Evaluation of nutraceutical properties of finger millet genotypes from mid hills of northwestern Himalayan region of India

Finger millet Eleusine coracana L., commonly called Ragi, is a rich source of phytochemicals and have number of health beneficial effects. The present study evaluated the total antioxidant activity (TAA), condensed tannins (CT), micronutrient content (Fe & Zn), diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and phenolic compounds in 35 finger millet genotypes. The assayed genotypes showed 0.91-0.99 mg/g CT, 23.79-56.51 mM/kg TAA, 1.76-44.47 µM/g DPPH scavenging activity, 44.14-88.09 µg/mL ABTS activity, 100-463.53 µM FRAP value, 37.04-69.13 ppm Fe and 28.94-46.77 ppm Zn. HPLC analysis showed that gallic, tannic, ferulic, caffeic and o-coumaric acid to be major polyphenols in all genotypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significantly higher CT, TAA with relatively good amount of Fe and Zn in VL Ragi 146, VL Mandua 352, VL 336, VL 373, VL 325, VL 351, GPHCPB 7, GPHCPB 3, GPHCPB 52 and VR 708 genotypes. Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis classified the 35 genotypes into two clusters; Cluster I had higher CT, TAA, FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, while cluster II recorded higher Fe and Zn. This study clearly demonstrated the nutraceutical properties with higher antioxidant potential of identified genotypes, which can be suitably deployed for nutritional security, particularly in developing countries.

Study of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Special Reference to Liver Enzyme and Radiological Finding

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a distinct hepatic condition characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in liver cells; histologically resembling alcohol induced liver damage. The term NAFLD is used to describe a wide array of fatty liver changes from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in the absence, of excessive alcohol intake. Methods: 312 suspected patients of NAFLD above the age group of 15 and irrespective of sex were screened during the study. Total 60 patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria designed for our study. Further clinical (history, BMI, BP,etc.), biochemical (blood sugar profile, lipid profile, serum transaminases, Serum uric acid etc.), histopathological (liver biopsy) and radiological profiling (USG) was done. Result : Our 60 recruited patients had a mean age of 52.53±11.68 years with 21 (35%) male subjects and 39 (65%) female subjects. We found that fatigue, malaise and abdominal pain were the commonest whereas heart burn as the second commonest complain among the study group. Further clinical examination of 26 (43.3%) patients with RUQ abdominal pain revealed that 14 (53.8%) had abdominal tenderness, 10 (38.5%) had abdominal tenderness with hepatomegaly and 2 (7.7%) had no significant clinical findings. Our study revealed mean BMI to be 27±6.32 kg/m2 with more than half of our patients were pre-obese (33.3%) and obese (28.3%). Lipid profiling revealed 13 (21.7%) patients had hypertriglyceridemia. Serum transaminases revealed 22 (36.7%) and 39 (65%) had raised SGPT/ALT and SGOT/AST levels respectively. Ultrasonographically, 30 (50%) had grade-I, 23 (38.3%) had grade-II and 7 (11.7%) had grade-III fatty liver. Due to low patient compliance, only 3 (5%) had their liver biopsy done which revealed steatosis and dense fibrosis. Conclusion: Current absence of specific treatment further for NASH and NAFL emphasizes the need of healthy diet, yoga and daily exercise in order to control insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome.

Evaluation of Hematological Abnormalities in HIV Patients in Kosi Zone of Bihar

Background: Hematological abnormalities are among the most common complications of HIV.  Anaemia is the most common hematological abnormality in HIV patients, and is strongly associated with the progression of the disease, followed by leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. The objective of the study is to find out the magnitude & type of hematological abnormalities and its correlation to CD4 Count.  Methods: The study was done on 80 HIV patients, above the age of 15 yrs, including both males and females, attending ART Centre, at Katihar Medical College, Katihar, Bihar. Various haematological parameters were recorded and studied with respect to CD4 count. Results: Among the total patients, 57.5% had anaemia, 23.75% had leucopenia and 12.5% had thrombocytopenia. The magnitude of these abnormalities were directly proportional to low CD4 counts. Results: Among the total patients, 57.5% had anaemia, 23.75% had leucopenia and 12.5% had thrombocytopenia. The magnitude of these abnormalities were directly proportional to low CD4 counts.  Conclusions: These hematological parameters can be used to assess the severity and progression of HIV as they are directly associated with CD4 count. Anaemia being the single most independent factor associated with high mortality. Aggressive treatment of these haematological abnormalities can lead to substantial decline in morbidity and mortality associated with HIV patients.