Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Serum Lipid Profile of Bangladeshi Female Volunteers.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fasting for a period of one month during Ramadan on the lipid profile of Bangladeshi female volunteers who fasted during the Arabic month of Ramadan, when there occurs a change, both in the pattern and timing of dietary intake. Findings of the study showed that Ramadan fast significantly reduced serum Total cholesterol (TC) (p=0.030) and Low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p=0.011). A statistically nonsignificant elevation of triglyceride (TG)) was observed (p=0.598). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) also found to be raised significantly at the end of fasting (p = 0.037). Findings of the study revealed that fasting during the month of Ramadan changes lipid profile pattern in an aniatherogenic direction and may be beneficial to health.

Effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on Blood Pressure and Glycemic Status of Hypertensive Diabetic Male VolunteersS.

Different species of mushrooms are being used increasingly for their nutritional and medicinal values. They are used in traditional medical practice in the treatment and prevention of diabetes, obesity, heart diesaes, hyperacidity, cancer and hypertension. This study was designed to see the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on blood pressure and glycemic status of hypertensive diabetic male volunteers. The study was carried out in the National Mushroom development and Extension Center (NAMDEC) laboratory, Savar, Dhaka in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacy along with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University. A total of 27 hypertensive male volunteers suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with age range of 32 to 68 years, who were free from renal impairment and other known acute or chronic diseases were included in the study. Blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and serum creatinine were measured before and after 3 months of regular intake of 3 grams mushroom powder capsule daily in in 3 divided doses. However they were allowed to continue the drugs they were taking already. The study showed that after 3 months of regular intake of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p<0.001). It was also observed that, Pleurotus ostreatus decreased fasting plasma glucose level significantly (p<0.001). Reduction of HbA1c % observed after 3 months of mushroom intake was found to be significant (p<0.001). But there was no significant change of plasma creatinine level (p>0.05) indicating Pleurotus ostreatus has no detrimental effect on renal system. From the study, it can be said that, Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom intake improves glycemic status and blood pressure control in diabetic hypertensive subjects.

Shiitake Mushroom: A Tool of Medicine.

Medicinal mushrooms have an established history of use in traditional oriental therapies. Contemporary research has validated and documented much of the ancient knowledge. Over the last three decades, the interdisciplinary fields of science that study medicinal mushrooms has sprung up and has increasingly demonstrated the potent and unique properties of compounds extracted from a range of species. Currently, the field is being developed into a very fruitful area. Modern clinical practice in Japan, China, Korea and other Asian countries rely on mushroom-derived preparations. Mushrooms have been studied for nutritional and medical purposes for its various potential anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory componests like polysaccharides that have been identified. For medical purposes, mushrooms have been consumed to prevent cancer and cardiac diseases, to improve blood circulation and to reduce blood cholesterol level. Some of these mushrooms have also been used for the treatment of physical and emotional stress, osteoporosis, gastric ulcers and chronic hepatitis, for the improvement of the quality of life of patients with diabetes and especially for the stimulation of immunity. Shiitake has a history of medicinal uses. The mushroom is used as anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral as well as antithrombotic in cardiovascular disorders. This article has been written to throw some light on Shiitake mushroom which has many nutritional values. Many Shiitake preparations came in market containing the active ingredients which can replace many other marketed synthetic medicines and may prove to have promising results with fewer side effects.

Correlations of Serum Magnesium and Potassium in Acute Myocardial Infarction, Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease and Normal Healthy Volunteers of Bangladesh.

Magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) are the major intracellular cations whose presence in the serum are low, but minor changes of those may show a remarkable change in the various body functions specially in the heart. The study was designed to find out the correlation between serum Mg and K in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) and normal healthy volunteers. It was carried out over a period of 18 months in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in collaboration with Department of Cardiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital (SSMC & MH) and Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka. A total of 101 subjects were included in which 32 subjects were AMI, 34 CIHD and 35 normal healthy volunteers. Serum glucose and serum creatinine were estimated to exclude diabetes and renal dystrophies. Estimation of serum CK-MB and ECG tracing were done as diagnostic tools of AMI and to categories the subjects into various groups. Serum Mg was estimated by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and serum K by Ion sensitive electrode. The present study shows that there is a strong positive correlation of serum Mg and K in AMI, CIHD and healthy control subjects (r = 0.566, p<0.01 level). So it is suggested to estimate and supplement both Mg and K in IHD patients for their better management.

Oyster Mushroom: Biochemical and Medicinal Prospects.

Mushroom possesses a vital portion of fungal kingdom creating a huge diversity. As a food major portion of these are unfit but as a whole these play an important role to maintain a sound health. Among them some are used as food and some as medicine. Many unknown mysterious components, very much needed for homeostasis of human body, are present in mushroom, which are now recognized as important area for biomedical researches. Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is such a mushroom which is used both as food and medicine to ensure the fitness of body. It contains protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, water, different kinds of vitamins and minerals as well as secondary metabolites. Its statins are outstanding in decreasing the harmful plasma lipids and in reducing blood pressure thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The beta-glucan component of oyster stimulates the immune system of the body. This mushroom is also found to be effective and beneficial in diabetes, cancer, microbial infections and so on. However, there are many other life saving components in oyster mushroom whose nature, effectiveness and mode of actions are yet to be characterized and defined.These valuable unknown informations are now subjects of researches. Bangladesh, like other countries of the world is conducting such type of researches but still has to go a long way in this field. At this very moment, it can be said beyond any doubt that oyster mushroom is very good as an alternative food and as a medicine.

Evaluation of Serum Levels of Hepatic Enzymes and Plasma Proteins between Different Types of Acute Viral Hepatitis.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in 80 serologically diagnosed cases of acute viral hepatitis to assess and compare the serum hepatic enzymes & plasma proteins between four different types (A,B,C,E), 20 in each group. Hepatitis E, hepatitis B and hepatitis C were more prevalent in males than that in females. The study showed that geometric mean of S.AST of all the four types differed significantly (F= 274.94, p<0.001). Geometric mean of S.ALT, S.AST and S.ALP in cases of HCV were significantly lower than others (p<0.001). Geometric mean of S.ALT & S.AST in cases of HEV were significantly increased than others (p<0.001). But the geometric mean of S.ALP of HBV was significantly higher than others (p<0.001). On the other hand though S.ALP of HAV and HEV was lower than HBV but significantly higher than HCV (p<0.001). The mean±SD of serum albumin of HCV was decreased significantly in contrast to those of HAV and HBV (p<0.001). A:G ratio of HCV was also significantly lower than other three (p<0.001). It was revealed through the study that hepatic enzymes were most affected in cases of HEV but least affected in cases of HCV.