Role of leptin and adiponectin in gestational diabetes mellitus: a study in a North Indian tertiary care hospital

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) exposes women to a higher risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in later years of life. Newborns of mothers with GDM are at increased risk for acute perinatal complications including hypoglycaemia, jaundice and being large for gestational age. One of the mechanisms underlying glucose metabolism in pregnancy are a group of substances, which includes leptin and adiponectin, produced mainly in the adipose tissue; in this paper we analyze the role of these mediators in women with GDM. This case control study was performed in 90 females (30 GDM patients and 60 control subjects without GDM) referred to a tertiary care hospital. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood glucose, leptin and adiponectin. Leptin andAdiponectin were analyzed using ELISA technique. In our study, the levels of fasting blood glucose were statistically significantly higher (p=0.000) in gestational diabetes patients as compared to controls. There was statistically significant positive correlation between blood glucose and leptin (p = 0.000, r = 0.585). There was statistically significant negative correlation between blood glucose and adiponectin(p = 0.000, r = -0.661). An amplification of the low-grade inflammation already existing in normal pregnancy may lead to increase in leptin and decrease in adiponectin. These factors may play a role in development of gestational diabetes mellitus. Further studies are required for establishing them as a marker for gestational diabetes mellitus.KEY WORDS: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Leptin; Adiponecti

Phytochemical Screening of Methanolic Extract and Antibacterial Activity of Active Principles of Hepatoprotective Herb, Eclipta alba

Aerial parts of Eclipta alba are used traditionally for the treatment of several diseases of liver, skin and stomach. Methanolic extract and active principle compound of a well known Indian hepatoprotective herb, Eclipta alba was tested for in vitro antimicrobial studies. It was evaluated using zone of inhibition studies and minimum inhibitory concentration. The extract exhibited activity against all six strains studied. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, coumestans, saponins and alkaloids etc. Ethylacetate fraction and further pure isolated wedelolactone showed enhanced antimicrobial activity. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium were most susceptible. Shigella flexneri was the most resistant bacterial strain. These results suggest coumestans/wedelolactone as a promising antimicrobial agent

Comparison of effects of benidipine and amlodipine on clinical and biochemical parameters in hypertensive patients: an observational study

Background: Hypertension is a widespread public health problem and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, dilates arterioles by blocking L-type calcium channels. Benidipine inhibits L, N, and T type calcium channels. We compared the efficacy of Amlodipine and benidipine on blood pressure, pulse rate, proteinuria and lipid profile in hypertensive patients.Methods: The study was an observational, prospective, open label comparison. Eligible hypertensives were given either amlodipine (5mg/d) or benidipine (4mg/d). Clinical features and laboratory parameters were recorded initially and after 3 months. Adverse events were recorded with the help of a questionnaire. Compliance was assessed by return pill count.Results: Out of 35 patients, recruited for study, 16 received amlodipine and 17 were treated with benidipine and two were lost during follow up. Both the groups were well matched in terms of age, body weight, clinical findings and laboratory values. Both the drugs significantly (P <0.05) reduced systolic (142±16 to 138±15 vs.148±16 to 134±14mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (81±9 to 79±7). In the Amlodipine group the pulse rate after treatment tended to be higher than before (70±9 to 72±10bpm). In the Benidipine group there was decrease in pulse-rate after treatment (69±9 to 67±9). Unlike Amlodipine, Benidipine significantly (P<0.05) decreased urinary protein excretion (1.0±1.2 to 1.1±1.4 vs. 1.4±2.5 to 1.1±1.7g/g-Cr) and serum triglycerides (125±25 to 120±23 vs 130±26 to 115±21mg/dl).Conclusions: In this study, amlodipine and benidipine were found to be be equally effective anti-hypertensive in patients with stage 1 hypertension. However, there was significant reduction in proteinuria and serum triglycerides in Benidipine group as compared to Amlodipine group. Benidipine may be a better alternative to existing calcium channel blockers

A comparative study of antihyperglycemic effect of Gymnema sylvestre and metformin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that has the phenotype of hyperglycemia. According to World Health Organization (WHO) there were 65.1 million diabetics in India in 2013, International Diabetes Federation estimates this to increase to 190 million by 2035. Although a number of drugs are available for treatment of DM, their cost and safety profile are major concern. Medicinal plants are used by clinicians for treatment of diabetes. Gymnema sylvestre (GS) extract has been reported to increase insulin levels in diabetic rats. This study was designed to compare the antihyperglycemic effect of Gymnema sylvestre with metformin.Methods: Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin 45mg/kg. Methanolic extract of Gymnema sylvestre 120mg/kg p.o. prepared using Soxhlet apparatus.Results: GS extract reduced blood glucose levels but not statistically significant. GS extract increased HDL and triglycerides, reduced both serum ALT and AST but no statistical significance seen. Metformin significantly increased serum urea, which was not seen in GS extract group. GS extract showed regenerative changes in pancreas, liver and kidney.Conclusions: The study investigation demonstrates that methanolic extract of GS possesses antihyperglycemic and hypolipidaemic activity and so it can be considered as a promising natural remedy in a prediabetic state and in mild hyperlipidaemia to prevent its progression. Increase in β cell regeneration activity could be a probable mechanism of action. However, further long term clinical studies are recommended to define its possible role in diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. Role of GS as a potential hepatoprotective agent also needs further evaluation

Strong Near-infrared Spectral Variability of the Young Cloudy L Dwarf Companion VHS J1256–1257 b

Rotationally modulated variability of brown dwarfs and giant planets provides unique information about their surface brightness inhomogeneities, atmospheric circulation, cloud evolution, vertical atmospheric structure, and rotational angular momentum. We report results from Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 near-infrared time-series spectroscopic observations of three companions with masses in or near the planetary regime: VHS J125601.92–125723.9 b, GSC 6214–210 B, and ROXs 42 B b. VHS J1256–1257 b exhibits strong total intensity and spectral variability with a brightness difference of 19.3% between 1.1 and 1.7 μm over 8.5 hr and even higher variability at the 24.7% level at 1.27 μm. The light curve of VHS J1256–1257 b continues to rise at the end of the observing sequence so these values represent lower limits on the full variability amplitude at this epoch. This observed variability rivals (and may surpass) the most variable brown dwarf currently known, 2MASS J21392676+0220226. The implied rotation period of VHS J1256–1257 b is ≈21–24 hr assuming sinusoidal modulations, which is unusually long for substellar objects. No significant variability is evident in the light curves of GSC 6214–210 B (<1.2%) and ROXs 42 B b (<15.6%). With a spectral type of L7, an especially red spectrum, and a young age, VHS J1256–1257 b reinforces emerging patterns between high variability amplitude, low surface gravity, and evolutionary phase near the L/T transition