants were mentioned to possess antitumor agents. Since there are no scientific reports regarding the toxicological aspects of these plants, the present investigation deals with the sub-chronic toxicity studies of a methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (MECB) leaves and Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) stem bark in Swiss albino mice. The MECB and MEBR were administered intraperitoneally (i.p) to Swiss albino mice twice a week for thirteen weeks. No significant alterations in hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were observed in the MECB- and MEBR-treated groups at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. Administration of MECB and MEBR at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight elevated the levels of serum enzymes and altered the hematological parameters. Our results suggested that MECB and MEBR at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight did not induce any toxic effects in the mice. Adverse effect was noted at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight.     

Frequency of spinal arteriovenous malformations in patients with unexplained myelopathy

The authors reviewed charts of 78 myelopathy patients who underwent spinal angiography for possible arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Twenty-two patients had an AVM. No neurologic complications from angiography were observed. MRI findings of increased T2 signal or flow voids were strongly associated with AVMs. Spinal angiography should be performed in all patients with unexplained myelopathy after neurologic evaluation and an MRI demonstrating increased T2 signal or flow voids.     

Study of interaction of tramadol with amlodipine in mice

Objective:

To study a possible interaction between tramadol, an opioid analgesic and amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker with proposed antinociceptive property.

Materials and Methods:

Albino mice of Haffkine strain were used for the study. The experiment was carried out using tail-flick method. Different doses of tramadol (50 mg/kg, 22.8 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to select the nonanalgesic dose. The animals were treated with different doses of amlodipine (2.5 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/kg, 3.5 mg/kg) to study its antinociceptive action. Combination of different doses of both the drugs were administered to study antinociceptive effect of the combination.

Results:

Tramadol, showed dose dependent antinociception which persisted for entire two hours of the study period. Antinociceptive action was seen with amlodipine at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg. Different doses of amlodipine (2.5 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/kg) in combination with the nonanalgesic dose of tramadol (10 mg/kg) produced a significant enhancement of antinociceptive effect of tramadol. Combination of 3.5 mg/kg dose of amlodipine with nonanalgesic dose of tramadol (10 mg/kg) further enhances antinociceptive activity.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that combination of amlodipine, a N - type calcium channel blocker, with tramadol produce significant enhancement of antinociceptive activity of tramadol.KEY WORDS: Amlodipine, tail flick latency, tramadol