ABSTRACT
Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the changes of serum lipid profile in apparently healthy shift workers and non shift workers to identify the possible high risk factors for developing atherosclerotic changes. Methods: Serum Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-Cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol levels were estimated and blood pressure was measured in apparently healthy adult shift worker and non shift worker participants. Total 60 subjects age ranged from 20-50 years were selected, of whom 30 were shift workers (Study) for at least one year and 30 were non shift workers (control). Height, weight and resting blood pressure of all the subjects were recorded before collection of blood. Blood samples were collected after over night fasting for estimation of serum lipid and lipoprotein levels and were measured by standard laboratory technique. Data were analyzed by unpaired ‘t’ test. Results: The mean serum Total Cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol levels were significantly higher in shift workers compared to those of non shift workers. Again mean serum Triglyceride and HDL-Cholesterol levels in the shift workers did not differ significantly from that of non shift workers. These changes may be related to internal desynchronization due to disruption of circadian rhythm. Conclusion: The changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels with the exception of HDL-Cholesterol and Triglyceride in the subjects engaged in shift work may put them at increased risk for coronary artery disease.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen in arterial blood (SaO2) was studied in pregnant women to evaluate the lung function status in pregnancy. Methods: This study was conducted in the department of physiology in Dhaka medical college during July 2004 to June 2005. For this purpose total 32 women with age ranged 25-35 years without any recent history of respiratory diseases were selected from Dhaka city. Eight (8) age matched apparently healthy women was taken as control and Twenty four (24) normal pregnant women without any complication were included in experimental group. All pregnant subjects were studied during first, second and third trimester. SaO2 was determined by “Easy Blood Gas Auto Analyzer”. SaO2 during different trimesters were compared with that of non pregnant and also among the trimesters. Statistical analysis was done by students unpaired ‘t’ test. Result: Mean ±SD SaO2 during first trimester (97.73%±0.92), second trimester (98.05%±0.54) and third trimester (98.40%±0.30) were progressively increasing and were significantly higher (p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001) than that of non pregnant women (96.71±0.63). But no statistically significant differences were observed among the trimesteric values. The present result indicates increased lung function in pregnant women associated with progressively increased oxygen saturation with trimester. Higher progesterone level is related to increased ventilation which is more marked in luteal phase of menstrual cycle. In pregnant women gradually rising progesterone level reaches its peak at the later part of pregnancy. Conclusion: Therefore it may be concluded from the present study that progressively increased SaO2 might be related to hyperventilation induced by high progesterone level.