Serum adiponectin levels in patients with coronary artery disease

Adiponectin is an adipocytokine secreted from white adipose tissue. Serum level of adiponectin has been shown to be reduced in several disease states like obesity and diabetes. Hypoadiponectinemia has also been included in the list of newer risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]. In this analytical cross-sectional study serum adiponectin level was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA] in 60 cases of coronary artery disease [CAD] [both sexes, aged 40-60 yrs] and 60 healthy controls. Low levels of adiponectin were seen in CAD patients as well as controls. These levels were lower as compared to western standards. Our study conforms to the previous observation of lower serum adiponectin levels in South Asians compared to the western standards. Serum adiponectin level should be considered in the laboratory work-up of CAD patients

Elevated lipoprotein [a] levels seen in patients with coronary artery disease

There are a number of risk factors involved in the etiology of coronary artery disease. Lipoprotein [a] [[Lp[a]] is a genetically determined variant of low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol which is highly atherogenic. It has been found to be a common risk factor in families suffering from premature coronary artery disease [CAD]. Our study was an analytical cross sectional study, in which Lp[a] levels were measured by ELISA assay in 60 cases of coronary artery disease [CAD], [both sexes, aged 40-60 yrs] and 60 healthy controls. There was a significant difference in serum Lp[a] level between the two with higher levels seen in the CAD cases. It is concluded that it is needed to measure Lp[a] levels as well as the routine lipid profile in CAD patients

Plasma osteopontin as an indicator of metastasis in patients with prostate cancer

Objective: To evaluate plasma osteopontin [OPN] levels in prostate cancer [PCa] patients for determining its association with disease stage

Material and Methods: The study was conducted at University of Health Sciences Lahore [UHS]. 60 diagnosed patients of prostate cancer were included in this study and comparison was made with 30 healthy males as controls. OPN was measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique

Results: OPN levels were significantly elevated in PCa patients with metastasis against the patients without metastasis

Conclusion: The current study provides useful local data suggesting an association between elevated plasma OPN and bone metastasis in patients with PCa

Maternal serum zinc concentration in gravidae suffering from pre-eclampsia

Zinc is one of the most intensively investigated mineral during pregnancy. To find out the relationship of maternal serum zinc with pre-eclampsia Period 1989 to 1991. Lady Willington Hospital. Lahore, King Edward Medical College, Lahore, Metallurgy Department PCSIR, Lahore. In this prospective study 218 pregnant women were randomly registered during their 1st trimester and followed up till delivery. A group of 46 women remained normal throughout pregnancy and they delivered normal babies by spontaneous vaginal deliveries. Ten women suffered from pre-eclampsia. They were considered as study subjects. Three blood samples were drawn from all subjects each by the end of 1[st], 2[nd] and 3[rd] trimesters. Serum zinc was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc levels [Mean +/- SD micro g/dl] in normal gravidae by the end of 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester were 76.57 +/- 10.76, 61.98 +/- 7.97 and 51.17 +/- 8.61 while in pre-eclamptic gravidae, 64.60 +/- 7.71, 50.30 +/- 6.50 and 25.30 +/- 8.97 micro g/dl respectively. The pre-eclamptic women had significantly lower [P<0.001] levels of s

um zinc throughout gestation as compared to normal gravidae. Low maternal serum zinc levels may have some association with pre-eclampsia

Evaluation of serum Chromium levels in non diabetics and type-II diabetic patients

Aims and Objectives: To determine serum chromium levels in patients with diabetes mellitus type- II and compare it with normal healthy population

Study Design: Cross sectional and comparative

Sample Size: Fifty diagnosed diabetic type II patients compared with fifty non diabetic healthy controls

Place of Study: Study was conducted at Diabetes Management Centre, Services Hospital Lahore and Diabetic Clinic, Mayo Hospital Lahore over a period of three months i.e. from April to June, 2007

Methodology: Serum glucose level was estimated by enzymatic photometric method. HbA1C was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Results: The fasting Glucose levels and the serum glycosylated hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in type- II diabetic patients as compared to healthy controls, while serum chromium levels were significantly lower in type-II diabetic patients as compared to normal healthy controls

Conclusion: The serum chromium levels were statistically low in type-II diabetic patients

Tobacco use, a public health problem of epidemic proportion

Background: Tobacco smoking is increasing day by day. One of every three persons who start smoking falls ill and dies prematurely. The UN Health Agency says 4.9 million deaths attributable to smoking in a year now, are likely to exceed 10 millions in a year in next 20 years. At the present billions of dollars are being spent to support antismoking campaign all over the world. The efforts are being focused on different aspects like: creation of public awareness about hazards of smoking, introduction about the measures regarding prevention, importance of putting ban on advertisement and promotion of smoking, restriction on smokers activities, protection of non smokers from second-hand smoke, provision of free consultations and required supplements to those who wants to quit smoking and many more. The reported success rates of antismoking campaigns vary from country to country. The highest reported by the State of California Department of Health and National Cancer Institute; which includes, 20% lowering of adults smoking prevalence, 50% lowering of per Capita cigarette consumption. The California's TCP [Tobacco control programe] has saved an estimated 3.62 dollars for every dollar spent on program, is an other encouraging aspect

Materials and Methods: This is a review article, literature survey was carried out from various available sources

Conclusion: In Pakistan, Federal Government had already enforced an Ordinance regarding the prohibition of Smoking and protection of Non-smokers Health since 30 June 2003. Moreover, through a notification "No Smoke and No Tobacco Use Places" had been identified very clearly. At the moment we need to implement it with full force and vigor

Maternal plasma Homocysteine level, 24-Hour urinary protein and hemoglobin in pre-eclamptic patients: Is there any relationship?

Background: Anaemia is very common in developing countries especially during pregnancy. Hyperhomocysteinaemia can result from genetic or nutrient-related disturbances in the transsulfuration or remethylation pathway for homocysteine metabolism. Inadequate intake of vitamin B ,B or folate may underlie some cases of elevated homocysteine levels. The aim of this 12 6 study was to investigate the possible relationship between plasma homocysteine level, haemoglobin level and 24-hour urinary protein in pre-eclamptic patients. Folic acid deficiency is one of the major causes of hyperhomocysteinemia which is one of the major risk factor for preeclampsia [PET]. Severe proteinuria of several grams/day occurs in pre-eclamptic toxaemia

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out on 90 primigravida attending the "antenatal clinic" of Services Hospital, Lahore

Results: Out of these 60 primigravida 30 were mildly preeclamptic and 30 were severely pre-eclamptic at 30-38 weeks of pregnancy.30 primigravida [30- 38 weeks of pregnancy] having uncomplicated pregnancy were taken as control

Conclusion: The results show that in mild PET and in severe PET, the plasma homocysteine level shows a significant relationship with 24-hour urinary protein and haemoglobin level. Anaemia [folic acid defeciency] is one of the important risk factor in the causation of hyperhomocysteinemia which is one of the major chronic risk factors for eclampsia

Maternal plasma homocysteine level, 24-hour urinary protein and haemoglobin in pre-eclamptic patients: is there any relationship?

Background: Anaemia is very common in developing countries especially during pregnancy. Hyperhomocysteinaemia can result from genetic or nutrient-related disturbances in the transsulfuration or remethylation pathway for homocysteine metabolism. Inadequate intake of vitamin 8[12],B[6] or folate may underlie some cases of elevated homocysteine levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between plasma homocysteine level, haemoglobin level and 24-hour urinary protein in pre-eclamptic patients. Folic acid deficiency is one of the major causes of hyperhomocysteinemia which is one of the major risk factor for preeclampsia [PET]. Severe proteinuria of several grams/day occurs in pre-eclamptic toxaemia

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out on 90 primigravida attending the "antenatal clinic" of Services Hospital, Lahore. Out of these 60 primigravida 30 were mildly preeclamptic and 30 were severely pre-eclamptic at 30-38 weeks of pregnancy. 30 primigravida [30-38 weeks of pregnancy] having uncomplicated pregnancy were taken as control

Results: The results show that in mild PET and in severe PET, the plasma homocysteine level shows a significant relationship with 24-hour urinary protein and haemoglobin level

Conclusion: Anaemia [folic acid deficiency] is one of the important risk factor in the causation of hyperhomocysteinemia which is one of the major chronic risk factors for eclampsia