Development and characterization of letrozole-encapsulated polymeric beads for sustained release.

The study aimed to prepare and characterize biodegradable sustained-release beads of letrozole (LTZ) for treating cancerous disease. The ionotropic gelation method was used for the preparation and calcium chloride (CaCl2) was used as a gelating agent, while chitosan (CTS) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) as biodegradable polymeric matrices in the blend hydrogel beads. The beads were characterized for their size, surface morphology, drug entrapment efficiency, drug-polymer interaction and crystallinity using different analytic techniques, including optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-spectroscopy, Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) respectively. In vitro swelling studies were also applied to observe the response of these polymeric networks against different pH (at 1.2, 6.8 and 7.4 pH). The results from TGA and DSC exhibited that the components in the formulation possess better thermal stability. The XRD of polymeric networks displays a minor crystalline and significant amorphous nature. The SEM micrographs revealed that polymeric networks have uneven surfaces and grooves. Better swelling and in vitro outcomes were achieved at a high pH (6.8,7.4), which endorsed the pH-responsive characteristics of the prepared beads. Hence, beads based on chitosan and sodium alginate were successfully synthesized and can be used for the controlled release of letrozole.

Expression analysis of ABCA1 in type 2 diabetic Pakistani patients with and without dyslipidemia and correlation with glycemic index and lipid profile.

Diabetes Mellitus type II, earlier considered as an endocrinological disorder is now more regarded as an inflammatory disorder along with lipid aberrations. It demands for regular monitoring, healthy dietary habits and lifestyle modification. This study was focused on gene expression of ATP binding cassette protein 1 (ABCA1) in diabetic dyslipidemia patients in comparison with control groups of only diabetics and healthy individuals. Blood samples and data were collected from recruited 390 patients who were further divided into three groups (130 each). Glycemic index and lipid profile was assessed. Delta Delta Ct method was used that revealed downregulation of the studied gene more in diabetic dyslipidemia patients as compared to only diabetics and healthy controls. The Ct values of ABCA1 were associated with glycemic index and lipid profile using Pearson's correlation. A negative correlation with fasting blood sugar and a positive correlation with HbA1cwas observed in only diabetics group. While in diabetic dyslipidemia and normal healthy controls, a negative correlation was found with both. As far as the lipid profile is concerned a positive correlation was observed among only diabetics with whole lipid profile. In diabetics with dyslipidemia, a negative correlation with all parameters except the TAGs was observed. A positive correlation with all except HDL was observed in healthy controls. The Ct values and fold change were compared among diseased and healthy individuals by applying independent t test. The cycle threshold in only diabetics was p = 0.000018 and in diabetic dyslipdemia individuals was p = 0.00251 while fold change in only diabetics (p = 0.000230) and in diabetics with dyslipidemia (p = 0.001137) was observed to be as statistically significant.