Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of psyllium in type 2 diabetic patients. Design: The study included three phases: phase 1 (1 week), phase 2 (treatment, 14 g fibre=day, 6 weeks) and phase 3 (4 weeks). At the end of each phase a clinical evaluation was performed after the ingestion of a test breakfast of 1824.2 kJ (436 kcal). Measurements included concentrations of blood glucose, insulin, fructosamine, GHbA 1c , C-peptide and 24 h urinary glucose excretion. In addition, uric acid, cholesterol and several mineral and vitamin concentrations were also evaluated. Setting: The study was performed at the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Nursing at the University of Leó n (Spain). Subjects: Twenty type 2 diabetic patients (12 men and 8 women) participated in the study with a mean age of 67.4 y for men and 66 y for women. The mean body mass index of men was 28.2 kg=m 2 and that of women 25.9 kg=m 2 . Results: Glucose absorption decreased significantly in the presence of psyllium (12.2%); this reduction is not associated with an important change in insulin levels (5%). GHbA 1c , C-peptide and 24 h urinary glucose excretion decreased (3.8, 14.9 and 22.5%, respectively) during the treatment with fibre (no significant differences) as well as fructosamine (10.9%, significant differences). Psyllium also reduced total and LDL cholesterol (7.7 and 9.2%, respectively, significant differences), and uric acid (10%, significant difference). Minerals and vitamins did not show important changes, except sodium that increased significantly after psyllium administration. Conclusions:The results obtained indicate a beneficial therapeutic effect of psyllium (Plantaben 1 ) in the metabolic control of type 2 diabetics as well as in lowering the risk of coronary heart disease. We also conclude that consumption of this fibre does not adversely affect either mineral or vitamin A and E concentrations. Finally, for a greater effectiveness, psyllium treatment should be individually evaluated.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate, under the same experimental conditions and in the same subjects, the effects of ispaghula husk and guar gum on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy female subjects. Design: An oral glucose load with and without ®ber was administered in the morning after an overnight fast. The study of the ®ber effect was planned according to a randomized and cross-over design. Setting: The study was performed at the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Nursing at the University of Leo Ân (Spain). Subjects: Ten healthy female volunteers aged 30 ± 48 y with normal body mass indices participated in this study. Results: A signi®cant decrease in mean serum insulin concentrations was observed from 30 to 90 min in the presence of both ®bers. The area under the insulin curve was signi®cantly reduced by 36.1% for ispaghula husk and 39.4% for guar gum. The area under the glucose curve was reduced by 11.1% (signi®cant difference) for ispaghula husk and 2.6% for guar gum (no signi®cant difference). Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this study, the administration of ispaghula husk may be bene®cial due to its ability to reduce glucose postprandial concentration and especially insulin requirements. Individualization of the treatment would be advisable due to large individual variations observed in glycemic and insulinemic postprandial responses.

The pharmacokinetics of doxycycline were investigated in sheep after oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) administration. The IV data were best described using a 2-(n = 5) or 3-(n = 6) compartmental open model. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters obtained using a 2-compartmental model included a volume of distribution at steady-state (V ss ) of 1.759 ± 0.3149 L/kg, a total clearance (Cl) of 3.045 ± 0.5264 mL/ kg/min and an elimination half-life (t 1/2b ) of 7.027 ± 1.128 h. Comparative values obtained from the 3-compartmental mean values were: V ss of 1.801 ± 0.3429 L/kg, a Cl of 2.634 ± 0.6376 mL/kg/min and a t 1/2b of 12.11 ± 2.060 h. Mean residence time (MRT 0À1 ) was 11.18 ± 3.152 h. After PO administration, the data were best described by a 2-compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic parameter mean values were: maximum plasma concentration (C max ), 2.130 ± 0.950 lg/mL; time to reach C max (t max ), 3.595 ± 3.348 h, and absorption half-life (t 1=2k 01 ), 36.28 ± 14.57 h. Non-compartmental parameter values were: C max , 2.182 ± 0.9117 lg/mL; t max , 3.432 ± 3.307 h; F, 35.77 ± 10.20%, and mean absorption time (MAT 0-1 ), 25.55 ± 15.27 h. These results suggest that PO administration of doxycycline could be useful as an antimicrobial drug in sheep.

Residue levels of the organochlorine pesticides (alpha-HCH, lindane, heptachlor-epoxide, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, o,p'-TDE, p,p'-TDE, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT) were determined in raw bovine milk and compared with the maximum levels allowed by the European Union (EU) in these foods. The highest incidence percentage of the ten insecticides measured was for lindane, followed by alpha-HCH and aldrin. Moreover, the highest mean residue level was for alpha-HCH. None of the samples analyzed exceeded the maximum levels allowed by the EU.

Dietary fibers are widely used in hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, slimming diets. It is probable that their ingestion coincides with the oral administration of drugs and a modification of their pharmacokinetics can appear. In the present study, the influence of two soluble fibers (guar gum and psyllium) was evaluated on the pharmacokinetics of ethinyloestradiol (EE) when they were administered together to female rabbits via the oral route. Three groups of rabbits were used. All animals received 1 mg/kg of EE; this compound was administered alone in the control group and with 3.5 g of guar gum or psyllium in the other two groups. When guar gum was administered, there was a decrease in the extent of EE absorbed, but no change was observed in the rate of absorption. When psyllium was administered, the extent of EE absorbed increased slightly and the rate of absorption was slower.

In Spain, there has been a progressive increase in aging. Specifically, Leon has been one of the Spanish provinces with the highest aging index. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among the elderly, with significant consequences for safety. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of drugs in a nursing home in the province of Leon and establish the relationship between polypharmacy and the most common comorbid diseases. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study design was used. Residents’ information and treatments were collected by reviewing on medical charts, completed with clinical information obtained from the physician of the nursing home. The mean age of residents was 86.8 years, and 63.8% were female. Mean medical consumption amounted to 7.02 prescriptions. Polypharmacy was observed in 54.9% of residents, and excessive polypharmacy in 22.1%. The most commonly used medications (ATC classification) were those acting on the cardiovascular system (84.4%) and the nervous system (82.8%). A high-level of drug consumption was observed in the nursing home. Interventions should focus on those residents hospitalized the last year and with recent contact with a general practitioner. There is a need to develop a comprehensive monitoring system to assess the quality of prescriptions for nursing home residents.

No abstract

Levodopa combined with carbidopa constitutes one of the most frequent medication in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Plantago ovata husk (water-soluble fiber) improves levodopa absorption conditions, but when this drug is administered with carbidopa, fiber could reduce its effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the presence of P. ovata husk modifies in rabbits the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of levodopa (20 mg/kg) when administered by the oral route with carbidopa (5 mg/ kg). We have also studied whether pharmacokinetic modifications are fiber-dose dependent (100 and 400 mg/kg). When levodopa and carbidopa were administered with 100 mg/kg P. ovata husk, the value of AUC for levodopa diminishes 29.7% (sign, n = 6, P b 0.05) and C max 28.1% (sign, n = 6, P b 0.05) in relation to the values obtained when these drugs were administered without fiber. If the dose of fiber was 400 mg/kg, the decrease was smaller: 20.4% for AUC (no significant difference) and 24.6% for C max (sign, n = 6, P b 0.05), that may indicate an inhibitory action of AADC by the fiber or any of its partial hydrolysis products. On the other hand, since certain time on, levodopa concentrations are always higher in the groups that receive fiber: 210 min with 100 mg/kg and 150 min with 400 mg/kg. The administration of P. ovata husk with levodopa/carbidopa to patients with Parkinson disease could be beneficial and in particular in those patients who also suffer constipation due to an improvement of levodopa kinetic profile with higher final concentrations, a longer plasma half-life and lower C max .