Premature coronary artery disease: role of free radical nitric oxide.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: Over the last several decades, it has become amply evident that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery atherosclerosis and its complications. Relatively recent studies have demonstrated an association between increased oxidative stress and coronary artery disease. We therefore undertook this study to see the effect of free radical nitric oxide in patients with premature cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 50 individuals with premature coronary artery disease aged below 45 years, and 50 age- and sex-matched normal individuals for comparison. Free radical nitric oxide was estimated using the Griess reagent as previously described. Mean plasma nitric oxide was found to be high in the patient group as compared to the control group, which was found to be statistically significant at p > 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Increased NO production was present in the plasma of patients with premature coronary artery disease individuals as compared to normal controls. Since NO seems to have a role in tissue damage, high concentrations of NO could have probably given rise to the said clinical manifestations. Further studies are needed in this context as to whether the changed lifestyles in the young individuals or the type of occupation is leading to the oxidative stress and thereby to the disease.

Successful pregnancy with laparoscopic oocyte retrieval and in-vitro fertilisation in mullerian agenesis

A 28-year-old woman with mullerian agenesis presented with primary infertility and was considered for laparoscopic oocyte retrieval and in-vitro fertilisation. Her 27-year-old younger sister served as a gestational carrier. The patient underwent ovarian stimulation and 11 mature oocytes were retrieved by laparoscopy. After successful in-vitro fertilisation, two embryos were transferred to the gestational carrier. Two weeks after embryo transfer, the pregnancy was confirmed by serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels. Another two weeks later, an ongoing singleton pregnancy with foetal heartbeat was confirmed by transvaginal ultrasonography.