Body composition analysis to determine gender specific physical fitness equations in a cohort of Saudi population

To determine an association between body composition analysis and physical fitness in the Saudi population and derive gender specific physical fitness equations. A total of 530 healthy Saudi adults aged 15-72 years [mean 37.16 +/- 14.12 years] were enrolled in this study. Body composition analysis was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA], with a commercially available body analyzer according to standard protocols. Different body composition parameters, such as age, height, BSA [body surface area], obesity degree, body mass index [BMI], body fat mass [BFM] and percent body fat [% BF] contents were significantly different in males and females except weight which was non-significant [p=0.649]. There was significant positive or negative correlation among different body composition parameters except weight with age in males and weight with age, height and BSA in females. In males, all the body composition characteristics contributed to the fitness score except BMI and BFM, while in females, the most significant effect was contributed by weight and BFM. Female body composition characteristics were strongly related to fitness score compared to males [R2 = 93.8% vs R2 = 78.5%]. Different body composition parameters like BFM and%BF played an important role in determining physical fitness of healthy male individuals instead of BMI, weight and BSA, while in females weight was the best predictor of physical fitness

Association of serum bilirubin concentration with risk of coronary artery disease

Objectives: Objective of this study was to assess the serum bilirubin concentration [within the reference range] as a marker for coronary artery disease [CAD]

Study Design: It was a descriptive cross sectional study and simple random sampling technique was adopted for the proceedings

Place And Duration: The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry and Cardiology at Sheikh Zayed hospital Lahore over a period of one year

Methodology: Thirty known patients of CAD diagnosed by angiography were selected. Same numbers of healthy controls were selected

Results: The results have shown that there was a significant difference in serum bilirubin levels of both groups, when compared statistically

Conclusion: The study suggests an inverse association between serum bilirubin concentration [within the reference range] and risk of CAD and it can be used as a marker to assess predisposition towards ischemic heart disease

Relationship of high sensitivity C-reactive protein with presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to assess the relationship of serum inflammatory marker high sensitivity C Reactive protein [hsCRP], with the presence and severity of angiographically evaluated coronary artery disease [CAD]. This study was conducted at departments of physiology and cardiology, College of Medicine King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh from August 2009 to March 2012. Eighty seven patients [57 males and 30 females] with angiographically evaluated CAD were studied. In all these patients CAD severity was assessed by Gensini scoring and vessel scoring. Control group consisted of 29 healthy subjects [17 males and 12 females]. Fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for lipid profile and high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]. There were non-significant differences in age, weight and BMI among healthy subjects and CAD patients. Comparison of lipid profile between control and CAD patients showed that CAD patients had significantly higher TG and significantly lower HDL levels compared to control subjects. CAD patients presented with significantly higherhsCRP levels than controls. Linear regression analysis between hsCRP and CAD severity determined by Gensini scores showed a significant positive correlation [r=0.423, p=0.018]. Triple vessel disease patients had significantly higher hsCRP levels than one vessel and two vessel disease, while the difference was non significant between one and two vessel disease groups. These results suggest that patients with angiographically evaluated CAD have significantly higher levels of hsCRP levels compared to healthy individuals and are correlated with the presence and severity of CAD

Assessment of adipokines relationships with cardiovascular risk markers in relation to body indices in normoglycemic males

To evaluate the phenotypic relationship between obesity indices, resistin, adiponectin and cardiovascular risk markers in normoglycemic healthy individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh. A total of 120 male subjects were selected for the study. All subjects underwent analysis of body composition, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], lipids, adiponectin, resistin, lipoprotein[a] and high sensitivity C reactive protein [hsCRP]. Body mass index [BMI] [r=0.326, p < 0.001], body fat mass [BFM] [r=0.377, p < 0.001], body fat percentage [BF%] [r=0.326, p < 0.001], waist hip ratio [WHR] [r=0.402, p < 0.001] and basal Insulin levels [r=0.217, p=0.018] were positively correlated with hsCRP. However, serum adiponectin levels [r=0.189, p=0.0391] were negatively correlated with hsCRP. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese compared to non obese subjects [p=0.0551]. Keeping hsCRP as dependant variable we observed that WHR, BFM, BF%, BMI and adiponectin were significant predictors in univariate analysis. In multiple regression analysis WHR and adiponectin were independent predictors of hsCRP. Obese individuals have significantly higher levels of hsCRP levels and lower adiponectin levels than non obese subjects. Serum adiponectin levels and WHR are independant predictors of hsCRP levels in normoglycemic subjects

Gender differences in lipid and glycemic control in Saudi patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

To assess and determine gender differences in frequency distribution of lipids and glycemic control in Saudi diabetic patients. This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Physiology and Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University. A total of 1000 Saudi diabetic patients were randomly selected. Selection criteria included Saudi National of any sex aged more than 25 years. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein [LDL]. high density lipoprotein [HDL], glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]. Glycemic and lipid control was compared between male and female diabetics. Female diabetics were younger than males [p=0.04]. Female diabetic subjects had higher HbA1c than males [p=0.007]. Moreover, they tended to be more obese than males [p=0.0001]. The systolic blood pressure was also higher in females than males [p=0.045]. Lipid profile showed higher levels of TC, LDL and TG levels in females than males [p=0.0004. p=0.04 and p=0.007, respectively]. Prevalence of poor glycemic and lipid control was significantly more in females compared to male patients [p<0.001 and p<0.0001]. Saudi diabetic women had poor glycemic and lipid control as compared to male diabetics. Moreover, they tend to be more obese. These findings may be attributed to poor lifestyle

Plasma tissue factor pathway inhibitor levels in angiographically defined coronary artery disease among Saudis

This study was aimed to determine plasma levels of total [TFPI-T] and free [TFPI-F] tissue factor pathway inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1], and tissue plasminogen activator [t-PA] in a cohort of Saudi patients with chronic stable angiographically defined coronary artery disease [CAD] and to determine its correlation with its severity. This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of physiology and department of cardiology, College of Medicine, and King Khalid University Hospital and King Saud University, Riyadh. Sixty known cases of CAD who had undergone angiography [35 males and 25 females] were selected. A control group included 39 [20 males and 19 females] healthy subjects. Fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for total [TFPI-T] and free [TFPI-F] tissue factor pathway inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1], and tissue plasminogen activator [t- PA]. Gensini scores and vessel scores were determined for assessing CAD severity. There were non-significant differences between age, body mass index [BMI] and Blood pressure between the controls and CAD subjects. A comparison of hemostatic markers between control and CAD patients showed significantly higher levels of Fibrinogen, PAI-1, TFPI-T and TFPI-F in CAD patients compared to control subjects. But there was no difference in plasma t-PA levels. TFPI-T had a significant positive correlation with severity of disease determined by Gensini Scores [r=0.344; p=0.006] and vessel scores [r=0.338; p=0.015]. Plasma levels of total tissue factor pathway inhibitor are significantly related with the presence and severity of CAD. Elevated levels of TFPI-T may be considered as useful diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with CAD

Body mass index and body fat percentage in assessment of obesity prevalence in saudi adults / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the obesity prevalence in Saudi adults according to the international standards of body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five hundred and thirty healthy Saudi adults aged 18-72 years (mean 36.91 ± 15.22 years) were enrolled in this study. Their body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impendence analysis with a commercially available body composition analyzer. Standard BMI and BF% values were used to define obesity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of underweight, normal underweight, overweight and obesity in Saudi adults according to the BMI criteria (<18.5 kg/m², 18.5-24.4 kg/m², 25-29.9 kg/m², 30 kg/m² and above, respectively) was 2.5%, 30.2%, 33.6%, and 33.8%, respectively, whereas the obesity prevalence was 60% (n=318) in Saudi adults according to the BF% criteria (25% for males and 30% for females), which was significantly higher than that according to BMI criteria. However, it was 50.6% (n=268) when the BMI cutoff point was 27.5 kg/m², proposed by WHO for the Asian population. Kappa analysis showed that the obesity prevalence defined by BMI and BF% was higher in females than in males (k=0.530 vs k=0.418, P<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of BMI (30 kg/m² and 27.5 kg/m²) were 54.1% and 96.7% and 76.4% and 88.2%, respectively, for obesity. A lower BMI cutoff point (26.60 kg/m²) was proposed in this study, which gave the maximum sensitivity (84.3%) and specificity (85.4%), with a moderate kappa agreement (k=0.686). Moreover, the obesity prevalence at this cutoff point (56.4%) was significantly higher than that recommended by WHO.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The specificity of BMI for obesity is high and its sensitivity is low in both sexes. Its sensitivity can be increased by changing BMI cutoff to a lower value. The choice of BF% reference is of great influence for the assessment of obesity prevalence according to the BMI.</p>

Effect of drinking Arabian Qahwa on fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels in healthy nonsmoking Saudi adults

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FENO] is an emerging marker of inflammation in respiratory diseases. However, it is affected by a number of confounding factors. We aimed to study the effect of drinking Arabian Qahwa on FENO in non-smoking Saudi healthy adults. We recruited 12 nonsmoker healthy male adults aged 36.6 +/- 2.7 [21-50] years. All subjects were free from acute respiratory infections or allergies and had normal ventilatory functions and serum IgE levels. At 8 am in the morning, their baseline values of FENO were recorded. They had not taken tea or coffee in the morning and had taken similar light breakfast. They were given three cups of Arabian Qahwa to drink and then after every 30 minutes, serial levels of FENO were recorded. Average FENO levels at baseline were 28.73 +/- 9.33 [mean +/- SD] parts per billion [ppb]. The mean FENO levels started to decrease significantly after 30 minutes of drinking Arabian Qahwa [P=0.002]. This decrease in FENO level was further observed till two hours after Qahwa drinking and then it started to increase in next 90 minutes but still was significantly lower than the baseline [P=0.002]. The mean FENO level recorded after 4 hours was 27.22 +/- 10.22 [P=0.039]. FENO levels were significantly lowered by intake of Arabian Qahwa and this effect remains for about 4 hours. Therefore, history of recent Qahwa intake and abstinence is essential before performance of FENO and its interpretation

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials and electrocochleographic findings in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

To determine the status of cochlea, auditory pathway and hearing threshold by recording brainstem auditory evoked potential [BAEP] and electrocochleography in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss [ISSNHL]. Observational study. Department of Clinical Physiology at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from May 2002 to November 2007. Patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss [ISSNHL] based on clinical features and pure tone audiometry were studied. Brainstem auditory evoked potential [BAEP] and electrocochleography [ECOG] was performed in them according to standard protocols for assessment of auditory pathway and hearing threshold. Out of 23 patients [14 males and 9 females] left ear was affected in 9 [39.1%] patients, right ear in 13 [56.5%] and both in 1 [4.3%]. Absolute latency of wave I and wave V were significantly prolonged in affected ear compared to unaffected ears [p=0.0031], while interpeak I-V latency was significantly higher in affected ears versus unaffected ears [p=0.0544]. Six patients [26.1%] had type II Diabetes mellitus, five cases [21.7%] had hypertension and 5 cases [21.7%] had dyslipidemia. ECOG revealed absence of summation potential [SP] and action potential [AP] response even at 95 dB in 17 out of 23 cases [73.9%]. Patients with ISSNHL had significant abnormalities in BAEP and ECOG recordings showing predominantly cochlear involvement. Thus, these tests provide useful diagnostic information in patients with ISSNHL in addition to pure tone audiometry

Histopathological hepatoprotective effects by echinops echinatus A plant from Cholistan desert

Aerial parts of Echinops Echinotus [EE] were subjected to in vivo histological hepatoprotective study in order to validate its traditional use in hepatobiliary disorders, by native people of Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Experimental study. The study was conducted at PCR lab Multan. The animals were randomly divided into three groups, containing 10 rabbits in each group. Histological hepatoprotective effects of pre-treatment with aerial parts [ethanolic extract] of EE [500 and 750 mg/kg/day PO for 7 days] against CCI[4] [0.75 ml/kg, S/C] intoxicated rabbits were evaluated by liver histological observations. Silymarin [100 mg/kg/day PO for 7 days] was used as a standard hepatoprotective drug. CCI[4] intoxicated group had significant histological changes [marked fatty changes etc.] as compared to normal control group. However, EE extract produced significant histological hepatoprotective changes. Therefore, the outcome of present study supports the traditional behaviour on hepatoprotective effects of Echinops Echinaus [aerial parts]

Validity of F-wave minimal latency of median and ulnar nerves for diagnosis and severity assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome in type II diabetes mellitus

Type II diabetes mellitus is a common problem and is sometimes associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [CTS] due to compression of median nerve at wrist. Electrophysiological tests are frequently used for its diagnosis. In this work, F-wave minimal latency [FWML] difference between median and ulnar nerve and F-ratio is used to facilitate the diagnosis and severity of CTS in type II diabetes mellitus [T2DM]. Thirty control cases were selected who were physically fit for normal electrophysiological values. Thirty-two patients with a long history of type II diabetes mellitus were studied for electro-diagnostic tests. All patients had clinical evidence of CTS. Among all diabetics about 20 cases had poor glycaemic control [HbA1c>7.5]. F-wave minimal latency [FWML] were measured in median and ulnar nerves and F-ratio of median nerve were also noted. The mean values in different groups were compared using t-test and p

Evaluation of histopathological and biochemical hepatoprotective potentials of fagonia bruguieri a plant from Cholistan desert

Aerial parts of Fagonia Bruguieri [FB] [family, zygophyllaceae] were subjected to in vivo hepatoprotective study in order to validate its traditional use in hepatobiliary disorders, by native people of Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Experimental study. This study was conducted at PCR lab Multan. The animals were randomly divided into three groups, containing 10 rabbits in each group. Hepatoprotective effects of pre-treatment with aerial parts [ethanolic extract] of FB [500 and 750 mg/kg/day PO for 7 days] against CC1[4] [0.75 ml/kg, S/C] intoxicated rabbits were evaluated by serum biochemical parameters and liver histological observations. Silymarin [100 mg/kg/day PO for 7 days] was used as a standard hepatoprotective drug, CC1[4] intoxicated group had raised levels of SCOT, SGPT and ALP sTignificantly but TB level was not raised as compared to normal control group. FB extract [both doses of 500 and 750 mg/kg] showed hepatoprotection as obvious by significant reinstatement of levels of SCOT, SGPT and ALP while TB level was not changed significantly, when compared with CC1[4] intoxicated group. B[oth] doses of FB extract were well comparable with silymarin. Histopathological examination of the liver tissue further corroborated these results. Therefore, the conclusion of the present study supports the traditional believes on hepatoproptective effects of Fagonia Bruguieri [aerial parts]

Entrapment of medial plantar nerve [tarsal tunnel syndrome] in type 2 diabetes mellitus: An electrophysiological study

With increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients the complications of diabetes are being seen more frequently. Patients with diabetic neuropathy often present with distressing symptoms such as pain and burning sensation in the feet. Tarsal tunnel syndrome with electrophysiological changes may be a causative or contributing factor. The present study was designed to assess the presence and features of tarsal tunnel syndrome in diabetes mellitus patients. In this study a group of 10 normal volunteers were selected who had no neurological complaints or foot trauma. Another group of 33 patients having longstanding diabetes mellitus with complaints of pain, burning sensation and paraesthesia in the feet were selected for electrophysiological tests and median plantar nerve was studied. In the present study we observed that 15 [45%] of diabetic cases showed abnormal findings e.g., prolonged distal motor latency, decreased amplitude of M-response, low or absent sensory response suggesting tarsal tunnel syndrome. This study shows that the tarsal tunnel syndrome may be present in a significant number of diabetic patients with subjective neuropathic symptoms in the feet. The tarsal tunnel syndrome should be kept in mind during the diagnostic workup and management of diabetes mellitus

Level of high-sensitivity c-reactive protein in Saudi patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease

Inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events and it predicts risk of incident hypertension and diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of the circulating acute-phase reactant high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] in Saudi patients with chronic stable Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]. This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology and Department of Cardiology, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh between August 2006 and December 2007. One hundred and seven individuals with chronic stable CAD and 33 healthy, age and BMI-matched individuals were studied. Overnight fasting blood samples were collected, and analyzed for total cholesterol [TC], Triglycerides [TG], Low Density Lipoprotein [LDL] and High Density Lipoprotein [HDL] and hsCRP in patients with chronic stable CAD. TC [Control 4.41 +/- 0.57 vs CAD 4.28 +/- 1.40, p=-0.8394] and LDL levels [Control 2.70 +/- 0.52 vs CAD 2.71 +/- 1.20, p=0.7963] did not differ significantly between the two groups. While there were significant differences in TG [Control 1.13 +/- 0.47 vs CAD 1.84 +/- 1.10, p=0.0135] and HDL levels [Control 1.06 +/- 0.30 vs CAD 0.71 +/- 0.25, p=0.0000]. hsCRP levels were significantly higher in patients with CAD [5.0 +/- 4.4] compared to healthy individuals [2.7 +/- 2.7, p=0.0166]. Frequency of low risk levels was significantly higher in Controls than CAD patients [24.2% vs 8.4%, p=0.0332] and vice versa for high risk levels [24.2% vs 51.4%, p=0.0110]. At average risk levels frequency did not differ significantly [51.5% vs 40.1%, p=0.3429], between control and CAD groups. Saudi patients with stable chronic CAD have higher hsCRP levels compared to healthy individuals. Moreover the prevalence of undesirable risk levels of hsCRP is also higher in CAD patients

Microbiology of burn patients of civil hospital Karachi

After initial period of shock, infection remains a major and most serious complication in burn patients. The flora of the burn wound is constantly changing and the potential risk of burn wound sepsis persists until complete healing of burn wound. In burn patients most of the infections are thought to be of nosocomial origin. Gram positive cocci are considered with increasing frequency in nosocomial infection. Gram negative organism cause trouble in different ways, pus containing toxins convert partial thickness burns into full thickness burn, causing general illness, failure of graft taking and most important is septicemia Pseudomonas aeruginosa is highly pathogenic in the injured immuno suppressive burn patients. Most common isolates belongs to family Enterobacteriacae i.e. 36 [63.3%]. Second common isolates were belonging to Genus Staphylococci 15 [26%]. The prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was relatively less that was 07 [10.4]. Gram positive Staphylococci were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin, Chloramphenicol, and Imipenem. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were highly sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Amikacin i.e. 83.3% Imipenem was highly effective against [97.6%] isolates of Enterobacteriacae. Ciprofloxacin was the second most effective drug that was effective against 87.5%isolates of Enterobacteriaicae

Effect of clmetidine on reduction of gastric secretion and pH in adult patients undergoing elective surgery and its impact on aspiration risk

Aspiration of gastric contents is rare, but serious and life threatening complication of general anaesthesia. Its severity depends upon the pH and volume of gastric contents. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-anaesthetic administration of oral Cimetidine on pH and volume of gastric contents in 116 adult inpatients of either sex, American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-II, and aged 15-70 years. The patients in Group C [Control] received Placebo while Group T [Cimetidine 800 mg] orally at 9 PM, a night before elective surgery. Next day, Gastric contents were aspirated with a large bore, multi-orifices gastric tube passed through an endotracheal tube placed blindly in oesophagus after tracheal intubation and analysed for the presence of bile salts, pH and volume. Thirty-two samples [28.31%] out of 113 were contaminated with duodenal contents. Duodenogastric reiluxate significantly affected both the pH and volume of gastric contents in both groups. Cimetidine, after excluding contaminated cases either with duodenogastric refluxate or blood, did not significantly increase the pH [p=0.1221], decrease the volume of gastric contents [p=0.0816] and the proportion of the patients [25.64% versus 23.80%] considered [at risk] compared with Placebo [p=1.0000] according to the criteria defined [pH 25 ml]. Cimetidine 800 mg given orally at 9 PM did not provide adequate prophylaxis for acid aspiration syndrome at the time of induction of anaesthesia

Nitric oxide measurement from blood to lungs, is there a link?

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide [NO] is a key molecule in regulation of vascular tone and its association with vascular disease has long been recognized. NO inhibits many processes known to be involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, including monocyte adhesion, platelet aggregation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Another important role of endothelial NO is the protection of the vascular wall from the oxidative stress induced by its own metabolic products and by the oxidation products of lipids and lipoproteins. Endothelial dysfunction, occurs at very early stages of atherosclerosis. It is therefore possible that deficiency in local NO availability could be a final common pathway that accelerates atherogenesis in humans. In addition to its role in the vascular endothelium, NO availability has been shown to modulate metabolism of lipoproteins. Negative correlation has been reported between plasma concentrations of NO metabolic products and plasma total and Low Density Lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol levels while High Density Lipoprotein [HDL] improves vascular function in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. The loss of NO has considerable effect on the development of the disease. In the early stages of the disease reduced NO would leave the endothelium vulnerable to increased leukocyte diapedesis and increase the possibility of LDL oxidation. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are major contributors to development and progression of atherosclerosis in Diabetes Mellitus. Moreover, reports show that diabetics have impaired lung functions. It has been proposed that insulin resistance leads to airway inflammation. Exhaled nitric oxide [ExNO] is a recently introduced non invasive marker to measure inflammation and oxidative stress in the lung. So far no work has been done on exhaled NO levels in patients with DM. There are also no studies correlating exhaled NO to blood NO levels. We are also aiming to see if there is any relationship between exhaled NO with serum NO levels in diabetics as well as healthy individuals

Role of enterobactereacae in burn wound sepsis in Karachi

The over all prevalence of the Enterobacteriacae in present study was more than 50% in which the most prevalent organisms belongs to Proteus Spp. [38,3%] that followed by Enterobacter Spp. [22.4%]. The prevalence of E. coli and Kleb, Pneumoniae was 10%, Imipenem was the most effective [98%] drug against Enterobacieieacae. Ciprofloxacin was the second most effective [82%] drug. Amikacin and fourth generation Cefepirne were the third effective [>70%] drugs against these bacteria. Ciprofloxacin was the less effective [60-64%] drug against KIeb. pneumonia and E. coli than the rest of the isolates of Eiiterobactereacae. Arnikacin [49%] and Cefepime [44%] were less effective against Proteus Spp. More than 50% isolates were sensitive to Piperacillin, Gentamicin and Tobramycin. Amoxicillin and Augmentin were ineffective against these bacteria in this study

Frequency distribution of atherognic dyslipidemia in Saudi type-2 diabetic patients

This project was aimed to study the prevalence of desirable and high risk levels of lipid profiles in Saudi type 2 diabetics according to ATP III guidelines. This cross sectional study was conducted at College of Medicine of King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 507 Saudi type 2 diabetic patients were randomly selected. Selection criteria include Saudi National of any sex aged more than 25 years. No exclusion criteria except those patients who did not complete the investigations needed for this study. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]. We assessed the percentage of patients falling into desirable, borderline and high risk categories according to the criteria laid down by Adult Treatment Panel III of American Medical Association. It was found that 56.6, 23.6, 77.1 and 48.9 percent of diabetic subjects had borderline to high risk levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C respectively. It is concluded that type 2 diabetic patients have a high frequency of atherogenic dyslipidemia especially for TC, LDL-C and HDL-C. It is suggested that along with glycemic control physicians should focus more on lipid profiles also

Hypolipidemic effects of high fat sunflower oil and nigella sativa [Kalonji] on serum lipid profile of albino rats

Diet is the main factor affecting serum lipid concentrations. We studied the changes in serum lipid profile by high fat sunflower oil diet. We also documented the effects of Nigella Sativa [Kalonji] on serum lipid profile. Thirty two albino rats were divided into two groups i.e. one control [C] groups and other experimental [E] group having equal number of rats. Study was carried out for twelve weeks. Fasting blood samples were drawn by heart puncture for serum lipid profile under ether anaesthesia. Estimations were done by recommended methods. Statistical methods were done by using student's "t" test. We found decrease in total cholesterol by 9.6%, triglyceride by 4.21%, LDL cholesterol by 12.0% and HDL cholesterol by 10.4%. We concluded from study that polyunsaturated fatty acid in high concentrations [20%] has lipid-lowering effect and Nigella sativa has got HDL cholesterol raising effect, which has anti-atherogenic potential