Lipid profile in females of reproductive age group using injectable contraceptives [progestogen-only]

To determine and compare the values of lipid profile in married fertile females of reproductive age group using injectable contraceptives. Comparative cross sectional study. This study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore and Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from July 2010 to Dec 2010. A total of 250 married fertile women in their reproductive age were selected. They were divided in two groups: Group 1 [controls] and Group 2 [injectable contraceptive users]. Levels of s erum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured using standard kits. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol was calculated with Fried Wald equation. Results were analyzed by using student's t test. Informed consent was taken from each patient and control subject for this study. Injectable contraceptives cause significant decrease in HDL-C and significant increase in serum triglycerides and LDL-C. It is suggested that Lipid profile should be estimated before starting every course [the course may be 3-6months] of injectable contraceptives to the subjects

Association of BMI with elevated values of CK-MB and cTnT in acute myocardial infarction

To determine the association of BMI with serum levels of cTnT and CK-MB isoenzyme in patients presented to hospital emergency with suspected myocardial infarction and in healthy individuals. Comparative cross sectional study. This study was conducted at Post graduate medical institute, Lahore in collaboration with Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore from July 2010 to Dec 2010. Serum concentration of CK-MB and Cardiac Troponin T were estimated in 80 patients of AMI [40-60 years of age both sexes] by Immunological UV assay and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay [ECLIA] respectively. 40 healthy controls were matched for age and sex. Low BMI was observed in patients with both sexes. The values of both CK-MB and cTnT were markedly raised in patients with acute myocardial infarction. In the present study higher prevalence of risk factors and MI were seen in patients even with BMI < 23 kg/m 2.Therefore recognition and adoption of BMI cutoffs represent a major step forward in redefining the risk stratification among Pakistanis

Impact of pesticides on liver enzymes in workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan

To evaluate the impact of pesticides on Gamma Glutamyl Transferase [GTT], Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], Alanine Transaminase [ALT] and Aspartate Transaminase [AST] in workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan. One hundred workers in the age group of 20-50 years working at different pesticide formulation and packing units for at least one year were included in this study. One hundred healthy workers from other than pesticides industry, with no history of exposure to pesticides and matching age, sex and social status were taken as controls.Biochemical tests for GGT, ALP, ALT, and AST, were carried out employing Chemistry Auto analyzer. In current study, serum of one hundred control subjects indicated mean GGT value 37.19+8.07U/L. Mean GGT value for one hundred pesticide industrial workers was found to be 30.08_10.63U/L. These results revealed that all the hundred pesticide industrial workers had normal GGT levels, but on the lower side as compared to control subjects. P value was significant. Data of hundred pesticides industrial workers was taken and it was found that ALP, ALT, AST of eighty workers was within the normal range whereas the remaining twenty workers had raised level of ALP, ALT, and AST. Data of the control group showed that ALP, ALT, and ASTof all one hundred workers were within the normal range. All Pesticide industrial workers had normal GGT levels. High or upper normal levels of ALP, ALT, and AST were observed in serum of pesticide industrial workers

Comparison of uric acid levels in first degree relatives of ischaemic heart disease patients and normal population

Worldwide ischaemic heart disease [IHD] is increasing as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. There is an increasing list of established and evolving risk factors associated with the development of IHD. Uric acid is one of the modifiable risk factor which can be controlled by dietary modification. Better control of uric acid levels can delay the development of IHD in first degree relatives [FDRs] of IHD patients. Aim of this study was to assess serum uric acid levels independent of other established risk factors in FDRs of IHD patients and in normal subjects. It was a cross sectional study conducted in Department of Chemical Pathology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital [SZH], Lahore from January 2008 to January 2009. Seventy five first degree relatives of IHD patients were selected. These were the attendants of the patients coming to the cardiology OPD and patients admitted to Coro-nary Care Unit [CCU], SZH Lahore. An equal number of subjects were selected as a control group who had no family history of IHD. After a detailed clinical history and physical examination, fast-ing blood samples were collected. Blood glucose, lipid profile and serum uric acid levels were estimated. Uric acid levels were found to be higher in FDRs as compared to normal subjects. Further the values were higher in those with an increase in incidence of IHD in the family

Decreased serum zinc levels in patients with senile cataract

Age related cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world today and cataract extraction is the most often performed surgery. If a practical large scale intervention could slow the onset of cataract by ten years, the need for cataract surgery would be reduced by 45%. The causes of cataract are multiple, with nutrition playing a definite role. The usually high concentration of zinc in the ocular tissue, along with zinc deficiency being an established cause of Age Related Macular Degeneration, has led to an increasing interest in this trace element's potential role in Age related cataractogenesis. This study was conducted in The University of Health Sciences in collaboration with The Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore and The University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Lahore. The sample size was 50 patients with senile cataract. Serum of 35 age and sex matched controls were taken. These patients were undergoing trabeculectomy for glaucoma. Zinc levels were measured in the serum, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results supported the hypothesis that zinc deficiency could be one of the factors responsible for the development of senile cataract. Significant difference was observed in serum zinc levels of patients and controls [P < 0.001] showing that the patient serum zinc levels [0.896 +/- 0.202 vs. 0.478 + 0.278.] are significantly lower than the serum zinc levels of controls

Serum adiponectin levels in patients with coronary artery disease

Adiponectin is an adipocytokine secreted from white adipose tissue. Serum level of adiponectin has been shown to be reduced in several disease states like obesity and diabetes. Hypoadiponectinemia has also been included in the list of newer risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]. In this analytical cross-sectional study serum adiponectin level was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA] in 60 cases of coronary artery disease [CAD] [both sexes, aged 40-60 yrs] and 60 healthy controls. Low levels of adiponectin were seen in CAD patients as well as controls. These levels were lower as compared to western standards. Our study conforms to the previous observation of lower serum adiponectin levels in South Asians compared to the western standards. Serum adiponectin level should be considered in the laboratory work-up of CAD patients

Elevated lipoprotein [a] levels seen in patients with coronary artery disease

There are a number of risk factors involved in the etiology of coronary artery disease. Lipoprotein [a] [[Lp[a]] is a genetically determined variant of low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol which is highly atherogenic. It has been found to be a common risk factor in families suffering from premature coronary artery disease [CAD]. Our study was an analytical cross sectional study, in which Lp[a] levels were measured by ELISA assay in 60 cases of coronary artery disease [CAD], [both sexes, aged 40-60 yrs] and 60 healthy controls. There was a significant difference in serum Lp[a] level between the two with higher levels seen in the CAD cases. It is concluded that it is needed to measure Lp[a] levels as well as the routine lipid profile in CAD patients