Nelida Fernandez

• Professor at University of Leon

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory in the oxicam group. It has been extensively used in human and veterinary medicine for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. Meloxicam has shown high therapeutic potential for disorders such as osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disorder, acute respiratory infection, puerperal sep...

Simple Summary Menbutone is a drug that increases hepato-digestive secretions and has been used for more than 50 years in Europe to treat a wide number of digestive disorders in livestock and dogs. However, despite this use, little is known about its pharmacokinetics, more specifically in cattle. This work contributes to a better knowledge of the p...

Dietary supplements are commonly used among athletes, and the Internet may be an easy source of these products. Tribulus terrestris is an herbal supplement with multiple properties. Of interest to athletes are reports that its consumption can lead to muscle mass gain and a faster recovery process. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to...

Exotic companion animals have had an important role in our society since ancient times. Preserving animal health is necessary to do a responsible use of veterinary medicines. This study aimed to describe the prescription patterns of drugs in exotic pets and wildlife animals attending the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of León (HVULE...

Background: Caesarean section is necessary to save the lives of mothers and newborns at times, but it is important to perform it only when it is essential due to all the risks involved. This study aimed to examine the rate of caesarean sections performed at a tertiary hospital using the Robson classification to detect methods for the detection of a...

Background: The Internet has become an important source for easy access to doping substances, where people and athletes may acquire, outside pharmacies and without a (medical) prescription. These online websites do not always offer quality-assured products, and are outside the regular distribution channels of medicines. The aim of this study was to...

Medicinal plants have been used in veterinary medicine since ancient times, and they are gaining importance in Eastern Europe. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey on the use of medicinal plants in Spain. A cross-sectional study with an online questionnaire was carried out among Spanish small animal veterinarians, to evaluate the use patte...

Sparfloxacin, a synthetic antibiotic belonging to the third-generation fluoroquinolones, has numerous pharmacokinetic and microbiological advantages which can make it an excellent candidate for the treatment of infections in sheep. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an analytical HPLC method to quantify sparfloxacin in sheep pl...

The use of supplements containing herbal active ingredients in sport has increased in recent years. Their consumption is explained by the benefits they may provide and because their natural origin do not involve health complications, from the point of view of the consumers. The aim of this study is to analyze the availability of four supplements (c...

Inappropriate prescribing in the elderly is a risk factor for higher adverse drugs reactions, hospitalisation, and mortality rates. Therefore, it is necessary to identify irrational prescriptions and implement interventions to improve geriatric clinical practices in nursing homes. This study aimed to examine and compare the prevalence of potentiall...

At present, 19.2% of the Spanish population is aged 65 or older. Polypharmacy is a frequent condition among the elderly, especially in those living in nursing homes, which is associated with adverse outcomes, such as adverse drug events or drug-drug interactions. This study aimed to assess the pattern of polypharmacy in a nursing home in Leon, one...

Menbutone is often used to stimulate the hepato-digestive activity in case of digestive disorders and hepatic insufficiency in different species (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs) because it has choleretic and cholagogue effects and increases gastric and pancreatic juices. The objective was to develop and validate an HPLC method to quantify...

The misuse or overuse of antibiotics can favor the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, with a direct impact on human and animal health as well as on ecosystems. In this work, we have analyzed the web pages in which antibiotics for veterinary use can be purchased online. By using a specifically developed software, we carried out a detailed search...

“Postoperative delirium” is defined as delirium occurring in the hospital up to one week after a procedure or before discharge (whichever occurs first) that meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Objectives: To describe the risk factors related to this pathology and identify effective non-pharmacological forms of treatment. An integrative review of t...

Simple Summary Gastrointestinal diseases are relatively common in pigs, and cause important economic losses. These disorders include, among others, swine dysentery, a severe diarrheal disease in growing and finisher pigs caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. Flumequine, a fluoroquinolone indicated in the treatment of colibacillosis, enteritis and g...

In Spain, there has been a progressive increase in aging. Specifically, Leon has been one of the Spanish provinces with the highest aging index. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among the elderly, with significant consequences for safety. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of drugs in a nursing home in the province of Leon and esta...

Simple Summary Access to antibiotics online endangers its responsible use, increasing the risk of bacterial resistance emergence. The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of purchasing antibiotics for veterinary use on the internet, evaluating the availability of those classified as highest priority critically important antimicrobi...

Purpose: Breast cancer patients have many needs, including strategies to cope with the associated distress, during and after cancer treatment. Establishing and implementing adequate social and emotional support for these women, to reduce the detrimental effects of stress resulting from their treatment and disease, is the need of the hour. This stu...

Many publications have described the potential cardioprotective action of different medicinal plants, relating this effect with blood lipid levels. However, these publications do not justify the right amount of plant administered, which can vary greatly. Sideritis hyssopifolia is a little woody plant endemic to western and southwestern Europe. We h...

The number of donors and organs available has not increased at the same rate as the inclusion of new patients in the waiting lists. The aim of the present study was to analyze the quality of the detection process of potential brain-dead organ donors at the Hospital of León. For this, a cross-sectional prospective study was developed on a retrospect...

Background Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent frequently used in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, we have investigated the influence of the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk on the pharmacokinetics of this drug when included in the diet, as well as when administered at the same time as metformin. Methods Six groups of 6 rabbits w...

La tutoría es una herramienta útil en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje universitario, aunque su desarrollo se ve dificultado en las aulas masificadas. Con este estudio se ha pretendido potenciar esta función tutorial en una asignatura en la que concurre esta circunstancia, con el fin de mejorar el rendimiento académico del alumnado. Para ello, s...

In this experimental study we have investigated whether the inclusion of the dietary fiber Plantago ovata husk could be recommended as coadjuvant in treatments with oral hypoglycemic drugs. We evaluated the use of Plantago ovata husk-metformin association in diabetic rabbits by determining its effects on glucose and insulin concentrations. Six grou...

Several studies have indicated that dietary fiber may have a protective effect on gastrointestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective action of the soluble fiber Plantago ovata husk against intestinal damage. To evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic effect on duodenal mucosa of the soluble fiber Plantago ovata husk, low-dose acety...

Background Mastitis is one of the most important diseases affecting dairy sheep. Antimicrobial drugs are often administered directly through teat to treat or prevent this disease, but data on drug distribution within glandular tissue are scarce and it cannot be estimated from concentrations in milk. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate sy...

Docencia en Histología, Microbiología y Farmacología.

Docencia en Histología, Microbiologia y Farmacologia.

Background The increase in immunosuppressed patients and in the use of cytotoxic and immunosuppressive agents in the last few years has led to a rise in the incidence of invasive fungal infections. Aims The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of liposomal amphotericin B according to its indication, dosage, effectiveness and nephrotoxici...

Enrofloxacin is a fluorquinolone exclusively developed for use in veterinary medicine (1980). The kinetics of enrofloxacin are characterized, in general terms, by high bioavailability in most species and rapid absorption after IM, SC or oral administration. However, several studies reported that enrofloxacin showed low bioavailability after oral ad...

Background: The increase in immunosuppressed patients and in the use of cytotoxic and immunosuppressive agents in the last few years has led to a rise in the incidence of invasive fungal infections. Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of liposomal amphotericin B according to its indication, dosage, effectiveness and nephroto...

The aim of this study was to investigate potential hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of Plantago ovata husk included in the diet, in healthy and diabetic rabbits. We also examined the effects of this fiber in other biochemical parameters. Two groups of 18 rabbits were used. The first group was fed with standard chow and the second with chow s...

Objective: To determine the tissue distribution of enrofloxacin after intramammary or simulated systemic administration in isolated perfused sheep udders by measuring its concentration at various sample collection sites. Sample: 26 udders (obtained following euthanasia) from 26 healthy lactating sheep. Procedures: For each isolated udder, 1 ma...

Introduction: Plantago ovata husk is a viscous water-soluble fiber obtained by milling the seed of Plantago ovata. The increased use of this compound for the treatment of diseases makes it necessary to know of its potential drug interactions. Areas covered: The present paper reviews the literature concerning interactions between drugs and the di...

To determine the pharmacokinetics of a commercial formulation of doxycycline hyclate after IM administration of a single dose to sheep. 11 healthy domestic sheep. For each sheep, doxycycline was administered as a single dose of 20 mg/kg, IM. Blood samples were obtained prior to and for 84 hours after doxycycline administration. Plasma concentration...

As the intake of purified dietary fibers is increasing in the society, it is necessary to know how these fibers interact with simultaneously administered drugs, in order to ensure adequate therapeutic effects, minimizing the risk for adverse effects. This paper reviews the literature on the interactions between different types of purified fibers an...

La ivermectina es un fármaco antiparasitario muy utilizado en Medicina Veterinaria, dado su espectro de actividad que abarca tanto endo como ectoparásitos, elevada eficacia y amplio margen de seguridad. No obstante, su administración puede dar lugar a efectos tóxicos. La mayoría de ellos derivan de la sobredosificación del compuesto, aunque también...

As the intake of purified dietary fibers is increasing in the society, it is necessary to know how these fibers interact with simultaneously administered drugs, in order to ensure adequate therapeutic effects, minimizing the risk for adverse effects. This paper reviews the literature on the interactions between different types of purified fibers an...

The antiparasitic drug Ivermectin is frequently used in veterinary medicine, due to its broad spectrum of activity (both against endo- and ectoparasites, high efficacy and wide margin of safety. However, its administration can give rise to toxic effects. Most of them come from the overdosage of the compound, although, at therapeutic doses, it also...

Levodopa is the most effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, so it is important to understand the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of this drug. Considering the pharmacokinetics of levodopa and the factors that can modify it are essential for the clinician when prescribing levodopa products in order to maximize their therapeutic ef...

Autonomic disorders are often seen in Parkinson's disease, with disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract occurring most frequently. These disorders, mainly a delay in gastric emptying and slowed gastrointestinal motility, can modify the pharmacokinetics and effectiveness of drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease and administered orally. In this...

The antiparasitic drug Ivermectin is frequently used in veterinary medicine, due to its broad spectrum of activity (both against endo- and ectoparasites, high efficacy and wide margin of safety. However, its administration can give rise to toxic effects. Most of them come from the overdosage of the compound, although, at therapeutic doses, it also...

The pharmacokinetics of doxycycline were investigated in sheep after oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) administration. The IV data were best described using a 2- (n = 5) or 3- (n = 6) compartmental open model. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters obtained using a 2-compartmental model included a volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss) of 1.759 ± 0.314...

The antiparasitic activity of ivermectin depends on the presence of an active drug concentration at the site of parasites location for an adapted length of time. Ivermectin interactions with another concurrently administered drug can occur. Concomitant administration of some drugs can increase the bioavailability of simultaneously administered iver...

Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in Parkinson's disease. Fiber therapy could be used to reduce the symptoms of gastrointestinal motility disorders. In a previous study, we showed that slowed gastrointestinal motility modified levodopa pharmacokinetics: area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C(ma...

The pharmacokinetic properties of drugs are closely related to their pharmacological efficacy. The kinetics of ivermectin are characterised, in general terms, by a slow absorption process, a broad distribution in the organism, low metabolism, and slow excretion. The kinetics vary according to the route of administration, formulation, animal species...

The influence of treatment duration (7 or 14 days) with Plantago ovata husk/levodopa/carbidopa in the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of levodopa were evaluated in rabbits. Fiber was administered at two different doses, 100 and 400 mg/kg, and the dosage of levodopa/carbidopa was 20:5 mg/kg. These doses were administered once a...

Levodopa pharmacokinetics show important inter- and intraindividual differences when it is administered by the oral route. As a result of fluctuating drug plasma concentrations, patients may develop motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Therefore, it is important to perform studies on levodopa pharmacokinetics in the same individual. The aim of this...

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug with a broad spectrum of activity, high efficacy as well as a wide margin of safety. Since 1987, this compound has a widespread use in veterinary medicine and it use has been extended in humans. Here we present a brief review of the information available regarding the pharmacokinetics and interactions of ivermect...

To evaluate bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic variables of a commercial formulation of ivermectin after IV administration to sheep. 6 healthy adult sheep. A single dose of a commercial formulation of ivermectin (200 microg/kg) was administered IV to each sheep. After a washout period of 3 weeks, each sheep was administered ivermectin by SC...

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a novel commercial formulation of ivermectin after administration to goats. 6 healthy adult goats. Ivermectin (200 microg/kg) was initially administered IV to each goat, and plasma samples were obtained for 36 days. After a washout period of 3 weeks, each goat received a novel commercial formulation of ivermectin...

Fiber therapy could be used in patients with Parkinson disease to reduce the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders; however, it could interact with levodopa reducing its effectiveness. In this experimental study we have investigated whether the presence of Plantago ovata husk (water-soluble fiber) modifies in rabbits the bioavailability and other...

Levodopa combined with carbidopa constitutes one of the most frequent medication in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Plantago ovata husk (water-soluble fiber) improves levodopa absorption conditions, but when this drug is administered with carbidopa, fiber could reduce its effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the...

To the beneficial properties of dietary fiber in human health, several disadvantages can be added as the possible modification of the bioavailability of other drugs when administered by the oral route. In this study, the influence of glucomannan in the oral bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol (EE), when administered to female rabbits in two differ...

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber employed quite frequently in the western countries since two decades now, as its ingestion plays an important role in human health. However, eastern people have used this fiber for more than a thousand years. This dietary fiber is the main polysaccharide obtain from the tubers of the Amorphophallus konjac plant, a mem...

La fibra dietética glucomanano se utiliza con cierta frecuencia en Occidente desde hace dos décadas, dadas sus demostradas acciones beneficiosas para la salud, si bien su uso se remonta, en las civilizaciones orientales, a más de mil años. Esta fibra es el principal polisacárido obtenido de los tubérculos de la planta originaria del este asiático A...

To evaluate the contribution of first-pass hepatic metabolism of levamisole on levamisole disposition in rabbits. 30 male New Zealand White rabbits. Rabbits were randomly placed into 2 groups. Rabbits in the first group received levamisole via the marginal ear vein at the following 3 doses: 12.5, 16, and 20 mg/kg (5 rabbits for each dose). Rabbits...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of psyllium in type 2 diabetic patients. The study included three phases: phase 1 (1 week), phase 2 (treatment, 14 g fibre/day, 6 weeks) and phase 3 (4 weeks). At the end of each phase a clinical evaluation was performed after the ingestion of a test breakfast of 1824.2 kJ (436 kcal). Measurements i...

The pharmacokinetics of levamisole after intra-arterial administration of 12.5, 16 and 20 mg kg (-1) was investigated in rabbits. After compartmental analysis, the disposition of levamisole was well described by a two-compartment open model with mean values +/- sd of: alpha= 0.1650 +/- 0.0839, 0.1611 +/- 0.0298, 0.2312 +/- 0.0540 min (-1), and beta...

The aim of this study was to evaluate, under the same experimental conditions and in the same subjects, the effects of ispaghula husk and guar gum on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy female subjects. An oral glucose load with and without fiber was administered in the morning after an overnight fast. The study of the fiber...

Dietary fibers are widely used in hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, slimming diets. It is probable that their ingestion coincides with the oral administration of drugs and a modification of their pharmacokinetics can appear. In the present study, the influence of two soluble fibers (guar gum and psyllium) was evaluated on the pharmacokinetics of ethiny...

To evaluate the influence of Ispaghula husk in the postprandial glucose concentrations in serum in healthy volunteers. This study is divided in two assays and 7 healthy women with ages ranging from 35 to 45 years participated in both assays. Assay 1. Administration of 50 g of glucose dissolved in 125 ml of water (followed by other 150 ml of water)....

The purpose of this paper was to know the residual levels of 9 organochlorine insecticides (lindane, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, o,p'‐TDE, p,p'‐TDE, p,p'‐DDE and p,p'‐DDT) in cheese samples collected in León, in the north‐west of Spain, in 1993 and 1994. The highest individual concentration detected was, in both years, for DDT: 0....

Fiber formulations are used in human nutrition owing to their beneficial properties for health. It is probable that ingestion of fiber coincides with the oral administration of drugs, and a modification of its oral absorption, and therefore of its pharmacokinetics, can appear. In the present study, the compartmental and noncompartmental pharmacokin...

Levels of nine organochlorine pesticides (lindane, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, o,p'-TDE, p,p'-TDE, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT) were determined in muscle samples of rainbow trout, Onchorhynchus mykiss, collected from four fish farms in the province of León, in the north-west of Spain (Europe). The highest incidence percentage was for li...

The binding of levamisole to total plasma proteins of 6 animal species was determined in vitro by equilibrium dialysis. The percentage of bound drug protein was independent of levamisole concentration within the range studied, 5-50 micrograms/ml (ANOVA). Levamisole was bound to a low extent to plasma proteins of each animal species (19.40-25.91%)....

Several antibiotics have been implicated in oral contraception failure when they are administered at the same time as the oral contraceptive (OC) pill. In the present paper, a study about amoxicillin-ethinylestradiol (EE2) pharmacokinetic potential interaction was studied. Two rabbit groups were utilized, the first group received amoxicillin (10 mg...

The pharmacokinetics of ethinyloestradiol (EE2) after intravenous administration of 30, 50 and 100 micrograms.kg-1 was investigated in rabbits. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with electrochemical (EC) detection was used to measure EE2 in plasma samples in order to avoid the interferences of natural oestrogens. After compart...

Residue levels of the organochlorine pesticides (α-HCH, lindane, heptachlor-epoxide, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, o,p′-TDE, p,p′-TDE, p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDT) were determined in raw bovine milk and compared with the maximum levels allowed by the European Union (EU) in these foods. The highest incidence percentage of the ten insecticides measured was for...

A method for the determination of ethynyloestradiol in samples of rabbit plasma containing pentobarbital and heparin, the former used as an anaesthetic and the latter as an anticoagulant, has been developed. Quantification was carried out using a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method in isocratic mode at room temperat...