Abnormalities in plasma concentration of lipids and fibrinogen of Egyptian microalbuminuric NIDDM type 2 diabetic patients

Introduction: diabetes mellitus is associated with derangements in the serum levels of several biochemical parameters. Fibrinogen is a strong cardiovascular risk factor in the general population, and increased fibrinogen plasma concentrations have been reported in type 2 diabetic patients

Purpose: to assess fibrinogen, lipids and lipoprotein composition and the relationship between fibrinogen and lipoprotein abnormalities and urinary albumin excretion [UAER] in type 2 diabetic patients

Study Design: 48 control persons [24 male, 24 female], 96 diabetic patients [48 male: 24 normoalbuminuric, 24 microalbuminuric, 48 female: 24 normoalbuminuric, 24 microalbuminuric]. They were divided into 9 groups. All groups were matched for age, sex, BMI. The diabetic patients were matched with the duration of diabetes. Diabetic patients were classified according to their level of urinary albumin excretion rate [UAER] into normoalbuminuric [<20 microg/min], microalbuminuric [20-200 microg/min]. Diabetic patients with other complications were excluded

Materials and Methods: Blood and urine samples were collected from the diabetic patients and non-diabetic healthy controls. Glucose, HbA1C, Hb, creatinine, fibrinogen, urinary albumin excretion rate, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Ch/HDL-C, HDL-C/LDL-C, LDLC/HDL-C, triacylglycerol and phospholipids were determined

Results and Discussion: a significant elevation of glucose, HbA1C, fibrinogen, urinary albumin excretion rate, cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Ch/HDL-C HDL-C/LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, triacylglycerol and phospholipids and a significant decrease in HDL-C were observed in the diabetic groups in comparison with control group and the same was found for microalbuminuric vs normoalbuminuric diabetic groups

Conclusion: albuminuria is the best predictor of fibrinogen plasma levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Plasma fibrinogen level is increased in type 2 normoalbuminuric diabetic patients [without detectable micro- and macrovascular complications], which indicate that hyperfibrinogenemia may precede the onset of clinical vascular complications and might therefore contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes

Assessment of some biochemical parameters for early detection of protein energy malnutrition

Protein energy malnutrition [PEM] is a common health problem in developing countries. The mild form of PEM results in growth retardation while severe forms result in the syndromes of marasmus and kwashiorkor. Mild PEM was described as a condition in which specific or, nonspecific clinical signs, as well as nonspecific laboratory indices are present without any of the classical manifestations of nutritional deficiency. Objective of this work was to assess serum transferrin and fibronectin as a biochemical markers for early detection of PEM. We studied 42 children: 30 patients had PEM [15 cases were mild to moderate PEM and 15 cases were severe PEM] with their age ranged between 4 -36 months and the remaining 12 children were age and sex matched healthy children as controls. All studied children were subjected to: full history taking, thorough clinical examination including anthropometric measurements [weight, hight, body mass, index [BMI], and mid arm circumference [MAC]] as well as estimation of serum albumin, serum transferrin, fibronectin, Hb and urine analysis. Results revealed significant reduction in all anthropometric measurements in both mild to moderate and severe PEM patients as compared to control group . Serum albumin was significantly lowered in severe PEM as compared to control and still within normal level in mild to moderate PEM patients. Serum transferrin and fibronectin were significantly lowered in mild to moderate PEM as compared to controls and more reduction in severe form of PEM as compared to controls. Serum fibronectin and transferrin correlated positively with BMI [P <0.05] and serum albumin [P <0.001] in both mild to moderate and severe PEM. In conclusion serum fibronectin and transferrin are markedly reduced in patients with mild to moderate PEM and correlated positively with BMI and serum albumin. This represents an evidence for the role of serum fibronectin and transferrin as biochemical markers for early detection of PEM

Comparison of chemical and mineral content of milk from human, cow, buffalo, camel and goat in Egypt

Milk is an important food; it is considered as a good source of Ca. Comparison studies of chemical and mineral contents of milk from human, cow, buffalo, camel and goat in Egypt are rare, so we determine chemical and mineral composition cows; camels; buffalo and goats milk in Egypt and to compare with the human milk since such comparisons are rare in Egypt. There are several studies dealing with the chemical composition of milk, but they are foreign, non-Egyptian. It is known that changing of environment has a significant effect on natural physiological function of both human and animals, so it was very important to made such study on Egyptian environment [ecology], hoping to give understanding and explain some of the malnutrition problems in Egypt. Three hundred and two milk samples were obtained at random from: cows; camels; buffalo and goats [n: 44, 108, 40, 40 respectively], while human milk was obtained from healthy lactating women [n: 70, after 3 rd month of lactation]. Chemical constituents as protein, fat, carbohydrates, moisture, ash and lactose were determined. Mineral contents as calcium [Ca], iron [Fe], Zinc [Zn], sodium [Na], potassium [K], magnesium [Mg], copper [Cu], phosphorous [P] and manganese [Mn] were measured in the ash. Human milk contains the lowest protein and ash content. Buffalo milk has the highest fat and total solids content. It gives the higher yield of energy. Human milk contains the highest carbohydrates and lactose content [4.98 gm% carbohydrates, of which 4.70 are lactose, i.e. it represent 94.46 %]. Human milk contains the lowest concentration of Ca, P, Fe, Zn, Na, K and Mg. Ca: P ratio of human milk is higher [2.32 vs 1.18-1.47] than other species. Mn content of human milk is higher [human milk contains [almost equal to] 6.5 times camel and cow milk and 24.14 times as goat milk]. Buffalo milk has the highest Ca, P and Mg content. Camel milk has the highest Fe, Zn, Na and Cu content. Goat milk has the highest K content. Chemical and mineral content of the 5 studied species varied widely. Camel, buffalo, cow and goat milk cannot replace human milk but it may complement it

Effect of curcumin, mixture of curcumin and piperine and curcum [turmeric] on lipid profile of normal and hyperlipidemic rats

Curcumin is a polyphenolic, yellow pigment obtained from rhizomes of Curcuma longa [curcum], used as a spice and food colouring. The extracts have several pharmacological effects. We evaluated the effect of curcum, curcumin, and mixture of curcumin and piperine on plasma lipids in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. A total of 270 rats, divided into 27 groups, were used. G1, G11: control, G2-G11: normal rats fed control diet supplemented with different levels of curcumin and curcum [G2-G6: 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% respectively, G7-G11: 1.67%, 4.167%, 8.34%, 16.67%, and 33.34]. G12-G26: at first fed control diet supplemented with 2% cholesterol then G13-17, 21-25 fed a control diet supplemented with different levels of curcumin, and curcum [the same levels as G2-G11; G18-20 fed control diet supplemented with mixture of curcumin [0.1, 0.25, 0.5%] and piperine [20 mg/kg BW]], G12 was sacrificed before addition of studied materials, G26 were fed control diet. Lipid profile, triacylglycerol and phospholipids of plasma and organs as liver and heart were measured. Serum cholesterol [total, LDL-C, VLDL-C], triacylglycerol and phospholipids contents were elevated in cholesterol-fed rats, while HDL-C were decreased. Curcum, curcumin have hypocholesterolemic effect on both normal and hypercholesterolemic rats being more effective in hypercholesterolemic rats. Curcumin reduces cholesterol by interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and increasing the excretion of bile acids. Using curcumin + piperine is better than using curcumin alone. All doses had the same effect, but using the lower level [0.5%] is better than using 2.0% level. Liver cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipids contents and cardiac cholesterol were elevated in hypercholesterolemic conditions. Dietary curcumin showed a distinct tendency to counter these changes. Piperine was added to curcumin to enhance its bioavailability through increasing curcumin absorption and reducing its metabolism in liver. The use of curcum, curcumin, and mixture of curcumin and piperine may be useful in the management of cardiovascular disease. Using the lower level [0.5%] is better than using 2.0%. Piperine enhances the bioavailability of curcumin