Effect of silymarin on serum levels of alt and GGT in ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

Alcoholic liver disease is a worldwide health problem. At least 80% of heavy drinkers have been reported to develop steatosis, 10-35% alcoholic hepatitis, and approximately 10% liver cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of silymarin on the levels of serum ALT and GGT in ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. This study was an experimental Randomised Control Trial [RCT], and was conducted at the experimental research laboratory of University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from January 2007 to December 2007. Eighteen male albino rats of 6-8 weeks age, weighing 150-200 gm each were divided into 3 groups of 6 rats each. Group A served as control, Group B was given ethanol at a dose of 0.6 ml [0.5 gm]/100 gm/day and group C was given ethanol and silymarin at a dose of 0.5 gm/100 gm/day, and 20 mg/100 gm/day respectively for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, each animal was euthenised with chloroform. Blood was drawn from each animal by cardiac puncture for liver function tests [ALT and GGT]. After taking blood sample, each euthenised animal was sacrificed and then its liver was removed for gross and histological examination. The mean values of serum alanine-aminotransferase [ALT] in groups A, B and C were 28.16 +/- 7.13, 82.33 +/- 10.89 and 49.66 +/- 6.12 U/L respectively, whereas, the mean values of gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT] in groups A, B and C were 27.33 +/- 3.05, 79.33 +/- 4.37 and 45.66 +/- 1.85 U/L respectively. ANOVA showed significant [p<0.05] difference in mean value of these serum enzymes among groups. Post Hoc test, using the Tukey honestly significant difference [HSD] showed that there was significant [p<0.05] increase in mean value of ALT and GGT in group B as compared to group A and C. This test also showed that there was significant [p<0.05] decrease in mean value of these enzymes in-group C as compared to group B. Silymarin tends to normalise liver function test in alcoholic liver disease

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in outdoor female patients of reproductive age group at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad

Hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver caused by a Hepatitis B virus, having a parenteral mode of entry and infecting millions of people around the world. The present study was planned to assess the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B in women of reproductive age in Hazara in order to promote disease prevention in the perinatal period by vaccination against Hepatitis B. Women 15-45 years old belonging to Hazara Division were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted over a period of one year at the Department of Microbiology, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad in collaboration with the Department of Pathology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from 1[st] March 2006 to 28[th] February 2007. Non-probability convenience sampling was done to select 500 females from those visiting Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad as outdoor patients or accompanying person. History, examination, and serum alanine aminotransferase estimation were followed by the initial screening for Hepatitis B surface Antigen [HBsAg] using immunochromatographic device. Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay was used to confirm the presence of HBsAg. HBsAg was detected in 3% of the women. History of multiple injections was present in 100%, blood transfusion in 22%, dental procedure in 46% and surgical procedure in 43% of the subjects. Only 1% women had been vaccinated. Seroprevalence of the Hepatitis B is not different from the figures reported by the studies previously conducted on general population in Pakistan. However it is different from those reported for the special groups

Study of lipoprotein patterns as an atherogenic factor in T2DM patients and their FDRS

The present study was carried out to determine the lipoprotein patterns as an atherogenic factor in T2DM [Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus] patients and their FDRS [First Degree Relatives]. In various previous studies it has been reported that hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia frequently coexist in T2DM patients which indicate that the diabetic state it self is associated with atherogenic lipid disorders. The present study included 26 Type 2DM [T2DM] patients and 21 apparently healthy First Degree Relative [FDRs] of T2DM patients. Twenty three age matched control not related to diabetics were also included in the study. The BMI in male patients and FDRs were significantly higher as compared to controls but no significant difference was seen among the BMI of female FDRs. Fasting plasma glucose [FPG] levels of T2DM patients were significantly higher but no significant difference was observed among the FDRs and controls. FPG did not show any significant correlation with the BMI in diabetic patients, FDRs and controls. The lipid profile of patients showed no significant difference, except the mean LDL-Chol of female patients was significantly higher as compared to female controls. HDL-Chol of males FDRs was significantly lower as compared to male controls. LDL-Chol of female FDRs was significantly lower than the female controls. No significant difference was observed in the total cholesterol and the triglycerides level of the patients of T2DM and FDRs but those cases in which pre-beta band appear upon lipoprotein electrophoresis had significantly higher triglyceride levels as compared to those patients in which pre-beta band did not appear. Lipoproteins of the T2DM patients and FDRs group were found to be highly disturbed as compared to the control group and they show a trend of developing atherogenic states in future

Antioxidant status in coronary heart disease [CHD] patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The present study was carried out to see the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and total antioxidant [AO] in Coronary Heart Disease [CHD] patients with and without Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus [T2DM]. In various previous studies it has been reported that, diabetes, hypertension and smoking are risk factors for CHD and all risk factors were common in these patients. Serum was tested from 80 CHD patients and 21 healthy controls, matched for age, height, and weight. No significant difference was seen between the age, height and weight of the subjects and controls. CHD patients were mostly male, smokers, over 40 year of age and belonging upper class families. The mean plasma glucose was significantly higher [p<0.05] in CHD patients having T2DM as compare to CHD patient with out T2DM. Risk factors for CHD, like diabetes, hypertension and smoking were common in these patients. No significant difference was seen in vitamin C level of patients of CHD. Vitamin E level was significantly [p < 0.05] low among the CHD patients as compared to controls and a significant [p < 0.05] decrease in mean vitamin E level was observed among smoker CHD patients as compared to non-smoker CHD patients. But no significant difference in vitamin C and vitamin E levels of CHD patients with diabetes and hypertension were observed when compared with CHD patients having no such complaints. The CHD patients' total antioxidant level was significantly [p < 0.05] decreased as compared to controls. The total AO [Vit. C and E] were not significantly higher in CHD patients with hypertension and diabetes as compared to those patients of CHD having no hypertension and diabetes

Hepatitis C seropositivity among chronic liver disease patients in Hazara, Pakistan

Hepatitis C is rapidly emerging as a major health problem in developing countries including Pakistan. The present study was conducted to document the frequency of Hepatitis C seropositive individuals reporting for hepatitis testing at a referral laboratory. Serum samples were collected from 614 people [436 males and 178 females] referred for chronic liver disease from all parts of Hazara division during the period July 2000 to July 2002. Hepatitis tests were performed by DOT immuno-chromatographic method for anti HCV antibodies. A total of 251 [40.8%] sera tested positive for anti HCV antibodies, including 184 males [73.3%] and 67 females [26.7%]. Of 436 males, 184 [42.2%] tested positive, while among females, 67/178 [37.6%] tested positive; this difference is not statistically significant. However the male/female ratio referred for testing was 2.4:1. There is a high frequency of HCV seropositive individuals of both sexes among patients referred for chronic liver disease. The frequencies obtained for Hazara division compare well with figures from other parts of Pakistan as well as developing countries. The male/female ratio could simply be a reflection of more males coming for treatment and testing in our setting

Hepatitis B seropositivity among chronic liver disease patients in Hazara division Pakistan

Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the major health problems in the developing countries including Pakistan. The present study was conducted to document the frequency of Hepatitis B seropositivity in patients with chronic liver disease in the Hazara Division. Serum samples were collected form 893 patients suffering from chronic liver disease [CLD] from all parts of the Hazara Division during period July 2000 to July 2002. Hepatitis HBsAg was detected by the immunochromatographic method. A total of 271 [30.35%] tested positive for HBsAg including 199 males [73.43%] and 72 females [26.56%]. There is a high frequency of HBV seropositive individuals of both sexes among patients referred for chronic liver disease. These frequencies obtained for Hazara Division compare well with figures from other parts of Pakistan as well as developing countries