Increase in activity of Na[+], K[+]-ATPase by Porphyrin compounds as treatment for dysnatremias caused by diabetes mellitus

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the action of Porphyrin compounds, Tetraphenylporphine sulfonate [TPPS], 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis [4-sulfonatophenyl] porphyrinato Iron[III] Chloride [FeTPPS] and 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis [4-sulfonatophenyl] porphyrinato Iron[III] nitrosyl Chloride [FeNOTPPS], on Na[+], K[+] -ATPase of cell membrane of erythrocytes

Methods:Enzymatic assays, measuring the amount of inorganic phosphate produced, were used to estimate the activity of Na[+], K[+]-ATPase

Results:The results show that Porphyrin compounds exert an insulin-like effect on Na[+], K[+]-ATPase. They act by increasing the activity of the membrane-bound enzyme

Conclusion:All the three Porphyrin compounds increased the activity of erythrocyte Na[+], K[+]-ATPase. The exact mechanism of action of these compounds is not clear

Evaluation of Recently Developed Regression Equation with Direct Measurement of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in a Bangladeshi Population.

Background: Meaningful underestimation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is an important shortcoming of Friedewald’s formula (FF) at higher triglyceride (TG) levels. Recently a regression equation (RE) has been developed using lipid profiles in one setting and validated externally for the calculation of LDL cholesterol. This newly developed RE requires more studies in different settings. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the regression equation against direct measurement. Materials and Methods: Lipid profiles of 600 subjects attending a tertiary healthcare center were included in this study. Specimens were collected and lipid profiles were measured by standard methods. Sixty two lipid profiles with TG above 400 mg/dL were excluded. Calculated LDL cholesterol values using FF and RE were compared with measured LDL cholesterol by Pearson’s correlation test, Passing & Bablok regression, accuracy within ±5% and ±12% of measured LDL cholesterol and two-tailed paired t test at various TG ranges. Results: The mean value of LDL cholesterol was 148.6 ± 37.2 mg/dL for direct measurement, 146.9 ± 42.4 mg/dL for FF and 148.6 ± 34.7 mg/dL for RE. The correlation coefficients of calculated LDL cholesterol values with measured LDL cholesterol were 0.949 (p<0.001) for FF and 0.959 (p<0.001) for RE. Passing & Bablok regression equation against measured LDL cholesterol was y = 0.897x + 16.2 for FF and y = 1.0842x – 13.1 for RE. Accuracy within ±5% of measured LDL cholesterol was 45% for FF, 57% for RE and within ±12% of measured LDL cholesterol was 84% for FF, 93% for RE. When calculated LDL cholesterol was compared with measured LDL cholesterol at different TG ranges, FF significantly underestimated LDL cholesterol at TG concentrations above 200 mg/dL whereas no significant difference was observed for RE. Conclusion: This study reveals that RE equation has similar performance to direct measurement for calculation of LDL cholesterol.

Evaluation of Performance of the Newly Developed de Cordova's Formula for Calculation of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol without Use of Triglycerides.

Background: Various formulas are available to estimate serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. All of these are serum triglycerides (TG) dependent. But very recently de Cordova et al developed a simple formula (CF) to calculate LDL cholesterol without using serum TG and claimed it to be more accurate than Friedewald.s formula (FF). Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of the CF for the calculation of LDL cholesterol in a Bangladeshi population. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixty adult Bangladeshi subjects were purposively included in this study. Serum total cholesterol (TC), TG, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were measured by direct automated methods. LDL cholesterol was also calculated by CF and FF. Results were expressed in conventional unit as mean ± SD and compared by two-tailed paired t test, bias against measured LDL cholesterol, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), Passing & Bablok regression and accuracy within ±10% of the measured LDL cholesterol. Results: The mean values of directly measured LDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol calculated by CF and FF were 117.7 ± 31.0, 111.8 ± 31.0 and 108.9 ± 39.7 mg/dL respectively. Bias of calculated LDL cholesterol against measured LDL cholesterol was -5.2% for CF and -9.6% for FF. The correlation coefficients of measured LDL cholesterol were 0.9796 (p<0.001) for CF and 0.9525 (p<0.001) for FF. Passing & Bablok regression yielded the equation y = 0.9938x - 6.2 for CF and y = 1.2774x - 40.9 for FF. Accuracy within ±10% of measured LDL cholesterol was 81% for CF and 49% for FF. Conclusion: This study revealed better performance of the de Cordova's formula than Friedewald's formula for approximate calculation of LDL cholesterol without using serum triglycerides.

Quantitative analysis of gallstones in Libyan patients

Gallstone disease is one of the major surgical problems in the Libyan population; it is probably related to diet, especially excessive consumption of meat. The study was conducted to determine the composition of gallstones and their possible etiology in a Libyan population. The chemical composition of gallstones from 41 patients [six males and 35 females] was analyzed. The stones were classified into cholesterol, pigment, and mixed stones [MS]. Cholesterol stones [CS] showed a significantly higher cholesterol content than pigment stones [PS] [p=0.0085] though not significantly higher than MS. Their phospholipid content and inorganic phosphates were higher than in the other types of stones and oxalate content was significantly elevated in comparison with MS [p=0.0471]. In MS, the cholesterol, bile acids, and bilirubin were intermediate between cholesterol and PS, whereas triglycerides were significantly more than PS [p=0.0004]. Bilirubin [0.0001] and bile acids [p=0.0009] were significantly higher than CS [p=0.0001]. However, they contained the lowest amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and oxalate. In PS, bilirubin [p=0.0001] was significantly higher than both groups. Bile acid content was significantly higher than CS [p=0.0001] but not significantly more than MS. They showed the highest values of calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chlorides compared to the other types of stones. High levels of cholesterol in stones and dyslipidemia associated with mixed as well as cholesterol gallstones suggest an etiological association and efforts to reduce dietary fat among the Libyan population may lead to decreased cholesterol and mixed gallstones

A morphological and morphometric study of extra hepatic biliary duct of autopsied population of Bangladesh.

The study was carried out in 20 humans to observe the mean length, external and luminal diameters of different parts of the extra-hepatic bile duct. The largest mean length and diameters were found in common bile duct.