ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is consistently related to the development of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Oxidative stress has been associated with mechanisms of hypertension which could be nullified by antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: (i) To estimate the impact of antioxidant therapy on antioxidant capacity in hypertensive patients; (ii) to measure serum levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hypertensive patients before and after giving them antioxidant therapy for 45 days. Materials and Methods: Thirty randomly selected hypertensive patients were given Supradyn tablet once a day for 45 days. Ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), SOD, GR, GPx, and reduced Glutathione assays were measured before and after the intervention therapy. Results: Total antioxidant capacity as measured by serum FRAP in hypertensive patients before and after the therapy was increased significantly from 578.8 ± 60.85 to 592.1 ± 59.66 (?mol/L), respectively. The levels of SOD, GPx, GR, and Glutathione in hypertensive patients before giving antioxidant therapy were 1.6 ± 0.49 U/ml, 184.6 ± 17.1 ?mol/L/min, 8.96 ± 1.15 ?mol/L/min, and 8.03 ± 0.96 ?mol/g of Hb, respectively. The same after giving them antioxidant therapy were 1.7 ± 0.46 U/ml, 182.4 ± 15.98 ?mol/L/min, 8.83 ± 1.11 ?mol/L/min, and 7.83 ± 0.94 ?mol/g of Hb, respectively. The levels of GPx, GR, and Glutathione were significantly decreased after giving antioxidant therapy for 45 days while SOD level did not change significantly. Conclusion: Antioxidant therapies for 45 days led to a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity as shown by plasma FRAP levels and a significant decrease in serum levels of enzymatic antioxidants such as GPx, GR and Glutathione in hypertensive patients. However, serum levels of SOD did not show a significant change.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cigarette smoking induced sympathetic overdrive is one of the major independent modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. There is altered autonomic activity with increased adrenergic activity in chronic smoking which also predisposes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are several tests that can determine the Autonomic Activity. Among them, heart rate variability (HRV), especially the time domain parameters of it, is simple, easy to perform, and non-invasive test for diagnosing autonomic dysfunction in the smokers. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the time domain parameters of HRV in smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out at autonomic function laboratory and cardiovascular function laboratory, Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, among 200 subjects, out of which 100 were smokers and 100 were non-smokers, in age group of 20–50 years. Results: There was a significant increase in mean heart rate, blood pressure, and R-R interval in smokers as compared to the non-smokers. There was also a significant decrease in all time domain parameters of HRV which suggests profound sympathetic overdrive and a decrease in vagal tone due to the actions of nicotine presents in tobacco smoke. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking plays a major role in degradation and decreased function of autonomic nervous system.
ABSTRACT
Background: Conventionally, teaching in the subject of physiology is undertaken with the help of didactic lectures, practical demonstrations, and tutorials. Case-based learning (CBL) is known to impart analytical and problem-solving skills in the students. CBL motivates students to apply clinical knowledge from real-life scenarios to solve problems. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of didactic lectures and CBL in physiology among 1st-year BDS students and to gauge their perception. Materials and Methods: After ethical approval, this study was conducted at physiology department PIMS Udaipur. After taking informed consent, two groups of 40 students were taught two different topics using CBL and didactic lectures with cross-over study design. Students’ learning was assessed by 20 pre-validated MCQs. Mean ± SD of the pre- and the post-test scores of the students was taken. The post-test scores of the students in both the groups were compared using Student’s t test. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Students’ perception was analyzed on Likert scale. Results: CBL was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01) in both the topics. MCQ scores of didactic lectures was 7.972 ± 1.765 and 7.667 ± 1.971 while that of CBL was 9.111 ± 2.081 and 9.222 ± 2.257 in anemia and jaundice, respectively. Students gave favorable and encouraging perception on CBL method. Conclusion: CBL was more effective than didactic lectures in teaching physiology to undergraduates. First-year BDS students found interactive case discussions more enjoyable and educationally stimulating than lectures. Students’ feedback indicated that CBL could be incorporated more in undergraduate physiology Curriculum.