RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In thalassemia, mutations either in alpha or beta chain synthesis results in low hemoglobin (Hb). Wheatgrass has been used for many years for health purposes. Some reports suggest the beneficial effect of wheatgrass on transfusion requirements. Folic acid is also known to play an important role in several biochemical reactions. In some patients with thalassemia, the supplementation of folic acid is useful. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of wheatgrass in children with thalassemia receiving chronic blood transfusions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized prospective study, 69 children with thalassemia were divided into the wheatgrass group and the control group (no wheatgrass). Both groups received a regular blood transfusion and folic acid. The treatment duration was 18 months. Anthropometric parameters, number of transfusions, and amount of blood transfused were compared within and between the groups at the end of the therapy. Clinical examinations, laboratory investigations, and ultrasounds for liver and spleen span were performed at the baseline and then every six months till 18 months. Adverse effects (if any) were noted on every visit. Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated before and at the end of the study using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (study group (n=45; mean age 6.35 ± 2.65 yrs); control group (n=24; 4.86 ± 2.77 yrs)) patients were enrolled, of which 12 from the study group and three from the control group did not complete the study. The difference in liver size within the wheatgrass group was significant (P <0.021) only at 18 months but not in the control group at any time point. The difference in spleen size was significant within the wheatgrass group (P<0.005) as well as the control group (P<0.001) at 18 months only. The difference in serum ferritin levels was not significant between the two groups. The increase in serum ferritin levels at the end of the study was significant in the control group when compared to the baseline (P<0.01). There was no difference in the average number of transfusions or in the blood transfusion requirement between the two groups. The difference in the QOL at the start and end was significant in the wheatgrass group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Wheatgrass appears to play a promising role in children with thalassemia receiving chronic blood transfusions.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder. PCOS women are at a high risk for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MS). Adiponectin is positively related to insulin sensitivity. It has a preventive role in atherogenesis and MS. The present work was conducted to study the correlation between serum adiponectin levels and clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters in PCOS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study in 49 newly diagnosed (as per Rotterdam criteria) Indian PCOS women was conducted. PCOS women were clinically examined and investigated for biochemical parameters. RESULTS: The mean serum adiponectin was 12 ± 9.4 µg/mL (range 0.47-45). Hypoadiponectinemia (serum adiponectin <4 µg/mL) was present in 22% patients. Age and adiponectin correlated significantly and inversely (r = -0.42, P = 0.027). Overweight/obese patients had lower mean adiponectin levels than normal weight (11.62 ± 9.5 vs 13.58 ± 9.5, P = 0.56). It was significantly lower in patients with acanthosis nigricans (AN) as compared with those without AN (8.4 ± 5.9 vs 15 ± 11, P = 0.038). Hirsute patients showed lower mean adiponectin levels than nonhirsute (10 ± 7.3 vs 13 ± 10, P = 0.57). A positive, insignificant correlation was observed between serum adiponectin and cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid stimulating hormone, levels. A negative insignificant correlation existed between serum adiponectin and luteinizing hormone (LH), LH: FSH ratio, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and Homeostasis Model Assessment. CONCLUSION: Hypoadiponectinemia is present in one-fifth of women with PCOS. Adiponectin levels decrease as age advances. Low levels of adiponectin possibly contributes to the development of dermal manifestation (AN) of insulin resistance.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is common diagnosis in women presenting with infertility. All the dimensions of PCOS have not been completely explored. Many studies have tried to characterize the exact presentation of the disease. In this study we studied clinical features of PCOS in Indian women to characterize different phenotypes of this syndrome. Prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) as surrogate marker of insulin resistance, obesity, hirsutism and hypothyroidism in PCOS women have been simultaneously studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Present work is a non comparative cross-sectional open label study carried out over a period of 18 months in an endocrinology hospital in western Maharashtra, India. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Authors conclude that PCOS occurs both in obese and non-obese women; AN and hirsutism occur in equal proportion of patients. AN is correlated with obesity. Hormonal dysfunctions in PCOS manifested together or independently. PCOS women can be sub grouped based on clinical features suggestive of endocrinological malfunctions and can be investigated accordingly for selection of appropriate treatment modalities.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of oral magnesium oxide supplementation alone and on the activity of standard anti-epileptic drugs in the animal models of maximal electroshock seizures (MES) and chemically (pentylenetetrazole [PTZ])-induced seizures. METHODS: Healthy male albino rats were given magnesium oxide (MgO) supplementation orally in various doses (500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg /day) for 4 weeks (day 1 to day 28). On day 0 and day 29, response to MES (180 mA for 0.2 s) was tested 1 h after pre-administration of phenytoin or carbamazepine orally. Similarly, in the other groups, the response to PTZ 40 mg/kg i.p. was tested 1 h after pre-administration of oral sodium valproate. RESULTS: Oral administration of MgO in a low dose (500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks in healthy rats appears to exert protective effect against MES. High oral doses of MgO (750 and 1000 mg/kg) appear to enhance the activity of phenytoin and carbamazepine in the MES model. MgO supplementation was seen to decrease the latency of PTZ-induced seizures. CONCLUSION: The dose of oral MgO appears to have an inverse relation with the protective effect in MES-induced seizure model. High doses of MgO supplementation given orally appear to enhance the activity of standard anti-epileptic drugs in the MES-induced seizure model.
