Ujwala Maheshwari

Development of an Experimental Model of Diabetes Co-Existing with Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Background. The incidence of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus is on the rise globally. Objective. The present study was designed to develop a unique animal model that will mimic the pathological features seen in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, suitable for pharmacological screening of drugs. Materials and Methods. A combination of High-Fat Diet (HFD) and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 30, 35, and 40 mg/kg was used to induce metabolic syndrome in the setting of diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats. Results. The 40 mg/kg STZ produced sustained hyperglycemia and the dose was thus selected for the study to induce diabetes mellitus. Various components of metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia {(increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol)}, diabetes mellitus (blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin, and C-peptide), and hypertension {systolic blood pressure} were mimicked in the developed model of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus. In addition to significant cardiac injury, atherogenic index, inflammation (hs-CRP), decline in hepatic and renal function were observed in the HF-DC group when compared to NC group rats. The histopathological assessment confirmed presence of edema, necrosis, and inflammation in heart, pancreas, liver, and kidney of HF-DC group as compared to NC. Conclusion. The present study has developed a unique rodent model of metabolic syndrome, with diabetes as an essential component.

Myocardial Salvaging Effects of Berberine in Experimental Diabetes Co-Existing with Myocardial Infarction

INTRODUCTION Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Berberis aristata, has been shown to display a wide array of pharmacological activities (hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic). AIM The present study was designed to investigate whether these pharmacological properties translate into the cardioprotective effects of Berberine in the setting of diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Necessary approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee was taken for the study. Experimental diabetes was produced with single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ): 45mg/kg ip and myocardial infarction was induced by administering Isoproterenol (ISP): 85mg/kg, sc to rats on 35(th) & 36(th) day. After the confirmation of diabetes on 7(th) day (>200mg/dl), Berberine (100 mg/kg) was administered orally to experimental rats from day 8 and continued for 30 days thereafter. Various anti-diabetic (Glucose, HbA1c), cardioprotective (CPK-MB), metabolic (lipid profile), safety {liver function (SGPT, kidney function (Creatinine)} and histopathological indices of injury were evaluated in Healthy Control, Diabetic Control and Berberine treated groups. RESULTS Administration of STZ-ISP resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (p<0.001), diabetic changes (increase in blood glucose, HbA1c), cardiac injury (leakage of myocardial CPK-MB), altered lipid profile, SGPT, creatinine levels (p<0.001) in the diabetic control group rats as compared to healthy control. Berberine treatment demonstrated significant antidiabetic as well as myocardial salvaging effects as indicated by restoration of blood glucose, HbA1c and CPK-MB levels (p<0.001) compared to diabetic control group. In addition, Berberine favourably modulated the lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL). Subsequent to ISP challenge, histopathological assessment of heart, pancreas and biochemical indices of injury confirmed the cardioprotective effects of Berberine in setting of diabetes. In addition, Berberine was found to be safe to the liver and kidney. CONCLUSION Berberine treatment produced myocardial salvaging effects in the setting of diabetes challenged with ISP induced myocardial necrosis. Cardioprotection may be attributed to anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic activities.

Prevalence of Malaria in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Navi Mumbai, India

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malarial infections among the patients attending at tertiary care hospital, Navi Mumbai, India, between January and December 2013. 4878 blood samples of suspected malaria cases were examined out of which 809 (16.58%) were positive for malaria. The types of malarial parasites were Plasmodium vivax (54.76%), Plasmodium falciparum (17.80%), and mixed species (27.44%). The prevalence of malarial infection exhibited seasonal pattern with many cases in the month of July to November with peak in October. Infection prevalence in male patients was 2-fold higher than in female patients. Age group ranged from 11-50 years with 21-30 years had greatest risk. These findings compared with other findings of malaria endemic populations in India that a hospital-based diagnosis and surveillance for malaria reflects seasonal malaria transmission underlying demographic and geographic distribution.

Diagnostic Value of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Enlarged Cervical Lymph Nodes in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

A retrospective study of 362 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy, who underwent fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) at Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) Medical College & Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, is presented. Tuberculosis was the commonest pathology (42%). Other causes were reactive lymphadenitis, granulomatous lymphadenitis, metastases, chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis, acute suppurative lymphadenitis, and lymphoma. Histopathological examination of lymph node biopsy specimens was carried out in 26 cases.

Buccal Mucosa Exfoliative Cell Prussian Blue Stain Co-Relates with Iron Overload in β-Thalassemia Major Patients

Thalassemics require regular blood transfusion therapy leading to iron overload in the body tissues, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. We hereby attempted to measure this iron overload by means of exfoliative cytology, a non-invasive and inexpensive technique. The aims and objectives of our study were: 1. To detect iron overload by oral exfoliative cytology using Perl’s Prussian blue stain in β-thalassemia major patients. 2. To correlate staining positivity with serum ferritin levels. Smears were obtained from buccal mucosa of 50 β-thalassemia major patients (who had taken more than 12 transfusions) and 25 healthy subjects of the same age group as controls. Smears were stained with Perl’s Prussian blue. Blood samples were taken from the study group for estimation of serum ferritin levels. Grading criteria were defined for assessing the Prussian blue positivity. Perl’s positivity was observed in 49 out of 50 of thalassemic patients (98%). 1 patient had Grade 0, 7 patients had Grade I, 5 had Grade II, 12 had Grade III, 14 had Grade IV while 11 patients had Grade V positivity. Spearman Rank’s Correlation Co-efficient was 0.38, signifying a weak positive correlation between positivity of buccal smears for Perl’s Prussian blue staining and respective serum ferritin levels. Perl’s Prussian blue staining of exfoliated cells from buccal mucosa can be used to assess iron overload in β-thalassemia major patients, as a screening as well as diagnostic tool. With the grading system we can give a semi-quantitative assessment of the same.

Filariasis in Bone Marrow Aspiration of a Child with Pyrexia of Unknown Origin - A Case Report

A variety of haemoparasites infecting humans occur in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Filariasis is one of them that usually manifests as hydrocoele, elephantiasis, lymphadenopathy and fever. The microfilaria causing these symptoms can usually be demonstrated in the peripheral circulation or get lodged into one of the organs and are discovered on fine needle aspiration samples. However, occurrence of microfilaria in the bone marrow is a rare presentation. We hereby report one such case of a paediatric patient who presented as a case of pyrexia of unknown origin, anaemia and raised creatinine levels.