Macromolecules and pharmacy; coordinate covalent bonds between curiosity

Curiosity is the nature of man and availability of chance favor the prepared mind to explore the hidden things in the universe. One thought, observation or experience is based for the others. Chemistry is mother of the different disciplines. Macromolecules [carbohydrates, proteins, lipids etc], substitution of different group [R=Alklyl, Aryl etc] in their molecules changes their therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics. Stereoisomerism in macromolecules structures, role of liposome's in penetration of drugs in cosmetics, percentage yield and antibiotics from natural moulds plays an important and significant role in pharmacy. The object is to find out a relationship between curiosity, macromolecules and pharmacy which might be able to clear the concept about mechanism of action of drugs, discovery of the new drugs and to understand pharmacological and adverse effects of drugs. This might be helpful in therapeutic management, follow up and better health care of patients in future

Glomerulosclerosis; lipids and lipoproteins, a risk factor

Objective is to determine the changes in lipids and lipoproteins in patients with glomerulosclerosis and healthy controls. Department of Biochemistry Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad with the collaboration of Nephrology Unit, Ayoub Medical Complex, Abbottabad. April, 2006 February 2007. Study includes 50 subjects out of which 25 adult patients [18 males, 7 females; age range 20 50 years] with glomerulosclerosis were selected from Nephrology Unit of Ayoub Medical Complex, Abbottabad. Apparently, 25 clinically healthy volunteers of similar age, sex, body mass index [BMI], and socio economic status as that of patients were selected from various areas of Abbottabad as controls Serum triacylglycerols serum total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels were measured by kit method LDL cholesterol was calculated according to the Friedewald formula[17]. Serum VLDL-cholesterol as calculated according to the formula proposed by Wilson cited by Delongi[18]. The results were expressed as mean +/- standard error of mean Statistical analysis was done using student 's test. Distribution of 25 patients and 25 controls according to age is made. Male subjects with glomerulosclerosis were greater in number than female with male to female ratio of 1.85:1 Comparison of serum TGs, TC, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and HDL-c, LDL-c ratio. The mean values of TAGs, TC, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and ratio of HDL-c, vs. LDL-c of patients were observed significantly high [P<0.001], when compared to controls. In addition significant low values [P<0.001] of HDL-c in patients were also observed when compared to healthy controls. It is concluded that the results of this study provide evidence for raised lipids and lipoproteins levels, which is invariable feature of nephritic syndrome with glomerulosclerosis. It is suggested that the patients with nephritic glomerulosclerosis should be assessed and managed to avoid potential of accelerating the development of coronary artery disease and increasing risk of renal failure. Hopefully earlier intervention might decrease higher morbidity and mortality

Examination stress; effects on thyroid hormones

To examine the effects of examination stress in young adult male and female medical students on cardiovascular system and thyroid gland [i.e. thyroid hormones; T3, T4]. 2: To find out whether the responses are sex dependent or not. Department of Biochemistry NMC Multan [1997-1998]. Examination stress was studied in 28 young female and 21 young male volunteer medical students, 0.5 hour before Biochemistry examination [stress condition], at 10-12 a.m. and about six weeks after examination [control condition] at the same time in the year 1997. Estimation of Thyroxine [T4] and Triiodothyronine [T3] and T3 /T4 was done in patients and control subjects. There were no differences in body mass index of male and female groups in control and stress group. Subsequent analysis between two sexes showed that males subjects had significantly higher systolic [124.7 +/- 40.1 mmHg] and diastolic blood pressure [76.56 +/- 2.48 mmHg]. Heart rate [84.6 +/- 2.63] increases in stress condition, in both sexes, but in males the increasing of heart rate is more than in females. Whereas females had higher respiratory frequency in stress condition, as compared to males. The levels of T3 in female stress group were higher than male stress group but statistically not significant. The mean values of T4 were highly significant in female stress group than in male stress group. Stress responses to examination are different between two sexes. The differences in responses to examination stress between male and female showed a greater increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and also thyroid hormones in response to stress. It is suggested that as the examination is a stressful condition and different effects of stress on male and female medical students should be considered. The clinical presentation is palpitations, tremors, nervousness, apathy, fatigue, thirst, and emotional un-stability is due to the increase of thyroid hormones. Students are guided to remain relaxed, as neurotransmitters and hormones are released which may effect the overall performance of the students. Further study may be down to find out the effects of stress on other systems of the body which may be helpful in future to avoid the poor mental health status during the examination

Iron status in preeclampsia

To evaluate iron status in pregnancy induced hypertension and role of iron in the etiology and pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Coefficient correlation study. At Department of Biochemistry, Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad with collaboration of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad from March 2006-March 2007. Study was performed on hundred pregnant women of age ranging between 15-35 years and having gestational age between28 to 34 weeks. Fifty obstetric patients were identified as having pre-eclampsia. Fifty healthy pregnant subjects were taken as controls, having uncomplicated pregnancies and were normotensive throughout gestation and without proteinuria. Results depicts that mean age of pre-eclamptic group was significantly low [P<0.001] as compared to control. Both parameters, Hemoglobin and Haematocrit were significantly higher [P<0.05] in pre-eclamptic as compared to controls. Serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were significantly higher [P<0.001] in pre-eclamptic in comparison with control group. Total iron binding capacity and unsaturated iron binding capacity were significantly lower [P<0.001] in pre-eclamptic group when compared to control group. Correlation coefficient between serum iron, total iron binding capacity [TIBC], serum ferritin, unsaturated iron binding capacity [UIBC] and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in pre-eclamptic group showed no significant positive correlation in any parameter. It is concluded that hemoglobin, haematocrit, serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation are significantly increased in pregnant women that later develops pre-eclampsia. Excess iron is postulated as casual factor in the oxidative stress ie; in its radical form, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Therefore, iron status of pregnant women should be assessed before giving iron supplements as these may cause more harm than benefit

Estimation of sialic acid in cardiac patients

Lipids are common conjugates of serum lipoproteins while sialic acid is present in combination with lipids and proteins as glycolipids and glycoproteins respectively. This study was aimed to get some preliminary information regarding the possible correlation between serum sialic acid and lipid profile in cardiac patients to investigate the possibility of using these parameters to aid the diagnosis and prognosis. Normal subjects [15] and Cardiac patients [42] were estimated. Total cholesterol, Total lipid, Triglycerides, HDL-C and Serum Sialic acid was measured. One year [Jan-Dec. 2005] at POF Hospital,Wah Cantt. Total lipids 523.4 +/- 136.2 mg/dl, Total Cholesterol 142.7 +/- 43.3 mg/dl, Triglyceride 81.5 +/- 51.6 mg/dl, HDL-C 25.51 +/- 10.3 mg/dl and Sialic acid was estimated to be 150.8 +/- 41.1 mg/dl in normal subjects, while in cardiac patients [n = 42] the level of total lipid was 747.5 +/- 247.8 mg/dl, total cholesterol 174.0 +/- 43.4 mg/dl, triglyceride 154.5 +/- 147.8 mg/dl and HDL-cholesterol was 18.1 +/- 10.6 mg/dl while Sialic acid was estimated to be 216.1 +/- 57.0 mg/dl in cardiac patients. Results indicate that all the parameters i.e. total lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride and sialic acid except HDL-cholesterol, studied were significantly higher in cardiac patients [P < 0.01] while HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in these patients [P < 0.01]. One possible explanation to this could be the dietary habits of the people of this area who prefer to consume vegetable oils which are considered to be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, rather than a lower intake of fat rich diet. In addition to this, these people consume substantially large quantities of garlic and onions which again are considered to generate hypocholesterolemic effects

Nodular goiters

The purpose of the study was to estimate the levels of amino sugars and glycosylated proteins in the blood and thyroid tissues of the patients suffering from thyroid disorders. The study was carried out at Basic Medical sciences Institute, J.P.M.C. Karachi. From 1990 to 1992. Twenty control subjects and 35 thyroid patients [Non toxic goiter = 14, Non toxic nodular goiter =12 and Toxic nodular goiter=9] were studied. T4, TBG and T4/TBG ratio, serum and tissue glucose, protein, glycosylated proteins and hexosamine with their correlation coefficient [r] were estimated. Significantly raised levels of TBG in non toxic goiter and toxic nodular goiter while T4/TBG ratio was significantly decreased in non toxic goiter and toxic nodular goiter. In non toxic goiter patients correlation coefficient analysis showed a direct relationship [serum to tissue levels] of glucose[r=0.47], glycosylated proteins[r=0.40] and hexosamine [r=0.23] while an inverse rela tionship was found in case of protein[r= -0.38]. In non toxic nodular group inverse relationship was only found in proteins [r= -0.48] estimation while direct correlation coefficient was observed in glucose [r= 0.29], glycosylated proteins [r=0.13] and in hexosamine [r=0.14]. In toxic nodular group hexosamine shows a direct correlation coefficient[r=0.73]while glucose [= -0.53], proteins [r= -0.87]and glycosylated proteins[r= -0.12] have an inverse relationship. It was concluded from correlation coefficient analysis [blood to tissue levels] that in non toxic goiter and non toxic nodular patients glucose, glycosylated protein and hexosamine showed a direct relationship while protein showed an inverse relationship

Effects of tea on plasma lipids

To find out the possible association between levels of cholesterol and tea consumption in the general population known to consume large amount of tea in a day. The study was conducted in the periphery areas of Multan district from 1990 to 1993. The data was obtained on 550 [300 [20-40 years] male subjects and 250 older age group [41-65 years] male subjects. Information collected on each subject included detailed demographic data, personal habits including smoking, frequency of participation in leisure time, physical activity, a detailed history of daily tea intake and weekly egg consumption. They were also questioned about medication and special dietary intake [such a low salt, low cholesterol, low saturated fat or weight reducing diets].Height and weight were measured. Relative weight was defined by Quetelet index [weight in g] / [height in cm2]. Blood samples, obtained by venepuncture, were drawn in vacuum tubes without additive, with the subject su pine and after fasting for between 9 and 10h. Serum was separated from the whole blood within 2h of being drawn. Sera separated from the whole blood were frozen at -70°C until analyzed. Total cholesterol [TC] was estimated by enzymes assay [Boehringer Knoll kit, Mannheim, FRG]. HDL-cholesterol [HDL-C] was measured after precipitation with heparin and manganese chloride. Triglycerides were estimated by enzyme assay [Boehringer Knoll kit, Mannheim, FRG]. Serum low density lipoproteins cholesterol [LDL-C] was estimated. Quality control methods were employed throughout all the analyses. The data presented here are for the those subjects who were not an any special diet, medication or suffering from any endocrine disease. The association between tea intake and other dietary variables were tested using the Chi square test. An analysis of covariance was used to examine the association between tea intake and lipid levels. Separate analyses of covariance were carried out in each of two age groups 20-40 years and 41- 65 years. A negative association between drinking of tea and TC levels were found in both age groups studied. The difference was found to be entirely due to a difference in LDL-cholesterol levels. The negative association between tea consumption and TC levels was significant in heavy drinkers of tea with or without smoking