ABSTRACT
Background:Neonatal asphyxia is characterized by discrepancy of oxygen during perinatal period that can lead to severe hypoxic ischaemic organ damages followed by a fatal outcome including neurodegenerative diseases, mental retardation, and epilepsies. According to world health organization, four million neonatal deaths occurred each year due to birth asphyxia. Therefore, our study was designed to evaluate the status of serum glucose, calcium, electrolytes, and their correlation with the fetal risk factors associated with birth asphyxia. Methods:Neonates diagnosed with birth asphyxia were considered as “cases” while neonates birth either normal or by cesareanwith having no abnormality were considered as “control”. Demographics and possible risk factors of both the mother and neonate were noted. All asphyxiated neonates and controls were chosen to examine for serum glucose, calcium and electrolytes.Automated analyzers were used to estimate serum glucose, calcium, sodium and potassium.Results:We found thatthe mean serum glucose level was significantly lower in the asphyxiated neonates compared with controls, and consequently showed very strong positive correlation with the Apgar score. Furthermore, significant reduction levels were observed in serum calcium and sodium in the asphyxiated neonates, showing a linear correlation with the Apgar score. Moreover, higher serum potassium was detected in the asphyxiated neonates than in controls, showing a negative correlation with the Apgar score.Conclusions:We validated that the examined biochemicals of asphyxiated neonates was strongly correlated with the Apgar score. Our study reinforces for adequate clinicalevaluation and biochemical monitoring for early diagnosis to prevent adverse neurodevelopmental outcome
ABSTRACT
Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of crude flavonoid fraction from hybrid variety of Momordica charantia (L.) (Bitter gourd) fruit. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in 2011 in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Methodology: In vitro assay for Antioxidant activity test was determined by means of 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, using ascorbic acid as standard. The Brine shrimp lethality test was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the extract with Gallic acid as positive control. Data were analysed by statistical software BIOSTAT 2009 and Excel. Results: The fractionated crude flavonoid of Momordica charantia (L.) fruits showed moderate antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 75.21 μg/ml. Compared to Gallic acid (with LC50 of 4.40 μg/ ml), fractionated flavonoid demonstrated a significant cytotoxic activity (having LC50 of 12.38 μg/ml) which indicates that fractionated flavonoid is promisingly cytotoxic. Conclusion: The study indicates the moderate antioxidant and potent cytotoxic activities of flavonoid fractionated from Momordica charantia (L.) fruits which can be used as a source of pharmacological references although specific flavonoids are responsible for such actions are unknown.