Anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic evaluation of ethanolic leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus alone and in combination therapy

The use of plants in disease treatment is cost effective and relatively safe. This study was designed to investigate anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus alone and in combination therapy in hyperlipidemic & diabetic mice. Eight groups comprising five mice each were used. Group A was hyperlipidemic control, group B, C, D received atorvastatin (20 mg/kg), leaf extract (200 mg/kg) and leaf extract in combination with atorvastatin (200 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) orally for 15 days. Group E was diabetic control. Group F, G, H received sitagliptin (40 mg/kg), leaf extract (200 mg/kg) and extract in combination with sitagliptin (200 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. Blood cholesterol levels were measured at 1st, 5th, 10th and 15th day and fasting blood sugar levels were measured at 2, 12, 24, 72 and 168 hours during treatment. One-way ANOVA with tukey- kramer multiple comparison test was used. The chemical characterization of ethanolic extract of Catharanthus roseus leaves showed presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Ethanolic extract of Catharanthus roseus has significant anti-hyperlipidemic & anti-diabetic effects (p<0.05, p<0.01) when compared with control but had not cause significantly increase in anti-hyperlipidemic effects of atorvastatin. While significantly increased the antidiabetic effect of sitagliptin (p<0.05)

To Study the Serum Cholesterol Levels in the Patients of Sepsis and Prognostic Significance

Introduction: Sepsis is today’s overwhelming and lifethreatning response to infection and recent studies reveal thatserum cholesterol may be a useful prognostic marker of sepsis.Aim: To study the serum cholesterol levels in the patients ofsepsis and its prognostic significance.Material and methods: This was an Prospective Observationalstudy done at CSS Hospital, SVSU Subharti Medical CollegeMeerut U.P. 100 Patients qualifying by fulfilling all inclusionand exclusion criteria and were enlisted in the study afterinformed consent. Serum cholesterol levels were done on theday of presentation and the 3rd day.Result: In the instant study, out of 100 subjects, 48 showedthe rise in the cholesterol with sepsis where as in 52 subjectsshowed decline of cholesterol level. During the study, 52subjects survived whereas 43 subjects expired during thecourse of treatment, 5 subjects left the study group.Conclusion: Monitoring the total cholesterol level can beused as prognostic tool in ICU patients. The level of totalcholesterol at the time of presentation and then the trendwhich is followed by the total cholesterol (increasing trendin total cholesterol level indicates better prognosis of diseaseoutcome and vice versa), is a better marker for prognosis ofthe patient with septicemia in ICU patients

Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the triglyceride levels in rats with apical periodontitis

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the prophylactic and therapeutic supplementation with omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (w-3 PUFAs) on the lipid profile and periapical bone resorption in rats with apical periodontitis. Forty male rats were divided into groups: control rats (C), rats treated with w-3 PUFAs (C+O), rats with pulp exposure-induced apical periodontitis (AP), and rats with AP treated with w-3 PUFAs (AP+O). The administration of w-3 PUFAs was carried out orally once a day for 15 days before pulp exposure and, subsequently, for an additional 30 days after pulp exposure. AP was induced by exposing pulpal tissues to the oral environment. The samples were collected after 30 days. Triglycerides and cholesterol levels were enzymatically measured using the Trinder method. The jaws were collected and submitted for histological analysis. Two-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis, and the significance was set at p<0.05. The triglyceride levels of the AP group were significantly higher than those of the C, C+O and AP+O groups (p<0.05). However, the difference in the cholesterol levels among the groups was not significant (p>0.05). Rats with AP showed larger areas of bone resorption as well as higher inflammatory intensity compared with rats with AP supplemented with w-3 PUFAs. It may be concluded that the presence of multiple AP foci increased the triglyceride levels. In addition, omega 3 supplementation might reduce these levels in rats with AP, as well as the bone resorption areas of periapical tissues.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da suplementação profilática e terapêutica com os ácidos graxos ômega-3 no perfil lipídico e na reabsorção óssea, em ratos com periodontite apical. Quarenta ratos machos foram divididos em grupos: ratos controle (C), ratos tratados com ácidos graxos ômega-3 (C+O), ratos com periodontite apical induzida por meio de exposição pulpar (PA), ratos com PA tratados com ácidos graxos ômega-3 (PA+O). A administração do ômega-3 foi realizada oralmente, uma vez ao dia durante 15 antes da exposição pulpar e, subsequentemente, por mais 30 dias depois da exposição pulpar. A PA foi induzida por meio da exposição do tecido pulpar ao ambiente oral. Após 30 dias, os ratos foram mortos e os níveis de triglicérides e colesterol foram mensurados pelo método enzimático de Trinder. As mandíbulas foram coletadas e submetidas à análise histológica. Análise de variância de dois fatores e teste de Kruskal-Wallis foram utilizados para análise estatística, e o nível de significância foi de p < 0,05. Os níveis de triglicérides do grupo PA foram significativamente maiores que dos grupos C, C+O e PA+O (p<0,05). Entretanto, não houve diferença significativa nos níveis de colesterol entre os grupos (p>0,05). Ratos com PA apresentaram maior área de reabsorção óssea bem como maior intensidade no infiltrado inflamatório comparados aos ratos com PA suplementados com ômega-3. Pode-se concluir que a presença de múltiplos focos de PA aumentou os níveis de triglicérides. Além disso, a suplementação com ômega-3 pode reduzir estes níveis em ratos com PA, bem como a área de reabsorção óssea dos tecidos periapicais.

Effect of estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1) gene polymorphism on high density lipoprotein levels in response to hormone replacement therapy

Studies have shown that estrogen replacement therapy and estrogen plus progestin replacement therapy alter serum levels of total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. However, HDL cholesterol levels in women vary considerably in response to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A significant portion of the variability of these levels has been attributed to genetic factors. Therefore, we investigated the influence of estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1) gene polymorphisms on HDL levels in response to postmenopausal HRT. We performed a prospective cohort study on 54 postmenopausal women who had not used HRT before the study and had no significant general medical illness. HRT consisted of conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate continuously for 1 year. The lipoprotein levels were measured from blood samples taken before the start of therapy and after 1 year of HRT. ESR1 polymorphism (MspI C>T, HaeIII C>T, PvuII C>T, and XbaI A>G) frequencies were assayed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. A general linear model was used to describe the relationships between HDL levels and genotypes after adjusting for age. A significant increase in HDL levels was observed after HRT (P = 0.029). Women with the ESR1 PvuII TT genotype showed a statistically significant increase in HDL levels after HRT (P = 0.032). No association was found between other ESR1 polymorphisms and HDL levels. According to our results, the ESR1 PvuII TT genotype was associated with increased levels of HDL after 1 year of HRT.

A Study on Nutrients Intake, Physical and Biochemical Status of Elementary School Children in Taejon

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrients intake, Rohrer index, serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and others for clinical and nutritional study on school children in Taejon. This survey was carried out in October, 1995. The subjects were 362 children, 6 to 11 years old. The results were summarized as follows. By Rohrer index, 4.6% of the children was lean, 69.6% was normal, 17.4% was overweight and 8.6% was obese group. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and skin fold thickness of all subjects were 111.7+/-15.7mmHg, 69.8+/-14.9mmHg and 14.5+/-7.3mm respectively. Systolic blood pressure and skin fold thickness were increased with Rohrer index. Total cholesterol, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in blood were 160.8+/-23.9mm/dl, 11.5+/-3.5mm/dl and 0.71+/-0.12mm/dl respectively but not significantly different among groups. These levels have a slight tendency to increase in obese group but not significantly different among groups. Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were 41.3+/-4.7%, 13.1+/-1.6g/dl. These levels of 11 years old girls were lower than same aged boys. Composition ratio of total energy intakes were 65% of CHO, 13% of protein and 22% of fat. Energy and most nutrients intakes were insufficient except for P and vitamin C. Especially the amount of vitamin A, Fe, Zn and folate intakes were lower than halves of RDA'S. Most nutrients intake were not significantly different among groups. Pearson' correlation in Rohrer index with nutrients intakes were all negative correlation significantly different of K, Na and Thiamin.