Serum ferritin level as an early indicator of metabolic dysregulation in young obese adults - a cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum ferritin level and antioxidative status and metabolic dysregulation in young adult obese population. This cross-sectional study included 300 subjects of either sex, grouped as obese and non-obese subjects. The body mass index, total iron binding capacity, fasting blood glucose, superoxide dismutase activity, and levels of serum ferritin, iron, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, glutathione, and vitamin C were estimated. Analysis showed a significant alteration in all the parameters in obese adults. The correlation of ferritin level and body mass index showed a positive correlation (r = -0.81, p < 0.001, respectively) with levels of fasting blood glucose, superoxide dismutase, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride in obese individuals, whereas an insignificant correlation with vitamin C and glutathione level was observed in obese individuals. The significant positive correlation of ferritin level with the metabolic parameters and some antioxidative parameters in obese individuals signifies the development of metabolic disorders. Therefore, estimation of serum ferritin level will be an important early indicator for the risk of developing metabolic disorders in young adults.

Haematopoietic, Antioxidant and Membrane Stabilizing Property of Diallyl Disulphide in Irradiated Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Diallyl disulphide is an organo-sulphur compound which is present in garlic and responsible for the characteristic odor of garlic. It is known for its anticancer and invitro membrane stabilizing properties. AIM: The main aim was to evaluate the haematopoietic, antioxidant and membrane stabilizing property of diallyl disulfide in irradiated mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were grouped into 6 groups as control, drug control, radiation control and drug pre-treatment groups (i.e. drug administration + radiation group) The mice were fed orally for 15 consecutive days and on the 15(th) day, one hour after drug administration, the mice were irradiated with 6Gy electron beam radiation. The changes in blood cell count, total antioxidant levels, malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels were determined. The immunomodulatory response of DADS to the radiological effects was determined by the estimation of IL-6 levels. RESULTS: A significant improvement in pre-drug treatment group when compared to control groups in the haemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haematocrit and platelet counts was observed. There is an increased level of interleukin-6 in the drug treated groups compared to the radiation control. An increase in the malondialdehyde levels and decrease in the glutathione levels in the irradiated group indicate increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, whereas, there is a significant reduction in the malondialdehyde levels and increased glutathione levels in the drug pre-treatment groups showing membrane stabilization. CONCLUSION: Thus DADS proves to be an effective haematopoietic and antioxidative agent to counter radiation induced haematopoietic suppression and oxidative stress.

The efficacy of nardostachys jatamansi against the radiation induced haematological damage in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Radiation is increasingly being used for medical purposes and it is an established weapon in the diagnosis and the therapy of cancer. An exposure to 1-2 Gys causes the NVD (Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) syndrome, whereas an exposure to 2-6 Gys causes the haematopoietic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of the Nardostachys jatamansi root extract (NJE) on the radiation induced haematological damage in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EBR was performed at the Microtron Centre, Mangalore University, India. Rats were treated with NJE once daily for 15 days before and after the irradiation. After the irradiation, blood was collected for determining the peripheral blood counts (RBC and WBC), haemoglobin, the platelet count and the packed cell volume (PCV) at 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 5, 10 and 15 days post irradiation. The data was analyzed by one way ANOVA, followed by the Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. RESULT: NJE provided protection against the radiation induced haematological disorders. The rats treated with NJE exhibited a time dependent significant elevation in all the haematological parameters which were studied and its modulation upto the near normal level was recorded. CONCLUSION: From this study, we concluded that, NJE provides protection by modulating the radiation induced damage on the haematopoietic system.