Experimental rat model for acute tubular injury induced by high water hardness and high water fluoride: efficacy of primary preventive intervention by distilled water administration.

Background: High water hardness associated with high water fluoride and the geographical distribution of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka are well correlated. We undertook this study to observe the effects of high water hardness with high fluoride on kidney and liver in rats and efficacy of distilled water in reducing the effects.

Methods: Test water sample with high water hardness and high fluoride was collected from Mihinthale region and normal water samples were collected from Kandy region.

Snap shot view on anaemia in chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology.

Aim: Anaemia is a well-known complication of chronic kidney disease but there are no published studies on the pattern of anaemia in chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu). This study aims to find out the prevalence, causes and associations of anaemia in CKDu to identify any unique features which are different from already described anaemia in chronic kidney disease.

Method: All (119) biopsy-confirmed CKDu patients in two endemic clinics (Girandurukotte and Wilgamuwa) were selected as cases.

Effect of fluoride on major organs with the different time of exposure in rats.

Background: High fluoride levels in drinking water in relation to the prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka were investigated using rats as an experimental model.

Method: The effects of fluoride after oral administration of Sodium fluoride (NaF) at levels of 0, 0.5, 5 and 20 ppm F were evaluated in adult male Wistar rats.

Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Following Three Different Species of Hump-Nosed Pit Viper (Genus: Hypnale) Envenoming in Sri Lanka.

There are 3 species of hump-nosed pit vipers in Sri Lanka: Hypnale hypnale, Hypnale zara, and Hypnale nepa. The latter 2 are endemic to the country. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is a known complication of hump-nosed pit viper bites.

Prolonged Coagulopathy, Ecchymoses, and Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Following Hump-Nosed Pit Viper (Hypnale hypnale) Bite in Sri Lanka.

A 74-year-old previously healthy woman was bitten by a hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) at dusk causing incoagulable blood lasting for 6 days. Further, she developed ecchymoses over her forearms, upper arms, hands, and lower back on day 4 after the snakebite, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA). Features of this nature are rare after hump-nosed pit viper bite.

Chemical characterization of gallstones: an approach to explore the aetiopathogenesis of gallstone disease in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Records on gallstones and associated ailments in Sri Lankan community are scarce, despite frequent detection of gallstone disease. Identification of the chemical composition of gallstones in the local setting is important in defining aetiopathogenic factors which in turn are useful in implementing therapeutic and preventive strategies. This study aimed to describe the chemical composition of gallstones and the socio-demographic factors of a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with gallstone disease.

Serum lipid concentrations in patients with cholesterol and pigment gallstones.

Background: Gallstones (GS) are formed as a result of impaired metabolic regulation of the human body. Abnormal lipid metabolism is partly responsible for the pathogenesis of GS mainly rich in cholesterol. Thus abnormalities of serum lipids would reflect the possibilities of the formation of cholesterol GS.

Molecular diversity in venom proteins of the Russell's viper (Daboia russellii russellii) and the Indian cobra (Naja naja) in Sri Lanka.

To examine the molecular diversity of the venom proteins of the Russell's viper (Daboia russellii russellii) and the Indian cobra (Naja naja) in Sri Lanka, we isolated 38 venom proteins through a combination of anion exchange chromatography followed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. From the venom of D. r.