Biochemical Indicator of Sickle Cell Disease: Preliminary Report from India

Blood biochemistry has significant effect on pathophysiology of human body. Recently few studies found the association of biochemical abnormalities in sickle cell patients. Sickle cell disease showed clinical variability where African ancestors have severe phenotype than Indian sicklers. Our aim was to evaluate the biochemicals in sickle cell patients and their effect on severity. Here we present the comparative biochemical levels in sickle cell patients as well as controls. Sickle cell patients diagnosed by HPLC and biochemical analysis done by Beckman-auto analyzer. T test applied for statistical analysis. Result showed the renal abnormality lesser in patients and related biochemical within the normal range and statistically not significant. Electrolytes, hepatic enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and glucose were elevated and statistically significant (P value <0.05). Observation of the study concludes the biochemical abnormality play a significant role in sickle cell patient’s physiopathology and can be used to management of the disease.     

Glycosylated haemoglobin and serum proteins in diabetics

The glycosylated haemoglobin was measured in two different categories of diabetic subjects. In poorly controlled subjects of group II, a significant alteration in serum proteins was observed. Total protein along with albumin concentrations were decreased and α₂ globulin fraction was increased. Insulin therapy resulted in normalisation of blood glucose and gradual decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin in the therapy period of eight weeks. This also resulted in a rise of total protein and albumin concentrations with a decrease in α₂ fraction. The present study indicates that prolonged therapy of insulin is needed to correct the serum protein abnormalities in diabetics.     

Hypolipidemic Activity of Cassia tora Seeds in Hyperlipidemic Rats

The hypolipidemic activity of Cassia tora (Chakvat, Chakunda) (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) seeds extract have been studied in two models of hyperlipidemia in rats. In an acute model, hyperlipidemia was induced by injecting a single dose of Triton WR-1339 (400 mg/kg, b.w.) intraperitonially in rats. Feeding with C. tora seed extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, b.w. exerted significant lipid lowering effect as assessed by the reversal of plasma levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride and reactivation of post heparin lipolytic activity. In the chronic model, hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding with cholesterol rich-HFD in rats. The treatment with seeds extract of C. tora (500 mg/kg, b.w.) simultaneously for 15 days also caused lowering of lipid levels in plasma and liver following reactivation of plasma post heparin lipolytic activity and hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity in animals. The hypolipidemic activity of C. tora seeds was compared with a standard drug guggulipid (200 mg/kg, b.w.) in both models.     

Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Asian Indian Inversion Deletions Gγ(Aγδβ)0 Breakpoint A and Breakpoint B

Asian Indian inversion deletion Gγ (Aγδβ)0-thalassemia is a rare entities characterized by high HbF. Due to interaction with various genetic factors, patients with Gγ (Aγδβ)0-thalassemia showed clinical variability. Here we are presenting the phenotypic expression of Gγ(Aγδβ)0 thalassemia under influence of various co-inherited factors. Patient with α-globin gene deletion had mild phenotype than the patient with β-globin mutations. Patient with alpha gene deletion were presenting clinical character like thalassemia intermedia while Gγ (Aγδβ)0-thalassemia patients with co- presence of beta thalssemia mutation clinically behaved like thalassemia major.     

Antidyslipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Root Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

The antidyslipidemic activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Malvaceae) root extract has been studied in alloxan induced diabetic rats. In this model, oral administration of root extract (500 mg/kg bw. p.o.) for 15 days resulted in significant decreased in the levels of blood glucose, plasma lipids and reactivated post heparin lipoprotein lipase activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the root extract (50–500 μg) when tested for its antioxidant activity, inhibited the generation of super oxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non enzymic systems in vitro. The results of the present study demonstrated antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activities in root extract of H. rosa sinensis which could be used in prevention of diabetic-dyslipidemia and related complications.     

Association of Low Serum Iron with Alpha Globin Gene Deletions and High Level of HbF with Xmn-1 Polymorphism in Sickle Cell Traits

Usually sickle cell traits are asymptomatic but co-existence of various factrors may alter the clinical as well as biochemical levels. In India sickle cell traits are neglected condition. Here we are presenting the alpha deletion in association with low serum iron and increased HbF level with Xmn-1 carriers in sickle cell traits. Sickle traits with alpha deletions had significantly low level of serum iron (P-value <0.05) with low level of reticulocytes and red cell indices while Xmn-1 polymorphism associated with increased HbF level. Study concludes low serum iron associated with alpha deletions and high level of HbF associated with Xmn-1 polymorphism in sickle cell traits.     

Comparative Study of Two ELISA Kits for Estimation of Antibodies to Hepatitis B Virus in Human Normal Immunoglobulin and Specific Immunoglobulin Intended for Intravenous or Intramuscular Use

Current study is conducted to evaluate method verification of two locally available kits manufactured by DSI & BIORAD for quantitative estimation of Hepatitis B virus antibodies in human normal immunoglobulin by using International standard of National Institute of Biological Standards and Control. Four analyst perform five sets of test in duplicate analysing accuracy, precision, and limit of detection, sensitivity and specificity. Our results suggest that both DSI and BIORAD kits fulfil the validation criteria and are sensitive to detect up to 10 mIU concentration precisely and accurately. DSI kit is more precise at concentration 100 mIU and economically 4–5 times cheaper in local market; on the other hand, BIORAD kits provide larger detection range up to 1000 mIU.     

Physiology of high-altitude acclimatization

Travel to high altitude exposes the human body to a variety of stresses, the most prominent being reduced available oxygen with increase in altitude due to reduced partial pressure of oxygen. Several physiological responses are initiated in the human body to promote faster acclimatization to these adverse environmental conditions. These physiological and molecular readjustments encompassing acclimatization, namely, hypoxic ventilatory response, diuresis, increased cardiac output, improved oxygen carrying capacity and cerebral blood flow, Hypoxia inducible factor 1 stabilization, etc., converge to a single outcome, ensuring optimal bioavailability of oxygen. In this article, we describe the basic acclimatization framework mentioned above.     

Hypoglycemic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of Anthocephalus indicus in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hypoglycemic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of Anthocephalus indicus (A indicus) in alloxan inducd diabetic rats. Oral administration of ethanol extract of root (500mg/ kg body weight) for 21 days resulted in significant decrease in the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, phospholipid and free fatty acids. Furthermore, the root extract (100–400μg) inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems, in vitro. The result of the present study demonstrated hypoglycemic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of A indicus, which could help in prevention of diabetic dyslipidemia and related diseases.