Study of lipid metabolism in infant of diabetic mothers [I.D.M.][gestational and insulin - depended]

IDM are relatively new population group which started its existence due to revolutionary changes in the treatment and control of DM during pregnancy. D.M. has an important influence on carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism in the diabetic mothers [whether IDDM or GDM] which can affect the neonatal lipid metabolism. The aim of this study is to investigate and verify the changes of lipid metabolism in IDM. The alterations in lipid metabolism depends on the lipid and lipoprotein fraction as well as the type of D.M. the changes in lipid metabolism in the newborn is affected by maternal factors, including the degree of hyperglycemia, the type of diabetes, its control the weight of the mother ad newborn characteristics [especially macrasomia] as well as excessive fetal insulin secretion. However, this may lay a role in the development of diabetes and atherosclerosis in the adult life. This study was performed at Bab El-Sharyia University hospital. It included 100 neonates divided into 3 groups. Group I contained 25 neonates of IDDM mothers. Group II involved 25 neonates of GDM and group III, 25 neonates of healthy mothers. All groups were subjected to thorough history, examination and investigations [CBC, blood sugar, lipid profile [T.C. TG, LDLs, HDLc/HDLc ratio were [S.S] higher in both infants of type 1 [IDDM] and group II [GDM] compared to group III control group. Furthermore, Apo, B/LDLc ratio was significantly lower in IDM [group I and II] than the control [group III]. The blood glucose levels were also lower in IDM compared to the control group. There was also S.I. difference in the TC, TG which may be attributed to the good control of DM in the pregnant mothers. However, the Apo-B/LDL ratio was increased in IDM which is considered atherogenic indicators. In conclusion, diabetes in pregnant women causes a tendency to LDL hypercholesterolemia in the offspring. Our recommendation that, these infants should be longitudinally followed up to assess whether this observation has an increased risk for atheroscherosis at advanced ages or not

role of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase activity, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and vitamin E in Parkinson's disease

The aim of the present work was to study the role of NADH dehydrogenase enzyme [complex I] activity, nitric oxide [NO], malondialdehyde [MDA] and vitamin E [vit. E] in the etiogenesis of Parkinson's disease [PD]. This study included 20 PD patients [group I] and 20 healthy subjects [group II]. Mitochondria from platelets were isolated to detect complex I activity. Plasma nitrite and nitrate together with their platelets homogenate levels were estimated. Plasma and platelets homogenate MDA, and plasma vit. E levels were also measured. The results of the present work showed: -Significant decrease of complex I activity [n mol/min/mg protein] as compared to healthy control subjects [t=4.03, p<0.001]. -Non-significant difference between the 2 studied groups as regard plasma nitrite and nitrate and their platelets homogenate levels [micro mol/L] [P>0.05]. -Non-significant difference between the 2 groups as regard the level of MDA in both plasma [n mol/L] and platelets homogenate [n mol/mg protein] [p>0.05]. -Significant increase of plasma vit. E level [ng/ml] in group I as compared to group II [t=3.6, p<0.001]. Age, age at onset and sex of PD patients showed non-significant correlation with complex I activity, plasma nitrate, plasma and platelets MDA and plasma vit. E [p>0.05]. However, plasma nitrite levels showed significant correlation with age [r=0.467, p<0.05]. These results suggest that complex I defect is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of PD, To be considered as a biochemical marker, it should be measured repeatedly to detect progressive decrease in activity. Nitrite, nitrate, MDA and vit. E are apparently not related to the risk for PD

Zinc supplementation in breast-fed infants

This study was carried out on 60 breast-fed healthy infants. Their age were within 4 - 9 months. They were divided into 2 equal groups, the infants of the 1st group were given zinc sulfate in a dose equivalent to 5 mg elemental zinc along a period of 90 days and dose of the 2nd group were given a placebo solution for the same period, in addition to breast feeding and usual diet. The weight, length and serum zinc were recorded at the beginning and at the end of the study, which showed high significant increase in the mean weight gain for the supplemented group, but nonsignificant increase in the mean length gain compared with those of the placebo group. Also, there was high significant decrease in the mean serum zinc level for those of the placebo group compared with supplemented group; however, their mean serum zinc was within the normal average for age [65-185 mug/dl], and none of them showed any sign or symptom of zinc deficiency

Phenytoin toxicity

Of the currently treated epileptics with gr and mal and partial seizures referred to the neurology clinic and treated with phenytoin assisted by serum level monitoring, 20 patients with phenytoin toxicity have been studied. All showed a good compliance to medication, their kidney and liver functions were normal. One patient was suicidal. Five were found to suffer from organic brain disease with symptomatic epilepsy. Three were due to overdose and the other three developed the toxicity after commencement of antiepileptic polytherapy. The remaining 8 cases had the toxicity without any apparent reason. The manifestations and circumstances of toxicity were discussed