Anticholinergic drug atropine diminishes newly formed fear memory in male rats

Post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] is a condition which is triggered shortly after experiencing traumatic events. PTSD is complicated by the fact that people with PTSD often develop additional disorders such as phobias, addiction, depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Beta-adrenergic and cholinergic system both are involved in memory formation as well as in emotional response associated with memory. It is reported that the administration of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic antagonist results in the impairment in memory formation. Here, we examined the potential of beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol and muscarinic cholinergic antagonist atropine for impairing the recently formed fear memory associated with PTSD. Reconsolidation is the memory process during which labile memory converts into permanent memory. In this study it is hypothesized that if recently formed fear memory is disturbed during reconsolidation phase by pharmacological intervention then it could be possible to impair wellconsolidated fear memory. Atropine and propranolol were injected in separate set of rats [n=6] just after the reactivation of fear memory. Short term memory and long term memory were monitored after 2 h and 24 h of reactivation respectively. Results of current study demonstrated that only atropine showed significant impairment of reconsolidation of newly formed fear memory whereas propranolol did not show fear memory disrupting effects. The results emphasize the significance of pharmacological intervention to impair reconsolidation of newly formed fear memory

Hyperlipidemias, diabetes and depression

Background: Factors causing increased cholesterol levels in the body may include inactivity, obesity, genetic factors and an unhealthy diet. The high colesterol levels or hyperlipidemias may contribute to high concentrations of its precursor triglycerides and low density lipoproteins in plasma of the individuals. High triglyceride levels signal insulin resistance. This study was designed to determine an association of hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus with depression

Method: This case-control study involved 30 patients diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [DM] and hyperlipidemia [HL], and 30 non-diabetic healthy individuals having normal glucose tolerance test and no other co-morbidity. All subjects were of 30-50 years age. Blood samples from all participants were collected for determination of the HbA1C and lipid profiles. PQ9 score questionnaire for depression was asked from all subjects

Results: Patients suffering with hyperlipidemias and diabetes mellitus had higher incidence of depression compared to healthy subjects [p<0.05]

Conclusion: Depression was more prevalent in hyperlipidemic and diabetic patients

impact of dietary intake and sun exposure on vitamin D deficiency among couples

The main sources of vitamin D are sun exposure and diet. There is a gap in our knowledge about the contribution of these factors to vitamin D level among couples in Bahrain. To determine vitamin D dietary intake and sun exposure and their impact on vitamin D level. Cross-sectional study. Maternity hospitals. Data were collected using an adapted pre-validated food frequency questionnaire. It was adjusted to reflect the local food items. Vitamin D intake below 600 IU was considered low. The level was assayed as 25[OH]D using chemiluminescence method. SPSS-20 was used for data analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Three hundred and twenty five couples were included in the study. The mean dietary intake of vitamin D was low, but not significantly different between men and women. Vitamin D level was <50 nmol/L in 209 [64.3%] men and 292 [89.8%] women. The mean 25[OH]D level in males [46.06 +/- 12.97 nmol/L] was significantly higher than females [33.12 +/- 13.48 nmol/L]. There was a significant association between dietary intake and 25[OH]D levels in both men and women. Sun exposure was also found to be significantly associated with 25[OH]D level in males but not in females which is attributed to the use of veil. Low vitamin D intake and inadequate sun exposure lead to hypovitaminosis D. There is a need to increase awareness and mandate the fortification of milk, dairy products and to supplement veiled women and those at risk of deficiency with vitamin D