Monica Verma

Effect of Blood Storage on Complete Biochemistry

Background: Prolonged storage of blood leads to alteration in RBCs biochemistry which may lose viability with time. Aim: This study was planned to observe biochemical changes on stored blood on 19 different analytes. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on blood donated by 30 healthy volunteer donors. Effect of storage was analyzed at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days interval. Biochemical parameters were measured using Randox suzuka autoanalyzer and Combiline ISE analyzer. Results: Significant changes were observed in serum phosphorus, SGOT, serum protein, LDH, pH, serum chloride, ionized calcium, serum sodium, potassium and bicarbonate levels (p<0.05 for ionized calcium, serum protein and p<0.001for rest of the parameters). On the other hand there was no impact of storage time on rest of the parameters. Conclusion: Prolonged contact of plasma with RBCs results in exchange of contents between plasma and red cells which leads to changes in analyte concentrations as well as dilution. RBC stored for a period of time at 4°C loose viability. Some may undergo spontaneous hemolysis while in storage; others lose the ability to survive in the recipient’s circulation following transfusion. Inspite of storing blood with CPDA, the storage time has a negative impact on the biochemical composition of RBCs. Therefore, it is better to give patients fresh blood with less than 7 days of storage in order to decrease the levels of non-viable red blood cells.

Levels of neutrophil gelatinase-assosciated lipocalin in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Indian population from Haryana state

AIM To study the levels of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS This was a non randomized case control study conducted at Department of Biochemistry, in collaboration with Regional Cancer Center over a period of one year. The study population included 50 adult newly diagnosed HNSCC patients reporting in outpatient department at Regional Cancer Center and compared with 50 healthy controls. NGAL was estimated by ELISA technique. Student t test and χ2 test were applied for comparison of means of study groups. Correlations between groups were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient (r) formula. RESULTS Patients with HNSCC exhibited significantly increased levels of NGAL (P < 0.05) as compared to healthy controls (978.88 ± 261.39 ng/mL vs 34.83 ± 7.59 ng/mL). Out of 50, 26 patients (52%) were in stage IV, 21 (42%) in stage III, 1 (2%) patient in stage II and 2 (4%) patients were in stage I. Metastasis was absent in 98% patients and mean NGAL levels were highest in these patients but P value was not significant. Mean NGAL levels were highest in stage IV [1041.54 ± 222.15 ng/mL (stage IV) vs 1040 ± 0.00 ng/mL (stage I); 900 ± 0.00 ng/mL (stage II) and 1031.90 ± 202.55 ng/mL (stage III)] and χ2 test was highly significant (P < 0.001). Thirty-six patients (72%) were having moderately differentiated HNSCC and mean NGAL levels were maximum in patients with well differentiated HNSCC (1164 ± 315.64 ng/mL vs 1013.33 ± 161.19 ng/mL in moderately differentiated and 890 ± 11.55 ng/mL in poorly differentiated) and the results were also highly significant (P < 0.001, χ2 test). CONCLUSION The present work demonstrates a potential role of NGAL as cancer biomarker and its use in monitoring the HNSCC progression.