A pilot assessment of oxidative stress byproducts and antioxidant activities among Indian patients with various stages of hypertension.

In humans, hypertension is considered a state of oxidative stress that can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and other hypertension-induced organ damages. The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative status, antioxidant activities, and oxidative stress by-products among Indian patients with various stages of hypertension. Lipid profile, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, lipid peroxidation as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), C-reactive protein, electrolytes, and minerals were analyzed in the blood of newly diagnosed prehypertensives, stage I and II hypertensives (n = 20 in each group) and were compared to their age-matched normotensives. Elevated levels of lipid profile (except high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) were observed in stage I and II hypertensive patients. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were significantly (P < 0.05) lower, while TBARS and C-reactive protein were higher in prehypertensives, and stage I and II hypertensives. Significant (P <0.05) changes were also observed in the plasma Na(+) and K(+) concentrations among the hypertensive groups. Serum levels of zinc, copper, and magnesium were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in prehypertensives, and stage I and II hypertensives as compared to normotensives. The study indicated a strong association between blood pressure (BP) and oxidative stress-related parameters and suggests a possible role of oxidative stress in the development of elevated BP.

Sesame oil exhibits synergistic effect with anti-diabetic medication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recently, studies have reported that sesame oil lowered blood pressure and improved antioxidant status in hypertensive and diabetic-hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sesame oil with anti-diabetic (glibenclamide) medication as combination therapy in mild-to moderate diabetic patients. METHODS: This open label study included sixty type 2 diabetes mellitus patients divided into 3 groups, receiving sesame oil (n = 18), 5 mg/day (single dose) of glibenclamide (n = 20), or their combination (n = 22). The patients were supplied with sesame oil [BNB Sesame oil(TM)] except glibenclamide group, and instructed to use approximately 35 g of oil/day/person for cooking, or salad preparation for 60 days. 12 h-fasting venous blood samples were collected at baseline (0 day) and after 60 days of the experiment for various biochemical analysis. RESULTS: As compared with sesame oil and glibenclamide alone, combination therapy showed an improved anti-hyperglycemic effect with 36% reduction of glucose (P < 0.001 vs before treatment, P < 0.01 vs sesame oil monotherapy, P < 0.05 vs glibenclamide monotherapy) and 43% reduction of HbA(1c) (P < 0.001 vs before treatment, P < 0.01 vs sesame oil monotherapy, P < 0.05 vs glibenclamide monotherapy) at the end point. Significant reductions in the plasma TC, LDL-C and TG levels were noted in sesame oil (20%, 33.8% and 14% respectively vs before treatment) or combination therapies (22%, 38% and 15% respectively vs before treatment). Plasma HDL-C was significantly improved in sesame oil (15.7% vs before treatment) or combination therapies (17% before treatment). Significant (P < 0.001) improvement was observed in the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in patients treated with sesame oil and its combination with glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS: Sesame oil exhibited synergistic effect with glibenclamide and can provide a safe and effective option for the drug combination that may be very useful in clinical practice for the effective improvement of hyperglycemia.

Single- or double-blind treatment With Balsamodendron mukul and nifedipine in hypertensive patients.

This study assessed and compared the effects of Balsamodendron mukul (an extract of the gum of a small tree) and nifedipine (a calcium-channel-blocking reference drug) on blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, and phospholipids in randomly selected patients with essential hypertension. Fifty-seven newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were randomly divided into three groups. They received either single-blind B. mukul (1.5 g/d) or single-blind nifedipine (10 mg/d) double-blind therapy with nifedipine (10 mg/d) and B. mukul (1.5 g/d) for 6 weeks. These groups were compared with control subjects. On treatment with B. mukul, levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipid levels were significantly reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly elevated, as compared with untreated hypertensive patients. Combined therapy with B. mukul and nifedipine was more beneficial than the treatment with B. mukul alone. Our study suggests that B. mukul may be an effective antihypertensive and hypolipidemic agent.