Anila Jaleel

Role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The cause and the pathogenesis of the pregnancy-induced syndrome, preeclampsia, is still poorly understood. Published evidence of altered biomarkers for the endothelial dysfunction suggests that the initiating event in preeclampsia is the reduced placental perfusion, which leads to widespread dysfunction of the maternal vascular endothelium. This review focuses on the role of free radicals in generating the oxidative stress taking antioxidants into consideration which tend to overcome it as well as the role of placenta in preeclamptic pregnancy.

Efficacy of daily vs. weekly supplementation of iron in schoolchildren with low iron status.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is still a major nutritional and public health problem in developing countries. The prevalence among young children and pregnant women is particularly high. Daily oral supplementation with medicinal iron is considered an effective strategy for reducing the incidence of IDA but non-compliance is a major problem with this strategy. We undertook this study to compare the results of once-weekly vs. daily oral iron supplementation in schoolchildren. Sixty children ranging between 5 and 10 years with iron deficiency anemia were selected from a school in Karachi, Pakistan and were divided into two equal groups, i.e., daily and weekly supplementation groups. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and serum ferritin were determined before the start of the study. Ferrous sulfate (200 mg) was given daily to the daily supplementation group and once-weekly to the weekly supplementation group for 2 months. When post-supplementation values of the above-mentioned parameters were determined, a significant improvement was observed in all parameters in both groups. It is concluded that once-weekly iron supplementation is as effective as daily supplementation for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Moreover, weekly iron supplementation is cost effective and has no or fewer side-effects.

Association of adipokines with obesity in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and is associated with a higher risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disorders. Several adipokines including resistin, visfatin, leptin and adiponectin are synthesized and secreted by adipocytes, which play an important role in obesity. PATIENTS & METHODS A total of 90 subjects (60 controls and 30 obese) between the ages of 5 and 18 years were selected. Serum visfatin, TNF-α, resistin, insulin and adiponectin were measured using ELISA and insulin resistance was calculated by the Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance. RESULTS Mean ± standard deviation Homeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance, serum TNF-α and visfatin levels were significantly higher in obese subjects (3.99 ± 0.94, 12.99 ± 3.42, 10.89 ± 2.72, respectively) compared with the control group (1.60 ± 0.34, 7.22 ± 2.22 and 4.97 ± 1.57, respectively). Mean ± standard deviation serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese children (5.95 ± 1.02) compared with controls (9.07 ± 1.25). Binary logistic regression shows that adiponectin and visfatin are associated with obesity. CONCLUSION Circulating levels of adipokines vary in obesity and adiponectin and visfatin are associated with obesity.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in women with pre-eclampsia

AIM The potential role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia has been reported in the literature. There are only a few studies that have investigated changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin E and total blood glutathione together in pre-eclampsia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the levels of MDA, vitamin E and total glutathione as putative circulatory markers of oxidative stress for the early detection of pre-eclampsia. PATIENTS & METHODS In this case-control study, blood samples were collected from 40 pre-eclamptic and 80 normal pregnant females at the department of obstetrics and gynecology at King Abdulaziz Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) between February 2009 and January 2010. Circulating markers of oxidative stress were evaluated, including MDA, total glutathione and vitamin E, by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Markers of oxidative stress including serum MDA, total glutathione and vitamin E were found to be significantly different in both groups. CONCLUSION MDA, vitamin E and blood total glutathione are possible candidate markers to predict pre-eclampsia.

Circulating levels of resistin, IL-6 and lipid profile in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease with and without diabetes

BACKGROUND The cytokines that act as inflammatory hormones show a role in coronary atherosclerotic disease. AIMS This study aimed to measure serum resistin, IL-6 levels and lipid profile in nondiabetic controls, diabetics, and ischemic heart disease subjects with and without diabetes. Association between resistin and IL-6 was also determined. MATERIALS & METHODS In this comparative cross-sectional study, 147 subjects were selected, aged between 40 and 70 years. Subjects were divided into four groups as mentioned above. Plasma glucose was measured using the gluco-oxidase method. Lipid profile levels were measured using standard enzymatic methods. Levels of resistin and IL-6 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS Out of 147 patients, 36 were controls and 111 were cases. Serum resistin and IL-6 levels increased significantly in diabetics (23.4 ± 0.74 ng/ml and 73.1 ± 2.57 ng/ml, respectively) and nondiabetics with ischemic heart disease (14.1 ± 0.51 ng/ml and 66.2 ± 2.08 ng/ml, respectively) compared with diabetics and nondiabetic controls. Positive correlations were found between IL-6 and resistin, and a significant positive correlation was shown in ischemic heart disease groups (r = 0.659; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION This study shows that the plasma resistin and IL-6 concentrations increased significantly in patients with ischemic heart disease with and without diabetes. This shows that there is a possible role of resistin and IL-6 in inflammatory processes, especially in atherosclerosis.

Problem‐based learning in biochemistry at Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan

Since its inception in 1996, Ziauddin Medical University has integrated problem‐based learning (PBL) in its curriculum, a strategy introduced for the first time in Pakistan. This was aimed at overcoming various drawbacks in the traditional methods of teaching such as irrelevant subject matter and lack of integration between disciplines. The main features of new curricula and a system‐integrated course are outlined. A problem is quoted from the same course and its methodology is discussed. Assessment of the program through a questionnaire given to students, showed they perceived that the PBL approach adopted consistently across the curriculum contributed to the development of their information management, critical reasoning, communication and team‐ linked skills. However, the challenges are information access, the role of tutor, and coping with the ambiguity of knowledge and reasoning. 2001 IUBMB. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.