Effects of alpha-tocopherol on lipid profile in primary hyperlipidemia

To determine the antihyperlipidemic effects of alpha-tocopherol in primary hyperlipidemia. An analytical cohort study. This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, from February to April 2001. Newly diagnosed and un-treated primary hyperlipidemic persons of either gender between the ages 17 to 70 years were initially enrolled in the study for a 12 weeks [90 day] trial with fortnightly follow up visits. The selected patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group [Group-I] was treated with diet restriction and exercise only. The second group [Group-II] was treated with diet restriction, exercise and alpha -tocopherol. Results were compared using paired t-test. There were 35 patients in all. After treatment with alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol reduction was highly significant [p<0.01]. Triglyceride reduction was significant [p<0.05]. Increase in HDL-c level was highly significant [p<0.001]. The LDL-c reduction was statistically highly significant [p<0.001]. VLDL reduction was also significant [p<0.01]. When compared between the Groups I and II, the reduction in cholesterol was moderately significant [p<0.01], LDL-c reduction was found to be markedly significant [p<0.01]. HDL and VLDL reduction was also found to be significant [p<0.05]. In comparison there was no significant change in triglyceride level. Diet restriction and exercise had significant beneficial effects on lipid profile. When supplemented with alpha -tocopherol, there was a highly significant beneficial effect on lipid profile

Research awareness among medical students: a student's perspective

This is an era of extremely fast growing concepts replacing the old ones with new projections. In this overwhelming world of information [RESEARCH] is the only way to compete and compre-hend new thoughts. The word Research as perceived by general population is making any new discovery. The same goes for methodology of research that it is done in high tech laboratories provided with lot of expertise further adds up to neglect towards research. The lack of awareness, innovation and appreciation on part of both workers and population has limited the number of research projects in our country. 1. To compare the research awareness among students of preclinical [PC] and clinical [C] years 2. To compare the research awareness among students of public and private sector medical colleges. A cross-sectional study. JMDC, Sep-Oct, 2004. Responses to a questionnaire from a total of I 400 students [160 PC and 240 C] were analyzed using percentage and student's t-test methods. Study included response of 10 students from 1[st] till finalyear of MBBS course from three public sector [Pub] [DMC, SMC, KMDC] and five private sector [Pvt] Medical Colleges [JMDC, ZMU, AKUH, Baqai and Hamdard Med University]. Only 54.55% of the students were aware about the description of research, [57.08%, 50.75%clinical and preclinical respectively]. Comparatively more students from Pvt sector were aware about research and its methodologies [Pvt 55.2% vs Pub 48.13% p<0.05]. Students from the clinical years think that lack of awareness to research and its methodologies is the most important cause [C 25.4% vs PC 9.4% p< 0.05] while students from private sector accused unavailability of funds as the major problem [Pvt 36.8% vs Pub 28.0% p<0.05].1. Teaching biostatistics and research methodologies have a crucial outcome on the awareness of research. 2. Implementing COME/PBL in private sector medical colleges has remarkably amplified the knowledge about research in the medical students. 3. Sequentially downhill the students chose lack of supervision, funds and knowledge about the subject as the main reasons for doctors not conducting research

Serum leptin levels correlation with high blood pressure in adult females

To measure serum leptin levels and compare them in lean and obese subjects and to identify correlation between serum leptin levels, heart rate and hypertension in lean and obese subjects among adult females. A case control study. Jinnah Medical and Dental College Hospital's Outpatient Department [OPD] during the calender year 2003. Seventy female subjects with different body mass indices were selected from OPD of Jinnah Medical and Dental College Hospital [OPD], Karachi. Heart rate was counted manually; blood pressure was measured by mercury sphygmomanometer while serum leptin was measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay. The outcomes hypertension and heart rate were correlated to risk factor leptin. Result: Mean heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and serum leptin levels of obese people were 90 +/- 1, 142 +/- 2, 89 +/- 1 and 24.13 +/- 1.7 respectively, which were significantly higher as compared to lean subjects [p<0.05]. All the parameters correlated positively and significantly with increasing BMI. There was a relationship of tachycardia and hypertension with high serum leptin levels in obesity. Serum leptin levels increase with the level of obesity. Hyper-leptinemia is associated with tachycardia and increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in obesity via complex mechanisms

Perchloroethylene induced nephropathies in albino rats

To evaluate the effect of perch loroethylene in inducing nephrophaties. 30 adult albino rats of either sex were divided in to three equal groups; Normal control 'A', Sesame Oil Control 'B' and Tetrachlcroethylen treated group 'C' injected with tetrachloroethylen 3mg/kg for 15 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed their kidneys removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E, PAS and alcian blue. Tetrachloroethylene induces marked swelling of renal tubular cells with lumina filled with cellular debris and casts. Hyaline fibrinoid droplets were found in proximal tubular cells. Tetrachloroethylene induces, changes suggestive of protenacious nephropathy

Effects of tetrachloroethylene and vitamin E on renal parenchyma of albino rats

To evaluate the role of vitamin 'E' against tetrachloroethylene induced nephropathies. Fifty adult albino rats of either sex were divided into five equal groups; normal control [A], sesame oil control [A2], tetrachloroethylene treated group [B], experimental group [C] and vitamin 'E' control [D], In group C vitamin 'E' [10 mg/animal] was injected simultaneously with tetrachloroethylene [3mg/kg] for 15 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. There kindneys removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E, PAS and Alcian Blue. Simultaneous administration of vitamin 'E' and tetrachloroethylene showed unaltered morphology of renal cortical parenchyma, comparable with that of group A1, A2 and D kidneys, except slight proximal tubular dilatation. Tetrachloroethlene induced nephropathy may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats