Prophylactic and curative effects of oat bran [Avena sativa] against hyperlipidaemia in albino rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidaemic effect of oat bran in albino rats. To achieve this goal, two main experiments included 56 female Swiss rats were conducted. The first was Prophylactic experiment comprised of 24 rats in three groups as follows: Group 1: negative control, fed on normal diet, Group 2: positive control received hyperlipidaemic diet [HL-D] and Group 3: received daily HL-D along with oat bran at a dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 8 weeks. The second was Curative experiment comprised of 32 rats. Eight rats served as negative control [Group 1], and the other rats were subjected to the induction of experimental hyperlipidaemia for 4 weeks. Then the hyperlipidaemic rats were divided randomly into equal three groups as follows: Group 2: Hyperlipidaemic rats served as positive control for 4 weeks. Group 3: Hyperlipidaemic rats received oat bran at a daily dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 4 weeks Group 4: Hyperlipidaemic rats received a daily p.o dose of 3.6 mg kg[-1] b.w of simvastatin as reference drug for the same period. The results revealed that HLD supplementation increased plasma lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol [T.C] and LDL], risk ratio [T.C/HDL and LDL/HDL], liver cholesterol, serum enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]]. However, a daily administration of oat bran with HL-D was significantly able to suppress the lipotropic effects of HL-D in plasma and liver in both experiments. This study concluded that oat bran supplemented diet is an effective hypolipidaemic agent

Serum interleukin-10 and interleukin-6 levels in obese women with metabolic syndrome

Obesity, especially visceral obesity, may play a role in the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome, and is clearly linked to insulin resistance and increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. The metabolic syndrome is characterized by the occurrence of visceral obesity, dyslipidemia [especially high levels of triglycerides and low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol], hyperglycemia and hypertension. Although circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] as well as other markers of inflammation as C-reactive protein [CRP] have been shown to be elevated in obesity, nothing is known about the role of anti-inflammatory cytokines. So, this study was conducted to determine interleukin-10 [IL-10] levels in obese women with or without metabolic syndrome. This study included 3 groups of women, 20 obese women without metabolic syndrome, 20 obese women with metabolic syndrome and 15 normal lean women as a control group. The study showed that CRP levels were significantly elevated in obese women with metabolic syndrome compared with those without metabolic syndrome, and also CRP levels were significantly elevated in obese women with or without metabolic syndrome compared with lean women. IL-6 levels were significantly increased in obese women compared with lean subjects but no significant difference was found between obese women with or without metabolic syndrome. IL-10 levels were significantly increased in obese women with or without metabolic syndrome compared with lean women. Moreover, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in obese women with metabolic syndrome compared with obese women without metabolic syndrome

Cardiovascular risk in patients without known cardiovascular disease

To estimate the risk factors among patients with known cardiovascular disease. This prospective study was conducted in Multan Institute of Cardiology, Multan as outdoor basis. A total of 100 patients aged 18-60 years were included in the study during the period from November 2005 to April 2006. After an average follow-up of 6 months, the low risk patients had a significantly lower CHD mortality [0.2 to 8.8 versus 1.5 to 38 percent for those with 1 risk factor] and lower all cardiovascular disease mortality [0.3 to 15.8 versus 2.1 to 53 percent]. Estimated greater life expectancy for low risk men and women was 9.5 and 5.8 years, respectively. The frequency and predictive value of five major risk factors [blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, glucose intolerance, and smoking] was evaluated in a study or white non- Hispanic individuals without CHD in the Framingham Heart Study and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES III] who were 35 to 74 years of age. The frequency of high-risk patients increased with age and was greater in men than women. It has been suggested that determination of a patient's risk profile should improve physician recognition and treatment of modifiable risk factors. Because under recognition of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other risk factors is a common problem, routine risk assessment may be an effective approach to improving their identification