Objective: Water pipe smoking WPS (Shisha) is becoming increasingly acceptable in the youth and is contributing to the burden of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of early respiratory symptoms in relation to the severity and duration of WPS smoking in the medical students of Karachi. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in medical colleges of Karachi. A self-administered questionnaire collected information about smoking habits and respiratory symptoms from students.   Results: Out of 250 participants, 68.8 % (n=172) were short term smokers. 31.6% (n=79) reported to have smoked shisha monthly. The main reason of smoking shisha for 26% (n=65) was just to fill in the free time with friends. 39.4% (n=88) intend to quit shisha smoking in future. 32.4% (n=81) of the students experienced shortness of breath, 30.4% (n=76) Dry cough, 30.4% (n=76) Scratchy sensation in the throat, 23.6% (n=59) rapid breathing, 20% (n=50) chest tightness and 13.6% (n=34) hoarse voice after shisha consumption. The association of these symptoms with duration and severity of shisha exposure remained insignificant.  Conclusion: The results of this study show that smoking shisha can bring about the early respiratory symptoms. Education is important in creating awareness about WPS hazards. Key words: Water-pipe; Shisha; Smoking; Medical students; Respiratory symptoms

Objective: This study was planned over the hypothesis that pomegranate extract rich in ellagic acid used with minocycline could decrease its adverse effect and prolong its therapeutic use and efficacy. Study design and Setting: This experimental study was done in the department of anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Methodology: We acquired 40 guinea pigs (male, adult, 450 – 550 gm), randomly divided them into 4 groups.Group B received 0.0003mg/g bodyweight of minocycline only, group C was given 0.0003mg/g bodyweight of minocycline with 0.4mg/g bodyweight of pomegranate, group D was given 0.4mg/g bodyweight pomegranate only; with keeping group A with no intervention at laboratory diet for 8 weeks. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed, H & E and DOPA-OXIDASE staining was done on harvested skin tissues for morphometric observations under light microscopy. Results: The results showed that minocycline induced reduction in mean thickness of epidermis and increased melanin pigment deposition. Mean number of melanocytes decreased with pomegranate use though the difference was insignificant (P-value > 0.05) but consistent and measurable. Conclusions: It was proven that by including pomegranate in our daily diet, the process of hyperpigmentation of skin induced by the broad spectrum tetracycline particularly minocycline, can be slow down by decreasing the activity of tyrosinase enzyme, thus it provides a novel pathway to fight against any other drug induced hyperpigmentation occurring due to increase activity of tyrosinase enzyme

Tuberculosis is the disease required long term treatment. Rifampicin is the major element of antiTB therapy if resistance is not documented. Potential of antitubercular dugs to produced hepatoxicity is very high and among all antiTB agents rifampicin (RIF) induced hepatoxicity stands on top. Rifampicin is the major element of antiTB therapy if resistance is not documented. But its hepatotoxic effects are the main hurdle to continue with this therapy. In this study RIF were administered to the rabbit alone or in combination of propranolol to evaluate the hepatotoxic effects of RIF and reduction of hepatotoxicity by propranolol. Histological evaluation of liver tissue on higher magnification, its micrometric analysis and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) of liver were used to estimate the effects of this combination. Micrometry revealed that number of viable hepatocytes, their diameter and nuclear diameter were altered. SEM micrograph showed distorted and swollen hepatic cords. All of these changes successfully turned to normal by combined administration of propranolol. Propranolol successfully improves the hepatic architecture proved by both qualitative and quantitative microscopy. Key words:Hepatotoxicity, antitubercular therapy, micrometric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, hepatic cords, hepatocytes.

Tuberculosis is the disease required long term treatment. Rifampicin is the majorelement of antiTB therapy if resistance is not documented. Potential of antitubercular dugsto produced hepatoxicity is very high and among all antiTB agents rifampicin (RIF) inducedhepatoxicity stands on top. Rifampicin is the major element of antiTB therapy if resistance is notdocumented. But its hepatotoxic effects are the main hurdle to continue with this therapy. In thisstudy RIF were administered to the rabbit alone or in combination of propranolol to evaluate thehepatotoxic effects of RIF and reduction of hepatotoxicity by propranolol. Histological evaluationof liver tissue on higher magnification, its micrometric analysis and SEM (scanning electronmicroscopy) of liver were used to estimate the effects of this combination. Micrometry revealedthat number of viable hepatocytes, their diameter and nuclear diameter were altered. SEMmicrograph showed distorted and swollen hepatic cords. All of these changes successfullyturned to normal by combined administration of propranolol. Propranolol successfully improvesthe hepatic architecture proved by both qualitative and quantitative microscopy.