Lack of association of HFE gene polymorphism with high body iron status in Pakistani patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of 3 common polymorphisms in the HFE gene (C282Y, H63D and S65C) with high body iron status in a population of Pakistani subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to explore if there is any novel mutation in HFE gene in a sample of Pakistani subjects with type 2 DM.

Methods: In a case-control design, 200 healthy controls and 200 consecutive adult subjects with type 2 DM (both gender; age range of 30-70 years) were enrolled with informed consent. Their serum samples were analyzed for body iron status (ratio of concentration of soluble transferrin receptor to ferritin concentration).

Relationship of sociodemographic factors with serum levels of vitamin D in a healthy population of Pakistan.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported from Pakistan. Association of sociodemographic factors with vitamin D status has received little attention in this region. Therefore, we embarked on investigating the relationship of sociodemographic factors with vitamin D levels in a healthy Pakistani population.

Lack of association of statin use with vitamin D levels in a hospital based population of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of statins (drug given to reduce serum levels of LDL-cholesterol) on vitamin D levels of Pakistani type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in a hospital in Karachi.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 312 consecutive patients with type 2 DM (219 males and 93 females, age 22-70 years) were recruited with informed consent. A questionnaire was administered to find out whether they were statin users or non-users.

Association of vitamin D deficiency and VDBP gene polymorphism with the risk of AMI in a Pakistani population.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of vitamin D deficiency and risk of AMI in a Pakistani population, and to find out any association between vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) genotypes and risk of AMI in this population.

Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional study, 246 patients (age: 20-70 years; 171 males and 75 females) with first AMI were enrolled with informed consent. Similarly, 345 healthy adults (230 males and 115 females) were enrolled as controls.

Association of Vitamin D binding protein polymorphism with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Pakistani urban population: A case control study.

Objective: To assess if genotypes/diplotypes of vitamin D binding protein have any association with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted from January 2013 to July 2015 at the endocrinology clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised adult patients with type 2 diabetes and their age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Venous blood was obtained and assessed for serum/plasma 25 hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine.

Polymorphisms in MTHFR, MS and CBS genes and premature acute myocardial infarction in a Pakistani population.

High prevalence of premature coronary heart disease in Pakistanis compared to other populations points towards the genetic predisposition of this population to develop this disease. Since no investigations have been carried out in Pakistan to study the relationship of polymorphisms in genes involved in homocysteine cycle, the objective of the present study was to find out if there is any association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, A1298C; methionine synthase (MS) A2756G; cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) 844ins68, G919A polymorphisms with premature acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a population of Pakistani patients with this disease. In a cross-sectional study, DNA samples of 143 AMI patients (age <45 years) and 153 healthy controls were genotyped for the above mentioned polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP methods.

Association of vitamin D deficiency with poor glycaemic control in diabetic patients.

Objective: An association between serum levels of vitamin D and glycaemic control in type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients has been reported in some of the studies carried out in the West. However, there are no reports on this relationship in Pakistani diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether vitamin D levels have any influence on glycaemic control in Pakistani patients with type-2 DM.

Positive Association of Vitamin E Supplementation with Hemoglobin Levels in Mildly Anemic Healthy Pakistani Adults.

Background: Hemoglobin levels slightly below the lower limit of normal are common in adults in the general population in developing countries. A few human studies have suggested the use of antioxidant vitamins in the correction of mild anemia. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of vitamin E supplementation in mildly anemic healthy adults with post-supplemental blood hemoglobin levels in the general population of Karachi, Pakistan.

Short Communication: Lack of association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and response to methotrexate treatment in Pakistani patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with response to methotrexate (MTX) in certain populations of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims at investigating any relationship of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MTHFR gene, C677T and A1298C with response to therapy with MTX in Pakistani RA patients. Allelic frequencies of the two polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) were determined in 67 RA patients (9 males and 58 females; mean age 42.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in a low income peri-urban community in Karachi.

Objective: To determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in a low-income peri-urban population.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a low-income, unplanned settlement in Karachi, and comprised apparently healthy adults who were recruited randomly with informed consent. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D were measured using a kit obtained from Roche Diagnostics.

Association of alkaline phosphatase with acute myocardial infarction in a population with high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D.

Background: Since Pakistanis have high prevalence of hypovitaminosis-D as well as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin-D deficiency and risk of AMI in a hospital-based population and to identify major risk factors for this disease.

Methods: Fasting serum samples from 66 consecutive AMI patients [age 30-70 y] and 132 gender and age-matched (within 5 y) healthy controls were analyzed for concentrations of glucose, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, inorganic phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-ALP, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin-D (25(OH)D) and alanine aminotransferase.

Results: Mean concentrations of serum 25(OH)D, PTH, total-ALP, bone-ALP, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and glucose were significantly different compared to healthy controls (p<0.

Association of body iron status with the risk of premature acute myocardial infarction in a Pakistani population.

Background: Coronary artery disease is very common in Pakistani population. Some of the studies carried out on Western populations have shown a relationship between body iron status as determined by the ratio of concentrations of serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) to ferritin and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In order to investigate whether increased body iron status has any relationship with the risk of premature AMI in Pakistani population, a case-control study was carried out.

Effects of betel nut on cardiovascular risk factors in a rat model.

Background: Areca nut (commonly known as betel nut) chewing has been shown to be associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanism by which betel nut ingestion could lead to development of CVD is not precisely known; however, dyslipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and inflammation could be some of the potential risk factors. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of two dosages of betel nut on homocysteinemia, inflammation and some of the components of metabolic syndrome, such as hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol, obesity and fasting hyperglycemia in a rat model.

Relationship between vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine levels and H. pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia: a cross-section study.

Background: H. pylori infection has been associated with many micronutrient deficiencies. There is a dearth of data from communities with nutritional deficiencies and high prevalence of H.

Folic acid and vitamin B6 deficiencies related hyperhomocysteinemia in apparently healthy Pakistani adults; is mass micronutrient supplementation indicated in this population?

Objective: To determine the plasma/serum levels of homocysteine, and vitamins folate, B6 and B12, in Pakistani healthy adults.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University, from October 2006 to April 2008.

N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase and inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: To determine the changes in activity of plasma N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, a marker for inflammation as well as renal, pulmonary and cardiac damage and proinflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and find out the relationship between their plasma levels with clinical outcome of patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from January to June 2003.

Ascorbic acid contents of Pakistani fruits and vegetables.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C which is known for its antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects. The objective of this study was to determine ascorbic acid (vitamin C) contents of regularly consumed fruits and vegetables available in Pakistani markets. Most commonly used fresh fruits and vegetables were homogenized in 5% trichloroacetic acid, and ascorbic acid contents in the extracts were determined using a spectrophotometric method.

Plaque formation reduction with glutathione monoester in mice fed on atherogenic diet.

Objective: To determine the role of glutathione monoester on reducing the development of plaque formation in an animal model.

Design: Laboratory control trial.

Place And Duration Of Study: Aga Khan University, Karachi, from January 2004 to December, 2004.

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase--a marker of reperfusion and a prognostic indicator in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) is a lysosomal enzyme of which the activity in plasma is increased in a number of conditions including myocardial infarction. Plasma levels of cardiac proteins, such as myoglobin, troponin and creatine kinase, have been used as markers of myocardial reperfusion as well as for the prognosis of the disease. The aim of this study is to investigate whether NAG could be used as an additional biochemical marker to predict myocardial reperfusion and to find out if its release following thrombolysis has a prognostic value as well.

Role of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid on hyperhomocysteinemia in a Pakistani population of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: Pakistani people belong to an ethnic group which has the highest rate of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the possible correlation between deficiency of vitamins B6, B12 or folic acid and hyperhomocysteinemia in Pakistani patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A case-control study was carried out involving 224 AMI patients (age 30-70 years; 55 females and 169 males) and 126 normal healthy subjects (age 31-70 years; 35 females and 91 males).

Variability in lipid profile before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Objective: To investigate changes in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides in serum of Pakistani patients before, immediately after and 5 days post CABG.

Method: Serum samples from 31 consecutive Pakistani angina patients undergoing CABG at the Aga Khan University Hospital were analyzed for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides using kit methods.

Results: Immediately after CABG, there is a significant decline in the mean levels of serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Lack of association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T mutation with coronary artery disease in a Pakistani population.

Pakistanis belong to the South Asian population which has the highest known rate of coronary artery disease. Folic acid deficiency also appears to be highly prevalent in this population. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T polymorphism decreases the activity of this enzyme and can be associated with mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia in homozygotes, particularly when there is folic acid deficiency, as well as with coronary artery disease.

Variability in lipid profile in patients with acute myocardial infarction from two tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.

Objective: To investigate changes in total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides in serum of Pakistani patients with AMI due to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, and also find out the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, "low HDL-cholesterol" and "isolated low-HDL cholesterol" in them.

Patients And Methods: Serum samples from 451 consecutive AMI patients (250 from National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi and 201 from Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi) were analyzed for total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides using kit methods. LDL-cholesterol was determined using the Friedewald formula.

Increased levels of erythrocyte glutathione in acute myocardial infarction: an antioxidant defence.

Objective: Glutathione (GSH) has a central role in the defence against oxidative damage. This study was carried out to investigate any change in erythrocyte GSH levels in a population of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and compare them with levels in normal healthy subjects.

Method: GSH levels were determined in erythrocytes of one hundred and seventy six patients with AMI (age: 30-70 years; 131 males and 45 females) admitted to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi.

Association study of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene G2350A dimorphism with myocardial infarction.

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a strong candidate gene for myocardial infarction (MI). Insertion-deletion dimorphism in intron 16 of this gene has been inconclusively found to be associated with it. Several new polymorphisms in the ACE gene have been identified and among these, a dimorphism in exon 17, ACE G2350A, has a significant effect on plasma ACE concentrations.