Relationship between platelet count and platelet width distribution and serum uric acid 1 concentrations in patients with untreated essential hypertension

Hematological parameters have emerged as independent determinants of high serum concentrations of uric-acid and predictive-factors in the evaluation of the total cardiovascular-risk in patients with essential-hypertensive. Here we have investigated the possible relationships between hematological-factors and serum uric-acid levels in hypertensive-patients recruited as part of Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders cohort study. Two-thousand three-hundred and thirty four hypertensive individuals were recruited from this cohort and these were divided into two groups; those with either high or low serum uric acid concentrations. Demographic, biochemical and hematological characteristics of population were evaluated in all the subjects. Logistic-regression-analysis was performed to determine the association of hematological-parameters with hypertension. Of the 2334 hypertensive-subjects, 290 cases had low uric-acid, and 2044 had high serum uric acid concentrations. Compared with the low uric acid group, the patients with high serum uric acid, had higher values for several hematological parameters, whilst platelet counts (PLT) were lower. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PLT and serum hs-CRP were correlated with serum uric acid level. Stepwise multiple logistic regression model confirmed that PDW and gender were independent determinant of a high serum uric acid. PDW and PLT appear to be independently associated with serum uric acid level in patients with hypertension

Arsenic and Lead Contaminations in Commercial Fruit Juices of Markets in Mashhad, Iran

Background: Contamination of fruit juices with heavy metals presents a risk for human health. Concentrations of lead, and arsenic in fruit juices of market in Mashhad, Iran, were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Methods: Fifty varieties of commercial fruit juices (grape, apple, orange, pomegranate, and multi-fruit) from 5 popular brands (A, B, C, D and E) were purchased from local markets of Mashhad during spring and winter 2016. Five samples of each brand were analyzed by AAS. Results: The mean concentrations of lead and arsenic were 39.4 and 1.9 ng/mL, with a range of 18.5–54.6 and 1.52-2.35 ng/mL, respectively. The orange A and multi-fruit A samples had a higher lead level than the others, whilst multi-fruit E contained the lowest. The lowest arsenic content was found in grape B, while the highest was found in multi-fruit C. Conclusion: Eighty-three percent of the samples had lead levels exceeding the maximum level (30 ng/mL) accepted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, while arsenic levels were below the maximal permissible value (10 ng/mL). Due to the fact that fruit juices are used by all age groups including infants and children, it is necessary to minimize the health risk from heavy metal contamination in fruit juices. For this reason, the amount of heavy metals contaminants in fruit juice samples should be regularly checked and controlled by the local health authorities

Serum level of gamma-glutamyl transferase as a biomarker for predicting stenosis severity in patients with coronary artery disease

Background: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is associated with pathogenesis of various diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). GGT activity displays an essential role in the catabolism of glutathione which is reported as a major antioxidant. The aim of this study was to explore the association of GGT activity with obstruction severity of artery in 500 CAD patients. Results: Our finding showed a significant association between serum GGT activity and CAD patients. In particular, the level of GGT in patients who had ≥50% obstruction was higher, compared to healthy and patients with less than 50% obstruction in their coronary arteries (the level of GGT in patients with at least one (1 SVD), two (2VD), three (3VD) coronary artery obstruction were 55.6 ± 9.7, 71.7 ± 12.7 and 84.7 ± 13.4, while these values in patients with negative angio or control group were 28 ± 10 and 17 ± 4.6). Furthermore, the activity of this marker was associated with increased the risk of CAD (Odd ratio of GGT in 3VD group: 2, 95%CI: 1.8–2.3), which was also related with HDL-C. Of note, the level of GGT was enhanced progressively with increasing the obstruction severity of arteries. Conclusion: We demonstrate the prognostic value of serum level of GGT as a biomarker for predicting obstruction severity in patients with CAD. Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Gamma glutamyl transferase, Activity, Biomarke