Effect of Trigonella foenum graecum seeds and its extracts on serum lipid profile and some lipogenic enzymes in high-fat diet fed wistar rats

The study was designed to investigate the effects of fenugreek [FG] seed powder and its extracts on serum lipid profile and activities of two hepatic lipogenic enzymes, malic enzyme [ME] and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PDH] in male Wistar rats. Materials and Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group 1, fed standard diet; group 2, fed high-fat diet [HFD]; group 3, fed HFD plus 30% FG seed powder; group 4, fed HFD mixed with 10% defatted meal [FI] and group 5, fed HFD in addition to 2% crude saponin [FII]. Levels of serum lipids [total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol "HDL-c and LDL-c" and free fatty acids], activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes [malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase] and total proteins were determined. Serum total lipids, triacyglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL-c, TC/HDL-c ratio and both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids levels were significantly elevated [p<0.001] in rats fed high-fat diet concomitant with non significant change in HDL-c and decrease in HDL-c/LDL-c ratio compared to rats on a standard diet. In the mean time, when high-fat diet was mixed with either FG seed powder, FI or FII the dyslipidemia effect of HFD was decreased or normalized. Also FG seeds and its extracts reduce lipogenesis [reduction in activities of lipogenic enzymes] and TC/HDL-c ratio, and increases in HDL-c/LDL-c ratio. Fenugreek seeds and its extract may beneficially affect the main risk factor for atherosclerosis [hyperlipidemia] by reversing significantly the deleterious effects of the high-fat diet. Decreased serum fatty acids in rats may be attributed to retarding the absorption of both kinds of fatty acids regardless their nature

Correlation and prognostic value of serum beta-2 microglobulin, thymidine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The correlation between the serum levels of beta-2 microglobulin [beta-2 M], thymidine kinase [TK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and its isoenzymes [LD1-5] as well as their relationship with liver function parameters were analyzed in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A significant increase in the mean values of serum beta-2 M, TK, total LDH, LD1, LD2, LD3, LD4, AST, ALP and GGT was found. Levels of LD5 and LD1/LD2 ratio showed a significant decrease. Correlation analyses showed an inverse correlation between beta-2 M and LD3 and a positive correlation between LDH, TK, LD2, LD3, LD4 and AST. It was concluded that using a combination of beta-2 M, TK, LDH and its isoenzymes could be used as useful markers for the activity of the proliferating tumor cells and that some alterations in the LDH isoenzymes pattern may help in refining the prognostic value of total LDH