Plasma electrolytes in healthy individuals and elective surgical patients in Khartoum

This study aimed to investigate if the frequently observed low preoperative values of the plasma electrolytes Na[+], K[+], and Ca[+2] in our surgical patients, in Khartoum, is a reflection of their levels in the population at large or it is a genuine finding in patients. 90 male and female subjects were included in this study. 60 healthy, young and elderly individuals were selected randomly from amongst medical students and employees of the University of Khartoum. 30 elective orthopedic and general surgical patients were randomly selected from Khartoum teaching hospital. Plasma Na[+] and K[+] were measured using a digital flammometer, and plasma Ca[+2] was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results were compared to international data using the Z test. Comparison between the groups in the study was done using the student t-test. Plasma Na[+], K[+], and Ca[+2] of the healthy subjects and the surgical patients were found to be low compared to the international reference values. Plasma K[+] is higher and Ca[+2] is lower in the older subjects when compared to young ones. A larger study is needed to set the normal values for plasma electrolytes in Sudan. The high environmental temperature and nature of our diets could be the reason for the observed differences between our subjects and international reference values

Gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP alter levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells under various culture conditions

Gastrointestinal hormones have traditionally been viewed as mere regulators of gut movement and secretions, but, it is becoming increasingly apparent that other body systems may be affected by these hormones. Secretion of gut hormones is influenced by the type of food we take. Therefore, the more we know about the effects of gut hormones on the various body tissues, the more we know about the different mechanisms by which our diets affect our health. This in vitro study aimed to explore the effects of physiologically-relevant concentrations of four gut hormones on the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and how culture conditions may modif_ those effects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation from the blood of 15 adults. Cells were cultured with/without PHA and treated with four concentrations of gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP. IL-2 and IFN-gamma in culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. Gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP increased IL-2 and TFN-gamma levels under some culture conditions and depressed lL-2 under other conditions. An increase was oflen observed under culture conditions in which the cytokine production was not initially high. Repeated administration of the hormone was also more likely to result in a stimulatory effect. Physiologically-relevant concentrations of gastrin, secretin, GIP and VIP are potential immunomodulators as they have shown their ability to alter the production of IL-2 and/or IFN-gamma under various culture conditions

Patterns of digital volume pulse waveform and pulse transit time in young and older individuals

Arterial wall changes underlie many disorders of aging and the complications of diseases like hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Analyzing the pulse wave is an easy, noninvasive method used to assess vessel wall stiffness and pulse changes. In this study the digital volume pulse wave and the pulse transit time of the thumb and big toe were analyzed in young and older subjects some of whom were hypertensive. We aimed to study the components and patterns of the pulse waveform and the pulse transit time and how they might change. Seventy volunteers were drawn from the students and employees of the University of Khartoum. A Powerlab system, ECG leads and a Pulse Mechanotranducer were used. SPSS programme was used for analysis. Young subjects had two main patterns of digital volume pulse waveform in the thumb and two patterns in big toe. The older subjects showed significant decrease in prominence of the diastolic pulse flow waves in both thumb and toe. There was a significant decrease in pulse transit time with advancing age. The prominence of systolic deflections combined with decrease in diastolic deflections in the digital waveform in older subjects indicated shift in blood flow towards systole. Changes of pulse waveforms are more prominent in the feet than in the hands. The decreased pulse transit time could explain some, but not all of the observed changes especially in the feet. Digital volume wave form analysis can be developed into a bedside test