Role of pitavastatin in prevention of osteopenic changes in ovariectomized rats

Objective: To determine the effect of pitavastatin, a third generation statin, on development of osteopenia in ovariectomized rats

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, from January to July 2013

Methodology: Forty female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into ovariectomized [OVX], Sham OVX and OVX given pitavastatin 0.4 mg/kg/day, 0.8 mg/kg/day, for 8 weeks. Bone density measurements using CT scan and Archimedes' principle were made on femora and tibiae. Blood samples were analyzed for acid phosphatase [ACP] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] levels

Results: Ovariectomy-induced osteopenic changes were indicated by significant decrease in bone densities and Hounsfield [HU] index of distal femoral and proximal tibial metaphyses and elevation of ACP and ALP levels. 0.4 mg/kg pitavastatin did not significantly alter the evaluated parameters. 0.8 mg/kg produced a restoration of HU of lower femur and femoral density comparable to Sham. HU of upper tibia and tibial density following 0.8 mg/kg was significantly higher than OVX but was not approximate to Sham. ALP and ACP with 0.8 mg/kg were comparable to Sham

Conclusion: Supra-therapeutic dose of pitavastatin was effective in preventing estrogen deficiency-induced decrease in bone density of ovariectomized rates, over an 8-week period

Association of high serum uric acid with risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the rheumatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital of Karachi

Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism in humans due to the loss of uricase activity. Elevated uric acid is one of the metabolic abnormalities associated with cardiovascular disease. There are some studies found that hyperuricemia has been linked with cardiovascular diseases. Hyperuricemia predispose to the development of hypertension and is also thought to result in increased oxidative stress and generation of free radicals, which eventually can be the nidus of future cardiovascular disease. To determine the association of high serum uric acid with risk factors of cardiovascular disease [obesity, hyperuricemia, diabetes or hypertension]. This Cross sectional comparative study was carried out in Tertiary Care Unit of Karachi, Pakistan from Feb, 2013 till September, 2013. A total of 120 subjects of both sexes were taken and divided into two groups. Fasting glucose levels, serum uric acid was done. Those with hyperuricemia were taken as cases and individuals with normal level were taken as controls. Lipid profile was performed in both groups by enzymatic kit. The data feeding and analysis was done on computer package SPSS [Statistical Packages of Social Sciences] version 16.0. The results were given in the mean and Standard Deviation [SD] i.e. age, weight, height, Body Mass Index [BMI], fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein C [LDL-C], High Density Lipoprotein C [HDL-C], Very Low Density Lipoprotein C [VLDL-C] and serum uric acid. T-test was used for comparison between control and hyperuricemic patients group. In statistical analysis [p<0.01] was considered statistically significant. This study showed significantly raised levels of fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hyperuricemic patients when compared to healthy control group [p<0.01]. The results of the present study suggest that high serum uric acid is associated with risk factors of cardiovascular disease thus hyperuricemia may results in cardiovascular disease

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among adult asthmatic patients in Karachi

Vitamin D deficiency has assumed pandemic proportions all over the world. It has been documented as a frequent problem in studies of young adults, elderly person and children in other countries, but there is no reliable data on vitamin D status of adult asthmatic patients in Pakistan. To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in adult asthmatic patients with moderate to severe asthma using a cross-sectional study design in Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.311 adult asthmatic patients with moderate to severe asthma were recruited from JPMC, tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Questionnaires were administered together demographics, height, weight, nutritional and physical activity assessment. Blood samples for vitamin D measurement were also taken. Results show high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency [88.10%] in adult patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was more frequently observed in female than in male patients.67.66% of the female patients had serum vitamin D level less than 20 ng/ml as compare to 56.1% of the male patients [p=0.01]

Pitavastatin is a potent anti-inflammatory agent in the rat paw model of acute inflammation

Statins are used extensively as anti-hyperlipidemic agents. In addition to curtailing cholesterol synthesis they have been found to have multiple actions unrelated to cholesterol lowering" the pleiotropic effects," which includes inhibition of inflammation. We aimed at investigating the effect of pitavastatin a 3[rd] generation statin, in suppressing acute inflammation in rat paw edema model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups [n=8]: Control, indomethacin and pitavastatin [0.2mg/kg, 0.4mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg] treated. 1hour following treatment, inflammation was induced by sub-planter injection of egg albumin into the hind paw. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by measurement of edema formation every half hour for three hours, assessment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMNL] infiltration and measurement of tissue damage in skin biopsies. Ascending doses of pitavastatin were found to attenuate these parameters. The lowest dose of pitavastatin [0.2mg/kg] was found to significantly reduce edema volume, PMNL infiltration and tissue damage. The efficacy of the smallest dose was found comparable to indomethacin

Antibacterial, anti-fungal and phytotoxic activities of Ferula narthex boiss

Crude methanolic extract of roots, aerial parts and its subsequent fractions of Ferula narthex Boiss were tested for antibacterial, anti-fungal and phytotoxic activities. Crude methanolic extract of roots and its fractions showed significant antibacterial effect against P.aeruginosa [86.95%, 73.91, 69.59, 78.26 and 73.91%] represented by percent inhibition except ethyl acetate [EtoAc] fraction. The EtoAc fraction of roots and aerial parts showed significant activity against E. coli [80%], S. typhi [81.2 and 81.25%] and S. pneumoniae [80%]. The n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous fractions of aerial parts showed significant activity against P. aeruginosa [78.26, 69.56 and 73.91%]. Following fungal strains [T. longifusus, C. albicans, A. flavus, M. canis, F. solani, C. glabrata] were also used for anti-fungal activity. Among tested samples only crude methanol extract of roots, n-hexane and chloroform fraction showed moderate antifungal activity against M. canis [40, 35 and 30%] represented by percent inhibition. The remaining fractions showed no effect on tested fungi. Different oils fractions were also tested against above fungal strains. Fraction I, II and V showed mild to moderate activity against M. canis [40, 40 and 25%]. Phytotoxic effect of tested samples of roots, aerial part and its fractions showed concentration dependent growth inhibition. Maximum phytotoxic effect was noted for n-hexane and aqueous fraction [50% growth inhibition]. The remaining tested samples showed mild effect on growth of Lemna minor plant

Role of fetuin-A in insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus

To determine the role of fetuin-A in triggering insulin resistance and leading to development of type 2 diabetes. A cross sectional, case control study was conducted at Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC]. Time duration of the study was from February 2012 to September 2013. A total of 150 subjects were included by random sampling out of which 50 were known type 2 diabetics, 50 were having impaired fasting glycaemia [IFG] and 50 were normal healthy individuals. Detailed history taking, clinical examination and body mass index [BMI] calculation were done. Laboratory investigations included serum fasting glucose, measured by glucose oxidase method and serum insulin and serum fetuin-A levels that were measured by ELISA method. Insulin resistance was calculated by Homeostatic model assessment, [HOMA IR]. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS Version 16. We observed that serum fetuin-A levels were significantly higher in known type 2 diabetics as compared to impaired fasting glycaemics and controls [p<0.01]. Serum insulin and HOMA IR were also significantly elevated in known type 2 diabetics when compared to impaired fasting glycaemics and healthy individuals [p<0.01]. Body mass index was also significantly higher in known type 2 diabetics and impaired fasting glycaemics when compared to controls [p<0.01]. Our findings suggested that higher serum fetuin-A levels have a possible role in promoting insulin resistance and development of diabetes mellitus type 2

Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa extract and its fractions

Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa crude extract and its fractions [hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and aqueous] was carried out on phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal and analgesic activities. Crude extract and its fractions produced 50-100% phytotoxicity at 1000 micro g/ml concentration whereas 25-77% phytotoxicity was observed at 10 micro g/ml concentration. The fractions exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal effects. The non-toxic results of this plant were recorded in Brine Shrimps Bioassay method at all concentrations. Similarly no significant insecticidal activity was observed in crude extracts and fractions. Analgesic activity results of S. nodosa in mice were found highly significant in crude extract as compared to fractions. In writhing test crude extract at 500 mg/kg showed 65.6% highest inhibitory response in mice

Perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

To study the perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan Study design: Questionnaire based cross sectional survey Settings: The study was carried out at the family practice center, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Main outcome measures: Perceptions on the broad principles of bioethics Majority of the respondents were young and well educated and better placed socioeconomically. Respondents reported the moral duties of a physician and their reaction in the event of the death of a close relative due to a doctor's negligence. The majority agreed that a "doctor is next to god". Other issues studied include discontinuation of artificial life support, giving of gifts by pharmaceutical companies to doctors, sickness certification, organ donation, human cloning, disclosure of information to cancer patient and patient confidentiality. We have found interesting patient's perceptions on Bioethics with important implications for clinical practice