Protective role of Sargassum species in liver and kidney dysfunctions and associated disorders in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen

Hepatoprotective and reno-potective effect of Sargassum species was investigated in rats against carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] and acetaminophen [AAP] intoxication. The rats were given ethanol extracts of Sargassum ilicifolium, S. lanceolatum and S.swartzii orally at dose of 200mg/kg b.w. [body weight] daily for 14 days. These seaweed treated rats were then intoxicated with single intra-peritoneal dose of CCl[4] or AAP on14[th] day. The administration of CCl[4] and AAP caused significant [p<0.05] elevation in liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and other biochemical parameters, bilirubin, glucose, triglyceride and kidney function markers: urea and creatinine. The pre-treatment with ethanol extracts of S. ilicifolium and S. swartzii protected the liver and kidney significantly [p<0.05] by lowering the elevated level of hepatic enzymes, liver and kidney function markers towards normal range. Sargassum species have also showed positive effect on serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride

Effect of seaweeds occurring at Karachi coast on mosquito larvae and liver function in rats

Seaweeds have been consumed as human food from thousands of years. In this study ethanol extract of 16 different seaweeds were tested for mosquito larvicidal activity against 4[th] instar larvae of Aedes aegyptii. The ethanol extracts of Padina pavonia and Sargassum ilicifolium caused 50% mortality at 1200ppm concentration. However other seaweeds Halimeda tuna, Ulva lactuca [Chlorophyta], Dictyota dichotoma var intricata, Jolyna laminariodes, Sargassum binderi [Phaeophyta], Melanothamnus afaqhusainii and Solieria robusta [Rhodophyta] showed LC50 at [almost equal to]1500 ppm concentration. The n-hexane fraction of Padina pavonia was most potent and produced lethality at minimum concentration [LC50 at 250ppm].The effect of ethanol and water extracts of S. binderii was also examined on liver function of healthy rats. The ethanol extract of Sargassum binderi given orally to rats [commercial at] 200mg/kg for 14 days slightly increased the concentration of liver enzymes [ALT, AST, ALP and LDH] and urea level as compared with normal control rats, but did not increase bilirubin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and creatinine. Whereas water extract of S. binderi affected ALT while other biochemical parameters were near normal or slightly decreased as compared to normal control

Comparative study of lipid profile in multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy patients

Objective: To evaluate the lipid profile in Multibacillary and Paucibacillary leprosy subjects and compare them with age and sex matched healthy control subjects

Materials and Methods: This observational study was performed after approval from BASR, University of Karachi in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, from December 2014 to November, 2015. Present study was conducted in 42 newly diagnosed leprosy patients of both sexes and all ages were included in this study. The diagnosis were on clinical ground and bacterial examination by slit skin smear test, and are classified in two groups, Paucibacillary [PB] and Multibacillary [MB], based on the WHO guide lines. 1-5 skin lesions were regarded as PB with no acid fast rods on the smear and skin lesions more than 5 were regarded as MB. A positive bacterial index classifies the patient as MB, regardless of the number of skin lesions with bacteria visible on a smear

Results: A total of 30 control subjects and 42 leprosy patients among 24 Multibacillary and 18 Paucibacillary leprosy were recruited for this study. Biophysical parameters in Multibacillary and Paucibacillary subjects were completely non significant when compared with control group.In biochemical parameters among Multibacillary and Paucibacillary leprosy cases, all the lipid fractions total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL -cholesterol were significantly decreased [p<0.05] but HDL -cholesterol significantly increased [p<0.05] in both Multibacillary and Paucibacillary leprosy groups when compared with control group

Conclusion: This study showed that, all the lipid fractions except HDL cholesterol were decreased significantly [p<0.05], where as HDL Cholesterol was increased significantly [p<0.05] in both Multibacillary and Paucibacillary leprosy groups when compared with control group

Prevalence and associated risk factors for syphilis in women with recurrent miscarriages

A Cross Sectional population based serological studies was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for syphilis women with recurrent miscarriages. Patient's 5ml whole blood was collected through venepuncture technique. Data were collected by all women answered a questionnaire and by investigating blood sample VDRL test and FTA-ABS test. The study was conducted in a confidential manner and numbers were used to identify the participant. Total 256 women were included in the present study. Mean age of women was 29.4 years while range was 21 to 38 years [206/256]. Out of the 256 samples, 05 [1.9%] were positive for active syphilis. Majority belonged to low socioeconomic group, uneducated and had previous congenital anomaly. Active infection with Treponema pallidum [T.P] in women belonging to low socioeconomic level were disquieting. This is probably due to illiteracy and high proportion of unsafe sexual behavior. It is also suggestive that seropositive status is often discovered in routine serological studies during pregnancy

Antihepatotoxic effect of golden berry [Physalis peruviana Linn.] in carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] intoxicated rats

Liver is the main site in the body for intense metabolism and excretion. A number of chemicals and drugs which are used routinely cause liver damage. The present study investigates the antihepatotoxic effect of Physalis peruviana whole ripe fruit, water and ethanol extracts of fruit in normal as well as in carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] intoxicated rats. The CCl[4] treated rats showed marked elevation in liver enzymes: alanine transaminse, aspratate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and other biochemical parameters: bilirubin, creatinine and urea, thus indicating liver injury. Whereas animal treated/fed with various preparations of Physalis peruviana showed significant lowering effect [p<0.05] in the elevated levels of serum markers like ALAT, ASAT, ALP, LDH, creatinine, urea and bilirubin indicating the protection against hepatic cell damage. The water extract of Physalis peruviana showed highest activity in both rat models while ripe fruit and ethanol extract showed moderate activity compared to standard drug.

Induction of labour with oral Misoprostol for prelabour rupture of membranes at term

To study the efficacy, safety and maternal satisfaction of oral misoprostol for induction of labour in patients with prelabour rupture of membrane at term [PROM].Pregnant women with singleton pregnancy at term with cephalic presentation with prelabour rupture of membranes having no other obstetric and maternal contraindications for induction of labour, were included in the study. Patients were given 50ugm of oral misoprostol at six hourly intervals for a total of three doses or until labour was established. Of the 104 patients included in the study, 28 [26.9%] were primigraivda and 72.1% were multigravida. Induction delivery internal was shorter in multigravida and longer in primigraivda. Patients with Bishop score of less than 5 had a longer induction delivery interval as compared to patients with Bishop score more than 5. Significant side effects included nausea and vomiting in 68 patients [65.3%]. Vaginal delivery was achieved in 80.7% with Cesarean section in 19.2% of patients. Neonatal outcome was good with no stillbirths and only two neonatal deaths. A large number, 98 [94.2%] of women were satisfied with induction of labour with oral misoprostol in PROM. Active management with oral misoprostol resulted in more women going into labour and delivering within 24 hours of PROM with no significant maternal and neonatal complications [JPMA55:180;2005]

Perinatal outcome in pregnancy induced hypertensive mothers

Hypertensive disorders are common complications of pregnancy and they may have devastating consequences for both the mother and the fetus. The study was carried out to investigate the perinatal outcome in babies born to pregnancy induced hypertensive mothers and to formulate the means, which improve the outcome in such pregnancies. A total of 500 expectant mothers were included in the study and were followed till delivery. Neonates were examined immediately after birth and were followed for one week to record the outcome. The commonest maternal complication was eclampsia in 30 mothers; abruptio placentae occurred in 26 women,13 developed features of HELLP syndrome, and 16 developed congestive cardiac failure. Two mothers died, one with features of HELLP syndrome and the other with pulmonary edema and C.C.F. The incidence of preterm delivery was 61%, while 54% babies were low birth weight, 42% babies were shifted to neonatal unit for intensive care. The commonest illness was respiratory distress syndrome in very low birth weight premature babies and it is also the commonest cause of perinatal death. The overall perinatal mortality in this study was 13% and maternal mortality was 0.4%

Tace metal contents of some various of cereals

New high-yield varieties of wheat barley, rice, maize, bajra [pearl millet] and jawar [sorghum] have been analysed for their trace metal contents. The predominant trace metals were iron, zinc and copper. Cobalt and nickel were present in most of the varieties in less than one ppm. Considerable varietal differences have been found in the trace metal contents. Some varieties of each cereal were consistently rich while some were poor in the trace metals suggesting a genetic control for trace metal labelling in the variety. Wheat, barley and bajra were found to be meeting adequately the daily requirements of these trace metals eaten as staple food but rice, maize and jawar would need supplementation of the diet. Data in general was in agreement with the results cited in the literature