ABSTRACT
Objective: the present study was conducted to assess lipid and lipoprotein levels in opium [50 subjects] and heroin-addicted men [50 subjects] against non-opium and non-heroin addicted men [25 healthy individuals] as control subjects from Punjabi population
Material and Methods: the biochemical estimations: total lipids, total lipids, TC, TGs, HDL, LDL, VLDL and Chylomicron levels were carried out on fully automatic clinical chemistry analyzer on 12hour fasting blood samples. The variables for each group were presented as means+/- standard deviations. Results were considered statistically significant if p
Results: our study concluded that the cholesterol, triglyceride and Very Low Density Lipoprotein levels were higher in opium addicts than heroin addicts. Total lipid levels were decreased significantly in heroin addicts as compared to control subjects. However, no significant difference in High Density Lipoprotein and Chylomicron levels was noted in heroin and opium addicts in comparison to controls
Conclusion: it may therefore be suggested that opium addicts are at higher risk to develop atherosclerosis leading to ischemic heart disease than heroin addicts
ABSTRACT
Objective: to evaluate the impact of pesticides on renal function tests in collaboration with liver function tests among workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan
Material and Methods: one hundred workers, 20-50 years of age, working at different pesticide formulation and packing units for at least one year were included in this study. One hundred healthy age and sex matched industrial workers were taken as controls. Renal function tests i.e. blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and liver function tests i.e. alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma glut amyl transferase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, were performed. Screening for hepatitis Band C virus was also done to confirm that all the samples included in current study were negative for Hepatitis Band C virus
Results: in current study, mean blood urea nitrogen value for 100 control subjects was 8.37 mg/di while that of 100 pesticide industrial workers was 12. 70 mg/di. Mean serum creatinine value of 100 controls was 0.65 mg/di and that of patient population were 0.98 mg/di. These results revealed that all the hundred pesticide industrial workers had normal blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels but on the higher side as compared to control subjects. P value was significantly high. The results of liver function tests in serum samples of control subjects were within normal range. Liver function tests of 80 pesticides industrial workers out of 100 were within normal range whereas 20 workers had abnormally raised levels
Conclusion: pesticide exposure among workers of pesticide plants might cause liver toxicity