Tissue Specific Effects of Chronic Sustained Hypoxia on Oxidative Stress: Role of Cilnidipine, a Dual L/N Type Calcium Channel Blocker.

Background: Blood flow, metabolic rate and oxygenrequirements of an organ guide the extent of oxidativestress experienced by any tissue in response to chronichypoxia. Currently cilnidipine is used in themanagement of hypertension and its antioxidant actionsare gaining wide interest. Aim and Objectives: Toevaluate the tissue specific effects of chronic sustainedhypoxia with regards to oxidative stress in the contextof cilnidipine. Material and Methods: Twenty fouradult male Wistar strain albino rats were randomlyassigned into four groups: group 1, control, normoxia(21% O ); group 2, chronic hypoxia (CH) (10% O ) for 2 221 days; group 3, normoxia + cilnidipine (Cil) for 21days; group 4, chronic hypoxia + cilnidipine (CH+Cil)for 21 days. Following 21 days of intervention bloodwas collected and animals were sacrificed and liver,lung and heart were collected. Serum MDA and MDAin tissue homogenate of liver, lung and heart wereestimated. Results: Our results demonstrate theelevated serum MDAlevels in chronic hypoxia exposedrats (group 2). We also observed increased MDAin liverfollowed by lung and least in the heart in chronichypoxia exposed rats (group 2). Treatment withcilnidipine reduced serum MDA and heart MDA levelsin cilnidipine treated chronic hypoxia exposed rats(group 4). However cilnidipine did not have anyinfluence on MDA levels in the liver and lung in samegroup of rats. Conclusion: The results demonstratetissue specific effects of chronic sustained hypoxia withthe highest oxidative stress observed in the liverfollowed by the lung. Although oxidative stress is alsoobserved in the heart it is the least in comparison to theliver and the lung. Cilnidipine, a dual L/N type calciumchannel blocker demonstrated beneficial antioxidantactions only in the heart supporting the cardioprotectiverole of cilnidipine

Different anthropometric adiposity measures and their association with cardiovascular disease risk factors in middle aged women.

A cross sectional study of 136 women age group40-55 years was conducted to study which anthropometric measure had the strongest association with cardiovascular disease risk factors in middle aged women. In accordance with their BMI measurement subjects were divided into three groups namely:Normal weight (Group1) BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, Overweight (Group2) – 25 kg/m2 – 29.9 kg/m2, Obese (Group3) – BMI > 30 kg/ m2. Each group was further divided into premenopausal and postmenopausal women BMI, WHR, WHtR, SBP, DBP were recorded. TG, TC, HDL and FBS values were estimated. Results showed that both pre and post menopausal middle aged obese women with higher BMI, WHR and WHtR have more chances of having cardiovascular diseases. BMI, WHR and WHtR are theeasy and practical methods to diagnose obesity and together can be used as simple measures to predict cardiovascular risk factors in middle aged women.

Alterations in minute ventilation, maximum voluntary ventilation and dyspneic index in different trimesters of pregnancy.

Respiratory function in pregnancy is of special importance since the life of fetus depends primarily upon its oxygen supply. Thus this study was designed to evaluate the Minute ventilation (MV), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) & Dyspneic Index (DI) in different trimesters of pregnancy & compare the results with nonpregnant control group. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 healthy women in the age range of 19-35 years with 50 subjects each in 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters of pregnancy and non-pregnant control group. We recorded respiratory parameters in study and control groups. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and Tukey Krammer post Hoc tests. It was observed that there was a significant decrease in MVV and dyspneic index in all trimesters of pregnancy and an insignificant variation in MV when compared to the control group. The changes in pulmonary function are influenced by the mechanical pressure of enlarging gravid uterus, elevating the diaphragm and restricting the movements of lungs thus hampering forceful expiration. The decrease seen in MVV in 1st trimester might be due to bronchoconstriction effect of decreased alveolar Pco2 on the bronchial smooth muscles.

Role of yoga in modifying anxiety level in women.

Anxiety leads to derangement in physical and mental health. Anxiety levels are more in full time housewives than working women. There is a need for simple, easy treatment for anxiety to alleviate the burden on health caused by anxiety. Yoga is among the top ten complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Our study aimed to determine the anxiety levels in apparently healthy full time housewives and to study the effects of Yoga on anxiety levels among them. Present study is a comparative interventional study. Study was conducted on 50 apparently healthy full time housewives (20-50 years) who attended one month Yoga camp. Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) Scale was used to evaluate anxiety levels before and at the end of the yoga camp. Statistical analysis was done by Paired t test using SPSS 9.0. The baseline pulse rate, SBP, DBP were 82.90±4.25 bpm, 124.84±11.022 mm Hg, 85.20±10.81 mm Hg respectively. After four weeks yoga camp there was statistically significant lowering of pulse rate (77.58±3.86 bpm), SBP (117.92±6.76 mm Hg), DBP (78.68±6.62 mm Hg). Before yoga training, percentage distributions of subjects with mild, moderate and severe anxiety were 6%, 18% and 76% respectively. At the end of four week yoga training, percentage distributions of subjects with mild, moderate and severe anxiety were 44.23%, 19.23% and 36.53% respectively. There was highly significant (p=0.000) difference in the mean values of total score before (33.71±4.90) and after (26.93±4.53) yoga. These results indicate that there was a reduction in the severity of anxiety from severe to moderate and mild indicating decrease in anxiety following yoga. Based on the results of our study, we conclude that regular yogic practices and adapting and implementing the principals and philosophy of yoga in day to day life may decrease the anxiety level.

Reduction in lung functions in type-2 diabetes in Indian population : Correlation with glycemic status.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pulmonary functions in patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus and to determine their correlation with glycemic status of diabetes in Indian population. Forty Type-2 diabetic patients, aged 30-60 years, with diabetic duration of 1-20 years, were included in the study. FVC, FEV1, & FEV1% are recorded by Benedict’s Roth spirometer. PEFR and MEP were recorded by Wright’s Peak flow meter & Modified Black’s apparatus. Glycemic status of subjects was determined by FBS & PPBS by Glucose oxidase & peroxidase methods. And results were analyzed by calculating Mean±SD, using Student’s t test, and Pearson correlation. All the respiratory parameters are reduced in Type- 2 diabetic patients compared to control of which FEV1, FEV1%, & MEP show very highly significant reduction (P=0.000). Lung functions are negatively correlated with glycemic status & duration of diabetes. (r = – 0.390, & –0.342) Reduction in dynamic lung functions and its negative correlation to glycemic status might be due to respiratory muscle weakness as indicated by highly significant reduction in MEP. Hence strict glycemic control and breathing exercises to strengthen the respiratory muscles may improve lung function in diabetics.