Effects of canola oil supplemented with atherogenic element and Nigella sativa [kalonji] on serum lipids in albino rats - An experimental study

To compare effects of canola oil supplemented with atherogenic element and Nigella sativa serum lipids in albino rats. Study was conducted at Pathology Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, for 12 weeks. [Laboratory based randomized controlled trials]. Seventy two albino rats were selected and randomly divided into six groups of twelve animals with equal number of male and female in each. Fourteen days after acclimatization to the environment and basal diet, fasting blood samples [zero week] were collected by heart puncture under ether anesthesia and experimental diets were started which were continued for 12 weeks. All parameters were measured using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Estimations of serum lipids showed increase in total cholesterol [TC] and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [HDL-c] levels but fall in LDL-c concentrations in groups fed on canola oil diet. On the other hand, even atherogenic supplemented groups had decrease in cardio-protective HDL-c and raised LDL-c; although statistically non-significant Thus canola oil diets were not hyperlipidaeinic and prevented adiposity. Nigella sativa [NS] diets significantly decreased serum total cholesterol and LDL-c while HDL-c was raised but non-significantly. Thus Nigella sativa prevented deposition of lipids in tissues, thus preventing tendency to obesity and atherogenesis by decreasing LDL-c in serum Nigella sativa produces antilipidaemic and anti-obesity effects by decreasing low density lipoprotein cholesterol level which is statistically significant in two out of the three groups fed on Ns; it also increased high density cholesterol which was however nonsignificant in comparison with canola oil alone

Clinical importance of thyroid perocidase autoantibodies determination in pregnancy

Pregnant women with positive thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies [TPO-Ab] have an increased risk for developing postpartum thyroiditis [PPT]. Eighty clinically healthy pregnant women in third trimester were screened for TPO-Ab titres by radio-immunoassay [RIA] technique and were followed 3-4 months postpartum. During pregnancy TPO-Ab seropositivity was seen in 17.5% cases. Serum thyroxine [T] and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels done only in seropositive cases were within normal limits. After follow-up 21.25% cases showed TPO-Ab seropositivity 3-4 months postpartum. The rise in TPO-Ab titre was very significant in 23.5% of seropositive case [5% of the total] who developed mild thyrotoxic phase of PPT. Serum T levels were increased above normal limits while serum TSH levels were decreased in them along with the clinical findings. Twenty nonpregnant women were included in the study as controls who were all seronegative for TPO-Ab showing significantly high prevalence of TPO-Ab during pregnancy [P<0.001]

Clinical importance of thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies [TPO-AB] in pregnancy

Pregnant women with positive thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies [TPO-Ab] run an increased risk developing postpartum thyroiditis [PPT]. Eight clinically healthy pregnant women in third trimester were screened for TPO-Ab titres by radio-immunoassay [RIA], and were followed 3-4 months postpartum. During pregnancy TPO-Ab seropositivity was seen in 14[17.5%] cases. Serum thyroxine [T4] and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels, done only in seropositive cases, were within normal limits. Seventeen [21.3%] cases showed TPO-Ab seropositivity 3-4 months postpartum. The rise in TPO-Ab titre was highly significant in 4[23.5%] of seropositive cases which is 5% of the total who developed mild thyrotoxic phase of PPT. Serum T4 levels were raised, while serum TSH levels were decreased in them along with the clinical findings. Twenty non-pregnant women were included in the study as controls who were all seronegative for TPO-Ab, thus showing significantly high prevalence of TPO-Ab during pregnancy [P< 0.001]