Plasma Fatty Acid Composition and Estimated Desaturase Activities Reflect Dietary Patterns in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome.

Changes in plasma fatty acid (FA) composition and desaturase activities are observed in metabolic syndrome (MS). However, whether these changes are a reflection of dietary intakes of fats and FAs is not well established. The current study was aimed at assessing plasma FA composition and desaturase enzyme activities as biomarkers of dietary intakes in subjects with MS. Case control study was done on 41 MS patients and was compared with age matched 45 controls. Dietary intakes, anthropometric and clinical parameters were measured. FA composition was analysed using gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector and desaturase enzyme activities were estimated as ratios of product to precursor FAs. Higher levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:1, D9D-18 activity and lower levels of 18:0 and 18:2 n-6 were seen in MS group when compared to controls (p < 0.05). Strong positive correlations were seen between plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:1, total saturated fatty acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid, and D9D activities, while 18:0, 18:2 n-6 and total polyunsaturated fatty acid were negatively correlated with TG. Positive correlations were seen between plasma 14:0, 18:1 and D9D-18 activity with total energy intake and carbohydrate (CHO) intakes but not with fat intake. Plasma FA profile appears to be a better index of total energy intake and CHO intake than fat intake, suggesting it might be a good reflection of endogenous FA metabolism. Changes in FA composition may therefore serve as an early index of dysregulation of FA metabolism, resulting in increased risk of MS.

Usefulness of serum CA 15.3 and histopathological prognostic indices in breast cancer.

Prognostic factors influence the modality and course of therapy in breast cancer. These include both histopathological and biochemical variables. This study was aimed to find out if any correlation exists between the biochemical tumor marker-serum CA 15.3, and the lymph node staging of Nottingham's Prognostic Index (NPI). It was observed that serum CA 15.3 showed a statistically significant correlation with lymph node staging of NPI. Therefore it is concluded that CA 15.3 can be utilized as a useful prognostic marker, particularly in cases where histopathological variables such as tumor size and grade have been altered by pre-operative chemotherapy.

Ferritin, a potent threat for acute myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND: Studies conducted have yielded contradicting results on the role of ferritin as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The relation of ferritin status to risk of AMI in Indian men, along with other established major risk factors like serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides has not been documented previously. The hypothesis that increased serum ferritin was related to increased chances of AMI along with the risk factors was tested. METHODS: Case control study involving 145 men (100 cases and 45 healthy control subjects) in the age group of 30-70 years. Serum ferritin levels were estimated by using ELISA, and other risk factors by enzymatic methods. RESULTS: Increased serum ferritin levels significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with an increase of other risk factors in Indian male patients with AMI. CONCLUSION: Significant direct correlation between serum ferritin levels and risk of AMI was observed.

Serum markers for early diagnosis of non-'Q' wave and 'Q' wave myocardial infarction.

The present study conducted on twenty-five uncomplicated cases of acute myocardial infarction diagnosed by clinical and electrocardiographic findings indicated significantly increased level of cardiac Troponin-T and increased activities of the enzymes total creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase as compared to the twenty-five healthy control subjects. The level of cardiac Troponin-T and the activities of the enzymes total creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase was found to be higher in "Q" wave myocardial infarction patients as compared to the non-"Q" wave and the controls. Since cardiac Troponin-T has been shown to increase in unstable angina and renal failure without cardiac disease and creatine kinase-MB activity has been found to be normal in patients with unstable angina and increase very slightly in patients with renal failure, it was concluded that a combination of cardiac Troponin-T and creatine kinase-MB activity was sufficient for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

The effect of a controlled 8-week metabolic ward based lysine supplementation on muscle function, insulin sensitivity and leucine kinetics in young men.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The 2007 FAO/WHO/UNU lysine requirement is 30 mgkg(-1)d(-1). Developing country populations may be at risk of lysine deficiency, with effects on muscle and its function. The effect of an 8 wk lysine supplementation diet on muscle mass and function was assessed. METHODS: Healthy, under and well-nourished men were studied before and after 8 wk, during which low (n=20) and high (n=20) lysine diets were consumed. The low lysine diets (∼25 and ∼40 mgkg(-1)d(-1) for under and well-nourished respectively) were based on the subjects' habitual lysine intake, while the high lysine diet supplied 80 mgkg(-1)d(-1). Anthropometry, muscle function, insulin sensitivity (IS) and leucine kinetics were measured before and after the experimental period. RESULTS: The high lysine diet had a small positive effect (about +7.5%) on muscle strength, but no effect on other parameters. Over the 8 wk period in the whole group, the change in muscle strength correlated with the change in muscle mass (r=0.5, P=0.001), while the change in muscle mass correlated with the change in IS (r=0.3, P=0.04), but there were no intake specific differences. CONCLUSION: Over an 8 wk controlled feeding period, an intake of 80 mg lysine kg(-1)d(-1) had a small positive effect on muscle strength, but no other effects.

Utility of blood DNA levels in diagnosis of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors, including both histopathological and biochemical variables, influence the choice of modality and the course of therapy in breast cancer. The biomarkers found in biological fluids, particularly in blood, apparently hold the best promise for the development of screening assays. AIM: To find out if any correlation exists between blood DNA level and tumor stage, size and grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was carried out on 52 female patients in the age-group of 18-70 years. The cases comprised 25 patients with histopathologically confirmed malignant breast cancer, while 27 patients with benign breast tumors served as the control group. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used the Student's 't' test to compare the differences between the blood DNA levels in the two groups. Pearson's test was performed to find out the correlation between blood DNA levels and the TNM stage, tumor size and grade. RESULTS: It was observed that blood DNA levels showed statistically significant correlation with the TNM stage, tumor size and grade. CONCLUSION: The blood DNA level can be utilized as a noninvasive marker to assess tumor aggressiveness. Thus, it can be useful as a prognostic marker and as a marker of tumor burden.