Al Mustansiriyah Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:
A
neuron-specific
cytoskeletal protein called Neurofilament
light chain is present in the cytoplasm of
myelinated axons especially those with a
large diameter which is essential for
maintaining the size as well as for structural
support.
Aging, impaired renal function, liver disorders, neuropathies, and diabetes are linked to the
elevation of serum neurofilament light chain. It considers a non-invasive biomarker that could aid
in diagnosing distal symmetric polyneuropathy, and potentially predict its course.
Objectives: To assess serum Neurofilament light chain levels of Distal Symmetric
polyneuropathic diabetic patients and compare its levels with diabetic patients without Distal
Symmetric polyneuropathy using nerve study and scoring system for screening of michigan.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional research involved 126 males and females with type
2 Diabetes Mellitus. It was run between the end of 2022 and the middle of 2023 at the Diabetic
Centre of Mustansiriyah University. After obtaining verbal approval, the studied patients were
evaluated for their peripheral nerve function. In addition to their blood pressure, their body mass
index was calculated using their height and weight. The lipid profile and Neurofilament Light
Chain were all analyzed using the serum. Formulas were used to compute Both LDL-c and VLDC.
Results: This study showed no change in the serum levels of the neurofilament light chain when
comparing patients with and without distal symmetric polyneuropathy, additionally, no change
was found based on the patient screening scores of Michigan. Moreover, Neurofilament Light
Chain levels were substantially reduced in patients who were taking sulfonylurea alone or in
combination with other anti-diabetic treatments. In patients who were taking antilipidemic statin
therapy, the serum levels of the Neurofilament Light Chain were substantially reduced compared
to those not receiving it.
Conclusion: The serum level of the neurofilament light chain was affected by the presence of
distal symmetric polyneuropathy although as a clinical condition, it is associated with axonal
damage, it was found that it could not be used for the prediction of distal symmetric
polyneuropathy.

Background: Gestational diabetes is a
pathological
condition
that
manifests
between the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of
pregnancy. It is distinguished by substantial
insulin resistance induced by the secretion of
placental hormone. Adipocytes secrete a
particular type of adipocytokine called zinc
�
�2 glycoprotein (ZAG), and numerous
researches have suggested that ZAG is
involved in crucial physiological processes
such as glucose metabolism.
Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the ZAG level in GDM pregnant women on
different therapeutic modalities, if it relates to the disease and whether it could be used as a
biomarker in the diagnosis of GDM. Method: The research included 76 pregnant women within
the age range of (18–40 years), from them 22 healthy pregnant women (group1), 30 newly
diagnosed GDM pregnant women (group2), and 24 GDM on different therapeutic modalities
(group3), in their 2nd or 3rd trimester; all the demographic and glycemic characteristics were
measured.
Result: pregnant women with GDM in group 2 exhibited the greatest level of ZAG. But there was
no substantial difference in ZAG levels between the study groups (P≥ 0.05). Significant variation
in ZAG levels was observed among subgroups of treated GDM pregnant women (p<0.01). The
metformin group exhibited the lowest level of ZAG. There was significant increase in Fasting
Blood Glucose and Glycated Hemoglobin in GDM pregnant women group 2 and 3 compared to
group 1 pregnant women. Also, there was a slight increase in fasting plasma insulin level and
Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR) among group 2 and 3 compared
to group 1 pregnant women, but without significant difference (P≥ 0.05). No statistically
significant association was reported with ZAG and glycemic indices.
Conclusion: Pregnant women with GDM exhibit significant elevated in glycemic compared to
those without GDM. ZAG level was increase among all pregnant women, particularly these with
GDM. Hence, ZAG may be used as an indicator in GDM.

Cefdinir (CEF) is classified as a third-generation cephalosporin within class IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS). Cefdinir has low solubility and permeability, which may reduce oral bioavailability. The aim of this research was the preparation of cefdinir ternary solid dispersion in order to enhance its solubility. Then, after evaluating this ternary SD, investigate its stability under harsh conditions. In addition, formulation and evaluation of CEF ternary SD as capsule dosage form. The ternary SD is prepared by the solvent evaporation method using CEF, curcumin, and polyvinylpyrrolidone k30 in a weight ratio of 1:1:1. The ternary SD is subject to evaluation using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Powder X-ray Diffractometry (PXRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), saturated solubility, release, antibacterial activity, and a two months stability study under conditions of 40 ºC and 75% relative humidity. Then, six different capsule formulas were prepared using different excipients; each formula contained 300 mg of CEF. The capsule formulas were subjected to pre-formulation and capsule evaluation tests, which included weight variation, drug content, disintegration time, and In-vitro dissolution tests. The selected optimum capsule formula was subjected to further antibacterial activity test. Evaluation of ternary SD showed that, the system is totally amorphous with enhanced dissolution, saturated solubility, and antibacterial activity compared to pure CEF. Stability studies showed that, ternary SD remains amorphous after two months. Compared to commercial capsules (Sefarin® 300 mg) and other formulas, the F6 formula released 90% of CEF in 30 min. Antibacterial activity test results showed that the F6 formula was active against Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris bacterial isolate. This research concludes that CEF solubility, antibacterial activity enhancement, and stability insurance could be obtained by preparing CEF ternary SD. All the ternary SD prepared capsule formulas showed enhancements in release compared to commercial capsules.

Drug delivery to ocular tissues is challenging due to the rapid removal of instilled drugs due to the low resident time in ocular tissues. The study aimed to formulate an ophthalmic in situ gel that delivers two drugs (betamethasone sodium phosphate [BSP] and gatifloxacin [GTN]). The new combination will allow the simultaneous administration and extended release of the two drugs, which could potentially improve resident time in ocular tissues, patient compliance, and treatment adherence.
Formulations containing different gelling agents at different concentrations were prepared to choose the optimum combination regarding physical properties and release. Formulations containing 17% poloxamer 407 and 0.5% gellan gum with different percentages of methylcellulose were prepared and compared regarding gelation temperature, gelling capacity, gelation time, and release and mucoadhesive, permeation study. Increasing the concentration of MC enhanced all the physical properties of the poloxamer-gellan gum gel.
The optimum formula (F3) which contains 0.3% MC had a gelation time of 5 sec. at 31oC and remained in gel form for 24 hr. Both drugs had extended release time and increased the viscosity and mucoadhesion force of the preparation. The results indicated an outsized increase in viscosity at 37°C with the addition of MC which provided sustained release of the drug over 10 hours. and the formulation is isotonic to the eye as well no irritation on the rabbit eye was observed when tested on animals.
Conclusion: F3 in situ gel was used to produce a simultaneous and prolonged release of the two drugs. The capacity to administer hydrophilic and hydrophobic medications using a single formulation, eliminating the need for two drops, will increase patient compliance and, consequently, treatment compliance.

The recent utilization of transferosomes (a type of vesicular drug-carrier system) has shown promising results in enhancing the transport of drugs through the skin when administered topically. Phospholipids and surface active agents constitute the primary components of these entities. Surface active agents play a crucial role in enhancing the permeability and flexibility of lipid bilayers. The present research critically examines previous studies to gain insights into the influence of surface active agents on the characteristics and performance of transferosomes. Specifically, it focuses on the effects of these agents on transferosome size, entrapment efficiency (EE), zeta potential, stability, and transdermal flux. The type of surface active agent generally exerts a notable influence on the size of vesicles, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and zeta potential. This phenomenon could potentially be attributed to variations in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), the hydrophilicity of the surface active agent, and the length of the carbon chain. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the influence of surface active agent properties in the development of transferosomes. The evaluation of the cytocompatibility of surface active compounds was also incorporated into the study.