ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess Non-HDL cholesterol as an indicator of Cardiovascular risk [CVR] in addition to low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Indus Hospital Karachi from September 2007 to December 2012. After approval for conducting the research obtained from the Institutional Research Board a retrospective analysis of non-HDL cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol in 2115 lipid profiles was conducted, which had been analyzed on fasting serum or EDTA plasma by Randox Rx Imola and Daytona analyzers using Randox kits. Since this was a retrospective study that included all the lipid profiles presented in the lab from Sept 2007 to Dec 2012, so it did not require any sample size calculation
Results: Statistical analysis performed on data was unpaired t-test using SPSS package Version 22. Analysis of 2115 lipid profiles shows that 1389 [66%] had Triglyceride levels above 1.7mmol/l of which 642 [46%] were females and 747 [54%] were males. Regarding males, in 77 out of 747 [10%] samples there was an elevated non-HDL cholesterol [greater than 3.4mmol/l] in the presence of a normal LDL cholesterol [less than 2.6 mmol/l.]. In the other 22 out of 747 [2.9%] males, LDL-cholesterol was elevated in the presence of normal non-HDL cholesterol. In the females 66 out of 624 [10%] samples there was an elevated non-HDL cholesterol [greater than 3.4mmol/l] in the presence of a normal LDL-cholesterol [less than 2.6 mmol/l] and LDL-cholesterol was elevated in the presence of normal non-HDL cholesterol in 15 femalesout of 642 [2.3%]
Conclusion: Non-HDL cholesterol is also a necessary analysis for the true assessment of cardiac vascular risk in addition to LDL-cholesterol especially in the samples with elevated triglycerides samples. Therefore, it is recommended that non-HDL cholesterol be reported as part of lipid profile
ABSTRACT
Evidence shows that tryptophan [TRP] and serotonin [5HT] have a role in memory function. It has been shown in various studies that increase in serotonergic neurotransmissionis associated with increased memory consolidation whereas low brain 5HT impairs memory performance. In view of a possible role of TRP and 5HT in memory, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of TRP supplementation on male and female rats and to investigate sex related differences in memory processes. Tryptophan at a dose of 100mg/kg was used. Short term memory [STM] and long term memory [LTM] were evaluated using the Morris water maze. TRP treatment for 6 weeks significantly enhanced STM of female rats but it did not have any effect on the STM of male rats. Female rats when compared with male rats exhibited better performance in the Morris water maze and enhanced memory was observed both before and after TRP treatment, however after TRP treatment a greater improvement was observed. Both male and female rats exhibited improvement in LTM following TRP treatment. The present results emphasize on the involvement of sex difference and 5HT in learning and memory processes. A greater increase in 5HT metabolism and turnover seen in female rats correlates with the enhanced memory function observed in females than male rats