First trimester serum vitamin D, hs-CRP and second trimester uterine artery diastolic notching in predicting gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Background: Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to study prediction of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia by using first trimester serum vitamin D and hs-CRP and second trimester uterine artery diastolic notching.Methods: It was an observational study conducted in the departments of obstetrics and gynaecology, clinical biochemistry and radiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. All pregnant women with 11 to 14 weeks gestational age attending antenatal clinic between October 2012 and June 2013 were enrolled in the study. A detailed history including history of the duration of sun exposure was taken and a general physical examination including obstetrical examination was done at every visit. Serum sample were taken for hs-CRP and vitamin-D levels at 11-14 weeks. Uterine artery colour doppler study was done between 22-24 weeks for uterine artery diastolic notching. The main outcome measures were development of gestational hypertension/ preeclampsia/ eclampsia.Results: The mean vitamin D levels were significantly lower and mean hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group as compared to the normotensive group, p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively. Significant number women who developed hypertension had unilateral (46.2%) or bilateral (20.4%) uterine artery diastolic notching, p=0.005 and p=0.000, respectively. Crude’s odds ratio of uterine artery diastolic notching for prediction of hypertension in pregnancy was high, 9.894, 95% CI, 3.273-29.907 as compared to vitamin D (<13.5 ng/ml) and hs-CRP (>9.15 mg/L), 2.859, 95% CI, 1.418-5.763 and 7.16, 95% CI, 3.33-15.397.Conclusions: Uterine artery diastolic notching in the early second trimester is found to be the best predictor of PE followed by first trimester hs-CRP and vitamin D.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance: a North Indian study.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is most common form of chronic anovulation associated with androgen excess. Insulin resistance (IR) is characterized by impaired glucose response to specific amount of insulin. The objective of the study was to find an association between PCOS and IR in North Indian patients. Methods: A total of 50 PCOS cases diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria, 2003, i.e. at least two of the following three features: oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Serum glucose levels were measured spectrophotometrically by glucose oxidase-peroxidase method. Insulin levels in serum were estimated by using ELISA based kit procured form Diasorin Ltd, Germany. Homeostatic Model Assessment- Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated by their formulas. Results: PCOS patients had significantly higher values of BMI, fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR. Fasting serum glucose was however in the normal range in both cases and control. Conclusion: Our study suggested a strong association of PCOS with insulin resistance in this part of the country.

Localization of mycobacteral smegmatis adenosine deaminase.

The study was carried out to check the localization of M.smegmatic adenosine deaminase for its metabolic and clinical importance. The separation and washing of the membrane was done by using refrigerated high-speed centrifuge. The high activity was observed in crude extract while low activity in first washing of the membrane but after second washing there was no enzyme activity seen. Culture media also does not show any enzyme activity. Thus M.smegmatic adenosine deaminase may be a cytosolic enzyme and it does not excreted in to the surrounding media.

Levels of erythrocyte malonyldialdehyde, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, G6PD activity & plasma urate in patients of pregnancy induced hypertension.

To assess the oxidative stress across the cell membrane in patients suffering from pregnancy induced hypertension, erythrocyte malonyldialdehyde, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and plasma urate levels were estimated in 25 non pregnant women, 40 normotensive pregnant women and 40 women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). As compared to non pregnant women, there was a significant increase in the levels of erythrocyte malonyldialdehyde and plasma urate in normotensive pregnant women, which were further increased in women with PIH. Erythrocyte glutathione levels were raised in normotensive pregnant women as compared to non pregnant women. Its levels were decreased in patients of PIH as compared to normotensive pregnant women. Cellular bio-availability of vitamin E was depressed in both normotensive pregnancy as well as patients with pregnancy induced hypertension as compared to non pregnant women.

Urinary calcium creatinine ratio and hypercalciuria.

Random urine samples of 352 children in the age group of 5-12 yrs were studied for urinary calcium-creatinine ratio (Uca/Ucr mg/mg). None had any predisposing factor for secondary hypercalciuria. Calcium and creatinine both were estimated by colorimetric method. We observed that Uca/Ucr in the general pediatric population was skewed, the pattern was similar to that described in western children and it was independent of age and sex. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of Uca/Ucr was 0.10 +/- 0.094. Considering mean +2SD as the upper limit of normal, which was 0.29 in this series, the prevalence of hypercalciuria was 6.5%.

Brain cholesterol and phospholipid levels in cyproheptadine treated albino rats.

Effect of different doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 40 mg/kg), s.c., for 2 weeks, of cyproheptadine (CYP) on brain cholesterol and phospholipid of albino rats was investigated. Cyp. 2.5 mg/kg, showed increase in brain cholesterol and phospholipid contents whereas other doses caused a decrease in phospholipid level.