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Background: Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability. Elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and more specifically, elevation of its small, dense phenotype (sdLDL-C) has been regarded as the key modifiable risk factors associated with atherogenesis. This study aimed to determine the association of LDL-C and sdLDL-C with the development of CVDs in the next six months to establish their predictive efficacy. Methods: A batch of 162 anonymized serum samples sent for analysis of lipid profile parameters, were classified into tests and controls based on the calculated LDL-C values obtained by Fried Ewald formula. Direct LDL-C was also estimated automatically using assay kits. Using the formula provided by Srisawasdi et al., sdLDL-C was then computed for all samples. Six months later, samples were deanonymized, and the lipid profiles were compared with cardiovascular outcomes of these patients, to determine which parameter had the greatest correlation. Results: Four control group patients and three test group patients developed the outcome (any cardiovascular event) during the 6-month follow-up period. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that none of the lipid profile parameters: calculated LDL-C (OR= 0.99; 95% CI= 0.97-1.01; p= 0.826), direct LDL-C (OR= 0.99; 95% CI= 0.97-1.01; p= 0.818) or sdLDL-C (OR= 0.99; 95% CI= 0.93-1.04; p= 0.734), were significantly associated with the occurrence of outcome. The median % sdLDL-C both with respect to direct and calculated LDL-C was slightly higher in patients with the outcome. Conclusion: The levels of LDL-C or its individual phenotypes may not be used singly as indicator of cardiovascular morbidity in the next six months.
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BACKGROUND: Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine and describes a vast array of herbs and herbal mixtures that are been demonstrated to possess efficacy in research investigations. Guggulutikthaka gritha (GTG) is one such drug evaluated for its role in skin and bone diseases. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory effect of the drug GTG was studied with the scope to treat dyslipidemia and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The animals (Wistar rats) were fed a high-fat diet and dyslipidemia was induced. The control group was provided with a normal chow diet and had free access to water. The treatment with the drug GTG was given for 21 days after confirming dyslipidemia. The blood glucose was measured immediately using a glucometer. The serum was analyzed for lipid profile and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule - 1(VCAM 1) by ELISA method before and after treatment. The histopathology of the heart and liver was also performed. RESULTS: The abnormal change in lipid profile, blood glucose, and inflammatory marker along with the accumulation of intracellular fats in the arteries of the heart and liver confirmed dyslipidemia. A significant reduction in serum lipid profile (p < 0.05), blood glucose (p < 0.05), and VCAM 1 (p < 0.05) was noted after the treatment with significant histopathological changes in arteries of the heart and liver. CONCLUSION: The study provides scientific validation on the drug GTG being effective in hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and inflammation in dyslipidemia.
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The most preferred antenatal screening test is first trimester dual test which has a detection rate of 95% for foetal chromosomal anomaly. Maternal serum free ß human chorionic gonadotropin (free ß hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A are used in first trimester dual test along with maternal demographic and foetal sonographic indices to calculate risk for foetal aneuploidy. Human placental lactogen is a placental hormone that is present in maternal serum only during pregnancy and its level rises in relation to the growth of the foetus and placenta. The objectives of this study was to measure and correlate maternal serum hPL with free ß hCG, maternal age, maternal age related risk ratio and calculated risk ratio of first trimester screening. After obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee, hPL and free ß hCG were measured from the serum of 84 pregnant women aged 20-40 years in 11-13th weeks + 6 days of gestation who underwent dual test during their antenatal check-up. Independent t test, Pearson's correlation, Spearman's correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA were used wherever appropriate. A significant positive correlation between maternal serum hPL, maternal age related aneuploidy risk ratio (p value < 0.001) and aneuploidy risk ratio at the time of delivery (p value < 0.001) was observed. Also maternal age was negatively correlated with maternal serum hPL (p value < 0.001) and positively correlated with maternal serum free ß hCG (p value 0.023). A significant negative correlation between maternal serum hPL and free ß hCG (p value < 0.001) was found. To conclude low level of maternal serum hPL in advanced maternal age may reflect decreased functional syncytiotrophoblast mass which may predispose to adverse pregnancy outcome. As chance of baby born with chromosomal anomaly is known to increase with advancing maternal age, hPL may have role in first trimester screening.
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BACKGROUND: The study aims at the comparison and correlation of serum levels of fructosamine and erythrocyte Na+/ K+ ATPase in Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and Non Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (Non GDM). METHODS: A total of 326 samples were divided into 4 groups. Pregnant women between the age group of 2040 years who gave samples for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) were included as the subjects. Anonymized and left over fasting and 2 hours' samples were collected from biochemistry laboratory, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. RESULTS: In the comparison of fructosamine levels in GDM and Non GDM, fructosamine was found to be significant (p value<0.001) in both fasting and 2 hours (G2) blood glucose condition. Na+/ K+ ATPase did not show any significant variation between the groups.Correlation was not significant between the parameters. CONCLUSION: Fructosamine showed significant increase when compared between the groups, whereas significant correlation is not obtained between the parameters. Thus, the use fructosamine as a diagnosis tool becomes inconclusive. Further studies must be carried out to identify a marker which reduces the interferences observed in fructosamine and to find out the exact relationship between hyperglycaemia and Na+/ K+ ATPase activity.