No abstract

Paracetamol overdose is a predominant cause of hepatorenal toxicity in both humans and experimental animals. The extract of Euryops arabicus was evaluated for its protective and anti-oxidant effect against paracetamol-induced hepatic and renal injuries in rats. The extract of Euryops arabicus was administered at100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg followed by paracetamol at 1g/kg for seven days. The animals were sacrificed after 24 hrs of paracetamol challenge .Indices of liver such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), serum albumin (SA) and renal indices blood urea (BU) and serum creatinine (SC) were measured. Liver and kidney homogenates were analyzed for oxidative stress biomarkers namely Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances TBARS. Finally, histopathological examinations of both previous organs were examined. The significantly disturbed liver and kidney functions by paracetamol toxicity were restored to almost normal values by administration of Euryops arabicus. Also, the elevated TBARS in groups received paracetamol alone decreased in groups given paracetamol and Euryops arabicus. Histological effect of paracetamol on liver and kidney was also markedly abolished by co-administration of Euryops arabicus. These results suggest that Euryops arabicus may protect from paracetamol-induced liver and kidney toxicity.

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for psychiatric treatment, and venlafaxine (VEN) is one of the most popular options. Venlafaxine is a nontricyclic dual-acting serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Although an increased incidence of acute toxicity and addiction has been reported, controlled studies examining its toxic effects on different organs are still lacking. This study investigated the possible toxic effects of VEN on the liver, kidney, and gastric tissues. Three groups of rats were administered saline, a single LD dose (350 mg/kg), or 100 mg/kg VEN daily, followed by increases in the dose of 50 mg/kg every 10 days for 30 days (about 10 times the therapeutic doses). The following parameters of liver and kidney injury were then assayed: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine. A histopathological examination was then conducted. Both acute and subchronic administration of VEN produced multiple clinical manifestations in the experimental animals, including seizures, coma, and even death. Moreover, the liver and renal function tests indicated injury in these tissues. Furthermore, the histopathological examination showed signs of organ toxicity after both acute and chronic VEN exposure. This study has shown that VEN has harmful effects on the liver, kidney, and stomach in either a single high dose (LD) or repeated exposure to 10 times the therapeutic doses. As a result, strategies to increase awareness of these effects among physicians and the public are needed because this drug may be addictive.

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides are one of the most important pesticides, and poisoning induced by them is a major global health problem with about 3 million intoxications and 300,000 deaths occurring worldwide every year. This study aimed to investigate the relevance of ECG findings and prognostic value of corrected QT (QTc) interval in acute OP poisoning cases. The study recruited 91 patients suffering from acute OP poisoning, who were admitted to Tanta University Poison Control Center over a period of two years (March 2013-March 2015). ECG changes, QTc interval length, and the different outcomes of the patients were recorded including mortality, the need for endotracheal intubation and/or mechanical ventilation, the length of hospital stay, and the total amount of atropine and/or obidoxime administered. The higher need for intubation and assisted ventilation in patients with prolonged QTc compared to patients with normal QTc was statistically significant. The mortality rate in the long QTc group was not significantly different from that of the normal QTc group. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the length of hospital stay or the doses of obidoxime and atropine required to control the muscarinic signs and symptoms. However, the total atropine dose was significantly lower in survivors than non survivors. It could be concluded that QTc interval prolongation needs to be considered as a prognostic indicator in acute OP poisoning.

No abstract