Chronic cadmium chloride (CdCl₂ 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment in female albino rats for 2 weeks resulted in elevation of blood pressure. In chronic CdCl₂-treated rats the pressor responses to different doses of noradrenaline, angiotensin II and depressor responses to acetylcholine and isoprenaline were unaltered. In rat hindquarter preparation there was elevation of perfusion pressure and the sensitivity of vascular bed to noradrenaline was increased in the CdCl₂-induced hypertensive rats. Complete bilateral adrenalectomy or chemical sympathectomy or treatment with captopril did not prevent the development of CdCl₂-induced hypertension. Treatment with verapamil (15 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or nifedipine (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 2 weeks prevented the development of hypertension with chronic CdCl₂ treatment. It is suggested that chronic treatment of rats with CdCl₂ induces hypertension. It is possible that cadmium mimics the calcium ion for the induction of hypertension in rats.

Objective: To study the interaction between a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, and antiulcer agents, famotidine and omeprazole, in pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Materials and Methods: Gastric ulcers were induced in albino rats by pyloric ligation as described by Shay et al. Effects of different doses of amlodipine, famotidine and omeprazole on volume, pH, acidity of gastric secretion and ulcer index were observed. In addition, the effects of low dose of amlodipine in combination with low dose of famotidine or omeprazole on the above Department of Pharmacology, Medical College, parameters were studied. Vadodara-390 001. Gujarat. Results: Amlodipine (0.5 mg and 1 mg/kg, i.p.), famotidine (4 mg/kg, i.p.) and omeprazole (4 mg/kg, i.p.) produced significant antiulcer effects. Low doses of famotidine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), Received: 14.12.2005 omeprazole (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and amlodipine (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter the above parameters Revised: 6.4.2006 significantly. Combined administration of low dose of amlodipine (0.25 mg/kg) and famotidine Accepted: 28.4.2006 (1 mg/kg) showed significant antiulcer effects, which were apparent from the reduction in volume of gastric acid secretion, acidity and ulcer index with simultaneous increase in the intragastric Correspondence to: pH. Similarly, low dose of omeprazole (1 mg/kg) when combined with low dose of amlodipine Amol Bhave (0.25 mg/kg) also showed significant antiulcer effects. E-mail: Conclusion: Amlodipine produced significant antiulcer effects in pylorus-ligated model. albhave2005@rediffmail.com Combination of low doses of amlodipine with low doses of either famotidine or omeprazole produced significant antiulcer effects. It is suggested that the patients who received amlodipine therapy for some other clinical conditions are less prone to develop peptic ulcers; and even if ulcers develop, they would require lower doses of antiulcer agents like famotidine and omeprazole.

Hypersensitivity reactions are common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with antiepileptics. Carbamazepine is one of the routinely prescribed drugs for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. ADRs due to carbamazepine range from mild maculopapular rash to severe anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS). AHS is the triad of fever, rash, and internal organ involvement occurring 1-8 weeks after exposure to an anticonvulsant (1 in 1,000 to 10,000 exposures). Spontaneously reported three cases of AHS-drug hypersensitivity reactions induced by carbamazepine are discussed here. Seven to ten days after starting therapy, patients developed maculopapular skin rashes, fever and liver or kidney involvement. The causal relationship between drug and ADR was found to be ‘certain’ in one case and ‘probable’ in other two cases with both WHO-UMC and Naranjo causality assessment scale. All the three cases show category 4a according to Hartwig's severity scale as ADR was the cause for hospital admission. On assessing preventability of ADRs by modified Schumock and Thorntons’ scale, one case was falling into category of ‘definitely preventable’ and other two were ‘not preventable’. AHS is rare but serious reaction with carbamazepine which requires vigilant monitoring by physicians to avoid major consequences.

The effects of levamisole on responses to various agonists were studied in guinea-pig vas deferens. Levamisole did not itself exhibit any contractile or relaxant effect on guinea-pig vas deferens but in the presence of levamisole the concentration-response curve of noradrenaline (NA) was shifted to the left and the maximal response was increased. Responses to field-stimulation at 5 and 10 Hz were potentiated by levamisole. Cocaine and denervation caused potentiation of NA responses and these enhanced responses remained unchanged in the presence of levamisole. Acetylcholine (ACh) responses were potentiated by levamisole whereas responses to histamine, KCl and methoxamine remained unaltered. These results suggest that levamisole does not have any action at postsynaptic alpha-adrenoreceptors. The increased responses to NA and ACh in the presence of levamisole may be due to its uptake1, blocking and anticholinesterase activities respectively.

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