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Background: Elevated oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) was significantly associated with the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as well as retinal vascular diseases but there were no studies to show the reference range of Ox-LDL levels in any Indian population. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to formulate the reference intervals of OxLDL cholesterol in a population of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: Ox-LDL levels of 434 apparently healthy individuals were estimated based on the history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package for the social sciences software. Results: The reference range of Ox-LDL levels for all ages was 34.1±4.9 mol/L in healthy male and 34.5±4.5 mol/L in healthy female. The 2.5th and 97.5th percentile values of Ox-LDL level in the reference population were 27 (0.90 CI = 26.4–27.6) and 42 (0.90 CI = 41.4–42.6), respectively. Conclusions: Reference intervals for Ox-LDL may help clinicians to predict the future risk for coronary heart disease and retinal vascular disease by taking medical decision limits and also open up the scope for further research for other laboratories to formulate their own reference interval of Ox-LDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) has been implicated in both coronary artery disease and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) because of atherosclerosis. However, there is no study to show the prevalence of ox-LDL in RVO till date. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to find the prevalence of ox-LDL in RVO in a population of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A 2-year prospective cross-sectional study of consecutive, unrelated adult patients, with a diagnosis of RVO, attending the outpatient department in a Medical College, was taken up for study. A pilot study was done to determine the expected prevalence of ox-LDL. Sample size was calculated based on the formula ... n= d2 z2pq (z=1.96, d=0.04, p=0.196, q=0.804, n=minimum sample size). ox-LDL was measured in a total of 512 subjects who were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: In this study, 272 males (aged 50 ± 7.2 years) and 240 females (aged 46 ± 7.7 years) with RVO were screened for ox-LDL. Elevated ox-LDL levels were found in 142 patients out of 512 participants in this study (27.7%). Moreover, 102 cases (19.9%) were found to have both raised LDL and ox-LDL, whereas 40 RVO cases (7.8%) had only elevated ox-LDL among the study participants. 71.8% of 142 RVO cases with elevated ox-LDL levels also had raised LDL levels, whereas remaining 28.2% had normal LDL cholesterol levels. Conclusion: It is high time to look beyond the traditional lipid parameters such as ox-LDL cholesterol levels as a risk factor of RVO. This study proved that ox-LDL cholesterol is highly prevalent in RVO cases. Thereby, proper screening of ox-LDL is a must as a tool for risk reduction of RVO cases, especially in a population with normal LDL cholesterol levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) has been implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Arteriolosclerosis is an important causative factor for retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Till, date there is dearth of literature on ox-LDL and RVO. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to see whether ox-LDL cholesterol is an independent risk factor in RVO with normal lipid profile. Materials and Methods: Lipid profiles and ox-LDL levels were assayed in 122 adult unilateral RVO cases and 142 age and sex matched controls in this 1 year old case–control study. Results: ox-LDL cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in RVO cases than controls (54.5±6.1 in cases vs. 36.6±5.6 in controls, P<0.01), although serum lipid profiles were normal in both cases and controls. Conclusion: The ox-LDL-induced atherosclerosis may be responsible for the retinal venous occlusion in absence of other risk factors. Hence, screening for ox-LDL in RVO patients should be worth considering especially in patients with normal lipid profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several forms of hemoglobin variants might be present in the population being fully or partially silent. Furthermore, a high percentage of the population is already suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) which is mainly monitored by HbA1c estimation. As the structure of hemoglobin molecule is altered by the variant status hence, this might have an impact on the HbA1c estimation. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of hemoglobin variant and its effect on the HbA1c estimation. Materials and Methods: Samples from 439 individuals were taken and evaluated for any hemoglobin variants, and also, the HbA1c values were measured. Results: About 27.4% of the study population were found to have hemoglobin variants, out of this 27.4%, 19.5% were Hb E carrier and 6.45% were Hb E diseased. About 22.3% of the population were suffering from DM. Hb variants had significant effect on HbA1C measurement in the overall study population and in the normal population with P<0.001. Two-way ANOVA also showed Hb variant and diabetes status significantly affected HbA1C value with P<0.001 in the study population. Conclusion: All the patients should be properly evaluated for Hb variants before interpreting the results of Hb A1C to prevent improper management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pathological skin lesions due to various exogenous and endogenous factors. Oxidative stress can be one of the causes for the occurrence of psoriasis as well as significant contributor to its progression. Skin exposure to a number of irritants or proinflammatory agents including UVA and UVB generates ROS through the oxidative burst in infiltrating leukocytes at the site of inflammation which damages the skin cells. Measurement of the oxidative stress marker like lipid peroxidation product Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide end products (NO2+NO3) along with the inflammatory marker hs-CRP in Psoriasis patients can uncover their role in disease causation, progression and development of various co-morbidities and timely prevention can significantly improve the quality of life of the psoriasis patients. Aims and Objectives: To measure the oxidative stress marker like lipid peroxidation product Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide end products (NO2+NO3) along with the inflammatory marker hs-CRP in Psoriasis patients to uncover their role in disease causation, progression and development of various co-morbidities and timely prevention to significantly improve the quality of life of the psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients of psoriasis mainly plaque type of either sex, in the age group of 35 ± 15.5 (range: 7-79) years were taken following inclusion and exclusion criteria. To evaluate the oxidative stress lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide end products (NO2 + NO3) were measured. hs-CRP was measured as an inflammatory marker and their correlation with the disease severity and duration was evaluated. Results: A significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide end products (NOx) and hs-CRP levels (P<0.001) was noted in Psoriatic patients as compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between MDA, NOx and hs-CRP levels with the severity and duration of the disease. The correlation between hs-CRP and MDA and NOx also showed positive trend. Conclusion: Oxidative stress is one of the factors which can lead to the causation of Psoriasis and also significantly contribute to the disease progression and development of various co-morbidities. By measuring the oxidative stress marker and inflammatory marker in psoriasis patients early in the disease process we can employ preventive strategies for better management and improve the survival and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), in recent years, is getting significant attention, as more evidences are emerging about its diverse biological roles. There are evidences of H2S having anti-inflammatory, neuro-modulator, vasodilator, anti-apoptotic and mitochondrial protective roles in various tissues. Among different tissues, β-cells of pancreas, according to some recent studies, get significantly affected by the imbalance in H2S homeostasis, leading to β-cell dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Cystathionine- β-synthase (CBS) enzyme is involved in the synthesis of H2S from cysteine in various tissues. Among various possible mutations in the CBS gene, a particular 833T-C mutation, has been found to be associated with various diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present study was aimed to determine the extent of abnormality of H2S homeostasis in type-2 DM patients, and to find out presence and association (if any) of 833T-C mutation in CBS gene, in the patients of type-2 DM, in comparison to healthy control subjects, in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was done with 40 clinically and biochemically diagnosed DM type II patients attending OPD of Endocrinology department of NRS Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, and 40 age and gender matched non-diabetic control subjects. DNA was isolated from EDTA blood of all the study subjects, PCR done and results compared. Plasma H2S was measured by the N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylene-diamine method. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were measured by standardized commercial kits. Results: Our study found the plasma H2S levels in the patients of type II DM to be significantly higher(P<0.001) than the control subjects. The results also found significant positive correlation between plasma H2S level with fasting serum Insulin level (P<0.001) and fasting plasma glucose level (P<0.001) in the diabetic patients. Among 40 DM patients, only two were heterozygous for the mutation, and had both mutated allele (242bp) and normal allele (174bp). Rest of the patients and all the control subjects were homozygous for the normal allele (174bp). This marginal difference in the incidence of mutated allele was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: our study shows significant association of H2S dys-regulation with the type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in Indian population. The marginal but insignificantly higher incidence of 833T-C mutation in CBS gene, found in our study, warrants further research with higher number of study population, to more conclusively infer about the role of this mutation in the pathogenesis of type-2 DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem not only in India but worldwide. Our country presently is undergoing an epidemic stage of this non-communicable disease. Though several etiological background of type 2 diabetes has been well explained, yet a number of recent literatures suggested a potential role H2S producing enzymes in the etiology and management of this metabolic disorder. Aims and Objectives: Our aim was to elucidate the relationship of H2S synthesizing activity in plasma and fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and equal number of non-diabetic controls were included in the study. Enzymatic activity of synthesizing H2S in plasma was estimated following methods described earlier with further modification and standardization in our laboratory. All other parameters were estimated by using standardized kits. Results: FBG, PPBG, HbA1C, Fasting Insulin, H2S synthesizing activity in plasma in patients are significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the corresponding values in healthy controls H2S synthesizing activity in plasma is positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose and the correlations is significant (p=0.05). Conclusion: Our study though a pilot study with a small sample size, has elucidated that the values of H2S synthesizing activity in plasma are significantly elevated in type 2 diabetic patients and this may help researchers to develop H2S modifying agents and enzyme inhibitors which may open up new horizon in the treatment modalities of type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a worldwide health problem, is associated with increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defense in the body. The role of hydrogen sulfide and the H2S synthesizing enzymes in relation to type 2 diabetes is a recently unveiled field which needs further research work. Aims and Objectives: Aim of the study was to find out the relationship of plasma H2S levels and H2S synthesizing activity in plasma with oxidative stress conditions in the patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Sixty two patients suffering from type 2 diabetes as well as similar number of healthy volunteers were enrolled for the study. Plasma H2S levels and H2S synthesizing activity in plasma as well as total oxidative stress and total antioxidant levels were measured by earlier methods already published from our laboratory. Results: The values of FBG, PPBG, HbA1C, fasting Insulin, plasma H2S and H2S synthesizing activity in plasma and TOS values in patients are significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the corresponding values in healthy controls. The median and inter quartile range of TAD values in controls is significantly higher than those of the patients (Mann Whitney U, Z<0.001). Plasma H2S levels show significant positive correlation with TOS values (r= 0.793, P<0.001), and significant negative correlation with TAD values (r= -0.753, P<0.001). Conclusion: The current study elucidated that there is significant increase in both plasma H2S levels and the activity of H2S synthesizing enzymes in type2 diabetics and well correlated with the total oxidative stress and antioxidant defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

agents in the etiology and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus. Objective: The current study was aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of H2S in the patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus and to find out if there is any relationship of H2S concentrations with the fasting blood glucose levels. Methods: Plasma H2S levels were measured in sixty two recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients and compared with similar number of healthy volunteers as controls. Results: The plasma H2S level in the patients (81.17 ± 16.40 micromol/l) is significantly higher (P< 0.001) than the healthy controls (50.69 ± 8.69 micromol/l) and the H2S levels in plasma have significant positive correlation (r= 0.359, P=0.004) with fasting blood glucose levels. Conclusion: The present study has elucidated that the patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus are associated with elevated plasma H2S levels which are well correlated with glucose levels. This reveals a potential role of H2S modulators towards the management of this non-communicable epidemic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is frequently associated with the development of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease and is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 80% of all deaths and more than 75% of all hospitalizations are due to CAD. Individuals with DM are usually associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Common Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) is now also considered as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted from Jan, 2011 to June, 2012 among Type-II diabetes, aged between 30-80yrs. Patients with Type-I diabetes, aged <30yrs or >80yrs and other secondary causes of diabetes, hypertensive, smokers and patients under therapy with lipid lowering drugs were excluded from this study. The biochemical tests were done in the department of Biochemistry, Nilratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital, using standardized reagent kits. CCAIMT was measured by high resolution imaging using 10MHz transducer in the department of Radiodiagnosis, Nilratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital. Results: The results of our study indicate that dyslipidemic diabetic patients had significantly higher blood glucose at any phase along with glycated haemoglobin compared to controls. The lipid variables were also significantly higher in the diabetes patients with dyslipidemia compared to controls except HDL levels were significantly higher in control. CCAIMT was higher in the dyslipidemic group (1.71 ± 0.57mm) compared to the non-dyslipidemic group (0.77 ± 0.10) which was statistically significant (p value <0.001). Conclusion: CCAIMT reflects the cumulative burden of atherosclerosis and is highly correlated and predicted well by Total-C/HDL-C ratio in Type-II diabetic patients. So it is advised that a direct examination of the vessel wall is extremely essential for early detection of the affected individuals so that the cost burden in Intensive coronary care unit can be minimized and also the individual can be advised to control the extensive dyslipidemia through dietary restrictions and exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paraoxonase is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme that protects lipoproteins from oxidative modifications and from becoming atherogenic in nature. Smoking is a well-known major cardiovascular risk factor that promotes lipid peroxidation (LP). The present study examined the hypothesis that smoking modulates the activity of paraoxonase and depletes antioxidants., Aim: The present study evaluated paraoxonase activity, antioxidant status and LP in smoking and non-smoking normolipidaemic acute myocardial infarct (AMI) patients, and results were compared with controls., Settings and Design: The serum paraoxonase activities, antioxidants and LP were determined in 86 normolipidaemic patients diagnosed of AMI, and 86 age-sex-matched healthy volunteers served as control., Material and Methods: Serum paraoxonase activities were measured by enzymatic kit. The glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was determined by standard methods. Malondialdehyde was measured by the thiobarbituric acid reaction, and conjugated diene levels by the Recknagel and Glende method. Serum uric acid, total bilirubin, serum albumin and lipid profiles were analysed by standard methods., Statistics: The values were expressed as mean±SD, and data from the patients and control were compared using the Student t test., Results and Conclusion: The total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein/HDL cholesterol ratio and triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio were significantly higher, and HDL cholesterol significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smoking AMI patients. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly higher in non-smokers compared with smokers. Serum albumin, uric acid and bilirubin were higher in the control compared with smoking AMI patients. The malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes were significantly higher, and paraoxonase activities were significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers.