Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors among the urban elderly population in Hyderabad metropolitan city, South India.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency of vitamin D has been associated with various health conditions. However, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and factors associated with VDD are not well studied, especially among the urban elderly population of India. AIM: To assess the prevalence of VDD and its associated factors among the urban free-living elderly population in Hyderabad. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 urban elderly (≥60 years) by adapting a random sampling procedure. Demographic particulars were collected. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were recorded using standard equipment. Fasting glucose, lipid profile and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) D] were estimated in plasma samples. RESULTS: The mean ± SE plasma vitamin D and the prevalence of VDD among the urban elderly population were 19.3 ± 0.54 (ng/ml) and 56.3%, respectively. The prevalence of VDD was significantly associated with education, high body mass index (BMI), hypertension (HT) and metabolic syndrome (MS). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed HT as a significant predictor of vitamin D deficiency and the risk of VDD was double among the elderly with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of VDD was high among the urban elderly population in the south Indian city of Hyderabad. High BMI, MS, HT and education are significant associated factors of VDD.

Effect of Garcinia indica Powder on Metabolic Parameters and Body Composition in Genetically Mutant WNIN/GR-Ob Rats.

Obesity is associated with metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Antiobesity drugs are available but have side effects. Hydroxy citric acid (HCA) with ATP-citrate lyase enzyme-inhibiting activity has been identified as a safe potential supplement for weight management and as an antiobesity agent. In the present study, we aim to test the antiobesity potential of the fruit rind powder of G. indica (a plant rich in HCA) in genetically obese rats. Forty-five-day-old Male WNIN/GR-Ob rats were divided equally into four groups with each group having six rats. Group 1 was fed with a standard powder diet (SPD), whereas Groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed with SPD containing 1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively, of G. indica powder for 12 weeks. Food intake, body composition, oral glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lipid profile, hepatic glycogen, ATP-citrate lyase, and Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were measured. Histological analysis of vital organs and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was carried out in liver sections for citrate lyase score. G. indica significantly decreased food intake, body weight, body fat %, hepatic and circulating triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver steatosis. In addition, G6PDH and ATP-citrate lyase enzyme activities were decreased along with an increase in liver glycogen. The IHC scores of citrate lyase were lower in treated groups. The results indicate that G. indica exerts favorable effects on obesity with a possible mechanism of anorectic effects, suppressed citrate lyase enzyme activity, and improved insulin sensitivity due to the modulation of carbohydrate metabolism by the phytochemicals and secondary metabolites.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the general population and healthcare workers in India, December 2020-January 2021.

BACKGROUND: Earlier serosurveys in India revealed seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) of 0.73% in May-June 2020 and 7.1% in August-September 2020. A third serosurvey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in India. METHODS: The third serosurvey was conducted in the same 70 districts as the first and second serosurveys. For each district, at least 400 individuals aged ≥10 years from the general population and 100 HCWs from subdistrict-level health facilities were enrolled. Serum samples from the general population were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S1-RBD) proteins of SARS-CoV-2, whereas serum samples from HCWs were tested for anti-S1-RBD. Weighted seroprevalence adjusted for assay characteristics was estimated. RESULTS: Of the 28,598 serum samples from the general population, 4585 (16%) had IgG antibodies against the N protein, 6647 (23.2%) had IgG antibodies against the S1-RBD protein, and 7436 (26%) had IgG antibodies against either the N protein or the S1-RBD protein. Weighted and assay-characteristic-adjusted seroprevalence against either of the antibodies was 24.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23.0-25.3%]. Among 7385 HCWs, the seroprevalence of anti-S1-RBD IgG antibodies was 25.6% (95% CI 23.5-27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in four individuals aged ≥10 years from the general population as well as HCWs in India had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by December 2020.