A study on APO B100/APO A-I Ratio in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Dyslipidemia, a very common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is associated with life threatening complication like coronary artery disease (CAD). Apolipoprotein A-I and apo B100 are the protein components of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) respectively. Apo B100/apo A-I ratio represents the balance between pro-atherogenic and antiatherogenic factors. Apolipoproteins have recently gained importance as they are said to be a better indicator of coronary artery disease as compared to other lipid and lipoproteins. This study was done to study the apo B100/apo A-I ratio in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), extended lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL, apoA-I and apoB100) were estimated in 34 non diabetic controls and 37 diabetic cases.The cases were further subdivided into 2 groups based on their glycemic control. LDL levels were calculated by Friedewald’s formula. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 11.5. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Poorly controlled diabetic cases had significantly lower levels of HDL and apoA-I and significantly higher levels of TG. Total cholesterol, LDL and apoB-100 were comparable in both the groups. ApoB100/apoA-I ratio was significantly elevated in poorly controlled diabetic. Apo B100/apo A-I ratio showed a strong positive correlation with glycated HbA1c Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is associated with dyslipidemia. Strict glycemic control is capable of partially improving dyslipidmia. Apo B100/apo A-I ratio can be used as an additional parameter for assessment of risk of CAD in diabetes mellitus.

Influence of alignment of the pyramid on its beneficial effects.

The present study was aimed to find out whether a change in the alignment of the pyramid from the north-south axis causes any variation in the effects produced by it on plasma cortisol levels and markers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes of adult-female Wistar rats. Plasma cortisol and erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly lower whereas erythrocyte GSH was significantly higher in rats kept in pyramid that was aligned on the four cardinal points--north, east, south and west, as compared to normal control rats. Although there was a significant difference in the plasma cortisol level between normal control group and the group of rats kept in randomly aligned pyramid, there was no significant difference between these two groups for the other parameters. Erythrocyte TBARS levels in the group of rats kept in the randomly aligned pyramid was significantly higher than that in the group kept in the magnetically aligned pyramid. The results suggest that the north-south alignment of the pyramid is crucial for its expected effects.

Effect of housing rats within a pyramid on stress parameters.

The Giza pyramids of Egypt have been the subject of much research. Pyramid models with the same base to height ratio as of the Great Pyramid of Giza, when aligned on a true north-south axis, are believed to generate, transform and transmit energy. Research done with such pyramid models has shown that they induced greater relaxation in human subjects, promoted better wound healing in rats and afforded protection against stress-induced neurodegnerative changes in mice. The present study was done to assess the effects of housing Wistar rats within the pyramid on the status of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense in their erythrocytes and cortisol levels in their plasma. Rats were housed in cages under standard laboratory conditions. Cages were left in the open (normal control), under a wooden pyramid model (experimental rats) or in a cubical box of comparable dimensions (6 hr/day for 14 days). Erythrocyte malondialdehyde and plasma cortisol levels were significantly decreased in rats kept within the pyramid as compared to the normal control and those within the square box. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased in the rats kept in the pyramid as compared to the other two groups. There was no significant difference in any of the parameters between the normal control and rats kept in the square box. The results showed that exposure of adult female Wistar rats to pyramid environment reduces stress oxidative stress and increases antioxidant defense in them.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in the blood of young rats subjected to chronic fluoride toxicity.

Wistar albino rats were exposed to 30 or 100 ppm fluoride in drinking water during their fetal, weanling and post-weaning stages of life up to puberty. Extent of lipid peroxidation and response of the antioxidant systems in red blood cells and plasma to prolonged fluoride exposure were assessed in these rats in comparison to the control rats fed with permissible level (0.5 ppm) of fluoride. Rats treated with 100 ppm fluoride showed enhanced lipid peroxidation as evidenced by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in red blood cells but, 30 ppm fluoride did not cause any appreciable change in RBC MDA level. 30 ppm fluoride-intake resulted in increased levels of total and reduced glutathione in red blood cells and ascorbic acid in plasma while 100 ppm fluoride resulted in decreases in these levels. The activity of RBC glutathione peroxidase was elevated in both the fluoride-treated groups, more pronounced increase was seen with 100 ppm. Reduced to total glutathione ratio in RBC and uric acid levels in plasma decreased in both the groups. RBC superoxide dismutase activity decreased significantly on high-fluoride treatment. These results suggest that long-term high-fluoride intake at the early developing stages of life enhances oxidative stress in the blood, thereby disturbing the antioxidant defense of rats. Increased oxidative stress could be one of the mediating factors in the pathogenesis of toxic manifestations of fluoride.