ABSTRACT
Background: Ageing is a natural phenomenon associated with physiological and functional decline in the body, which makes elderly people vulnerable to malnutrition and age related morbidity. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess nutritional status and morbidity pattern of urban elderly. Aims & Objectives: To assess the nutritional status and the morbidity status of urban elderly. Material and methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among the urban elderly in Hyderabad. A total of 261 individuals of ≥60 years were recruited for this study. Anthropometric measurements were measured to assess nutritional status. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic particulars and self-reported morbidity profile. Data are presented as mean ± standard error and significance level was considered at p < 0.05. Result: The mean height and weight were 160.49 Cm ±0.55 and 66.59 Kg ± 0.68, respectively while the mean BMI was 25.83 Kg/m2 ± 0.22. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban elderly was 46.0% and 31.4 %, respectively. The prevalence of central and truncal obesity was 60.1% and 84.6% respectively. The prevalence of morbidities such as poor vision, hypertension, joint pains, diabetes, cataract and hyperacidity was 86.1%, 63.2%, 49.4%, 48.3%, 36% and 32.2% respectively. There was a significant (p<0.05) gender difference among BMI, central obesity, CVDs, joint pains and osteoarthritis. Conclusion: In general, the prevalence of NCDs such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are significant public health concern among urban elderly. Therefore, primordial and primary preventive measures should be adopted during adolescence and early adulthood for the prevention and control of NCDs during the period of ageing
ABSTRACT
Cataract, the leading cause of blindness worldwide, is associated with many risk factors including diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) states are associated with pre-diabetes and insulin resistance. This condition subsequently leads to the development of type-2 diabetes. Epidemiological studies indicated that not only diabetes but IGT/IFG will also lead to the development of microvascular disorders and cataract. However, there are no studies on the mechanism of insulin resistance induced changes in the eye lens. In the present study, IGT/IFG-induced changes in lens using neonatal-streptozotocin (nSTZ) rat model have been investigated. Though, nSTZ rats showed the signs of IGT and insulin resistance starting from two months old, they did not develop cataract even at the age of 8-months. However, biochemical analysis indicates a three-fold increase in sorbitol levels in nSTZ lens upon prolonged (6-months) IGT and insulin resistance. Also there was an increase in lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant enzymes. Results of this study showed that activation of polyol pathway and increased oxidative stress, commonly associated with long-term complications of diabetes, have been observed in eye lens due to prolonged IGT and insulin resistance which may lead to cataract.
ABSTRACT
Natural dietary ingredients are known for their antioxidant activity. Of such, curcumin, the active principle of turmeric, at 0.01% in the diet proved as pro-oxidative in galactose-induced cataract in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E (VE), a well-known antioxidant, in combination with curcumin on the onset and maturation of galactose induced cataract. Periodic slit-lamp microscope examination indicated that in combination with vitamin-E, 0.01% curcumin (G-IV) delayed the onset and maturation of galactose-induced cataract. Biochemical analyses revealed that combined treatment of 0.01% curcumin and vitamin-E diet exhibited an efficient antioxidant effect, as it inhibited lipid peroxidation and contributed to a distinct rise in reduced glutathione content. The results indicate that natural dietary ingredients are effective in combination rather than the individual administration as they are complementing each other in reducing the risk of galactose induced cataract.