Serum Lipid Profile of Gastric Cancer Patients in Mountainous Valley of Kashmir

Introduction: Worldwide, cancer has become a public healthproblem and one of the leading causes of death. Gastric cancerdevelops in stomach and may spread to other parts of the body,particularly the liver, lungs, bones, lining of the abdomen andlymph nodes. Kashmir is a high prevalence zone of stomachcancer. Incidence of gastric cancer in Kashmir has beenreported to exceed 40% of all cancers and the incidence is 3 to6 times higher than that at various metropolis cancer registriesin India. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess theserum lipid levels of the gastric cancer patients in Kashmir.Material and Methods: This study was conducted inDepartment of Biochemistry Govt. Medical College, Srinagaron sixty patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma andadmitted in Shri. Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital. Venous bloodsamples were collected in green top tubes and were transportedto the laboratory and the samples were centrifuged at 3000rpm for 10 minutes and serum was separated for the estimationof Lipid profile. Each sample was processed on the sameday of its collection and was analyzed for total cholesterol,triglycerides, HDL-Cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol.Results: The mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLCholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol levels were found to be157.14 mg/dl, 136.85 mg/dl, 38.96 mg/dl and 91.52 mg/dlrespectively. The level of total cholesterol ranged from 90 to212 mg/dl while the level of triglyceride ranges between 77 to291 mg/dl and that of HDL-Cholesterol from 28 to 70mg/dland LDL-Cholesterol from 35-140 mg/dl.Conclusion: The serum triglycerides, total cholesterol andLDL-cholesterol levels fall in the normal reference range ingastric cancer patients while the mean HDL-cholesterol levelis slightly lower than the normal reference range.

Cholesterol levels: the prognostic significance in ICU patients

Background: Snakebite envenomation is an important public health problem faced by the tropical countries with India, the worst affected in terms of mortality and morbidity. In spite of increasing reports of other snake species causing envenomation, the existing research and management strategies including antivenom are still focused on the “Big Four” species- Russel’s viper, saw scaled viper, common krait and spectacled cobra. Pit vipers as a group are being increasingly reported to cause human bites from different parts of the country. Hence, we decided to study the clinico-epidemiology of pit viper bites.Methods: 30 cases of proven pit viper bites who attended our Department during the study period of 18 months were analysed for the epidemiological factors, clinical features and abnormalities in laboratory parameters.Results: Hump nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) was responsible for all the thirty cases. 57% of cases were females. Mean age of victims was 41.8 years. 17 patients had exclusively local envenomation. Ten cases had coagulopathy along with local envenomation. Three patients developed acute kidney injury of whom three underwent dialysis. No mortality was observed in the study. Low fibrinogen levels were observed in all cases with coagulopathy and some had low levels of factor V (70%) and factor VIII (40%).Conclusions: Hump nosed viper bites were observed to be common in this part of the country. Significant envenomation can occur. Further epidemiologic studies involving more centres will be helpful in quantifying the true incidence of bites. Since no specific antivenom is available, further researches in this direction are warranted.

Hypocholesterolemia in Patients with an Amebic Liver Abscess

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many parasites induce changes in the lipid profiles of the host. Cholesterol increases the virulence of Entamoeba histolytica in animal models and in vitro culture. This study aimed to determine, in patients with an amebic liver abscess, the correlation between cholesterol and other features, such as the size and number of abscesses, standard hematological and serum chemistry profiles, liver tests, and duration of hospital stay. METHODS: A total of 108 patients with an amebic liver abscess and 140 clinically healthy volunteers were investigated. Cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in the sera. The data from medical observations and laboratory tests were obtained from the clinical records. RESULTS: A total of 93% of patients with an amebic liver abscess showed hypocholesterolemia not related to any of the studied parameters. Liver function tests correlated with the size of the abscess. The most severe cases of amebic liver disease or death were found in patients whose cholesterol levels continued to decrease despite receiving antiamebic treatment and hospital care. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the hypocholesterolemia observed in patients with an amebic liver abscess is not related to any of the clinical and laboratory features analyzed. This is the first study relating hypocholesterolemia to severity of hepatic amebiasis.

Rehabilitación oral de un paciente pediátrico con síndrome de Smith-Lemli-Opitz bajo anestesia general ambulatoria / Oral rehabilitation of a pediatric patient with smith-lemli-opitz syndrome under outpatient general anesthesia

El síndrome de Smith-Lemli-Opitz es una rara enfermedad hereditaria de transmisión autosómica recesiva. Se caracteriza por presenta hipocolesterolemia como consecuenciade una mutación del gen 7-deshidrocolesterol reductasa (7DHCR), lo que produce retrasomental, retardo en el crecimiento, microcefalia, micrognatismo y otras anomalías neurológicas sistémicas y físicas. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de tres años y nueve mesesafectado por este síndrome, quien acudió a la clínica de odontología pediátrica de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, donde se inició historia médica y dental. Debido a su corta edad, la presencia de múltiples lesiones cariosas, conducta incontrolable, retraso mental y compromiso sistémico, se decidió realizar larehabilitación oral del paciente bajo anestesia general, la cual se describe detalladamente...

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease. It is caused by a mutation in the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) gene producing hypocholesterolemia,and consequence mental retardation, delayed growth, microcephaly, micrognathia and other systemic neurological and physical features. A case of a three-year-ninemonth-old patient affected by this syndrome who attended the Pediatric Dental Clinic of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Dental School at Tijuana is presented. Afterdoing medical and dental records and because of his young age, multiple dental cavities, uncontrollable behavior, mental retardation and medical status, oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia was performed. The anesthesia procedure is detailed...

Fitoesteroles y escualeno como hipocolesterolémicos en cinco variedades de semillas de Cucurbita maxima y Cucurbita moschata (calabaza) / Phytosterols and squalene as hypocholesterolemic substances in five varieties of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin) seeds

Introducción: la semilla de calabaza se ha estudiado y utilizado en el tratamiento de enfermedades parasitarias, hipertrofia benigna prostática, cistitis y como hipoglicemiante.Sin embargo, se desconocen investigaciones que refieran el uso de la semilla de calabaza y sobre todo de los fitoesteroles y escualeno como elementos hipocolesterolémicos en humanos. Objetivo: determinar el contenido de fitoesteroles y escualeno de cinco variedades de semilla de calabaza para su posible uso como hipocolesterolémicos en humanos. Métodos: se estudiaron semillas de calabaza de dos especies, Cucurbita maxima y Cucurbita moschata, de Cuba y México de las variedades Fifí, Marucha, INIVIT C- 88 (cubanas), Chata y Tapatía (mexicanas), se determinó el perfil de fitoesteroles (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, estigmasterol y estigmastenol) y escualeno mediante cromatografía gas-líquido. Resultados: el contenido de extracto etéreo y grasa verdadera en las semillas osciló entre 331,5 y 346; 307 y 336 g/kg, respectivamente. La variedad fifí (Cucurbita moschata) presentó el mayor contenido de material insaponificable (35,0 g/kg), mostró diferencias significativas (p< 0,001) con las demás variedades y superior a las semillas oleaginosas convencionales. La concentración de escualeno y beta-sitosterol resultó superior en la variedad marucha (Cucurbita moschata) (40,27 y 202,59mg/100 g), que indicó diferencias significativas (p< 0,001) con las restantes variedades. Las variedades chata y marucha presentaron el mayor contenido de campesterol (50,08y 49,31 mg/100 g, respectivamente), así como la marucha encontró la mayor concentración de stigmasterol y estigmastenol (1,75y 28,63 mg/100 g), además, los contenidos resultaron superiores a los alimentos vegetales frecuentes en las dietas. Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos en la concentración de los fitoesteroles y escualeno en las variedades analizadas, sugieren el estudio de la semilla de calabaza como posible hipocolesterolémico en humanos

Introduction: the pumpkin seed has been studied and used in the treatment of parasitic diseases, benign prostatic hypertrophy, cystitis and as hypoglycemic substance. However, the research concerning the use of pumpkin seeds and especially the sterols and squalene as hypocholesterolemic elements in humans is unknown. Objective: to determine the phytosterol and squalene content of five varieties of pumpkin seeds for their potential use as hypocholesterolemic compounds in humans. Methods: the pumpkin seeds from two species called Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata from Cuba and Mexico were studied. The varieties were Fifi, Marucha, INIVIT C-88 (Cuban), Tapatía and Chata (Mexican) for which the profile of phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and stigmastenol) and the squalene were determined using gas-liquid chromatography. Results: the content of ethereal extract and real fat in the seeds ranged 331.5 to 346, and 307 to 336 g/kg, respectively. The variety Fifi (C. moschata) had the highest content of unsaponifiable material (35.0 g/kg) and showed significant differences (p< 0.001) compared with other varieties and above that of conventional oilseeds. The squalene, and beta-sitosterol concentration was higher Marucha (Cucurbita moschata) (40.27 and 202.59 mg/100 g), indicating significant differences (p< 0.001) compared with other varieties. Marucha and Chata varieties exhibited the highest campesterol content (50.08 and 49.31 mg/100 g, respectively), and the Marucha evidenced the largest concentration of stigmasterol and stigmastenol (1.75 and 28.63 mg/100 g); additionally, the amounts contained were above those of the common vegetable food in the diet. Conclusions: the results in phytosterol and squalene concentrations achieved in the studied varieties suggested that the pumpkin seeds be studied as a possible hypocholesterolemic substance for humans

Hypoglycemic and Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Botryosphaeran from Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 in Diabetes-Induced and Hyperlipidemia Conditions in Rats

Botryosphaeran, a water-soluble exopolysaccharide of the beta-(1 --> 3;1 --> 6)-D-glucan type that has been isolated from the culture medium of Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 grown in submerged fermentation using glucose as the sole carbon source, was previously demonstrated to be non-genotoxic in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and exhibited strong anticlastogenic activity. In the present study, the effects of botryosphaeran were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats as well as in high-fat diet-fed hyperlipidemic Wistar rats. The plasma glucose level was reduced by 52% in the diabetic group of rats after administration of 12 mg botryosphaeran/kg body weight of the rats (b.w.)/day by gavage over 15 days. A reduction in the median ration intake was accompanied by an increase in the median body weight gain, as well as the efficiency of food conversion. These results demonstrate that botryosphaeran has protective effects by reducing the symptoms of cachexia in Diabetes mellitus. Botryosphaeran administered by gavage at a concentration of 12 mg botryosphaeran/kg b.w./day over 15 days also reduced the plasma levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol by 18% and 27%, respectively, in hyperlipidemic rats. Based on these findings, we conclude that botryosphaeran possesses hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties in conditions of diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, respectively, and may be used as an oral anti-diabetic agent.

Estatinas, una nueva opcion terapéutica en diversos tipos de enfermedades / Statines, a new therapeutical option for many diseases

Las estatinas al inhibir la enzima 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A reductasa, reducen la producción de colesterol y además, previenen la formación de compuestos isoprenoides no esteroidales, que actúan como acoplamientos lipídicos para la modificación postraslacional de varias proteínas, involucradas en diferentes procesos celulares. El bloqueo del proceso de isoprenilación dado por el tratamiento con estatinas también tiene efectos biológicos sobre funciones celulares que van más allá de la disminución en la síntesis de colesterol: estos son los llamados efectos pleiotrópicos que se relacionan principlamente con la función vascular, incluyendo la mejora de la hipertrofia y la insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva y la hipertrofia vascular, tienen propiedades antiinflamatorias, inhiben la proliferación de células cancerígenas, son inmunomoduladores, mejoran la disfunción endotelial y reducen los daños de la isquemia-reperfusión. Esta revisión describe los efectos pleiotrópicos de las estatinas y los mecanismos moleculares a través de los cuales ejercen diferentes funciones biológicas.

Statins inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaril- coenzyme A reductase decrease the cholesterol production and besides, to prevent the non-steroidal isoprenoids compounds acting like lipid couplings for post-translation modification of some proteins involved in different cellular processes. The isoprenilation process blockade given by statins treatment hass too biological effects on cellular functions beyond the decrease in cholesterol synthesis: these are the so called pleiotropic effects mainly related to vascular function, including an improvement of hypertrophy and its congestive cardiac insufficiency and vascular hypertrophy and have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting the cancerous cells proliferation, immunomodulation, improving the endothelial dysfunction and reducing the ischemia-reperfusion damages. This review describes the pleiotropic effects of statins as well as the molecular mechanisms used to exert different biological functions.

Nutritional status and the role of diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis patients

This study was aimed to investigate the nutritional status and the role of diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary assessments for HD 110 patients (46 males and 64 females) were conducted. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.1 kg/m2 and prevalence of underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2) was 12%. The hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl) was found in 15.5% of the subject, and hypocholesterolemia (<150 mg/dl) in 46.4%. About half (50.9%) patients had anemia (hemoglobin: <11.0 g/dL). High prevalence of hyperphosphatemia (66.4%) and hyperkalemia (43.5%) was also observed. More than 60 percent of subjects were below the recommended intake levels of energy (30-35 kcal/kg IBW) and protein (1.2 g/kg IBW). The proportions of subjects taking less than estimated average requirements for calcium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and folate were more than 50%, whereas, about 20% of the subjects were above the recommended intake of phosphorus and potassium. Diabetes mellitus was the main cause of ESRD (45.5%). The diabetic ESRD patients showed higher BMI and less HD adequacy than nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients also showed lower HDL-cholesterol levels. Diabetic ESRD patients had less energy from fat and a greater percentage of calories from carbohydrates. In conclusion, active nutrition monitoring is needed to improve the nutritional status of HD patients. A follow-up study is needed to document a causal relation between diabetes and its impact on morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients.

Hypocholesterolemia appears negatively a prognostic parameter / 肠外与肠内营养

Cholesterol was originally identified as an element of biomembrane with a key role in the regulation of the stability of membrane. Recent researches had revealed that mortality was inversely related to cholesterol levels, and hypocholesterolemia correlated with a high risk of complication. Evidence is now accumulating that low serum cholesterol levels appear to be an independent predictor of short-term mortality.

Hypocholesterolemia and neurotic symptoms

BACKGROUND: An association between low serum cholesterol concentrations and depressive symtoms has ever been found in several studies. The objective of this study is to evaluate neurotic symptoms in hypocholesterolemia. METHODS: In the course of two months (from June to August, 1998), 81 subjects were selected among the people who screened in adult disease survey of one university hospital. As the control group, 80 subjects were selected from a healthy population. In the study population, we excluded people who had medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, chronic liver disease and history of any medication to lipid metabolism and other psychotic disease history. Neurotic symptoms were measured by Symptom Checklist for Minor Psychiatric Disorders (SCL-MPD) questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no difference between the distribution of age and sex in the hypocholesterolemia groups. As the level of the education and kind of employment, no significant difference between two groups. Hypocholesterolemia groups scored significantly higher than conrol group in some questionnaire of SCL-MPD. The results of depression scale (p<0.01) and anxiety, hypochondriasis scale (p<0.05) were significant. The men of hypocholesterolemia groups have significant relation to hypochondriasis scale (p<0.001) and the women to anxiety scale (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Though in some scale of neurotic symptoms, the association between hypocholesterolemia and neurotic symptoms was found in our study. There need to be a further study on the correlation of hypocholesterolemia and neurotic symptoms.

Childhood infection-associated hypocalcemia

The causes of hypocalcemia in patients suffering from severe infection including sepsis are largely uncertain. So we measured serum albumin, total protein, cholesterol, PTH, and calcitonin of the infection-associated hypocalcemic children and compared with those of normocalcemic children suffering from tsutsugamushi disease. All had normal renal functions and had been admitted to the department of pediatrics of Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Hypocalcemic patients were hypoalbuminemic. Serum total calcium was inappropriately more decreased compared to the decreased amount of serum albumin in the hypocalcemic group. We also observed more frequent incidence of hypocholesterolemia (<100mg/dL) in this group. And serum PTH was appropriately elevated in the hypocalcemic patients. Serum calcitonin was elevated in both groups, but 6 times higher in the hypocalcemic group than in the normocalcemic one. Serum total calcium was positively correlated with serum albumin and negatively correlated with serum PTH and calcitonin.