Cancer types; correlation of renal and liver function tests

This study attempts to highlight the relation of various types of cancers to abnormalities in liver and renal function tests. Correlation of deranged renal and liver function tests to different types of cancers in industrial workers who are exposed to industrial chemicals and carcinogens. This non-interventional study included 100 hundred confirmed cases of cancer were selected and studied from July 2011 to December 2011. The study was conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital/College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore. Out of these 100 patients, 21 had CA lung, 19 had lymphoma, 14 had sarcoma, 13 had CA breast, 6 had CA prostate, 4 had CA liver, 3 had CA colon, 3 had CA ovary, 3 had CA testis, 2 had leukemia, 2 had multiple myeloma, 2 had CA gall bladder, 2 had CA stomach, 1 had CA esophagus, 1had CA tongue, 1had CA parotid, 1 had CA rectum, 1 had CA cervix and 1 had CA larynx. Among lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma was more than Hodgkin lymphoma [out of 19 patients, 13 had non-Hodgkin and 6 had Hodgkin lymphoma]. Out of 14 patients of sarcomas, 5 had Ewing sarcoma, 4 had chondrosarcoma, 3 had fibrosarcoma and 2 had liposarcoma. Similarly the serum bilirubin levels in liver cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, stomach and gall bladder cancer were 1.50 +/- 0.31, 1.17 +/- 0.10, 1.46 +/- 0.15 and 1.40 +/- 0.50 mg% were 32.38 +/- 18.81, 37.73 +/- 4.35, 34.43 +/- 4.35, 45.00 +/- 46.17, 31.33 +/- 44.70, 65.25 +/- 31.14, 33.67 +/- 80.90, 99.00 +/- 73.08, 50.00 +/- 98.49, 33.50 +/- 75.0, 36.50 +/- 85.0 and 49.0 +/- 11.0 micro /l respectively which were statistically significantly higher [p<0.05] then control individuals. respectively which were significantly higher [p<0.05] than the control individuals Similarly the ALT levels in lung cancer, lymphoma, sarcoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, leukemia, ovarian cancer, cancer of colon, multiple myeloma, cancer of testis and stomach. The mean serum creatinine levels in lung cancer, liver cancer and cancer of colon were 0.89 +/- 0.05, 0.90 +/- 0.16 mg% respectively which were significantly higher than the control individuals [p<0.05]. The renal and liver function tests should be frequently monitored in cancer patients from industrial back grounds

Role of chelating agents in thalassaemia major patients

To evaluate current chelation in thalassaemia major patients. It is a retrospective study. This study was conducted at Sundus Foundation, Shadman, Lahore Pakistan from March 2006 to August 2006. One hundred and seventy patients with transfusion dependent thalassaemia major were evaluated for chelation practice and iron overload. 98.2% were found to be either non-chelators or inadequate chelators whereas 82.3% patients had serum ferritin levels above 2500 ng/ml. Growth failure and hepatosplenomegaly were also common. Survival appears to be limited as only 6 patients were older than 20 years. Patients face risks and complications during treatment of thalassaemia major. Urgent and effective measures should be taken to remove the obstacles for improvement in quality of life in these patients. Involvement of physicians about current concepts in treatment of thalassaemia major can produce promising results

Effect of smoking on erthrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and lipid profile in adults

The study was designed to find out changes in ESR and serum lipid profile in adult smokers and non-smokers and risk of development of atherosclerosis. It is a comparative and non-interventional study. 1st October to 31st October, 2005 Study was carried out in Department of Pathology, Punjab Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. A total of 100 males of adult age [18-65 years] were selected, out of which 50 were smokers and 50 were non-smokers. ESR was done by modified Westergren method and lipid profile was done by chemistry analyzer [Microlab 300 MERCK]. A significant increase in ESR, serum total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c] and mean serum triglyceride [TG] levels were observed in smokers as compared with nonsmokers. While levels of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c] were significantly lower in smokers as compared with non-smokers. Smoking produces adverse effect on lipid profile and ESR thus enhancing the risk of atherosclerosis

Alloxan induced diabetes in rabbits

Alloxan monohydrate is a common drug used for developing experimental diabetes in animals, as streptozotocin, though less toxic than alloxan is considerably costlier. This study aimed to provide an exact and detailed account of alloxan induced diabetes in rabbits as none was available in both local and international literature and in Pharmacology textbooks. This resulted in extremely high mortality in experimental animals i.e., rabbits, leading to inevitably wasted research time and effort for a researcher.Twenty-four healthy rabbits of a local strain weighing 1000 to 1800 g were obtained and kept at the animal house of the Department of Pharmacology Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. They were injected with varying doses of Alloxan monohydrate [from 75mg -1 l0mg]/ kg body weight in order to induce diabetes. The blood glucose RBS levels were estimated 8 days after injecting the alloxan and subsequently randomly at intervals of five to ten days till the rabbits became diabetic. These doses were found to lower the rabbit mortality by 25% as compared to [upto 75%] that was encountered with a single standardized dose of 160mg/kg body weight suggested by Akhtar et al. [1982] or 80mg/kg body weight [Puri and Prabhu 2002]. It was therefore concluded that our proposed regime may be beneficial for future researchers aiming to develop a similar animal model

Frequency of Hepatitis B, C and Human Immunodeficiency virus in blood donors at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore

To find out the frequency of hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] in blood donors at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Design: This is a non-interventional study. Study Period: Period of this study is from 1-1-2005 to 30-6-2005. Study was conducted at the Blood Bank of Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Subjects and Methods: In this study 18216 young healthy voluntary blood donors [age 16-50 years] comprising of 16611 males and 1605 females were included and tested for HBsAg, Anti-HCV and HIV by Accu check one step test [chromatographic immunoassay] in serum. Results: Frequency of hepatitis B, C and HIV infection was 3.36%, 4.16% and 0% respectively. We can get representative prevalence values of HBV, HCV and HIV infection in general population by collecting data from all blood transfusion centers of Pakistan. This is also helpful to create public awareness regarding hepatitis and HIV transmission through blood transfusion

Coagulation profile in male albino rats fed on Nigella sativa and aspirin for six weeks duration

In this study ninety male albino rats were selected and were divided into six groups on the basis of different diets given. Control group [I] was fed on synthetic diet and experimental groups [IIA, IIB, IIC, IID and IIE] were fed on I mg aspirin, 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg Nigella sativa per kg body weight respectively while HE was given 30 mg Nigella sativa and I mg aspirin/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected by heart puncture and coagulation parameters were done. BT was prolonged in groups taking aspirin only. APTT was reduced significantly in groups taking different concentrations of Nigella sativa when compared with the control. Percentage of clot retraction was weak significantly in groups taking aspirin only when compared with other groups of male albino rats