Objectives: The current clinical trial compared the effects of conventional triple therapy and probiotic (Lactobacillus reuteri) plus omeprazole combination in peptic ulcer patients. The secondary objectives included estimating the effects of these regimens on safety and tolerability.
Study Design: Randomized clinical trial
Abode and Period of Study: This was a six month research study conducted at the National Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan in October 2020 – March 2021.
Materials & Methods: A total of 100 patients were recruited, had baseline positive stool antigen test. All the participants were separated into dual groups: conventional triple remedy (group A1) and probiotic with omeprazole combination (group B1). The study's primary endpoint was stool antigen assay and secondary included change in Hb, LFTs and renal function test.
Results: The primary endpoints for combination therapy led to significantly greater reductions in positive stool antigen assay than triple therapy. This means that combination therapy is far better than triple therapy. The stool antigen test showed 56.5% positive and 43.5% negative in group A1 while in group B1 34.8% positive while 65.2% negative after treatment were seen with statistically significant difference (p=0.036). Insignificant findings were observed for level of Hb, LFTs and renal function test between both groups during the entire study.
Conclusion: This is the first randomized clinical trial in peptic ulcer patients of Pakistan treated with probiotic plus omeprazole combination. Combination therapy was generally well-tolerated and effective in eradicating the Helicobacter pylori after initiation of therapy.
An adequate knowledge regarding the genetic issues of natural populations is imperative for developing conservation and stock improvement plans. The present research work was aimed to assess the genetic variability and structuring patterns in six natural populations of Cirrhinus mrigala from Punjab province, Pakistan. The PCR based amplification of targeted loci was carried out by employing a total of 12 microsatellite markers. Based on the study inferences, moderate level of genetic diversity was observed in all the populations. The average number of alleles (Na) varied from 3.750 to 4.416 and those of effective number of alleles ranged between 3.112 to 3.856 in all the examined populations. The mean values of observed and expected heterozygosity were measured as 0.563 to 0.685 and 0.669 to 0.739, respectively. The average values of inbreeding coefficient (FIS) ranged from 0.019 to 0.184. Significant deviation from HWE was detected in 9 out of 72 tests. Among all the population pairs, low to moderate level of genetic differentiation was found. After applying AMOVA, it was revealed that most of the variations (81.15%) lied within individuals. The UPGMA dendrogram resulted in two distinct clusters. The present study inferences would be helpful for setting up effective strategies to avoid the loss of genetic variability in C. mrigala populations.
Authors' Contribution KA and TA proposed the experimental design and helped in collecting data. SR performed laboratory work and analysis. HN assisted in laboratory work.
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