Prednisolone Sodium Succinate Research Articles

Hypersensitivity to intravenous succinate corticosteroids in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Although there are many case reports of asthma exacerbations with intravenous corticosteroids, especially hydrocortisone succinate, in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD), the frequency and mechanism remain unclear. We hypothesized that N-ERD patients are potentially hypersensitive to succinates, especially succinate corticosteroids, based on the results of previous provocation studies and considered specific mechanisms. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and mechanism of succinate corticosteroids hypersensitivity in patients with N-ERD. Eleven patients with stable, moderate to severe N-ERD were tested with hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HCs), hydrocortisone sodium phosphate (HCp), methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSLs), prednisolone sodium succinate (PSLs), and chloramphenicol sodium succinate (CPs, without a steroidal chemical structure) at doses below the normal dose through intravenous administration using a single-blind test. As a comparison, seven patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) also underwent an intravenous provocation test of HCs. The positive intravenous provocation test rates of HCs 100-500 mg, HCp 500 mg, MPSLs 80 mg, PSLs 20 mg, and CPs 500 mg in N-ERD patients were 82% (9/11), 9% (1/11), 50% (5/10), 33% (1/3), and 86% (6/7), respectively. Most positive reactions began with a severe cough within 5 min of intravenous injection. The course of these hypersensitivity symptoms differed from those seen with the usual aspirin challenge test. The HCs 100-500 mg intravenous test was negative in all seven patients with ATA. In conclusion, patients with N-ERD have high rates of potential hypersensitivity to the succinate ester structure, which is not linked to the corticosteroid structure, but to the succinate ester structure. We hypothesized that the mechanism of hypersensitivity observed during rapid intravenous administration of succinate corticosteroids is mast cell activation via succinate receptor stimulation, rather than due to the corticosteroid itself.

Introducing a novel therapeutic supplement for osteoporosis: Remedial, cytotoxicity and antioxidant effects of plant extract green-formulated gold nanoparticles

Osteoporosis means a decrease in bone density, as a result of which bone strength decreases and becomes brittle, which increases the probability of fracture. Osteoporosis usually develops gradually and does not show any symptoms until a fracture occurs. Osteoporosis can occur in any bone of the body, but it is usually seen in the spine, pelvis, wrists, and ribs. Both men and women at any age may be affected by this disease, but according to statistics, the percentage of women suffering from osteoporosis is higher than men, and the probability of this disease increases with age. Recently, the metallic nanoparticles containing plant extracts have been used for the treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis. The obtained nanoparticle (Gold nanoparticles green-formulated by Glycine max L seed extract) was characterized by advanced chemical and physical techniques like TEM, FTIR, and SEM. The cytotoxicity effects of gold nanoparticles against normal cell line i.e. HUVEC were assessed. Administration of gold nanoparticles ‎following methyl prednisolone sodium succinate induced osteoporosis in Wistar rats indicated a raise in the bone mineral content markers serum levels and a reduction in bone resorption markers urinary and serum levels. An incline in tibia and femur strength was observed particularly with 5 µg/kg of gold nanoparticles‎. Calcium homeostasis maintenance, collagen formation and free radicals scavenging can plausibly be the gold nanoparticles action mode ‎thereby combating osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoids.

Evaluation of prednisolone and prednisolone sodium succinate concentrations in human plasma and inner ear perilymph during cochlear implantation 24 h after intratympanic injection

Background The use of intratympanic (IT) steroids has drastically increased over the past 10–15 years to manage many otological pathologies. Objectives This study aimed to compare the concentrations of prednisolone and prednisolone sodium succinate (SS) in the plasma and inner ear perilymph of participants who underwent cochlear implantation 24 h after IT injection. Materials and methods It was a prospective comparative randomized study. Twenty participants received an IT injection of prednisolone SS ∼24 h before the cochlear implantation. The other five participants received an IT saline injection and represented the control group. Perilymph and blood were sampled during the cochlear implantation surgery. Results Both prednisolone and prednisolone SS were still present in perilymph ∼24 h after the IT administration. Only prednisolone was present in the blood plasma of seven participants (35%). Conclusion IT injection of prednisolone SS resulted in high perilymph concentrations of prednisolone and prednisolone SS, which could stay in the perilymph for at least 24 h. Using a mini-endoscope during the IT injection may effectively detect barriers infront of the round window membrane, increasing the drug concentration in the inner ear. Significance IT injection is an effective method for delivering prednisolone to the inner ear.

Preparation of chitosan/sodium lignosulfonate/Ag NPs: A potent and green bio-nanocomposite for the treatment of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in rats

• CS/NaLS/Ag NPs have antioxidant potentials. • CS/NaLS/Ag NPs have non-cytotoxicity effects. • The results of the CS/NaLS/Ag NPs have revealed that the recent nanocomposite has been formulated as the best. • The treatment of osteoporosis by CS/NaLS/Ag NPs was proven in the recent study. In this study we report the green synthesis of nontoxic, stable, and small size silver nanoparticle by using chitosan/sodium lignosulfonate hydrogel with capping/reducing ability for the synthesis of CS/NaLS/Ag NPs. The prepared bio-nanocomposite were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study. It has been established that CS/NaLS/Ag NPs have a spherical shape with a mean diameter from 20 to 30 nm. Administration of CS/NaLS/Ag NPs (5 µg/kg/day, po, for 30 days) and risedronate (20 µg/kg, sc, five times a week for 30 days) following methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg, sc, thrice a week for 4 weeks) induced osteoporosis in Wistar rats showed an increase in the serum levels of bone mineral content markers and a decrease in serum and urinary levels of bone resorption markers. An incline in strength of femur and tibia was seen particularly with 5 µg/kg of CS/NaLS/Ag NPs. Maintenance of calcium homeostasis, formation of collagen and scavenging of free radicals can plausibly be the mode of action of CS/NaLS/Ag NPs thereby combating osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoids.

Design and synthesis of chitosan/agar/Ag NPs: A potent and green bio-nanocomposite for the treatment of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in rats

In this work we have demonstrated the green synthesis of stable and mono-dispersed Ag NPs using chitosan/Agar hydrogel having reducing/stabilizing ability avoiding any toxic reagents. Agarose was used as a green reductant for the synthesis of Ag NPs which gets stabilized by chitosan. The in situ prepared Ag NPs@CS/Agar nano bio-composite were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study. The Ag NPs encapsulated by CS/Agar bio-composite have a spherical shape with a mean diameter from 10 to 15 nm. Towards its bioapplication, the Ag NPs@CS/Agar nano bio-composite was administered by 5 µg/kg/day for 30 days in comparison to methyl prednisolone sodium succinate by 10 mg/kg, sc, thrice a week for 4 weeks over Wistar rats having glucocortcoid induced osteoporosis. This showed a significant increase in the serum levels of bone mineral content markers and a decrease in serum and urinary levels of bone resorption markers. An inclination in strength of femur and tibia was seen particularly with 5 µg/kg of Ag NPs@CS/Agar nano bio-composite. Maintenance of calcium homeostasis, formation of collagen and scavenging of free radicals can be the plausible mode of action of this bio-nanocomposite thereby combating osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoids.

Methylprednisolone-induced anaphylaxis diagnosed by intradermal skin test: a case report

BackgroundGlucocorticoids rarely cause anaphylaxis. Common methods for the determination of allergens include in vivo skin prick test (SPT) and intradermal skin test (IDST) and the in vitro basophil activation test (BAT). However, to our knowledge, the best strategy for diagnosing glucocorticoid-induced anaphylaxis has not been elucidated.Case presentationA 10-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because of 2 weeks of fever and arthralgia. He had not been treated with glucocorticoids before, including methylprednisolone (mPSL). He was suspected to have bacterial myositis and was treated with ceftriaxone. However, his symptoms persisted for > 2 weeks. Autoinflammatory arthritis was suspected, and he was treated with mPSL sodium succinate (MPS) pulse therapy (30 mg/kg). After 15 min of mPSL injection, he had wheezing and generalized wheal formation with decreased oxygen saturation. As anaphylaxis was suspected, mPSL was discontinued, and olopatadine and oxygen were administered. The symptoms improved considerably without the use of epinephrine and disappeared in 30 min. One month after discharge, SPT, IDST, and BAT were performed without discontinuing his prescribed oral prednisolone. SPTs for MPS, hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HCS), prednisolone sodium succinate (PSS), dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP), and betamethasone sodium phosphate (BSP) were negative. IDSTs for MPS, HCS, and PSS were positive, whereas those for DSP and BSP were negative. By contrast, BATs for MPS, HCS, and PSS were negative. Although glucocorticoid-induced hypersensitivity caused by nonmedicinal ingredients such as lactose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and hexylene glycol has been reported; the glucocorticoids tested in this patient did not contain any of these nonmedicinal ingredients. As the glucocorticoids that were positive on IDST share a succinate ester, this might have caused MPS-induced anaphylaxis.ConclusionsWe report the case of MPS-induced anaphylaxis diagnosed by IDST but not BAT. In case reports of glucocorticoid-induced anaphylaxis in the literature, most patients were diagnosed with SPT or IDST. These results suggest that BAT should be considered when IDST and SPT are negative. Further studies are necessary to clarify the best strategy for diagnosing glucocorticoid-induced anaphylaxis.

Prednisolone in Dogs-Plasma Exposure and White Blood Cell Response.

Glucocorticoids such as prednisolone are commonly used in dogs but there is sparse quantitative pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information of this drug in this species. The objective of this study was to quantitatively characterize the concentration-effect relationship for prednisolone in dogs on neutrophil and lymphocyte trafficking and cortisol suppression. Nine beagles, 2–12 years old and part of a group for teaching/research were used in a 4-way crossover experiment including two treatments, active or placebo, administered either per os (PO) or intravenously (IV). Plasma was analyzed for prednisolone and cortisol using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry. Leucocyte counts were performed in whole blood. Data was then analyzed by non-linear mixed effect modeling to estimate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. After administration of prednisolone sodium succinate IV, the typical value (between subject variation) for total body prednisolone clearance was 1,370 ml/h·kg (13.4%). The volumes of the central and peripheral compartment were 2,300 ml/kg (10.7%) and 600 ml/kg (16.0%), respectively. The terminal plasma half-life was 1.7 h. The prednisolone plasma concentration producing 50% of the maximum response was 10 ng/mL (90.3%), 22.5 ng/ml (52.3%) and 0.04 ng/mL (197.3%) for neutrophil, lymphocyte and cortisol response, respectively. The administered dose (1 mg/kg) increased neutrophil and decreased lymphocyte numbers but not over the entire dosage interval of 24 h, due to the short half-life. However, glucocorticoids have a wide range of responses. An anti-inflammatory response due to altered gene transcription might have a longer duration. Future studies on the anti-inflammatory potency together with data presented are needed to optimize future dosage recommendations in dogs.

Early hearing improvement predicts the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

To determine pre- and post-treatment factors that are useful for predicting the prognosis of hearing improvement in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). This retrospective study included 332 patients with ISSHL. Patients received intravenous steroid treatment (prednisolone sodium succinate; 120mg/day followed by dose tapering). Complete recovery of hearing levels was defined as a final pure-tone audiometry of ≤ 20dB HL or the same level as the contralateral ear. Patients' age; sex; side of hearing loss; initial hearing level; days from onset to treatment; presence of vertigo, diabetes, and hypertension; and hearing improvement on days 3-4 and 6-7 after treatment initiation were analyzed as potential prognostic factors. Overall, 109 patients (32%) had complete recovery. Results of the multivariate logistic regression model identified age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.974), initial hearing level (OR = 0.949), vertigo (OR = 0.409), and hearing improvement on days 6-7 after treatment initiation (OR = 1.11) as significant independent predictors of complete recovery. Age ≥ 60years, initial hearing level ≥ 72.5dB HL, and vertigo contributed to poor prognosis. Patients without these three factors and a hearing improvement of ≥ 10dB HL on days 6-7 post-treatment had a complete recovery rate of 80%. Only 1.5% of the patients with 2-3 of these factors and a hearing improvement of < 10dB HL on days 6-7 after treatment initiation achieved complete recovery. Age, initial hearing level, vertigo, and hearing improvement on days 6-7 after treatment initiation were independent predictors of hearing recovery in ISSHL.

The role of vehicle metamorphosis on triamcinolone acetonide delivery to the skin from microemulsions.

After application to the skin surface, a topical formulation is submitted to changes in composition produced by evaporation of volatile components, penetration of components into the skin and extraction of skin components ("vehicle metamorphosis"). The aim of this work was to study the effect of vehicle metamorphosis on skin delivery from microemulsions containing triamcinolone acetonide. The microemulsions were prepared and characterized for water evaporation kinetics, in vitro release and skin permeation and retention. Skin retention experiments were performed on full thickness pig ear skin, in both occluded infinite and un-occluded finite dose conditions. For comparison purposes, two creams, the commercial Ledercort® and a vanishing cream, were tested. With triamcinolone acetonide water evaporation does not modify skin retention, probably for the lipophilic nature of the drug. However, if water is eliminated from the microemulsions, the performance is reduced, probably because drug partitioning from vehicle to stratum corneum is disfavored. If a water-soluble drug (methyl prednisolone sodium succinate) is used, infinite dose application in occlusive conditions increases in a significant way the amount of drug retained in the skin. The involved mechanisms are probably stratum corneum swelling and increase of stratum corneum/viable epidermis partitioning.

Acute-phase effects of single-time topical or systemic corticosteroid application immediately after hot water-induced burn injury of various grades

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of corticosteroid application on each grade of burn, and to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the effects, especially in its acute inflammatory phase. To generate three-graded burn models (epidermal burn, or EB; dermal burn, or DB; and subcutaneous burn, or SB), hot water was applied on the back skin of Hos:HR-1 mice. Strongest-class (or high-potent) corticosteroid ointment (DD group) or petrolatum (control group) was applied on the back immediately after the hot water application on mice. Prednisolone sodium succinate (PDN group), 1 mg/kg was orally applied immediately after the hot water application on mice. The mice were sacrificed 1–3 days after hot water application, and the lesional skin samples were provided for histological assessment to enumerate the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, TNFa, IL-6 and IFNg) in the lesional skin were also investigated. As a result, corticosteroid application suppressed the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells in the DD group of EB and SB at the early phase, and in DB at all time-points. However, the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells increased in EB on day 3. Expression of cytokines was generally suppressed in the PDN group of SB. In the cases of EB and DB, some cytokines had decreased but many of the others showed increased expression. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids are not simple inhibitory effects on inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production, but exert more complicated effects in vivo.

Acute-phase effects of single-time topical or systemic corticosteroid application immediately after hot water-induced burn injury of various grades

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of corticosteroid application on each grade of burn, and to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the effects, especially in its acute inflammatory phase. To generate three-graded burn models (epidermal burn, or EB; dermal burn, or DB; and subcutaneous burn, or SB), hot water was applied on the back skin of Hos:HR-1 mice. Strongest-class (or high-potent) corticosteroid ointment (DD group) or petrolatum (control group) was applied on the back immediately after the hot water application on mice. Prednisolone sodium succinate (PDN group), 1 mg/kg was orally applied immediately after the hot water application on mice. The mice were sacrificed 1–3 days after hot water application, and the lesional skin samples were provided for histological assessment to enumerate the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, TNFa, IL-6 and IFNg) in the lesional skin were also investigated. As a result, corticosteroid application suppressed the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells in the DD group of EB and SB at the early phase, and in DB at all time-points. However, the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells increased in EB on day 3. Expression of cytokines was generally suppressed in the PDN group of SB. In the cases of EB and DB, some cytokines had decreased but many of the others showed increased expression. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids are not simple inhibitory effects on inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production, but exert more complicated effects in vivo.

副腎皮質ステロイド外用剤によるパッチテストが診断に有用であった 水溶性プレドニン®による薬疹の 1 例

45 歳，女性。嘔吐，眩暈で入院し，突発性難聴の診断にて水溶性プレドニン®の点滴治療を開始した。 治療3日目に体幹，腋窩に境界明瞭な瘙痒を伴う紅斑が出現し，2 日後に当科を初診した。薬疹を疑い，リンデロン®内服へ変更し1 週間で皮疹はほぼ消退した。腹部紅斑の生検では表皮真皮境界部に液状変性と真皮浅層に好酸球の浸潤があり薬疹に矛盾しない所見であった。水溶性プレドニン®の薬剤リンパ球刺激試験は陰性。48 時間閉鎖式パッチテスト（PT）ではプレドニン®錠，メドロール®錠，水溶性プレドニン®，プレドニン®眼軟膏，ネオメドロール®EE 軟膏，金チオ硫酸ナトリウム，フラジオマイシン硫酸塩に陽性，治療に用いたベタメタゾン系外用剤は陰性であった。以上よりプレドニゾロンによる遅延型薬疹と診断し，メチルプレドニゾロンの PT 陽性所見は交差反応と考えた。副腎皮質ステロイド薬による薬疹の治療には交差反応の少ない薬剤への変更が重要であり，今後使用可能な薬剤の検索にステロイド外用剤による PT は簡便で陽性率も高く有用と思われた。

Localized delivery of methylprednisolone sodium succinate with polymeric nanoparticles in experimental injured spinal cord model

With important social and economic consequences, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) still exist among major health problems. Although many therapeutic agents and methods investigated for the treatment of acute SCI, only high dose methylprednisolone (MP) is being used currently in practice. Due to the serious side effects, high dose systemic MP administration after SCI is a critical issue that is mostly considered controversial. In our study, it is aimed to develop a nanoparticle-gel combined drug delivery system for localization of MP on trauma site and eliminating dose-dependent side effects by lowering the administered dose. For this purpose, methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) loaded polycaprolactone based nanoparticles were developed and embedded in an implantable fibrin gel. The effects of MPSS delivery system are evaluated on an acute SCI rat model, by quantification the levels of three inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and caspase-3) and assessment of the damage on ultrastructural level by transmission electron microscopy. Developed NP-gel system showed very similar results with systemic high dose of MPSS. It is believed that developed system may be used as a tool for the safe and effective localized delivery of several other therapeutic molecules on injured spinal cord cases.

AB0142 Immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids and regulatory t cells on cd28null t cells in vitro

BackgroundCD28null T cells are terminally differentiated T cells lacking CD28 co-receptor. These cells display properties of proinflammatory killer cells1, 2 and are suggested to be resistant to apoptosis in vivo3....

Intravenous immune globulin plus corticosteroids in refractory Kawasaki disease

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of i.v. immune globulin (IVIG) therapy combined with corticosteroids for additional treatment of acute Kawasaki disease (KD) unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment. In 50 prospective KD patients, six IVIG non-responders without clinical improvement within 24-48 h after completion of initial IVIG, received 2 g/kg IVIG concurrently with 2 mg/kg i.v. prednisolone sodium succinate (PSL) until normalization of C-reactive protein level. Treatment was then changed to oral PSL, which was tapered over time. Clinical and coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcomes were compared with those of 13 IVIG non-responders who received additional heterogeneous therapies in 125 retrospective KD patients. In addition, the scoring system of Kobayashi et al. for prediction of non-responsiveness to initial IVIG treatment was retrospectively verified in 175 KD subjects, consisting of 50 prospective and 125 retrospective patients in order to evaluate the efficacy of the re-treatment regimen. Incidence of CAL in the study patients was lower than in the control patients, although differences were not significant both in the acute stage (within 1 month: 1/6, 16.7% vs 7/13, 53.8%; P= 0.177) and in the convalescent stage (after 1 month: 0/6, 0.0% vs 4/13, 30.8%; P= 0.255). According to the non-responder prediction system, the scores of six study and 13 control patients before initial IVIG treatment were similar (7.2 ± 1.9 vs 5.3 ± 3.1; P= 0.200). No serious adverse effects related to each treatment were noted in patients of either group. Additional IVIG combined with concurrent PSL appears to be safe and worth evaluation for the treatment of acute KD unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment.

Role of corticosteroid as a prophylactic measure in fat embolism syndrome: a literature review

Despite a number of studies on steroid therapy as a prophylactic measure in fat embolism syndrome (FES), there is no universal agreement about its role in this critical situation. The present article attempts to search the available literature, and provides a more lucid picture to the readers on this issue. Seven articles (total 483 patients) were reviewed and analyzed. Total of 223 patients received steroid (methyl prednisolone sodium succinate), while the remaining 260 patients formed the control population. Among these subjects, 9 patients in steroid-receiving group and 60 patients in the control group developed FES (P<0.05). The lack of uniformities in these studies, variable dose and single-center trial are the principal limitations and confuses the surgeons to have definite conclusion. Large-scale, more uniformly designed, multi-centered, randomized, prospective trials are needed to determine the correct situations and dosage in which steroids provide the maximum benefit (with the least possible risk).

Evaluation of electrical conductivity-temperature curves using a mathematical model: temperature-dependent changes during thawing of frozen aqueous pharmaceuticals

The information contained in the electrical conductivity curves of pharmaceuticals measured as a function of temperature can be represented by a small set of parameters. This is achieved by approximating the electrical conductivity curve as a number of consecutive steps, using a suitable empirical model. The three parameters describing each step are: transition temperature, slope factor and step height. The validity of the calculated transition temperatures was established by applying the model to electrical conductivity curves measured on aqueous solutions of KCl, NaCl and on a KCl-NaCl mixture. It appears that the transition temperatures calculated for these inorganic salts are in good agreement with the respective eutectic temperatures reported in the literature. Subsequently, the method was applied to the corticosteroids prednisolone sodium succinate and prednisolone disodium phosphate. The mathematical model yields a satisfactory fit for both experimental conductivity curves. The actual consequences of freeze-drying an aqueous solution of prednisolone sodium succinate below and above the respective transition temperatures calculated are discussed in relation to the experimental conductivity data.

Iontophoresis-Facilitated Delivery of Prednisolone through Throat Skin to the Trachea After Topical Application of its Succinate Salt

The possibility of direct delivery of steroids through the skin to the trachea and the effect of iontophoresis on delivery efficacy were evaluated after the application of an ionic steroidal prodrug, prednisolone sodium succinate (PS-Na), to the throat skin. Fluorescein sodium salt (FL-Na) and PS-Na were applied as model compounds at a concentration of 1% in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline to the throat skin of hairless rats, and constant current-cathodal iontophoresis (0.4 mA/cm(2)) was performed for 8 or 10 h. In vitro permeation experiment involving cathodal iontophoresis through excised hairless rat abdominal skin revealed 30- and 10-times higher levels of skin permeation of PS and its active drug, prednisolone (P), than those induced without iontophoresis. In vivo iontophoresis treatment of the rat's throat skin produced 2.6-, 1.6- and 12-times higher FL, PS and P concentrations, respectively, in the trachea than those observed without iontophoresis. The present results suggest the usefulness of topical application of the ionic steroidal prodrugs onto throat skin followed by iontophoresis treatment for directly delivering the steroid to the trachea.

Ultrastructural changes in liver after experimental spinal cord injury in rats: effects of methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin-g and albumin

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is routinely treated with standardized methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) dose, so it is reassuring to find its effects on liver. We also evaluated the effects of albumin and immunoglobulin G (Ig G) therapies on liver if they are used in case of experimental SCI. The rats were allocated into six groups as control, trauma, vehicle, MPSS, Ig G and albumin consisting 8 rats for each. The rats with SCI were assigned to 30mg/kg MPSS, 5 mg/kg albumin and 400 mg/kg Ig G treatments. Tissue samples from liver were obtained for light and electron microscopy examinations and determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Trauma increased MPO activity and caused cellular changes of liver tissue. Both albumin and Ig G treatments decreased MPO activity significantly. The light and electron microscopic evaluations showed remarkable preservation of liver ultra-structure with all treatments including MPSS. SCI resulted in neutrophil infiltration and changes in ultrastructure of liver. It was revealed that MPSS has no detrimental effects on liver. Although all treatments preserved liver tissue structure, Although all treatments preserved liver tissue structure, Ig G and albumin treatments also prevented neutrophil infiltration. To provide protection from secondary liver injury after SCI, use of albumin and Ig G treatments may be beneficial.

Application of ammonium metavanadate for the determination of some tubercular and adrenocortical steroid drugs

A simple method has been developed for the determination of tubercular and adrenocortical steroid drugs e.g. isoniazid, ethambutol hydrochloride, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, cycloserine, betamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, hydrocortisone sodium succinate and prednisolone sodium succinate in pure form and in their pharmaceutical preparations by ammonium metavanadate reagent in acidic medium.