The Clinical biochemistry articles published by Webmedcentral http://www.webmedcentral.com 2013-05-20T00:34:37+01:00 http://www.webmedcentral.com/ http://www.webmedcentral.com/images/Header_Logo.gif text/html 2011-07-02T13:55:02+01:00 http://www.webmedcentral.com/ Mrs. Saleena U Velladath http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/2004 The generation of reactive oxygen species is increased in both types of diabetes and is closely associated with oxidative stress. Erythrocytes are equipped with a highly effective anti-oxidant defence system. Oxidative denaturation of hemoglobin leads to the release of hemin into the RBC membrane and the released hemin is capable of oxidizing membrane proteins via a thiyl radical intermediate. GST can bind free hemin that is released during Hb oxidation presumably reducing damage to RBC membrane. We hypothesized that as oxidative stress and hyperglycemia are major etiologic and pathologic factors of diabetes mellitus, then the antioxidant enzyme, Glutathione – S – Transferase (GST) in red blood cells, are likely to have a role in the glycation of Hb in diabetic patients. Hence we designed this study to evaluate the activity of red cell Glutathione-S-Transferase and correlate its association with HbA1c. This is a cross – sectional study, conducted in subjects attending Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. All patients who were advised to do a blood test for glycated haemoglobin were included in this study. Hemolysed blood samples were excluded. Erythrocyte GST activity was determined using the method of Habig et al and glycated Hb (HbA1c) was estimated using the turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA) for hemolyzed whole blood by Roche Cobas Integra 400 auto analyzer. 68 patients who were confirmed to have type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in diabetic group whereas rest 32 patients without diabetes were included in non-diabetic group. The data were analysed using Mann Whitney U test and Pearson correlation coefficient test by SPSS (v. 14.0) software. From this study we could found out that there is no significant difference in erythrocyte GST activity between diabetics and non-diabetics (p value = 0.08). However a positive correlation between erythrocyte GST activity and HbA1c concentration was observed in diabetic patients (r = 0.239, p = 0.089 ). The chronicity of the disease along with treatment modalities might have played a significant role in the outcome of our study as the subjects included in diabetic group were selected without considering their glycemic control status. text/html 2011-11-22T06:51:49+01:00 http://www.webmedcentral.com/ Dr. Simmi Kharb http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/670 Hypothyroid adults have a high risk of atherosclerosis secondary to increased levels of various cholesterol fractions, particularly, low density lipoproteins cholesterol. The present study was planned to estimate lipoprotein and thyroid hormones and compare the gender-based differences in these parameters. The study was conducted in 100 healthy volunteers in the age group 18-25 years (50 males and 50 females). Lipid profile (Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLD-C and Triglycerides) and thyroid function tests, Apolipoproteins (Apo) A -1 and B were estimated in these subjects. Total cholesterol, T.G, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels were higher in healthy adult females in comparison with healthy adult males but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Levels of Apo A-1,Apo-B and atherogenic index(A.I.) were higher in young healthy males as compared to females in our study. Apo-B values were significantly higher in males in comparison to females (p3values were significantly higher in male controls as compared to their female counterparts (p4levels were also higher in healthy males in comparison to females, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05), In contrast, TSH levels were higher in female controls (p>0.05). Finding of gender-differences in their metabolism indicate that pattern of cardiovascular and atherogenesis is different in both sexes and there is possible difference and in utero programming of atherosclerosis in both the sexes. text/html 2013-04-01T06:09:44+01:00 http://www.webmedcentral.com/ Dr. K K Kshitiz http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/4169 Smoking is a established cardiovascular disease risk factor. But the mechanism how it causes cardiovascular risk is still not properly understood. This study was aimed to evaluate effects of smoking on lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)  activity ,a key factor in the esterification of plasma cholesterol and reverse cholesterol transport. 30 male cigarette smokers and 30 male non-smokers were enrolled.  Serum LCAT activity was determined as a function of the decrease of free cholesterol which is esterified during incubation at 37, as described by Hitz et al (15). Serum LCAT activity was lower in smokers, but the difference was statistically non  significant.  So we got the idea that LCAT activity tended to be lower in smokers compared to nonsmokers and this adverse effect may lead to serious metabolic diseases like atherosclerosis.