Vitamin e deficiency in south asian population and the therapeutic use of alpha-tocopherol [vitamin e] for correction of anemia

Mild to moderate vitamin E deficiency because of inadequate consumption of vitamin E-rich foods and intestinal fat malabsorption is common in growing children, women of reproductive age and elderly South Asian population. Severe vitamin E deficiency may lead to peripheral and motor neurodegenerative diseases [e.g ataxia and motor skeletal myopathy], impaired immune response and free radical-induced hemolytic anemias. Vitamin E insufficiency and/or deficiency status in the general Pakistani population has not been sufficiently investigated. Moreover, there are challenges in determining vitamin E status in apparently healthy humans due to variations in their age, sources of consumed vitamin E and plasma lipid levels. Oxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species have been shown to cause ineffective erythropoiesis and enhanced lysis of erythrocytes in some of the experimental animals and humans. Several studies on patients with various types of inherited hemolytic anemias, chronic renal disease, premature low birth infants and apparently healthy humans have shown that vitamin E might be therapeutically effective in the prevention and/ or treatment of anemia in these subjects

Risks associated with mild anemia in apparently healthy individuals: how to combat anemia in general population

Mild grade anemia in adult population is defined as a blood hemoglobin concentration between 10.00 to 12.9 g/dl in males or between 10.00 to 11.9 g/dl in non-pregnant females. Mildly anemic but apparently healthy subjects are commonly found in general population. Such individuals are at a greater risk of not being sufficiently investigated for the underlying disease and may end up with serious morbidity and health problems such as, diminished cardiovascular responses, compromised physical activity, poor cognitive function and growth retardation in children, and increased risk of falls and fractures and 5-year all cause mortality rates among elderly people. Nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, recurrent infections and aging are the major causes of mild anemia. The best approach to combat mild anemia in general population of a developing country would be through initiation of food fortification program, creating more awareness among people about the benefits of dietary diversification, use of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables and adopting measures such as, frequent hand washing and use of boiled water for drinking to avoid common infections

Effects of acute exetcise on serum vitamin E levels in physically trained and untrained healthy adults

This study was carried out to evaluate changes in serum vitamin E levels in physically trained and untrained adults after an acute bout of physical exercise. Results indicate a significant rise in 1-hour post exercise serum vitamin E levels in trained group in comparsion to their immediate post exercise levels. No such increase was found in untrained group individuals, whose 1-hour post exercise serum vitamin E levels remained almost same as immediate post exercise levels. It can be concluded therefore that exercise training results in increased mobilization of vitamin E from it depots after exercise

Relationship between smoking and serum ferritin levels

High serum lipid levels, smoking and lack of physical activity are recognized modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseases. Serum ferritin, the stored form of iron provides free iron for oxidation of lipids. It is being investigated as a risk factor for cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. To find out the relationship between modifiable risk factors serum ferritin and smoking. Material and 38 smokers and 56 nonsmokers, male aged 20 to 66 were selected by convenient method. Smokers were divided in three groups according to smoking strength. Serum ferritin was done by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. Sample of blood was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking. Serum stored at 20°C for future analysis. Result: Mean serum ferritin in non-smokers was found to be 154 +/- 15.11 ng/ml and in smokers 237.7 +/- 39.89ng/ml, which is highly significant [P< 0.009]. Results were evaluated by SPSS 7.5 software. Smoking contains free radicals that result in oxidative stress, which increases ferritin synthesis

Relationship between physical activity and serum ferritin levels

Atherosclerosis, one of the most important events, is responsible for most of the coronary heart diseases and other cardiovascular diseases. Unfavorable lipid profile, smoking and lack of physical activity are well known risk factors. Serum ferritin, the stored form iron, provides free iron for lipidperoxidation and formation of foam cells of atheroma, is currently being listed as a new modifiable risk factor. To find out any relationship between serum ferritin and physical activity. Material And 45 physically active and 49 non-active, male aged 18 to 65 were selected by convenient sampling. Physically active subjects were divided into two groups, maximally active and moderately active. Blood sample was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking for the detection of serum ferritin by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. The serum ferritin in physically non active subjects was found to be 205.5 +/- 18.2 ng/ml and in active subjects 168.4 +/- 26.56ng/ml which is weakly negative and non significant [P<0.246]. Became highly significant [P<0.003] when confounders were added. Results were evaluated on SPSS 7.5 Physical activity decreases the serum ferritin. Moderate physical activities are more important in lowering of serum ferritin than heavy

Effect of acute exercise on serum malondialdehyde levels in physically trained and untrained apparently healthy people

1. To study and compare the changes in serum malondialehyde levels after an acute about of exercise between physically trained and untrained healthy people. Department of Physiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [LPMC], Karachi from June 1999 to May 2000. A total of 60 apparently healthy [30 males and 30 females] randomly selected subjects with a known history of regular physical exercise [i.e. trained control groups A and B respectively] and other total of 60 apparently healthy [30 males and 30 females] randomly selected subjects without history of any regular physical exercise [i.e. untrained Test groups C and D respectively] with age ranging between 18 to 40 years, underwent an acute bout of similar moderate intensity exercise of 30 minutes duration on a bicycle ergometer [after their age and body mass index matching]. Their pre and post exercise malondialdehyde levels were estimated and compared for statistical analysis. Serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly [P< 0.05] increased in both control and test subjects at the of an acute of physical exercise as compared to their basal levels. There was a significant [P< 0.05] decrease in 1-hour post exercise serum malondialdehyde levels in control group [A and B] subjects as compared to their immediate post exercise levels. However, no such decrease was found in test group [C and D] subjects whose 1-hour post exercise serum malondialdehyde levels remained almost the same as compared with their immediate pot exercise levels. Exercise-training results in decreased 1-hour post-exercise serum malondialdehyde levels as compared to their immediate post exercise levels in physically trained healthy people in comparison to untrained apparently healthy people