Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM‑T2) is commonly associated with increased triglycerides (TG), low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) and low high‑density lipoprotein ... Read More Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM‑T2) is commonly associated with increased triglycerides (TG), low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) and low high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‑C) levels. Fibrates like gemfibrozil are frequently used in diabetic patients to decrease TG and increase HDL‑C levels. We compared the efficacy of Vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin, with gemfibrozil on serum HDL‑C in diabetic patients.Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients, referred to our out‑patient clinic were randomly divided into three groups. After 1 month of lifestyle and diet modifications, groupsA, B, and C were prescribed 1000 mg Vitamin C, 600 mg gemfibrozil and combination of both, respectively. Before the study initiation and after 6th week of drug prescription, the blood samples were taken and analyzed for total cholesterol (Total‑C), HDL‑C, TG, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.Findings: Sixty‑seven patients entered, and 50 patients (18 male, 32 female) finished the study. Overall, serum HDL‑C increased significantly from 39.8 to 45.2 mg/dL in the participants (P = 0.001). HDL‑C increased 6.3, 4.4 and 5.0 mg/dL in groups A, B and C, respectively (related significances were 0.017, 0.022 and 0.033, respectively). Significant decrease of serum TG and Total‑C occurred in gemfibrozil and combination groups, but not in Vitamin C group. Changes in serum HDL‑C between three groups were not significant (P = 0.963). We found a significant decrease in TG and Total‑C in the groups B and C (P < 0.05), but no significant changes of TG, Total‑C, LDL‑C, FBS and HbA1c in group A (P > 0.05).Conclusion: The results demonstrated that Vitamin C may have beneficial effects on HDL‑C in diabetic patients without significant effects on plasma glucose or other lipid parameters; however, its role for the treatment of low HDL‑C patients should be evaluated in larger studies.

Effects of Levothyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone on bone loss in patients with primary hypothyroidism

. Mansoor Karimifar; . Farah Esmaili; . Amirhossein Salari; . Ali Kachuei; . Ziba Faragzadegan; . Mozhgan Karimifar

Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2014, Pages 83-87

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies on bone mineral density (BMD) abnormalities associated with hypothyroidism are scarce and not conclusive. The effect of thyroid hormone therapy on BMD ... Read More Objective: Previous studies on bone mineral density (BMD) abnormalities associated with hypothyroidism are scarce and not conclusive. The effect of thyroid hormone therapy on BMD has shown mixed results. The aim of the present study was to determine the severities of osteoporosis in female patients with hypothyroidism in comparison to healthy women.Methods: This cross‑sectional descriptive study was performed on 150 women aged over 50 years. Totally, 100 patients with primary hypothyroidism and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups. GroupA, which consisted the patients who had been recently diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism. The second group of patients diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism for at least 2 years and was treated with levothyroxine (Group B). The third group of healthy individuals was selected as a control group (Group C). Blood samples were taken for the measurements of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and bone densitometry was performed to determine the BMD reported as T‑score in order to measure the severity of osteoporosis. T‑score of the lumbar vertebra (L2‑L4) and femoral neck were measured with dual energy X‑ray absorptiometry and were compared between the three groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS using regression analysis and Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, or analysis of variances statistical tests. The statistical significance was set at a P < 0.05.Findings: The average age of patients and baseline serum TSH levels in Group B was significantly different from the other two groups (P < 0.001). T‑score of the lumbar spine (L2‑L4) in Group B was significantly lower than the other groups (P = 0.01). The linear regression between serum TSH levels and BMD categories were not clearly associated. However, after removing the effect of the baseline TSH level in Group B, bone loss was significantly greater than the other two groups (P = 0.01).Conclusion: According to the present study, it seems that the treatment of hypothyroidism with thyroid hormones reduces both serum levels of TSH and bone density. Hence, proper control of this risk factor can be an effective way in prevention of osteoporosis.

From generic scheme to brand‑generic scheme: Have new policy influenced the efficiency of Iranian pharmaceutical companies?

. Amir Hashemi-Meshkini; . Mehdi Varmaghani; . Mehdi Yousefi; . Saeed Yaghoubifard; . Hedieh-Sadat Zekri; . Shekoufeh Nikfar; . Abbas Kebriaeezadeh

Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2014, Pages 88-93

Abstract

Objective: Brand‑generic scheme was implemented in Iran to improve the competition in the pharmaceutical market. In this study, we aim to assess if this policy had any positive effect ... Read More

Prophylactic effects of intrathecal Meperidine and intravenous Ondansetron on shivering in patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia

. Mohammadreza Safavi; . Azim Honarmand; . Maryam Negahban; . Mohammadali Attari

Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2014, Pages 94-99

Abstract

Objective: Intraoperative hypothermia is a common problem with anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia, the same as general anesthesia, affects the process of temperature regulation. The aim ... Read More

Dental patient anxiety: Possible deal with Lavender fragrance

. Md. Zabirunnisa; . Jayaprakash S. Gadagi; . Praveen Gadde; . Nagamalleshwari Myla; . Jyothirmai Koneru; . Chandrasekhar Thatimatla

Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2014, Pages 100-103

Abstract

Objective: The pure essence of plants (essential oils) provides both psychological and physiological benefits when used accurately and safely. Conventionally, Lavender oil is known for ... Read More

Potential drug‑drug interactions in prescriptions dispensed in community and hospital pharmacies in East of Iran

. Mandana Moradi Dirin; . Sarah Mousavi; . Amir Reza Afshari; . Kaveh Tabrizian; . Mohammad Hossein Ashraf

Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2014, Pages 104-107

Abstract

Objective: This study aim to evaluate and compare type and prevalence of drug‑drug interactions (DDIs) in prescriptions dispensed in both community and hospital setting in Zabol, ... Read More

Self‑medication among medical students: What strategies could help?

. Kieran Walsh

Volume 3, Issue 3 , July 2014, Pages 108-108

Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Articles in Press

Current Issue

Volume 11 (2022)

Volume 10 (2021)

Volume 9 (2020)

Volume 8 (2019)

Volume 7 (2018)

Volume 6 (2017)

Volume 5 (2016)

Volume 4 (2015)

Volume 3 (2014)

Volume 2 (2013)

Volume 1 (2012)

Volume & Issue: Volume 3, Issue 3, July 2014

Medical ethics in the medieval Islamic sciences

Abstract

Vitamin C may have similar beneficial effects to Gemfibrozil on serum high‑density lipoprotein‑cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Effects of Levothyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone on bone loss in patients with primary hypothyroidism

Abstract

From generic scheme to brand‑generic scheme: Have new policy influenced the efficiency of Iranian pharmaceutical companies?

Abstract

Prophylactic effects of intrathecal Meperidine and intravenous Ondansetron on shivering in patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia

Abstract

Dental patient anxiety: Possible deal with Lavender fragrance

Abstract

Potential drug‑drug interactions in prescriptions dispensed in community and hospital pharmacies in East of Iran

Abstract

Self‑medication among medical students: What strategies could help?

Abstract