Correlation among monovalent cations [Na[+], K[+]] and serum rennin in essential hypertensive subjects

To evaluate the changes in serum level of Monovalent cations [Na[+] and K[+]] in hypertensive patients in addition to observe correlation of cations with serum Renin in such patients. Study was conducted at the Biochemistry Department of Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi under the supervision of Khemomal A. Karira since June 2006 July 2007. A total of seventy-five subjects were included, out of which forty patients were suffering from essential hypertension and thirty-five were normal healthy subjects. The serum level of monovalent cations was measured by flame photometry, rennin by RIA, glucose, urea and creatinine by chemical methods. The results of our study show that there is definite cat ions derangement in essential hypertension; serum sodium is significantly high [p<0.001] while potassium is significantly low [p<0.001] in hypertensives. Similarly these cations showed significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure; sodium had significant positive correlation [r-value0.463 and 0.426] while potassium had significant negative correlation [r-value-0.781 and - 0.766]. The glucose, urea and creatinine show non-significant results when compared to normotensives. In addition rennin has positive correlation [r value 0.485 and 0.467] with systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. Our findings suggest that cat ions and rennin should be measured in hypertensives. Present study was performed on a small sample size and provides a baseline data of cations and rennin in hypertensive subjects, so we recommend that same type of study should be carried out on large sample size to assess the importance of above parameters of hypertensives

High copper and low blood zinc are biochemical trait markers of depression

Study was designed to evaluate the serum status of trace elements in depressive patients, which will be handy for diagnosis and prompt treatment of depression. Study was conducted at the Biochemistry Department of B.M.S.I, J.M.P.C, Karachi since July 2004 to Feb. 2005. Diagnosed depressive cases were taken with the collaboration of Psychiatric department J.P.M.C Karachi, Pakistan. Total of 30 depressive patients among them 18 were males and twelve were females with mean age of 37.9 years along with 20 controls participated in the study. Copper and zinc in the blood sample of the depressive patients and normal controls were measured. Significant elevated blood levels [p<0.05] of copper and significantly decreased levels of Zinc [p<0.05] in the depressive patient as compared to control were found. Excess copper and low blood zinc levels are biochemical trait markers for early diagnosis of depression