Incidence of beta-thalassemia carriers in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir

Objective: To determine the frequency of beta-thalassemia carriers in healthy population from Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir

Methods: In this cross sectional population based study, people from Muzaffarabad were motivated to get themselves tested for beta thalassemia trait. People found healthy on basis of a questionnaire and clinical examination were included in the study. Complete blood counts and peripheral smear review were performed on EDTA samples. Hemoglobin [Hb] electrophoresis was performed. Subjects with mean corpuscular volume [MCV], <76 fl, and/or mean corpuscular Hb [MCH], < 27 pg were subjected to hemoglobin A2 [HbA2] level estimation by elution method. Hemoglobin A2 of more than 3.5% was considered diagnostic for beta-thalassemia trait. Azad Kashmir is a territory with considerable ethnic heterogeneity. This is basically a tribal society with a high proposition of consanguineous marriages. We created awareness among the general population

Results: Found that gene is present in almost all tribes studied

Conclusion: Using strict criteria for healthy population, we conclude that incidence of thalassemia trait is 5.6 % in our study population. beta -thalassemia trait is present in almost all ethnic groups. To control thalassemia major, screening program for thalassemia carriers must be initiated in the area

Histological changes in renalvessels of albino rats fed on canola oil and hyperlipidaemic diet

To evaluate and compare the atheroscIerotic changes with intake of dietary monounsaturated fatty acid [canola oil] and hyperlipidaemic diet on the renal arteries of albino rats. Design: It was an experimental study conducted at Postgraduate Medical lnstitute [PGMI] Lahore for 24 weeks. Materials and Methods Sixty albino rats of 8 weeks age, equal number of males and females were divide in to five groups of 12 animals each.[Group DO-4]. Different diets were prepared and given to the animals for 24 weeks. Renal arteries were taken to see changes. Gross and microscopic changes for atherosclerosis were studied in animals sacrificed after one week [Group DO] and in animals scarified after 24 weeks of experiment [Groups 1-4]. Only one animal showed atherotic lesion in-group D 2, while all other animals remained lesion free. Our study proved that canola oil was one of the beneficial diets. Canola oil was not only effective when used alone in the diet but it also protected and prevented the atherosclerotic changes of other atherogenic diets