Anupama Gupta

Assessing Autonomic Function in Smokers

Background Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. There is altered autonomic activity with increased adrenergic activity in chronic smoking which also predisposes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To monitor the autonomic activity, Heart rate Variability (HRV) has emerged as efficient tool. Method A total of 60 subjects were included in the study out of which 30 were chronic smokers of at least 10 pack years and 30 were non smoker controls. The HRV was recorded in the supine subject in relaxed state. We recorded the frequency domain analysis [low frequency domain (LF), high frequency domain (HF) and LF/HF ratio] for which five minute recordings were taken and data was generated by the POLYRITE D system, supplied by RMS India P-Ltd. Chandigarh. Results Test group showed a significant (P<0.001) increase in heart rate with decreased RR interval as compared to control group. Also there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in high frequency domain (HF) while there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in LF/HF ratio. There was a significant increase in heart rate (P<0.05) and LF/HF ratio (P<0.001) in the group with more than 15 pack years compared to less than 15 pack years, while there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in RR interval, LF and HF values. Conclusion Smoking severely affects the cardiac autonomic functions which is evident with the study of heart rate variability, so the HRV should be included in routine investigations to access the severity of cardiac involvement in chronic smokers.

A rare fungal infiltration of lungs in a healthy young girl.

Cunninghamella bertholletiae is an opportunistic fungal organism found in soil and is a rare cause of human disease. The few reported cases of C. bertholletiae have involved immune compromised hosts. We report a case of C. bertholletiae in an otherwise healthy patient presenting with persistent high-grade fever and pulmonary infiltration resistant to antibiotics. The organism is isolated through bronchoscopy and responded to broad spectrum antifungal. This is the first case of C. bertholletiae reported in the literature in an immune competent individual.

Effect of Myristica fragrans on Lipid Profile in Experimentally Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rabbits

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract from fruit of Myristica fragrans (MF) on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in rabbits. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted on four groups of rabbits with six animals in each group. Group I received standard pellet diet, Group II aqueous extract of MF only, Group III received high fat diet (HFD), Group IV received HFD supplemented with MF. After 14 weeks of the experimental period, animals were fasted overnight and blood was taken for estimation of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density cholesterol (HDL-C) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: MF significantly lowered the TC, TG and MDA levels in Group II rabbits as compared to Group I. In rabbits fed on HFD, MDA and TC were significantly increased. However, in rabbits of Group IV MF supplementation led to increase in levels of HDL-C but plasma MDA and TC were reduced as compared to Group III. Conclusion: This study suggests that some active ingredient in MF may have an antioxidant action which can protect against cardiovascular diseases by altering lipid profile.