Dose-dependent effects of fenugreek seed extract on the biochemical and haematological parameters in high-fat diet-fed rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to assess the effects of fenugreek seed extract on various biochemical and haematological parameters in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (n = 6): 1) control rats, 2) HFD-fed control rats 3) rats fed with HFD and fenugreek (FG) seed extract at doses of 200 mg/kg/day, 300 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks. Blood was collected to examine the biochemical and haematological parameters using a veterinary blood cell counter; blood indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC, red blood cell distribution width, haemoglobin (Hb) levels, haematocrit, and platelet counts were measured. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min at room temperature to obtain serum for the estimation of lipid profiles, and aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. RESULTS: Rats fed with FG at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day showed a significant increase in the red blood cell count, Hb levels, haematocrit, and MCV, and a significant decrease in the lymphocyte count. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats from the HFD control group, compared to those in the normal control group, but decreased significantly in rats fed with 400 mg/kg/day of FG. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggest that FG seed extract exhibits hypolipidaemic activity and significantly improves the activity of hepatic enzymes, and the blood counts and indices in rats with HFD-induced obesity.

Correlation of cord blood lipid heterogeneity in neonates with their anthropometry at birth.

OBJECTIVE: Fetus with intrauterine stress may exhibit programmed changes that can alter its metabolism and bear severe risk for diseases in adult life. The current study was designed to assess the correlation between cord blood lipid profile with the anthropometric data in neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 146 newborn babies born at Dr. T M A Pai Hospital, Udupi were screened and their birth weight, length, head circumference and abdominal circumference were noted at birth. Umbilical cord blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Infants were also grouped further based on gestational age (GA) and sex-adjusted birth weight percentiles into three groups i.e. Small for gestational age (SGA), Appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and Large for gestational age (LGA) for comparison of their lipid profiles. Inclusion criteria were normal fetal heart rate at birth and an APGAR score >7. Statistical significance of relation between lipid profile and anthropometry was done using ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Triglycerides were significantly higher in babies with higher ponderal index (PI) than those with lower PI (P = 0.011). The TG level of SGA babies were significantly higher as compared to AGA group (P = 0.001). The LDL levels in neonates with higher abdominal circumference were significantly lower than those with lower AC (P = 0.019). Mean HDL levels were higher in neonates with larger AC, but not statistically significant. Maternal BMI had no influence on neonates' lipid profile. CONCLUSION: Abnormal intrauterine milieu created by maternal changes during gestation may bear a profound impact on lipid metabolism in neonates, which may account for their differences in lipid profile and anthropometry at birth.

Erythrocyte indicators of oxidative changes in patients with graded traumatic head injury.

CONTEXT: Acute oxidative stress following a traumatic head injury (HI) has been implicated in inducing severe secondary brain damage and influencing the clinical outcome of HI patients. AIMS: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the oxidative changes in patients with varying severity of HI in the early posttraumatic period using erythrocyte indicators. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Head injury patients were divided into two groups based on their Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores recorded at admission to the hospital on the day of trauma itself. Accordingly, the study included 30 severe HI (SHI, GCS scores 8 or less) and 25 Mild HI (MHI, GCS scores more than 8) patients. Thirty age and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this comparative study as controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from controls and HI patients (within 24 h of trauma onset). Erythrocyte oxidative changes were studied by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR). RESULTS: Erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly higher and GSH levels were significantly lower in SHI and MHI patients as compared to controls. The SOD activity was significantly increased only in SHI patients and remained unchanged in MHI patients as compared to controls. As compared to MHI patients, erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly higher, GSH levels were significantly lower and SOD activity was markedly elevated in SHI patients. Erythrocyte GR activity did not show significant changes in both groups of patients as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress is evident in both SHI and MHI patients in the early posttraumatic period as reflected by their erythrocyte indicators, but the severity of oxidative stress has varied relatively with the severity of head injury. The present findings provide indications that early oxidative changes could influence the neurological recovery of HI patients.

Time-relative changes in the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and their relationship with Glasgow Coma Scale scores in severe head injury patients in the 21-day posttraumatic study period.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species are indicated to play a prime role in the pathophysiology of brain damage following a severe head injury (SHI). AIM: The current study was designed to understand the time-relative changes and relationship between erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of SHI patients in the 21-day posttraumatic study period. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study included 24 SHI patients and 25 age- and sex-matched normal controls (NC). Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed in these patients and controls. The GCS scores of these patients were also recorded for the comparative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Venous blood samples were collected on day 7 (D7) and D21 from SHI patients and NC for the assay of SOD, GR and GSH-Px activities. These changes were correlated with age and changes in GCS scores of patients. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean values of each parameter between group 1 (NC), group 2 (D7 changes in SHI patients) and group 3 (D21 changes in SHI patients). ANOVA was followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. The Pearson correlation was applied to correlate between the antioxidant parameters and age and GCS scores of these patients. RESULTS: A significant increase in erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities was observed in group 3 as compared to groups 1 and 2. The increase in GSH-Px activity was significant in group 2 as compared to group 1. Although not significant, there was an increase in mean GR activity in groups 2 and 3 as compared to group 1. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that SHI patients have shown significantly enhanced erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities during the 21-day posttraumatic study period.