Evaluation of ischemia-modified albumin, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in acute ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is characterized by increased production of reactive oxygen species resulting in the generation of lipid peroxides such as malondialdehyde (MDA). The studies have shown that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), which has widely been studied as a marker of ischemia, also increases as result of oxidative stress. Hence, the current study was done to evaluate the serum MDA, IMA along with serum uric acid, and albumin, which are important metabolic antioxidants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with acute ischemic stroke were taken as cases and compared with 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Serum MDA, IMA, uric acid, and albumin were estimated both in cases and controls. Serum MDA was estimated by the method of Satoh and IMA by Bar-Or et al. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Serum MDA and IMA values were significantly increased in cases (P < 0.0001), whereas serum uric acid and albumin values were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in comparison to controls. There was also highly significant positive correlation between serum IMA and MDA (r = 0.843,P < 0.0001), whereas there were significant negative correlations between serum IMA and uric acid (r = -0.237,P < 0.05), and albumin (r = -0.326,P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hence, we conclude the oxidative stress plays a major role in the etiopathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke, and the deranged oxidant-antioxidant balance further contributes to its severity.

Hb Hope: A Rare Variant of Haemoglobin-Forged a Rise in HbA1c on Immunoturbidimetric Assay.

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) determination is a powerful means for assessing the evaluation and management of patients with diabetes mellitus. Hemoglobin (Hb) variants and chemically modified derivatives of Hb can affect the accuracy of measurement of HbA1c done by various analytical methods. We report a patient with a rare variant of Hb (Hb Hope) that caused an abnormally high value of HBA1c when assayed using immunoturbidimetric assay ("Tina-quant" 2nd generation assay) and also elucidate the nature of the variant.

Insulin resistance and hypothyroidism: a complex relationship in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

An association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with insulin resistant metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism has been suggested. Aim of the present study was to explore the above association and also to establish the correlation between hypothyroidism and insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Study group comprised 40 cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 30 healthy controls. Serum samples were analysed for fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile and thyroid hormones. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostatic model of assessment calculation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients demonstrated significantly higher insulin resistance, TSH values and significantly lower FT4 values as compared to controls, which illustrates the prevalence of insulin resistance and hypothyroidism in patients. A significant positive correlation between TSH and Insulin resistance (r = 0.87, p < 0.001) and a significant negative correlation between FT4 and insulin resistance (r = -0.14, p < 0.001) were established in the cases. Moreover TSH was significantly related to low density lipoprotein cholesterol, independent of insulin resistance. There have been some doubts over the clinical correlation between insulin resistance and hypothyroidism to delineate increased risk of cardiovascular disease. So earlier detection and treatment of risk factors may have a significant impact on progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Effect of Metformin on Hormonal and Biochemical Profile in PCOS Before and After Therapy.

Insulin resistance and the resultant hyperinsulinemia exacerbate the reproductive abnormalities of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome by increasing ovarian androgen productions and decreasing serum sex hormone binding globulin. The present study was conducted to estimate serum insulin and testosterone level in 44 PCOS cases and 32 control patients. Simultaneously the role of metformin (an insulin sensitizing agent) in modulating insulin resistance and serum androgen level was also analyzed. A significant rise in serum insulin and testosterone (P < 0.001) was observed in cases in comparison to control. Fasting Plasma Glucose to insulin ratio, a marker of insulin resistance revealed a significant fall in PCOS group. Follow up of cases with metformin for 3 months revealed a significant fall in serum insulin (P < 0.05) with improvement in insulin resistance along with a nonsignificant fall in testosterone level. Serum insulin registered a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with serum testosterone revealing its etiological association. Thus administration of drugs ameliorating insulin levels is expected to provide new therapeutic modality for PCOS.