Nephroprotective effects of b-carotene on ACE gene expression, oxidative stress and antioxidant status in thioacetamide induced renal toxicity in rats.

β -carotene is one of carotenoid natural pigments, which are produced by plants and are accountable for the bright colors of various fruits and vegetables. These pigments have been widely studied for their ability to prevent chronic diseases and toxicities. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of β-carotene on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression, oxidative stress and antioxidant status in thioacetamide induced renal toxicity.

Association of SNP rs9939609 in FTO gene with metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic subjects, rectruited from a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the association of SNP in FTO gene, rs9939609, with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in type 2 diabetic subjects at a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: We genotyped FTO rs9939609 SNP in 296 patients with type 2 diabetes from the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE). MS was defined on the basis of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education program (NCEP) criterion.

Common variant within the FTO gene, rs9939609, obesity and type 2 diabetes in population of Karachi, Pakistan.

Aim: To determine the effect of genetic variants within the FTO gene (rs9939609) on obesity related traits and type 2 diabetes in South Asian population of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE), Baqai Medical University situated in Karachi. A total of 296 patients with known type 2 diabetes and 198 controls aged greater than and equal to 45 years were recruited.

Three new carbazole alkaloids and biological activities of Murraya koenigii.

Three new carbazole alkaloids, mukoenigatin (1), bikoeniquinonine (2) and murrayadinal (3), were isolated from the aerial parts of Murraya koenigii, along with mukeonine-B (4). Their molecular structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis including UV, IR, MS, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of different fractions of plant extract was also determined.

Fresh and aged human lymphocyte metaphase slides are equally usable for GTG banding.

The identification of chromosomes for routine cytogenetic analysis is based on quality of metaphases and good banding pattern. Fresh slides of human lymphocytes have been shown to produce good bands for the identification of chromosomes morphology. G-bands by Trypsin using Giemsa (GTG) banding of aged slides is generally considered hard to get desired band pattern of chromosomes persistently.

Effects of curcumin on angiotensin-converting enzyme gene expression, oxidative stress and anti-oxidant status in thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression, oxidative stress and anti-oxidant status in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Materials And Methods: Total 32 albino Wistar rats (male, 200-250 g) were divided into six groups (n=8). Group 1: untreated controls; Group 2: received TAA (200 mg/kg body weight (b.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression in experimentally induced liver cirrhosis in rats.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a key player of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS), involved in conversion of active product, angiotensin-II. Alterations in RAS have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases involving heart, kidney, lung and liver. This study is designed to investigate the association of ACE gene expression in induction of liver cirrhosis in rats.

Relationship between serum nitric oxide and sialic acid in coexisted diabetes, hypertension and nephropathy.

This study was designed to study the relationship between serum nitric oxide and sialic acid in patients of diabetic nephropathy. Total 210 diabetic patients including 115 males and 95 females, suffering from diabetes and nephropathy (DN) were selected followed by informed consent and approval from institutional ethical committee. Equal number of age and sex matched normal healthy subjects were selected without any known history of hyperglycemia, hypertension and renal insufficiency as controls.

Glycemic control, dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction in coexisted diabetes, hypertension and nephropathy.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that can lead to serious cardiovascular, renal, neurologic and retinal complications. Diabetes clustered with hypertension and nephropathy has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease globally. This study describes diabetes, hypertension and nephropathy with reference to glycemic control, dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction indicating the foremost basis of morbidity and mortality world wide and rapidly progressing in Pakistan.

Electrolytes and NA(+)-K(+)-ATPase: potential risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of death that affects more than 40% of diabetic patients. Its metabolic derangements are frequently accompanied with electrolyte imbalances. This study was aimed to evaluate the electrolyte homeostasis during the progression of diabetic nephropathy in various stages of developing nephropathy.

Ionic and allied variations in normotensive and hypertensive diabetic patients.

Objective: To investigate the disturbances of serum and red cell electrolytes in association with membrane Na(+)-K(+)- ATPase activity as well as the status of serum Urea, Creatinine and osmolality in normotensive diabetic and hypertensive diabetic patients.

Methods: Thirty normotensive and thirty hypertensive patients (age and sex matched) were selected along with thirty control subjects. Erythrocytes were isolated from freshly drawn blood samples, washed and used for the estimation of sodium and potassium concentrations using flame photometer (Corning 410).