Comparative analysis of serum proangiogenic biomarkers between those with and without diabetic retinopathy

Objective: To compare the serum proangiogenic biomarkers in diabetic patients suffering from with and without diabetic retinopathy [DR]

Study Design: An observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan and Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology/Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan, from March to December 2017

Methodology: Forty patients with DR were included in group A and 15 patients without retinopathy [controls] were included in group B. Twelve serum pro-angiogenic biomarkers [Angiopoietin 2, Human Growth Factor [HGF], Epidermal Growth Factor [EGF], Fibroblast Growth Factor [FGF], Placental Growth Factor [PLGF], Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A and C [VEGF-A and VEGF-C], Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 [BMP9], Follistatin, Leptin, Interleukin-8 [IL8], Endothelin [ET]] were analysed by xMAP flow cytometry technique, results were compared between the two groups and statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U test

Results: Serum ET, Follistatin and EGF were significantly raised in group A as compared to group B having p-values of 0.001, <0.001, and 0.033, respectively. Serum BMP9, Leptin, HGF, FGF and VEGF-C had p <0.001, 0.023, 0.020, and 0.009, respectively and were higher in group B than group A

Conclusion: Serum ET, Follistatin and EGF were significantly higher in DR patients as compared to those without DR and should be considered to be significant biomarkers of retinal complications in diabetes mellitus

Senile cataract; serum lipids a modifiable risk factor

To estimate the serum lipid profile of patients having different types of senile cataract and compare them with that of the controls. Observational case control study. Tertiary care centre in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Six months. We selected fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty control individuals from tertiary care hospital of Lahore. History, ophthalmic and systemic examinations were done. Fasting serum samples were taken for estimation of lipid profile from all the subjects. In the patient group, female to male ratio was 1.63:1. 78% patients had Nuclear cataract, 16% had cortical and 6% had posterior sub capsular type of senile cataract. Serum Triglycerides, Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL of patients were compared with controls. The p-value of cholesterol, LDL and HDL was non-significant. The p-value of triglycerides and VLDL was significant. Serum Triglycerides and VLDL are modifiable risk factors in the development of senile cataract in Pakistani patients. Serum Triglycerides is the only lipid, which has shown consistent results related to cataract development in different parts of the world. Other lipids show variable results in different countries

Senile cataract patients; serum electrolytes and calcium

Purpose: The current study was aimed at finding out the significance of serum electrolytes and serum calcium levels in the development of senile cataract

Study Design: Case control study

Setting: Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Period: Jan 2013 to June 2013

Methods: Total fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty controls were selected. Clinical history and clinical diagnostic tests were performed by an ophthalmologist. Blood samples were drawn and serum stored at -20o C. Serum potassium and sodium were measured by Flame photometry. Serum chloride levels were estimated by quantitative displacement of thiocyanate by chloride. The estimation of calcium was done using photometry by CPC method. Statistical analysis was done by Statistical package for social sciences [SPSS version 16.0]. There were 31 females and 19 male [F: M = 1.63: 1] patients. In the control group, there were 32 females and 18 males [F: M = 1.77: 1]. The age was >/= 40 years in both patients and control group

Results: Nuclear cataract was the commonest. Among all the analytes, only serum calcium levels were found to be significantly lower in patients [p value less than 0.05 as compared to controls]. While difference of sodium, potassium and chloride levels between cases and controls was insignificant. [p values 0.49, 0.36, and 0.45 respectively]

Conclusions: In Pakistan, serum electrolytes in cataract patients are not significantly different from the controls while serum Calcium of cataract patients is significantly low when compared with the control group, indicating the possible role of low calcium level as a risk factor in the development of senile cataract

Serum lipids - a modifiable risk factor for senile cataract

To identify the role of serum lipids in patients with different types of senile cataract. It was an observational case control study in a tertiary care centre in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. Fifty patients with senile cataract and fifty control individuals were selected. History taking with ophthalmic and systemic examinations were done. Fasting serum samples were taken for estimation of lipid profile from all the subjects. In the patient group, female to male ratio was 1.63:1. 78% patients had nuclear cataract, 16% had cortical and 6% had posterior sub capsular type of senile cataract. Serum Triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL of patients were compared with controls. The p-value of cholesterol, LDL and HDL was non-significant. Serum triglycerides and VLDL were significantly raised in patients of senile cataract [p. <0.001]. Serum Triglycerides and VLDL are modifiable risk factors in the development of senile cataract in Pakistani patients. Serum Triglycerides is the only lipid, which has shown consistent results related to cataract development in different parts of the world. Other lipids show variable results in different countries

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus; odontogenic orbital cellutitis

Although there are many causes of orbital cellulitis and odontogenic orbital cellulitis is a rare entity but it is quite common in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. We present small series of patients with odontogenic orbital cellulitis and review the devastating visual outcome in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Purpose of this report is to highlight the significance of ocular complications of dental infections which if not tackled promptly can lead to blindness especially if the patient is an uncontrolled diabetic. This case series also stresses upon the importance of dental hygiene and the proper sterilization of the dental surgical instruments which is not given due consideration in the developing countries like Pakistan