Association of family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus with markers of endothelial dysfunction in South Indian population.

Studies indicate that risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) or cardiovascular disease is detectable in childhood, though these disorders may not emerge until adulthood. This study was aimed to assess the markers of endothelial dysfunction in patients with the family history of T2D from South Indian population. A total of 450 subjects were included in the study comprising Group I (n = 200) of T2D, Group II (n = 200) of age- and sex-matched healthy controls, Group III (n = 25) of children of T2D patients and Group IV (n = 25) of children of healthy controls. Results showed that intimal medial thickening (IMT) was significantly higher in T2D patients, compared with control subjects with no family history of diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were significantly increased, whereas HDL-cholesterol and serum nitrite levels were significantly decreased in T2D patients. However, children of T2D patients who were not diabetic did not show significant increase in the IMT, as compared to those of healthy controls. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that IMT was significantly higher in the T2D patients and increased with age and family history. The increased levels of lipids, hsCRP, IMT and decreased nitrite levels might contribute to the risk of endothelial dysfunction in patients with T2D. However, further studies are warranted with other biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction in T2D patients with increased sample size.

Studies on the pharmacological actions of Cardiospermum helicacabum.

The leaves of the plant "Cardospermum helicacabum" were extracted with different solvents and found to contain largely tannins, saponins and traces of alkaloids. The alcoholic extract was tested for its pharmacological effects on various intact and isolated biological preparations. On the CNS the extract produced depression in near lethal doses. On the CVS the extract produced fall of blood pressure and bradycardia. The fall of blood pressure was antagonised partially by atropine and anti-histamine. On guinea pig ileum the extract produced powerful contraction which was partially antagonised by atropine and anti-histamine. The extract produced mild analgesia as tested by the radiant heat method in rats. It appears to be a proconvulsant in nature as tested by the electroshock method in rats. The extract when administered orally produced significant anti-inflammatory effect in rats as tested by the granuloma pouch and cotton pellet implantation methods.