Two years experience of analytical and diagnostic challenges in urine organic acid analysis on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Objective: To evaluate the analytical and diagnostic challenges in interpreting the various organic acid results by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry and to devise a protocol for analysis that is beneficial for prompt interpretation and diagnosis

Study Design: Retrospective study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from Apr 2015 to May 2017

Material and Methods: We reviewed clinical data, biochemical investigations and urine organic acid profiles of 110 patients received for evaluation of a suspected organic acid disorder. Urine organic acid analysis was carried out by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry using Mass Hunter software

Results: A total of 104 [99 percent] cases received were from the pediatric patients and 7 [6.3 percent] from adult patients. A total of 11 different organic acidurias were diagnosed. Other diseases [n=10] were also detected on the basis of their pathognomics metabolites and included tyrosinemia type 1 [n=4], alkaptonuria [n=5] and ornithine transcarbamoylase deficiency [n=1]. Twenty eight [25 percent] urine samples were either recalled or repeated for reasons like random urine sample yielding negative profiles in setting of a strong suspicion for organic aciduria [n=6], non-availability of clinical data [n=12] or delay in transportation >8 hours [n=10]. Raised non-specific organic acid metabolites were seen in 23 [21 percent] cases. Lactic acid and ketones were detectable in 12 [11 percent] samples in the absence of raised plasma levels

Conclusion: Urine OA profiles must be interpreted in context of complete clinical, nutritional and biochemical findings. Each laboratory equipped with this facility should devise their analytical protocols for meaningful interpretation of results

'Vitamin A' a potential teratogen

To determine the teratogenicity of Vitamin A excess on intrauterine development of thymus in albino rats. Experimental studyThis study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy/ Histopathology, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore from September 2008 to September 2009. Study was conducted with 18 pregnant female albino rats, of Sprague-dawley variety. These female rats were randomly separated into equal groups, A, B and C [n=6]. Vitamin A was used in the form of Isotretinoin [13-cis retinoic acid]. The dose of isotretinoin used in this study was constant i.e, 2.5mg/kg body weight of rats for every experimental group. Taking the trimester of pregnancy as variable of the study dose was given on 9 [mid trimester] and 17 [late trimester] days of pregnancy to the mother rats. The sample size was obtained by collecting 18 foetuses from each group. Thymuses were collected from the rat foetuses of each group after dissection. The foetuses of experimental group whose mother rats received the dose of Vitamin A in mid trimester showed thymic ectopia in a significant number of foetuses [P<0.01], while dose of Vitamin A given in late trimester caused thymic hypoplasia [P<0.01] in fetuses of albino rats. It is obvious with these findings that single dose of Vitamin A can cause deleterious effects on developing thymus in albino rats. Caution must be taken while administration of Vitamin A to a pregnant woman

see the gross qualitative parameters such as general appearance of rats and their testes after long and short term use of sildenafil citrate

To see the gross qualitative parameters such as general appearance of rats and their testes after long and short term use of Sildenafil Citrate. As very little attention has been given to explore the effects of a sildenafil citrate on histological aspects of testes, hence this experimental study was designed to check whether the drug which is being used indiscriminately in our country and abroad is safe or it has any harmful effect on the architecture of rat testis. Experimental Study. This study was conducted in departments of Anatomy and Histopathology Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore for a period of six weeks from 02.05.2008 to 17.06.2008. Sample size consisted of 45 animals, divided into Group A [Control], Group B and C [Experimental], Each group was consisting of 15 animals. Physical examination of rats and their testis was done every day by the author himself and recorded. After giving drug, on inspection of rats all the animals were active and healthy and the gross appearance of the testes was normal except in an animal, in which the testes were smaller than the associates of the same group. Eating habits of all the animals were normal, taking food and water freely. After half an hour of giving the drug, they were mounting over each other and looked aggressive. The comparison of all the groups, A vs B, A vs C and B vs C remained statistically non -significant [P>0.05]. No significant difference was observed in qualitative parameters [general appearance] of the rats and their testes after giving sildenafil citrate