An Analysis of the Protein and Lipid concentrations in the Tear Layer of Contact and Non-contact lens wearers

Purpose: The main reason for embarking upon this specif aspect of the study is to obtain local population statistics in Trinidad, W. I. Most of the research pertaining to the tear layer has been done internationally with statistical analysis stemming from the Wester World. The clinical significance of this study is to provide early means of detection of primary and secondary diseases such as hpyerliproteninemia, dyslipdemia, and triglyceridemia in human population. The significance is to determine the relationship between a contact lens wearer and individual components (total proteins and total lipids) of their tears. This is to examine the tear-lens relationship between the disposition of components of the tear film on soft (hydrogel and silicone hydrogel) contact lenses in relation to lens intolerance, patient discomfort and dry eye syndrome. Method: A total of 93 subjects were interviewd and tear samples were obtained from 81 participants. The capillary tube technique was used to extract tear fluid samples and were stored at -80 degrees celsius. Total Protein and Triglyceride Liquicolour kits were used to analyse tears. Using a mass spectrometer, absorbance values were used to calculate the total proteim and total triglycerid concentrations for non-contact lens and contact lens wearers. Results: It was formulated that the total concentrations of proteins and lipids in the tear film of non-contact lens patients were 7.356 1.31 and 3.76 3.26 mg/dl. The protein and lipid concentrations of contact lens patients were determined; these results were 5.88 0.91 and 2.54 0.72mg/dL. Conclusion: Based on independent statistical analysis, there was no sigificant difference between the protein and lipid concentrations of non-contact lens patients. There was also found to be no significant difference between contact lens and no-contact lens wearers' protein and lipid concentrations.

The effect of yoga exercise therapy on metabolic activity and oxidative stress indicators in non-insulin dependent diabets mellitus (NIDDM) patients [abstract]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effort of yoga traditional exercises on indicators of oxidative damage and on anti-oxidative enzyme system in patients with NIDDM. METHODS: Ninety-four NIDDM volunteers were divided randomly into two groups: traditional and yoga exercise (female to male 5:1, age 50 to 70 yeras, with 2-5 years of duration of diabetes and without clinical complications). Both groups twice weekly for six months with similar nutritional support. Blood samples were taken at the beginning, and six months following exercise treatments and the following were determined: glycaemia by glucose oxidase (automatic analyser), microalbuminuria by semiquantative methods, creatinine by kinetic method, malondialdehyde (MDA) by products of thiobarbituricacid, superoxide dismutase (SOD) by kinetic method - the inhibition of pyrogallol, phospholipase A2 by colorimetry, protein oxidation (POX) by the method of Reznicky and Pucker. RESULTS: There was a reduction of glycaemia in the yoga group after 6 months (8.84 vs 8.35 mmol/l), while there was an increase in the traditional group 8.74 vs 9.51 mmol/l). The concentration of creatinine and microalbumin decreased in both groups notably in the yoga group. (AU)

Factors associated with the developmemt of pre-eclampsia in a Jamaican population [abstract]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors that may predispose and contribute to the development of Pre-eclampsia (P-E) in Jamaican women. METHOD: Women diagnosed with P-E (hypertension with proteinuria and/or oedema after 20 weeks of gestation) were recruited from the prenatal ward at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Controls (women without chronic illnesses that would affect blood pressure, abruptio placentae, placenta praevia or gestational diabetes) were matched for age and gestational age. Fasting blood samples were collected. Clinical data were obtained from the dockets. Differences were estimated by the Students' t-test and ANOVA using the SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: To date, 43 women with P-E and 18 controls have been recruited. Data from the dockets showed that there were significant differences between cases and controls in weight (p=0.003), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.001), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (p=0.010) at booking. The systolic blood pressure was not significantly different. DBP, SBP and MAP in the second trimester were also significantly different between cases and controls (p=0.000). In the third trimester, women who developed P-E had significantly higher levels of serum gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT) (p=0.001), alkaline phosphate (p=0.02) and urea (p=0.04). Levels of uric acid were the same in controls and cases. There was no difference in levels of cholesterol and tryglicerides. However, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were lower in cases than in control (1.26ñ0.36 vs 1.80ñ0.56 mmol/l) (p=0.000), while levels of low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were the same in both groups. When P-E was classified into mild, moderate and severe, there were significant differences in booking and second trimester MAP (p=0.004), 0.027, respectively) and DBP (p=0.012, 0.030, respectivley). LDL was significantly different (p=0.003 between the women with mild PE (2.63 mmol/lñ0.91) and those with severe PE (3.93 mmol/lñ1.01). CONCLUSION: Booking weight, BMI, DBP and MAP could help to identify women who may be at risk of developing P-E. Differences in HDL between cases and controls and differences in LDL among the pre-eclamptic women indicate that P-E is associated with alterations in lipid status. (AU)

Studies on plasma lipids in industrial workers in central Trinidad and Tobago

We assessed the plasma lipid profiles and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 187 (147 men, 47 women) apparently healthy employees of the Caribbean ISPAT industry in Trinidad and Tobago. Anthropometric indices and fasting plasma levels of total cholesterol (T-chol), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. The results indicate that: there was increased body mass and relative hyperlipidemia in the population studied, these CVD risk factors (increased body mass, increased blood T-chol, TG, and LDL) were more prevalent in men than women (p < 0.05), and these parameters did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) when compared among the three ethnic groups (African and Indian descendants and mixed descents). These features suggest a greater risk of CVD in men than in women. It is likely that this observation in the industrial workers might reflect the situation in the general population especially in men. Although further confirmatory studies are necessary across societal socioeconomic strata within Trinidad, we suggest that efforts should be directed at reducing excess body weight among the workers, and providing advice on increased complex carbohydrate diet in place of saturated fat.

Fatty acid composition and possible health care effects of coconut constituents

The link between excessive composition of dietary saturated fats and coronary heart disease (CHD) is now well established. Because of its high content of saturated fatty acids, the composition of foods containing coconut oil may therefore be a risk factor for CHD. While the fatty acid composition of coconut oil is well established, relatively little is known about the other constituents of coconut: the milk, water, cream and meat fractions. In this study, we show that while the water fraction is low in lipid content, the milk contains about 24 percent of the fat content of oil and the cream and meat fractions about 34 percent. The other coconut constituents contain significant amounts of medium-chain triglycerides that are formed from fatty acids of chain length 8:0 to 14:0. It is these fatty acids, primarily 14:0, that are thought to be atherogenic. On the other hand, medium-chain triglycerides provide a ready source of energy and may be useful in baby foods or in diet therapy. Nevertheless, the possible negative effects of the saturated acids and the absence of the essential fatty acid linolenic acid from all coconut constituents suggest that the coconut milk, oil and cream should not be used on a regular basis in adults. (AU)

Blood lipids and lipid metabolism in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats fed organic extracts of yam (d.cayenensis, cv. round leaf yellow yam) and dasheen (c. esculenta)

Yams and dasheen are widely produced in the caribbean where they grow readily. They are important sources of carbohydrates and vitamins. They were basically traditional foods of the people of Africa and the Caribbean until the introduction of `western diets'. It has been insinuated that this shift has led to the increase in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. This study aims at examining the effects of organic extracts of yams and dasheen on diabetic rats in the light of the fact that they have been shown to contain linamarin in low quantities. Linamarin, a cyanoglucoside, is suspected to be involved in the aggravation of diabetes mellitus. A study was conducted on the lipid metabolism of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed supplements of organic extracts of yam and dasheen for four weeks. The levels of blood glucose and lipids were determined. Lipid metabolism and transaminase activities in the liver were assessed. The diabetic rats and the groups fed extracts of yam, dasheen and linamarin supplements lost weight significantly despite the non-significantly difference in their food intake. Liver weights were significantly (p<0.05> reduced in these groups compared to the healthy control rats fed a similar diet without the appropriate supplements (p<0.05>. The groups fed yam and dasheen extracts had significantly lower liver weights when compared to the diabetic group fed regular rat diet (p<0.05), and the diabetic group fed normal rat diet plus commercial linamarin additive (p<0.05). Rats fed dasheen organic extract supplement had significantly lower blood glucose levels (13.18 ñ 3.53 mmol/l) compared to the diabetic group fed normal rat diet (19.50 ñ 5.16 mmol/l) at p<0.05. Rats fed dasheen organic extract supplement had significantly lower blood triglyceride levels (2.29 ñ 0.16 mmol/l) with respect to the normal; 9.85 ñ 0.57 mmol; p<0.05, while yam extract (9.57 ñ 0.55 mmol/l) and linamarin (10.63 ñ 0.46 mmol/l) fed groups did not show significant changes in blood triglyceride levels. Blood total cholesterol level was reduced from 9.71 ñ 0.23 mmol/l in the diabetic state to 6.14 ñ 0.05 mmol/l and 6.66 ñ 0.65 mmol/l by feeding supplements of yam and dasheen extracts, respectively. The diabetic condition did not significantly affect the integrity of the liver as measured by alanine and asparate transaminase activities in this short term study.(AU)

Lipids, apoliprotein-E genotypes and other risk factors of patients with coronary artery disease in Curacao

We studied lipids, apolipoprotein-E (apo-E) genotypes and other coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors of 67 CAD patients (male/female ratio 5) in Curacao. Compared with 57 controls, male CAD patients had higher cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, apo-B and decreased HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol concentrations. Other CAD risk factors were: increased fasting glucose and Hba concentration, decreased creatinine clearance, and increased prevalences of lipoprotein (a) concentration > 500 mg/l, renal disease, hyperhomcysteinaemia, diabetes mellitus type II (DM-II), positive CAD family history and cigarette smoking. Male CAD patients had higher plasma O-tocopherol. Compared with 29 female controls, female CAD patients had higher fasting plasma glucose with HbA concentrations, and prevalence of DM-II. Predicting factors for CAD development in the whole CAD group were: DM-II, cigarette smoking, apo-E/E and apo-E/E Apo-E was associated with lower HDL-and higher LDL-cholesterol concentrations. There is a need for local studies on improvement of diabetic control, reference values of lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine concentrations, on apolipoprotein (a) phenotypes, causes of hyperhomocysteinaemia, and dietary influences on CAD development in subject who carry the apo-E allele.(AU)

Prevalence of lipid risk factors for atherosclerosis in the Curacao Health Study: interactions with demographic and socio-economic variables - asbtract

The Curacao Health Study is a cross-sectional population-based study designed to give insight into the determinants of health on Curacao. This study presents prevalence data for lipid risk factors and interactions with demographic and socio-economic variables. Serum was collected from 1001 (44.5 percent) respondents included in the CHS study. These respondents were representative for all respondents. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured and LDL-cholesterol was calculated. Cholesterol levels increased significantly in women > 50 years of age, as did LDL-cholesterol levels. HDL-cholesterol was higher in women than in men (52 ñ 13 mg/dl vs 48 ñ 15 mg/dl). Mean total and LDL-cholesterol levels were comparable to Western European and Northern American populations. Multiple regression indicated that race (Black vs non-Black) did not contribute to cholesterol levels, whereas education, living in the East District, age, and gender did. These associations need further study before definitive conclusions can be drawn. We conclude that lipid risk factors are as prevalent on Curacao as in most Western societies (AU)

Lipids, apolipoprotein-E genotypes and other risk factors of patients with coronary artery disease in Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles - abstract

We studied lipids, apolipoprotein-E genotypes (apoe) and other coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors of 67 CAD patients (male/female ratio 6) in Curacao. Compared with 57 controls, male CAD patients had higher cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, apo-apo-B, apo-B/apo-Al, and decreased HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol. Other CAD risk factors were increased fasting glucose, HbA1c and prevalences of renal disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DM-II), positive CAD family history and cigarette smoking. Male CAD patients had higher plasma O-tocopherol eq but normal plasma O-tocopherol eq/ total lipid and á-carotene/total lipid; 38.5 percent of male CAD patients and 37.8 percent of male controls had Lp(a) above 300 mg/l. Compared with 29 female controls, female CAD patients had higher fasting plasma glucose, HbA 1c and prevalences of renal disease and DM-II. Predicting factors for CAD development in the whole CAD group were DM-II, cigarette smoking, apo-i3/i4 and apoi4. Apo-i was associated with lower DLH-and higher LDL-cholesterol. We conclude that classical atherogenic lipid profiles are associated with CAD in Curacao. It is questionable whether Lp(a) contributes to CAD in a predominantly negroid population. DM-II may considerably contribute to CAD development, notably in women. Apoi4, possibly because of induction of atherogenic lipid profile, is likely to be a risk factor (AU)

Ethnic differences in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in pregnant women of African and Caucasian origin

AIMS: To investigate differences in serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations in pregnant women of different ethnic origin. METHODS: Serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured in 232 women (114 Caucasians, 118 Africans/Afro-Caribbeans), who presented consecutively for screening for gestational diabetes in the third trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: African/Afro-Caribbean pregnant women had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B and higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations compared with Caucasian women. Apolipoprotein A1 concentrations were similar in the two groups. The differences were not attributable to differences in weight, age, parity, or postload plasma glucose levels. CONCLUSION: Ethnic origin is an important determinant of serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolioprotein concentrations during pregnancy (AU)

Peroxisomes and the fatty liver of malnutrition: an hypothesis 1-3

Peroxisomes play a role in hepatic á-oxidation of fat, a process that results in the production of hydrogen per-oxide. The fatty infiltration of the liver that occurs in severely malnourished children remains unexplained. We observed an almost total absence of peroxisomes in the hepatocytes of these children. We suggest that lack of available peroxisomes could contribute to the development of fatty liver.(AU)

Vitamin E, lipid fractions, and fatty acid composition of colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk: an international comparative study

Triglycerides, cholesterol, fatty acid composition, and tocopherols were determined in colustrum, transitional milk, and mature milk in St. Lucia. With progress of lactation, triglycerides and percentage medium-chain fatty acids increased whereas tocopherols, cholesterol and percentage long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased. These changes reflect augmented de novo synthesis of fatty acids (8:0, 10:0, 12:0, and 14:0) in the mammary gland and a tendency of increasing fat-globule size as milk matures. Transitional and mature milks, but particularly colustrum, contained higher concentrations of components considered to be derived from the fat-globule membrane (cholesterol, tocopherols, percentage long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) compared with those reported for Western countries. Percentage medium-chain fatty acids in mature milk was two to three times higher than in developed countries. Differences from data from studies in Western countries are discussed in relation to analytical methods and possible consequences for lipid digestion, lipid absorption, growth, and brain development.(AU)

Effect of alcohol on serum lipids in diabetes

This report emanated from a three-year study conducted at the Diabetic Outpatient Clinics convened at the Port-of-Spain and Sangre-Grande Hospitals in Trinidad. The diabetic population which participated consisted of 132 men and 245 women of African descent; and 99 men and 163 women of East Indian origin. The mean age was 50 years (ñ13). The effect of alcohol on lipid fractions varied in the two races. A lower incidence of ischaemic heart disease was observed among the alcohol consumers when compared to those who abstained (AU)

Comparison of the chemical and biochemical composition of thirteen muscles of the rat after dietary protein restriction

The objective of this study was to determine whether the chemical and biochemical changes induced by muscle wasting caused by dietary protein restriction are different in various skeletal muscles. Rats were fasted for 3 d and then fed on a 10 g protein/kg diet for 21d. Thirteen muscles from the trunk, forelimb, and hind-limb regions were analysed for muscle weight, and the content of water, fat, cellular and extracellular protein, DNA and RNA. Results were compared to values for an `initial' control group killed at the start of the experiment. Weight loss was greatest in trunk muscles and least in the distal forelimb muscles. Water content decreased in most muscles, but increased in three forelimb muscles. A significant loss of lipid was found in the gastroenemius, while the biceps brachii gained lipid. Changes in lipid content of the muscles did not form a distinctive pattern. All muscles except the distal forelimb muscles lost a significant amount of cellular protein, while all muscles except the diaphragm gained extracellular protein. DNA content was unchanged in all muscles. The value for cellular protein: DNA was significantly reduced in the rectus abdominis and the diaphragm. A significant loss of RNA was found in all muscles; the percentage change was greatest in trunk muscle and least in the distal forelimb muscles. The values for RNA: protein and RNA: DNA were significantly lower in all muscles except two distal forelimb muscles. With the exception of the water and lipid content of the muscles, the directions of the changes in the experimental animals were the same for all muscles. The results suggested, however, that the magnitude of changes in certain chemical and biochemical indices of composition may depend to some extent on the anatomical location of the muscle: trunk muscles tended to show the greatest percentage change, while the distal forelimbs changed the least.(AU)

Lipid metabolism in rats fed different fats during rehabilitation from malnutrition

Little is known of the effects of malnutrition on the composition of adipose tissue in children. Total body fat is severely depleted in most cases but it is not known how this affects the structure and subsequent regeneration and metabolic activity of the tissue. There is evidence that during normal growth in both children and animals that there are sensitive periods during which the cell number and cell size in adipose tissue may be altered by nutritional factors. This study was designed first to develop methodology for use in the analysis of small samples of tissues and then to study the composition of adipose tissue of rats which had been malnourished and then refed with high fat diets. Two different fats, peanut oil and coconut oil were used in order to investigate whether the type of fat in the diet infleunced the tissue composition. The available literature has been reviewed and the results of the measurement of DNA, protein and fat content of the tissue, of total body fat and of total body water are presented. The study has shown that: (a) adipose tissue of rats fed a protein-free diet containing peanut oil was more depleted of fat than if the diet contained coconut oil; (b) the accumulation of fat in the tissue of malnourished rats which had been refed with a diet containing peanut oil was more rapid than in those which were fed coconut oil. The increase in adipose tissue mass in both cases occurred by an increase in cell size rather than cell number; (c) total body water and total body fat were lower than normal in the malnourished rats. There was a progressive increase in total body fat as refeeding continued. Total body water increased very rapidly in the early stages of refeeding with peanut oil. Greater than normal values were attained only after 4 days refeeding. These values thereafter declined to normal. There was a slower increase to normal in the rats fed coconut oil. Total body fat was measured in children recovering from malnutrition on high energy diets containing either peanut oil or coconut oil. There was a tendency for the total body fat to increase more slowly in those fed coconut oil (Summary)

Amount and rate of disappearance of liver fat in malnourished infants in Jamaica

The fat content of the liver has been measured in 163 biopsy specimens taken from 95 malnourished children in Jamaica within a few days of admission to hospital and at various stages of recovery. The fat content was also measured in 38 samples from children who died. Severe degrees of fatty infiltration, up to 50 percent of the wet weight, were found. Fatty liver of this degree of severity may be a cause of death. The increase in fat was accompanied by an increase in water content. Repeat biopsies were done within 6 weeks of admission in 26 children. The average rate of clearance of fat expressed as a fraction of the amount present at any time was 5.5 percent per day. An attempt was made by more frequent biopsies to determine whether the rate of decrease was influenced by the protein content of the diet, but the results were inconclusive.(AU)

Techniques for the measurement of human body composition

In many disorders of nutrition, and of water and electrolyte balance, body weight may be an unreliable index of the clinical state, since it may fail to reflect the change in body composition which is physiologically more important. Some techniques by which body composition can be measured in the living subject have been briefly reviewed: recent developments in the field have included some methods of great expense and complexity, and some which are very cheap and simple. An attempt has been made to suggest which methods are most appropriate for specific applications, and to indicate the assumptions which are implicit in these methods (AU)

The response of malnourished babies to cold

Twelve malnourished Jamaican children, aged 4-6 months, were studied before and after treatment, to see whether malnutrition impared their response to cold. When they were studied in the post-absorptive state and in a neutral thermal environment, they had a lower rate of oxygen consumption per kg body weight, a slower pulse rate, lower body temperatures, lower R.Q., and evidence of a smaller peripheral blood flow on admission to hospital than they did after recovery. The malnourished children failed to increase their heat production above resting levels at 25§ C, and their rectal temperature fell at a rate of 1§ C/hr in spite of a further decrease in peripheral circulation. When they had recovered they maintained their body temperature within the normal range on exposure to this temperature, while increasing their heat production by 20 percent. The thermogenesis was apparently of the non-shivering type. There was evidence of increased metabolic activity in the interscapular brown fat pad at 25§ C both on admission and before discharge. In the malnourished children this activity was not sufficient to produce a measurable increase in total oxygen consumption. Interscapular brown fat was examined at autopsy in thirteen malnourished and fifteen well nourished children aged 1-24 months. Lipid depletion was found in this tissue in the former but not in the latter. This may explain the impared response of the malnourished child to cold. (AU)

Serum lipids and lipoprotein patterns in adults in a rural area of Jamaica - abstract

In a cardivascular-diabetes survey we examined 77 percent of a defined population of 695 rural Jamaican aged 25-64. Fastings and 1-hour post glucose load blood samples were drawn. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose were measured in the fasting and glucose in the 1-hour samples using Auto Analyzer techniques. Lipoprotein pater electrophoresis was run on the fasting serum within 48 hours of collection. A 12-lead electrocardiogram, blood pressure and a chest X-ray were taken and an effort pain questionnaire completed. Cholesterol values ranged from 98-545 Mg percent with a mean and standard deviation for males of 204.6, and 41.3 mg percent respectively and for females 226.3 and 37.5 mg percent respectively. Triglycerides ranged from 24-400 mg percent with a mean and standard deviation for males of 80.1 and 43.5mg percent respectively and for females 79.7 and 44.3mg percent respectively. The triglyceride distributions were markedly skewed. Cutting points to distinguish high from normal levels of lipids were determined statistically at the 95 percent points of the distributions for each sex and each of four age groups. Respondents were typed according to the method of Fredrickson et al. by refeference both to the electrophoretic strip and the lipid levels. Overall, 7.3 percent of males and 7.9 percent of females had both abnormal trips and lipids, with predominace of pattern types II and IV. The typeIV abnormality (high triglycerides) was associated with obesity and glucose intolerance type II (high cholesterol) only with glucose intolerance in women. Neither blood pressure nor cardiothoracic ratio was higher nor ECG ischaemia and angina more common among the abnormals than normals. Although high lipids levels are frequently found in Lawrence Tavern they are not apparently associated with manifestations of ischaemic heart disease or high blood pressure (AU)