Serum cholinesterase level as a biomarker in detecting liver injury in Patients with chronic hepatitis c

Background: hepatitis C virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. The acute process is self-limited, rarely causes hepatic failure and usually leads to chronic infection. Chronic HCV infection often follows a progressive course over many years and can ultimately result in cirrhosis, HCC and the need for liver transplantation. Objective: the aim of this study is to evaluate serum cholinesterase (CHE) level as a biomarker for detecting liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients and Methods: the current study was carried out on 50 subjects selected from the outpatient's clinic of Internal Medicine Department of Sayed Galal Hospital, Al-Azhar University and admitted to the internal department. The study was performed in the period between July-2014 to July -2019. Results: Sensitivity of cholinesterase is 100%, its specificity is 100% and its accuracy is 100%, in predicting liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Cholinesterase is positively correlated with Hb, platelets and albumin. Cholinesterase is negatively correlated with ALT, AST and ALP, total & direct bilirubin, PT, INR, urea, creatinine and AFP. There is significant increase of cholinesterase among compensated compared with decompensated cirrhotic patients. There is significant decrease of cholinesterase among compensated cirrhotic patients compared with controls. There is significant decrease of cholinesterase among decompensated cirrhotic patients compared with controls. Conclusion: cholinesterase is an excellent biomarker of cirrhosis with good sensitivity and specificity. Cholinesterase shows good correlation with albumin, PT, INR and Child-Puch score. Cholinesterase distinguishes decompensated cirrhosis from compensated cirrhosis well

The duration of intra-abdominal hypertension and increased serum lactate level are important prognostic markers in critically ill surgical patient's outcome: a prospective, observational study

The present study analyzed the clinical significance of duration of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) associated with increased serum lactate in critically ill patients with severe sepsis. Materials and Methods: Our study was an observational, prospective study carried out in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at J.L.N Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. In our study, we included a total of 100 patients and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was measured through intravesical route at the time of admission and after 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h via a urinary catheter filled with 25 ml of saline. Duration of ICU and hospital stay, need for ventilator support, initiation of enteral feeding, serum lactate level at time of admission and after 48 h, and 30-day mortality were noted asoutcomes.Results:In our study, an overall incidence of IAH was 60%. Patients with cardiovascular surgery and renal and pulmonary dysfunction were 93.3%, 55%, and 60%, respectively, at the time of admission and 65%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, after 72 h of admission in the surgical ICU. Nonsurvivors had statistically significant higher IAP and serum lactate levels than survivors. Patients with longer duration of IAH had longer ICU and hospital stay, longer duration of vasopressors and ventilator support, and delayed enteral feeding.Conclusion:There is a strong relationship "risk accumulation" between duration of IAH associated with increased serum lactate and organdysfunction. The duration of IAH was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. Early recognition and prompt intervention for IAH and severe sepsis are essential to improve the patient outcomes

Pattern of serum electrolytes and cortisol levels in Nigerians with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder, the commonest endocrine disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Studies on electrolytes derangement in complicated diabetes abound but there are few in uncomplicated diabetes. To determine, compare and correlate serum electrolytes and Cortisol levels in a cohort of uncomplicated type 2 diabetics. A cross sectional study of sixty (60) type 2 diabetes patients of 5-10 years duration without complications and 50 healthy non-diabetic controls that were recruited from the diabetes and general out-patient clinics of a tertiary care facility over 3 months. Using a study questionnaire, information on age, anthropometry, fasting blood Glucose, serum electrolytes and Cortisol were obtained and analyzed following standard procedures. The mean 2 age (years) of diabetics was 49.58 ( ± 11.2) and controls 47.00 ( ± 12.1) and their BMI (Kg/m )[26.47 ( ± 3.97) vs 25.77 ( ± 4.85) respectively were not significantly different (p=0.524; p=0.407). The Waist-hipratio (WHR) was significantly higher in diabetics [0.933 ± 0.004 vs 0.905 ± 0.83) p=0.024]. The mean values of studied parameters among the diabetics and controls respectively are as follows: fasting blood glucose (FBG) [138.4 ± 78.7 vs 82.5 ± 73.7 mg/dl]; serum electrolytes: Sodium 139.0 ± 8.4 vs 142 ± 4.2mg/dl], Potassium [5.2 ± 1.4 vs 4.1 ± 0.53mg/dl] and Chloride [99.3 ± 6.8 vs 104.5 ± 5.0 mg/dl] with significant differences in each (p=0.000, 0.011, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). The mean serum Cortisol was not statistically different [125.5 ± 43.2 vs 121.5 ± 61.3 ng/mL (p=0.693)]. There was no correlation between the various serum electrolytes and Cortisol levels. Electrolytes imbalance in uncomplicated diabetes are present, with higher potassium and lower sodium than in controls with no accompanying change in Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal activity as measured by serum Cortisol level. This derangement in electrolyte level may be attributed to hyperglycaemia, osmotic diuresis and dietary habit

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Psychosocial Status and Serum Uric Acid in Men with Essential Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic psychosocial stress and serum uric acid (SUA) level have been implicated in the etiology and cardiovascular events risk factors in hypertension. Studies have reported significant benefit of exercise in the overall management of hypertension. However; studies on the effect of exercise on psychosocial stress and SUA in the management of hypertension seem scanty. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of continuous training program on SUA and psychosocial status of black African (Nigerian) population with hypertension. Subjects and Methods: Age-matched randomized controlled trial was used; subjects with diagnosis of hypertension attending the hypertensive clinic of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital (MMSH); Kano; Nigeria form the population for the study. Two hundred and seventeen subjects with mild to moderate (systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 140 and180 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 90 and 109 mmHg) essential hypertension were grouped into continuous (112) and control groups (105). The continuous group involved in an 8 weeks continuous training (60-79 HR max) of between 45 and 60 min; 3 times per week; while the controls group remain sedentary. SBP; DBP; SUA; VO 2 max and psychosocial status were assessed. Student t-test and Pearson correlation test were used in data analysis. Results: The study revealed significant beneficial effect of continuous training programs on VO 2 max; SBP; DBP; SUA; and psychosocial status (P 0.05). Psychosocial status and SUA was significantly and positively and negatively correlated respectively with VO 2 max at P 0.01. Conclusions: This study concludes and supports the recommendations of moderate intensity (continuous) training program in blood pressure reduction; SUA and psychosocial stress management in hypertension

Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and mineral elements of human immunodeficiency virus positive subjects in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Undernourishment and micronutrient deficiencies exacerbate immunosuppression, oxidative stress, acceleration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV-infected individuals. Materials and Methods: The current work reports the serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) and minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu) in 90 HIV positive subjects attending the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. The serum levels of the micronutrients were correlated with the CD4 count of the subjects. Results: The results showed that the HIV positive subjects have significantly lower (P < 0.05) levels of vitamins A, C and E. Also, serum Zn, Fe, Cu and CD4 count were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared with the HIV negative subjects. Micronutrient deficiencies were more pronounced in HIV positive subjects with CD4 counts less than 200 cell/ìl. The results based on age and sex showed no significant (P > 0.05) difference. Vitamins A, E and C and Zn and Fe showed positive correlation with CD4 count of the HIV positive subjects. Conclusion: The results suggest that the HIV subjects in the study area have lowered serum levels of antioxidant micronutrients and that the levels decrease with increase in the severity of the infection. These may increase the chances of the symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects progressing into full-blown Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Significant Differences between Serum CRP Levels in Children in Different Categories of Physical Activity : the PLAY Study : Cardiovascular Topics

Low-grade systemic inflammation is emerging as a component of the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between serum C-reactive protein (CRP); physical activity and body composition in 193 black children aged 13 to 18 years from a South African township. Demographic information and anthropometric measurements were taken; and fasting blood samples were analysed for high-sensitivity serum CRP. Body fat was measured by air displacement plethysmography. There was a trend towards higher serum CRP in the boys with a higher percentage body fat. After multiple regression analyses; waist circumference in the girls was significantly associated with serum CRP. In the boys; there was an inverse correlation between percentage body fat and fitness; and between fitness and serum CRP. Significant differences were found between serum CRP in the different physical activity categories; with lower serum CRP in the girls in the higher physical activity group. Obesity should be prevented in South African children by encouraging physical activity

Serum and Urine Levels of Zinc and Selenium in Diabetics in Calabar; Nigeria

The study aimed to determine the serum and urine zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in diabetics and non-diabetics in Calabar; Nigeria. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG); urine creatinine and serum and urine zinc and selenium levels were determined in 60 diabetic subjects aged between 35-75 years and 40 age-matched non-diabetic subjects using colorimetric methods and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The FPG; urine Zn and Se levels were significantly higher and serum Zn and urine creatinine levels lower in diabetics than those of non-diabetics. No significant difference was observed in the serum Se levels of both groups. A significant positive correlation (p 0.01) was observed between serum Zn and serum Se (r

The bactericidal Effect of Normal Human Serum Samples from Various Blood Groups against Local Isolates of Staphloccus aureus

"The sensitivity of staphylococcus aureus isolated in Ekpoma; Edo State; Nigeria; to the bactericidal activity of normal human sera from different blood groups (""A""; ""B""; ""AB""; ""O"") was determined using the microtitre plate method. Results obtained revealed that S. aureus was sensitive to pooled serum samples of blood groups ""B""; ""AB""; and ""O""; each accounting for 60.7 per cent; 50.5 per cent and 53.5 per cent respectively; but resistant to blood group ""A"" with a sensitivity value of 43.3 per cent. This finding which is of clinical importance shows the differences of serum batctericidal activity of normal human sera from different blood group against S. aureus."