Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Hymenolepis nana in Afghan refugee population of Mianwali district, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Present study aimed to investigate prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Hymenolepis nana in Afghan refugees visiting Central Health Unit (CHU), Kot Chandana (Mianwali, Northern Punjab) during two years period (February 2007 to December 2009). METHODS: A total of 687 stool samples were collected from different age groups of both genders. Samples were processed under sterile conditions after gross examination. Microscopic examination was done on same day along with eggs (H. nana), cyst and trophozoites (G. intestinalis) detection after staining. RESULTS: The prevalence of G. intestinalis was significantly higher (x2=59.54, p<0.001) than that of H. nana. Females were found more likely to be infected as compared to males (OR: 1.40, 95% CI=1.03-1.92). Prevalence of both parasites decreased with age and highest prevalence was observed in young individuals belonging to 1-15 years of age group (41.8% and 48.7% respectively for H. nana and G. intestinalis, p<0.001). Abdominal distress (OR: 1.13, 95%CI=0.83-1.53), vomiting (OR: 1.13, 95%CI=1.13-1.81) and rectal prolapse (OR: 4.26, 95%CI=1.38-13.16) were the gastro-intestinal clinical symptoms observed in G. intestinalis. Whereas, bloody diarrhea (OR: 1.56, 95%CI=1.00-2.43) and rectal prolapse (OR: 5.79, 95%CI=1.87-17.91) were associated with H. nana infections. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal parasitic infections are common among Afghan refugees and serious preventive measures should be implemented to promote the safety and healthy lifestyle of these people.

Report: complexation of ß-sitosterol with tris (dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium and its anti-microbial activity.

ß-sitosterol is a naturally occurring plant sterol (phytosterol) present in many fruits and vegetables. Scientific research has proven that ß-sitosterol is helpful in maintaining the proper functioning of our body. Previously we described the complexation of ß-sitosterol with trace metals (Mahmood et al., 2013). Trace metals after the formation of complex unable to absorb in the body and hence eliminated out from the body thus reducing metal toxicity (Marsha, 1996). The present article describes the complexation of µ-sitosterol with Palladium (Pd) metal. Palladium is a toxic metal and due to polluted and hazardous environment traces of this metal can be transferred into the body, which is harmful for human health. Our aim is to make Pd-sterol complex so that this toxic metal (Pd) does not absorb in the body and hence excreted out from the body in the complex form. In order to form this complex µ-sitosterol (Ib) is reacted with Tris (dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium or [Pd(2) (DBA)(3)] (Ia) in 2:1 ratio in an inert atmosphere and dimethylformamid (DMF) added as a solvent. The resulting complex [Pd(2) (DBA)(3).(ß-sitosterol) (Ic) was identified by various spectroscopic techniques such as IR, Mass and (1)H-NMR. This new organo metallic complex (Ic) also showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. The present work revealed that Pd-sterol complex does not only reduce metal toxicity but also helpful in minimizing bacterial and fungal infections present in the body. Our research also concluded that we must take plenty of fruits and vegetables in our diet so that natural plant sterol such as ß-sitosterol can enhance our defense mechanism and maintain other functions of our body.

Effect of levocarnitine on endurance capacity in type-2 diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine is an essential cofactor for the enzymes transporting long chain fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes for beta oxidation and also modulates the intra-mitochondrial acylCoA/CoA ratio. This study was conducted to determine the effect of levo-carnitine on endurance capacity, skeletal muscle fatigue characteristics and glycogen stores in diabetic rats. METHODS: This laboratory based experimental study was conducted in department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, from June 2009 to July 2010. The study was carried on 60 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats. Serum creatine phosphorkinase (CPK) levels were measured to exclude skeletal muscle disorder. Rats were fed high fat diet (2 weeks) followed by intra-peritoneal injection of streptozocin (35 mg/kg). On 21st day, after confirmation of type 2 diabetes by measuring plasma glucose and TG/HDL ratio, rats were divided into 2 equal groups; group I (Diabetic) and group II (Carnitine). Group II was administered 1-carnitine (200mg/kg) for 6 days. Both groups were further subdivided into 2 equal groups- a (swim group) and b (non-swim group). At end of 4th week, the rats of swim group were subjected to swimming test. The extensor digitorum muscle (EDL) of rats of non-swim group was dissected for evaluation of skeletal muscle fatigue characteristics. The glycogen content of EDL muscle and serum free carnitine (FC) levels of all groups were measured. RESULTS: Carnitine treated rats exhibited improvement in swim time as well as skeletal muscle glycogen stores (p < 0.001). Significant improvement was also observed in skeletal muscle fatigue characteristics (p < 0.05). Serum free carnitine levels were also significantly raised in carnitine groups; the swim groups showed a lower FC levels as compared to their respective non-swim groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Levocarnitine increases the glycogen stores and improves the skeletal muscle fatigue characteristics, leading to improvement in endurance capacity in type 2 diabetic rats.