Liver Function Tests in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with and without Oral Hypoglycemic Agents and Statin Intake.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is often associated with liver function abnormalities, covering the entire spectrum from asymptomatic transamnitis to cirrhosis. The oral drugs used in diabetes are also associated with hepatic insult. Aims: Here we have tried to assess the prevalence the liver function test abnormality in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with special reference to intake of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) and statins. Methods: We selected 101 patients of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Among those diabetic patients 50 were on oral hypoglycemic drugs (OHA) and statins for at least last 6 months. Another 51 age and sex matched patients were diabetic but not on these drugs. The patients were screened for any existing liver disease by biochemical tests. Results and analysis: Our results showed that the prevalence of elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin is more in Diabetic patient than normal values but the oral hypoglycemic drugs and statins had no added effect. Altogether 70 patients (69.3%) had at least one liver function test abnormality. In our study, 4.95% of the patients had elevated bilirubin (>2.5 mg/dL). 24.75% of the study patients had ALT levels above normal (40 U/L) although high values (>100 U/L) were present only in 5 (4.95%). High AST levels (>40) was found in 34.65% cases. Mean alkaline phosphatase levels in 2 groups were similar (213.96 ± 46.2 vs. 222.75 ± 42.52 U/ L). Serum proteins, INR and alkaline phosphatase did not also show any association with drug intake in our study. Conclusion: Thus screening for liver function abnormalities can be a useful test in diabetic population to prevent future complications.

Two rare anatomical variations of external jugular vein: an embryological overview / Dos raras variaciones anatómicas de la vena yugular externa: una visión embriológica

Human anatomy is an ocean of unending variations and its mysteries are being unravelled since ages. Knowledge of variations in the superficial veins of head and neck is essential to carry out successful surgical procedures. During routine dissection of head and neck of two middle aged male cadavers, in the Department of Anatomy, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, India, we came out with some interesting venous architecture. The retromandibular vein on the left side of both the cadavers was found to be undivided and joined with the facial vein in the neck at an acute angle to form a common venous trunk at variable distances from the angle of the mandible. That trunk ultimately drained into the left subclavian vein. This might be the result of disappearance of the cephalic part of the external jugular vein and formation of an additional communication between common facial vein and the external jugular vein in foetal life. In one case, we also came across an extra transverse communication between that common trunk and the internal jugular vein. A detail of those cases with embryological explanation is attempted...

La anatomía humana tiene un sin fin de variaciones y sus misterios se han develado desde el inicio de los tiempos. El conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas de las venas superficiales de la cabeza y del cuello es fundamental para llevar a cabo con éxito los procedimientos quirúrgicos. Durante una disección de rutina de cabeza y cuello encontramos una arquitectura venosa interesante en dos cadáveres de hombres de mediana edad en el Departamento de Anatomía de la Facultad de Medicina Nacional Calcuta, Calcuta, India. En el lado izquierdo del cuello de ambos cadáveres, la vena retromandibular no se encontraba dividida, y se unía a la vena facial en un ángulo agudo, para formar un tronco venoso común a una distancia variable desde el ángulo de la mandíbula. Ese tronco finalmente drenaba en la vena subclavia izquierda. Esto podría ser el resultado de la desaparición de la parte cefálica de la vena yugular externa y la formación de una comunicación adicional entre la vena facial común y la vena yugular externa en la vida fetal. En un caso, también se encontró con una comunicación adicional transversal entre ese tronco común y la vena yugular interna. Se realiza una descripción en detalle de los casos junto a una explicación embriológica...

A study on clinical and biochemical profile of low body weight type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Low body weight type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a distinct entity in T2DM having different clinical presentation, morbidity and mortality patterns as well as biochemical profile when compared with classical T2 DM. This study was aimed at comparing three subtypes of T2 DM-overweight (BMI>25), normal weight (BMI>18.5 but <25) and low body weight or lean type2 DM (BM1<18.5). Seventy-five cases of T2 DM (25-lean, 25-normal weight and 25-overweight) were selected. The present study revealed that normal C-peptide level with basal hyperglycaemia is an important characteristic of lean T2 DM. Lower prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and higher level of triglycerides were found in low body weight T2 DM.Lower prevalence of macrovascular and higher prevalence of microvascular complications are also noted.