C-reactive Protein as a Predictor of Adverse outcome in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to reflect systemic and vascular inflammation and to predict future cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of CRP in predicting cardiovascular outcome in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-centered study was carried out by the Department of Pathology in collaboration with the Department of Cardiology, Bolan Medical College Complex Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan from January 2009 to December 2009. We studied 963 consecutive patients presenting with chest pain to Accident and Emergency Department. Patients were divided into four groups. Group-1 comprised patients with unstable angina; group-2 included patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); group-3 comprised patients with Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (Non-STEMI) and group-4 was the control group. All four groups were followed-up for 90 days for occurrence of cardiovascular events. RESULTS: The CRP was elevated (>3 mg/L) among 27.6% patients in Group-1; 70.9% in group- 2; 77.9% in group-3 and 5.3% in the control group. Among cases with elevated CRP, 92.1% had a cardiac event compared to 34.3% among patients with CRP £3 mg/L (P < 0.0001). The mortality was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in group-2 (8.9%) and group-3 (11.9%) as compared to group-1 (2.1%). There was no cardiac event or mortality in Group-4. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated CRP is a predictor of adverse outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes and helps in identifying patients who may be at risk of cardiovascular complications.

Serum sialic acid level in diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the previously reported observations that patients with elevated levels of serum sialic acid are more prone to develop retinopathy. METHODS: Fasting blood glucose and serum sialic acid levels were estimated in sixty diabetic patients with and without retinopathy between 30-60 years of age. Thirty normal persons of same age group were included as controls. Fundoscopy was done to confirm retinopathy. Serum sialic acid concentration was elevated in diabetic patients both with and without retinopathy but the increase was much significant in patients with diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: A significant correlation of serum sialic acid level with duration of diabetes and degree of retinal involvement was noticed in this study.

Pituitary-testicular function changes in hypo- and hyperthyroid male rats.

The influence of thyroid deficiency and the administration of thyroxine on pituitary-testicular function were studied in male albino rats from weaning age (22 days old) up to 82 days of age. The results showed that the hyperthyroid state induced by a daily injection of 2.5 or 5 microng L-thyroxine resulted in acceleration of growth, a comparative increase in size and number of spermatogenic and interstitial cells, an increase in the STH cells, particularly at the earlier age (42 days old), and in a decrease in the number and size of TSH cells. Gonadotrophic FSH and LH and prolactin cells exhibited an increase in their granular content. The hypothyroid state induced by thyroidectomy or thiourea feeding, at the levels of 0.1 and 0.2% resulted in the depression of growth rate, destructive changes of the spermatogenic and interstitial cells and also in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. A decrease in the STH, gonadotrophic FSH and LH and prolactin cells and hypertrophy of TSH cells accompanied by degranulation were also observed.