Dyslipidemia and electrolyte metabolism in essential hypertensive North Indians.

Background: In the present study we are going to evaluate lipid profile and Electrolytes levels (Sodium, Potassium in Serum & Urine) in Essential Hypertensive and in healthy controls in North Indian Population. Methods: A total of 210 age and sex matched E. hypertensive & healthy controls were included in our study from outpatient department (OPD) of Medicine in King George Medical University, Lucknow, India. First group consist of 110 subjects were known E. hypertensive patients (B.P ≤ 139/89mm of Hg). Another group is control group consist of 100 subjects who were healthy controls (B.P ≤ 120/80mm of Hg) with no history of hypertension. Fasting venous blood sample was collected from all the subjects in plane vacationer and the sample was centrifuged for the estimation of lipid profile & electrolyte i.e. Sodium (N+) & Potassium (K+). Lipid profile was measured with an automated analyzer (Biochem) & Electrolytes was measured using ion-selective electrolyte auto-analyzer in the Clinical lab of biochemistry in KGMU. Results: After analyzing results almost control subjects had normal lipid profile level. In patients of E. hypertension there was a highly significant increase in serum Total Cholesterol (p˂0.0001), LDL-Cholesterol (p˂0.0001) & Triglycerides (p˂0.001). HDL-Cholesterol (p˂0.03) is also significant as compare to controls. Not significant difference was found in serum sodium & potassium level. The Urinary Na+ levels were significantly lower in E. hypertensive patients when compared to controls while Urinary K+ levels were not significant. Conclusion: So we conclude that dyslipidemia is associated with essential hypertension this may due to the genetic predisposition, secondary lifestyles, fatty food consumption, saturated fat, cholesterol in the food increase the blood cholesterol and saturated fat is the main culprit. Essential hypertensive is linked with increased Na+, K+ - ATPase activity and increased renal tubular sodium reabsorption.

Effects of rotating night shift and exposure of light at night on circadian pattern of salivary cortisol and urinary melatonin levels.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of rotating night shift and light exposure at night on circadian pattern of salivary cortisol and urinary melatonin levels. Methods: 62 healthy nursing professionals of both genders performing day and night shifts (continuous 9 days night shift with alternate day shifts) were recruited. Each month scheduled to continuous 9 days night shift (12 hours in regular 9 nights, from 20:00 to 08:00); after 9 days night shift they perform remaining duties in day shift and 4 days off. Saliva and Urine samples were collected at around 8 hours interval while they were performing night duties and repeated when they were assigned day duties. Saliva and Urine samples were analyzed by the ELISA method. Results: Significant difference was found in night cortisol among night (4.34 ± 3.37) vs day shift (2.70 ± 2.32), (p<0.001). Alteration in morning cortisol was also found between night (3.73 ± 2.47) vs day shift (5.00 ± 2.73). Night melatonin level was decreased as compared to morning melatonin. Significant deference were observed when compared night melatonin between night (16.71 ± 11.98) vs day shift (22.71 ± 13.25) (p<0.001), morning melatonin between night (20.07 ± 14.13) vs day shifts (28.26 ± 14.14) (p<0.001). The circadian pattern of cortisol and melatonin was altered by rotating night shift particularly at night and in the morning time. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the desynchronization was appeared during night shift and entrainment of circadian rhythm in the day shift.

Nasal spirometery.

Nasal obstruction is a common symptom which is difficult to quantify clinically. Rhinomanometry, Acoustic Rhinometry and Forced Oscillation methods are available for estimating nasal resistance but, these require sophisticated machines. Because of limited availability of these techniques, this potential physiological measure has not been tapped fully for research and clinical purposes. Here, we describe the use of pulmonary spirometer with little modification for quantification of nasal flow. Nasal inspiratory and expiratory flow rates along with oral inspiratory and expiratory flow rates are used to derive different nasal resistance indices. This way of reporting nasal resistance is not new but, the data for these variables is currently not available in published literature. The reproducibility of nasal flow rates were tested as variation after one day and the interclass coefficient for inspiratory and expiratory nasal flow rates were found to be with in acceptable limits. Thus, nasal spirometery is able to describe the nasal resistance in a reliable manner and may be used to quantify nasal obstruction in pathological condition and also to study the physiological phenomenon like nasal cycle.

Circadian rhythm of peak expiratory flow rate in healthy north Indian men.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) variability follows a specific pattern in asthmatics as well as in healthy individuals. There is scarcity of data for Indian healthy subjects. The PEFR (L/min.) was measured with Wright's portable peak flow meter at 05:00, 8:00, 11:00, 14:00, 17:00, 20:00 and 23:00 hours in 42 healthy, non-smoking adults of age group between 18-26 years. The variability of PEFR revealed a circadian pattern. PEFR levels tend to increase from morning at 5:00 hours till evening at 17:00 hours, with peak PEFR in evening at 17:00 hours, after which there was a progressive fall in PEFR levels, till morning 5:00 hours. This study provides the preliminary reference data of circadian pattern of PEFR in healthy individuals.

Sympathetic hyperactivity in patients of bronchial asthma.

The bronchoconstricting and bronchodilating divisions of the autonomic nervous system control airway caliber of lungs. Parasympathetic hyperactivity in asthmatics eventuates in broncho-constriction. Sympathetic activity increases to combat this but fails to control bronchoconstriction due to negligible innervations of the airway smooth muscles although it causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels. In this study the effects of autonomic function test for sympathetic division were seen on selected patients and controls. Our results indicate sympathetic hyperactivity or an increased alpha-adrenergic input in asthmatics.

Improvement in oxidative status with yogic breathing in young healthy males.

The modern living lifestyle is known to produce various physical and psychological stresses and subject the individual to produce oxidative stresses as well. The aim of this study has been to assess the effect of yogic breathing exercises (pranayama) on the oxidatives stress. The study group consisted of 30 young male volunteers, trained for the purpose of this study and an equal number of controls were used. The free radicals and Super oxide dismutase levels were measured before the study and at the end of the study. The free radicals were decreased significantly in the study group but the SOD was increased insignificantly as compared to the control group. Yogic breathing exercises not only help in relieving the stresses of life but also improve the antioxidant status of the individual. An improvement in the antioxidant status is helpful in preventing many pathological processes that are known with impaired antioxidant system of body.

Examination stress in medical student: a study.

The present study was conducted on 40 male and 10 female students appearing for the 1st MBBS examination. Two readings of pulse rate, blood pressure and electro cardiogram were taken viz 6 months (control) and 10 minutes prior to the examination. A significant increase was seen in the pulse rate and blood pressure readings before the examination as compared to the control readings. However, no significant change was observed in electro cardiographic recordings.