ABSTRACT
It has been demonstrated that Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [T2DM] patients, with the presence of microalbuminuria [MA] had higher postprandial triglyceride than those without MA. The present study further investigates this potential association and to elaborate the degree of dependence of T2DM with MA condition on onset of high postprandial [PP] triglyceridemia in our setting. A total of 32 patients with T2DM were included in the study during February 2007 and December 2008 and were divided into two groups according to the presence [n = 15, MA+ve] or absence of MA [n=l 7, MA-ve]. Blood was drawn in the fasting state and at 2 and 6 h after the standard mixed breakfast test meal for biochemical analysts. Plasma ApoA, triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, creatinine and Glycosylated hemoglobin Ale [HbAlc] levels were determined using standard methods. 24 hr albumin and urinary micro albumin showed highly significant difference [P<0.001] in values in MA-ve and MA+ve groups, whereas glycosylated HbAlc and duration of T2DM doesn't exhibit any significant difference. Biochemical constituents such as glucose, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol exhibited mild [P<0.05] to moderate [P<0.01] significance when compared within the groups of MA-ve and MA +ve patients in fasting and postprandial conditions. Comparatively highest level of constantly significant difference in values was noted only in triglycerides when MA +ve were compared with MA-ve, which remains high not only at 2 hrs. Postprandial [P<0.001] but also after 6 hrs. Under same conditions [P<0.001]. The data strongly support the theory and observations that in patients with T2DM and co-existence of MA, hypertriglyceridemia prevails, which further complicates the already co-morbid hyperlipidemic state in these patients
ABSTRACT
In recent studies, suggestions were made that the diagnostic utility of Amino-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] a known biomarkers of myocardial dysfunction, be extended to chronic kidney disease [CKD] patients that are devoid of any cardiovascular abnormalities or disease, however may develop same in future. The goal of present study was to further evaluate the relationship between CKD and NT-proBNP concentration in patients with varying levels of renal dysfunction including End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD]. Stable adult patients of both gender [n = 76] with CKD were included in the study during January 2007 to September 2008, who had been on hemodialysis [HD]. The patients were divided into two groups depending on Left ventricular ejection fraction [EF]<50%. Other parameters such as mean arterial pressure [MAP], NT proBNP and biochemical parameters were measured using standard procedures. The result strongly presents a correlation between of NT-proBNP levels in CKD patients, who were without a definite onset of LVD. Furthermore, NT pro-BNP significantly correlated with an elevated protein to creatinine ratio and blood urea nitrogen [P < 0.01] suggesting that onset and presence of CKD influenced the concentration of natriuretic peptides. The present study regarding assessment of NT proBNP in CKD patients, provide evidence that renal dysfunction and natriuretic peptides, especially NT-proBNP are correlated with each other. In addition, further prospective studies are underway to validate and better define this relationship
ABSTRACT
It has been researched and agreed upon that pneumonia elicits a powerful inflammatory response with the release of inflammatory mediators or biomarkers, such as acute-phase proteins, inteleukin-6 and C-reactive protein [CRP] from activated mononuclear phagocyte cells. It is also known and recommended that the early analysis of serum concentrations of CRP is a significant tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of different acute inflammatory processes. Community-acquired pneumonia [CAP] is documented to be the major cause of death in the western world and effects increasing number of population annually. In present study we have investigated the suggested usefulness of serum CRP levels in patients with CAP at the time of diagnosis and compared it with CRP of healthy controls. One hundred and seventy one [n = 171] patients were included in the study and classified according to presence of pathogens/ etiology in individual capacity as well as in combination with other organisms. All microbiological assays were performed according to standardized procedures, whereas CRP was measured in serum samples by an automated turbid metric method with normal reference of =5.0 mg/L. A total of 87 patients [50.87%] had an identifiable etiology with bacterial pathogens as the causative agents whereas 32 [18.71%] with viral origin, 12 [7.0%] with other pathogens and 40 patients [23.39%] with negative microbiological findings. CRP values were comparable [non-significant] in different etiologic groups of bacterial origin, except Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella .pneumoniae groups [P<0.05], whereas highly significant when compared viral etiology, other pathogens [P<0.01] and negative microbiological findings [P<0.001]. In conclusion the study noted that in patients with confirmed evidence of pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia pathogens as the causative agents; serum CRP levels are greater, ranged between 95.28 +/- 10. 75 to 121 +/- 18.35 mg/Land thus seems to predict severity of illness, in addition to assist in deciding on the appropriate site of care e.g., hospital or home
ABSTRACT
One of the acute-phase biomarkers that have recently been investigated for its clinical utility in tuberculosis pleural effusion is C-reactive protein [CRP] which has already been commonly used as a marker of inflammation and tissue injury. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to analyze the viability of CRP as a diagnostic aid for tuberculosis in lymphocytic pleural effusions. Fifty two [n = 52] patients with lymphocytic pleural effusion with definite diagnosis of a disease condition, were taken into the test group and classified into no tuberculosis [n = 28] group and tuberculosis pleurisy group where sputum culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pleural effusion [n = 24]. CRP in pleural fluid was analyzed by automated turbid metric immunoassay method as per description of the manufacturer and normal reference value in serum is= 5.0 mg/L and that of pleural effusion in control group is = 20.45 mg/L. Twenty four patients [males = 19; Female = 5] were diagnosed with tuberculosis whereas 9 with pulmonary embolism, 5 with CABG and 14 with benign exudates of para-pneumonic origin. CRP of non-tuberculosis effusions were noted to be relatively lower in levels [range 15.30 +/- 5.10 to 32.10 +/- 9.25 mg/L] as compared to those obtained in tuberculosis effusions [62.50 +/- 12. 75 mg/L]_ However, CRP of benign exudates of para-pneumonic origin showed a higher value, 32.10 +/- 9.25 mg/L, than other non-tuberculosis effusions. The level of significant difference was high with P<0.001 when CRP of tuberculosis pleural effusion was compared with non-tuberculosis effusions, whereas with para pneumonic exudates, the difference was moderately significant, P<0.01. The results clearly indicates a significant role of CRP for diagnostic facilitation of tuberculosis pleural effusion in comparison with non-tuberculosis effusions of para-pneumonic, CABG or pulmonary dysfunctions