Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) in Vegetarians.

Background: Diet deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of coronary diseases. Low levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants may enhance the production of oxidized LDL and are important independent risk factors for coronary disease. Objective: To make a comparative evaluation of lipid profile and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka between July 2011 to June 2012. Vegetarian and nonvegetarian subjects of male sex were the study population. Vegetarians were considered as cases while nonvegetarians as controls. After proper ethical consideration a total of 30 vegetarians and 40 nonvegetarians were consecutively included in the study based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Laboratory investigations were done in the Department of Biochemistry, BSMMU, Dhaka. Results: The vegetarians had significantly lower total cholesterol and LDLcholesterol than the nonvegetarians (p=0.000 and p=0.000 respectively). Serum HDL cholesterol was also lower among the vegetarians (p=0.002) and triglycerides were almost identical in both the groups (p=0.272). Conclusion: The study reveals lower level of total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in vegetarians. No difference regarding triglycerides and AIP was found between the groups. So, the findings of this study do not indicate any superiority of vegetarian diet in control and prevention of cardiac diseases.

Correlation between Aminotransferase Ratio (AST/ALT) and Other Biochemical Parameters in Chronic Liver Disease of Viral Origin.

Background: In recent years the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in patients of chronic liver disease (CLD) of various origins has gained much attention. This variable is readily available, easy to interpret, and inexpensive and the clinical utility of the AST/ALT ratio in the diagnostic workup of patients with CLD is quite promising. Objective: The present study was designed to find out the link between aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio with commonly measured biochemical parameters of liver function tests in CLD of viral origin. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Forty four biopsy proven diagnosed subjects of chronic viral hepatitis without cirrhosis of both sex were selected purposively. With aseptic precaution 5 mL venous blood was collected from each subject and common liver function tests (serum AST, ALT, AST/ALT ratio, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, serum albumin/globulin ratio, prothrombin time) and viral serology (HBsAg, Anti HDV antibody, Anti HCV antibody) were performed. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 19 for Windows. Pearson’s correlation test was done to determine association between AST/ALT with other biochemical parameters. Results: Mean(±SD) age of the study subjects was 32.55±10.55 years (range 20-50 years) with 48 (77.7%) male and 14 (22.6%) female subjects. Pearson’s correlation test was done between AST to ALT ratio with other biochemical parameters and prothrombin time showed significant positive correlation (p <0.01). Conclusion: In our study we found significant positive correlation between AST/ALT with prothrombin time in CLD subjects without cirrhosis.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Radiology in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Tumour of Bone.

Background: Giant cell tumour (GCT) is an aggressive and potentially malignant lesion. Microscopic feature reveals osteoclast like giant cells in a mononuclear stromal cells background. The mononuclear stromal cell is interpreted as neoplastic. Objective: As radiological diagnosis is non invasive and cost effective in comparison to histopathological diagnosis, considering the patients’ compliance, the aim of the study was to observe the diagnostic efficacy of radiology in diagnosis of GCT. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Pathology, Delta Hopital Ltd., Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2011 to December 2012. A total of 30 study subjects were enrolled in the study irrespective of age and sex. Biopsy material and relevant data of clinically suspected cases of GCT along with radiology report were sent from National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Histopathological diagnosis was made by expert pathologists. Results: Mean (±SD) age of the study subjects was 29.20 (±7.34) years with highest number of patients were observed in 3rd decade and female was predominant (60%) with a male female ratio of 1:1.5. Common site of GCT was around knee (50%). Among 30 clinically diagnosed GCT, 25 (83.3%) cases were radiologically diagnosed as GCT, 2 (6.7%) diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia, 1 (3.3%) as chondroblastoma, 1 (3.3%) as simple bone cyst and 1 (3.3%) as aneurysmal bone cyst. However among 30 clinically diagnosed GCT, 28 (93.3%) patients were histopathologically diagnosed as Giant cell lesion and rest 2 (6.7%) patients diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of radiological diagnosis of GCT were found to be 92.6%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 40.0% and 90.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Radiology can be effectively used as a screening tool in diagnosing GCT.

Diabetic Retinopathy and Homocysteine in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest complication that occurs from the very beginning in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). DM itself leads to increased homocysteine (Hcy) level. It is postulated that hyperhomocysteinaemia causes retinal vascular damage as Hcy is an established vasculotoxic agent and auto-oxidation of Hcy leads to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation and thrombus formation. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum Hcy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects with diabetic retinopathy. Materials and method: A case control study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, during the period of January 2006 to December 2007. Total 85 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects were included in this study, 40 were case having retinopathy and 45 were age and sex matched control without retinopathy. Serum Hcy was measured and compared between case and control. Results: Serum Hcy level in cases was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to that of control (15.11±5.49 μmol/L vs. 12.59±4.01 μmol/L). Odds ratio was also determined for hyperhomocysteinemia (OR=2.23; CI 0.9-5.45). Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with diabetic retinopathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Lipid Profile of Postmenopausal Women with Central Obesity.

Background: Following menopause there are changes in values of lipid profile parameters. Abdominal obesity has also been linked to significant metabolic abnormalities including changes in lipid parameter values. So, we designed this study to observe the pattern of lipid profile parameters in postmenopausal central obese women. Objective: To assess the lipid profile status of postmenopausal women with central obesity. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of January 2005 to December 2005. Seventy four postmenopausal women with central obesity and age matched 56 nonobese postmenopausal women were included in the study. Central obesity was defined having waist hip ratio more than 0.8. All statistical analyses were done by SPSS 12.0. p values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Statistically no significant difference was observed between the central obese women and nonobese women in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. But HDL-cholesterol was found lower and triacylglycerol was found higher in postmenopausal central obese women. Conclusion: Dyslipidaemia is a feature of postmenopausal women with central obesity.

Insulin Resistance and Hypogonadism.

Backgound: The number of hypogonads is increasing day by day. It may be due to sedentary life style with increased obesity, increased tension or stressed lifestyle among all groups of populations. Visceral obesity is associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and also with hypogonadism. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the proportion of insulin resistance among male subjects with hypogonadism in different age groups along with status of erectile quality among diabetics and non diabetics. Materials and method: This cross sectional study among 161 adult male subjects aged ≥ 20 to ≤ 60 years were purposively selected from Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), Dhaka, Bangladesh between May 2009 to September 2010. Glycemic status and insulin resistance (by HOMA-R) were done and relevant history were documented. Results: The highest proportion (38.9%) of hypogonadism was in ≥ 50 years age group whereas highest proportion (39.6%) of the eugonads was in the age group of 40 to 49 years. More than half of the hypogonad subjects had weak erectile quality (54.0%) which were followed by absent erectile quality in 32.7% and 13.3% subjects had normal erectile quality. Among the eugonad subjects 41.7% had normal erectile quality, 41.6% subjects had weak erectile quality and 16.7% subjects had no erectile quality. More than ninety percent of the hypogonad subjects and about 60% of the eugonad subjects had insulin resistance. The average HOMA-R was more in the subjects with hypogonadism with diabetes which was highly significant (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Hypogonadism is associated with insulin resistance.

Serum Lipids and Diabetic Retinopathy in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Subjects.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest and usually the first observable vascular complication of diabetes mellitus. Along with hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia is a contributing factor for the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy. It is postulated that dyslipidaemia results in formation of hard exudate by increasing blood viscosity and altering the fibrinolytic system. A case control study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka during the period of January 2006 to December 2007 to evaluate the serum lipid profile in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects with diabetic retinopathy. Materials and Methods: Total 85 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects were included in this study, 40 were cases having retinopathy and 45 were age and sex matched controls without retinopathy. Serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared between cases and controls. Unpaired t-test and chi-square test were done between groups as tests of significance. Results: All the parameters of lipid profile showed dyslipidaemic trend both in cases and controls. In the cases TG was significantly higher and HDL-C was significantly lower than that of controls (p < 0.05) whereas no significant difference was found between cases and controls with respect to serum TC and LDL-C. Conclusion: It can be concluded that high TG and low HDL-C are associated with diabetic retinopathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.