Some possible interactions between gliclazide and ……….

AIM: Portal hypertension (PHT) is a frequent sequel of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Propranolol is commonly used for lowering portal pressure and preventing variceal bleeding. The hepatoprotective effect of ginger has been reported. The aim of this study is to assess the effects and interactions of ginger and propranolol in pre-hepatic PHT in male albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male albino rats were divided into 3 main groups. The first group: control rats. The second group: sham-operated rats and third group: pre-hepatic portal hypertensive rats induced by partial portal vein ligation (PPVL). The third group is subdivided into: subgroup (1): untreated-PPVL group and subgroups 2-6 were treated with propranolol 75mg/Kg; ginger 90 mg/kg; 180mg/Kg; ginger 90 mg/kg plus propranolol 75 mg/kg, and ginger 180 mg/kg plus propranolol 75 mg/kg respectively. The portal pressure was measured in all groups then rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels then hepatic as well as gastro-intestinal tissues were obtained for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Ginger, propranolol and in combinations significantly decreased the elevated portal pressure and histopathological scores in the liver and esophagus in relation to PPVL group. Ginger, and in combination with propranolol significantly decreased the histopathological scores in stomach and intestine as well as the ALT level, while AP level was reduced only by administration of ginger in a dose 90mg/kg alone and in combination with propranolol in relation to PPVL group. Propranolol produced non-significant reductions in the gastrointestinal histopathological score and ALT as well as AP levels in relation to PPVL group. CONCLUSION: In PPVL rats, ginger and propranolol decreased portal pressure, histopathological changes in liver and esophagus while, those of stomach and intestine as well as ALT and AP levels were improved by ginger and ginger-propranolol combinations. El-menshawy SS et al . Effects and Interactions of Ginger and Propranolol in Pre-Hepatic Portal Hypertensive Ratsdays after portal vein obstruction and the average time to formation is approximately 5 weeks [10] , the portal pressure measurements, biochemical analysis and histopathological specimens were done after 6 weeks after ligation of portal vein. Portal pressure measurementSix weeks after PPVL, the rats were anesthetized with urethane (1.3 gm/kg IP as 25% freshly prepared solution) [11] . A midline abdominal incision was made then the ileocolic vein was cannulated with polyethylene tubing (PE-50) to measure portal venous pressure through pressure transducer '"PT400" that was attached to FC137 strain gauge coupler of oscillograph 400 MD 4C (PalmarBioscience). Biochemical testsBlood was collected by direct cardiac puncture. Blood samples were kept at room temperature for 30 min and underwent 15 min of centrifugation at 1,500×g, then serum was separated and transferred to sterile polypropyle...