脑出血和脑梗塞患者血清高密度脂蛋白及其亚组分胆固醇和其他脂质含量的研究

本文报告46例脑梗塞和38例脑出血患者与同龄对照组(无心、脑血管病和糖尿病)80例的血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDLc)及其亚组分胆固醇和其他脂质含量的变化.男女脑便塞与脑出血组的甘油三脂(TG)均高于对照组(P<0.001),HDLc、HDL2c/TC、HDLc/TG和HDL2c/TG均显著低于对照组(P<0.0001).     

丹参对脑梗塞患者血清HDLC的影响

本文报告脑梗塞伴血清高密度脂蛋白(HDL)及其亚组分胆固醇(HDL_2c)降低患者接受丹参治疗28例;接受脑益嗪、抗栓丸治疗10例。治疗一月后,丹参治疗组HDLc、HDL_2c、HDLc/Tc、HDLc/TG、HDL_2c/Tc和HDK_2c/TG水平较治疗前显著升高(P<0.01),TG水平降低(P<0.05),而常规药物组各指标治疗前后无明显变化     

Relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and serum lipid levels in Indian adults

Both iron deficiency anaemia and dyslipidaemia are widely prevalent public health problems, especially in the Indian population. Some link has been suggested between the two potentially morbid conditions but a sufficient Indian study could not be found in this regard. This study was planned to find the changes in serum lipid profile in adult Indian patients with iron deficiency anaemia and the effect of oral iron therapy on them. Seventy patients with iron deficiency anaemia and 70 age and sex matched healthy controls, in the age group of 18-35 years were investigated for any possible changes in serum lipid profile ie, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The patients were followed up after 3 months of oral iron therapy. The results are shown as mean +/- standard deviation. Triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be significantly (p < 0.001) elevated in the iron deficiency anaemia group (151.87 +/- 48.06 mg/dl and 30.40 +/- 9.71 mg/dl) as compared to controls (109.99 +/- 30.81 mg/dl and 21.96 +/- 6.69 mg/dl), whereas levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol were found to be significantly (p = 0.02) lower in patients (90.96 +/- 41.55 mg/dl) as compared to controls (105.24 +/- 26.45 mg/dl). However, after treatment (in 43 patients) there was significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the levels of triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (111.56 +/- 26.87 mg/dl and 22.30 +/- 5.36 mg/dl) when compared to their pretreatment levels (154.70 +/- 53.89 mg/dl and 30.93 +/- 10.84 mg/dl), whereas low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels did not show any significant change. These findings indicate that iron deficiency anaemia in Indian adults is attended by abnormal serum lipid profile, which responds significantly to iron therapy.     

Prevalence of diabetes in various habitats of West Bengal, India

The epidemiological profile data were collected for diabetes mellitus from the people living in three habitats (rural, industrial and urban) having considerable difference in their lifestyle and socio-economic status. Every 5th (occasionally 4th or 6th) member from each habitat was sampled; no restriction regarding age was kept during screening; OGTT (oral glucose tolerence test) was performed 2 hours after 75 g glucose, in those whose FBS (fasting blood sugar) was >90 mg/dl. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was ascertained, if the FBS was >120 mg/dl and/ or postglucose value was >200mg/dl. The per cent prevalence (among all aged people) of diabetes mellitus in rural, industrial and urban habitats were found to be: 1.66 +/- 0.58 (male 1.99 +/- 0.88, female 1.3 +/- 0.75); 3.00 +/- 0.74 (male 3.17 +/- 1.04, female 2.80 +/- 1.04) and 4.8 +/- 0.98 (male 5.31 +/- 1.43, female 4.27 +/- 1.32) respectively.     

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of rosuvastatin 10 mg with atorvastatin 10 mg in adult patients with hypercholesterolaemia: the first Indian study

To compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rosuvastatin 10mg with atorvastatin 10 mg in adult Indian patients with hypercholesterolaemia, a prospective, open-label, comparative, phase III study was conducted. A total of 45 patients of either sex, between 18 and 80 years of age with hypercholesterolaemia, having LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of 160 and < 250 mg/dl and triglyceride < 400 mg/dl, were included in this trial. After a dietary run-in period of 2 weeks, patients received either rosuvastatin 10 mg once daily or atorvastatin 10 mg once daily, for 6 weeks. The fall in the mean LDL-C levels after 6 weeks of treatment in rosuvastatin group (40.1%) was significantly more as compared to the fall in atorvastatin group (29.8%). Other secondary lipid parameters like total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apo-B, apo-AI, and TC/HDL-C ratio also showed more beneficial changes from the baseline in rosuvastatin group than in atorvastatin group. Rosuvastatin 10 mg shows significantly better efficacy than atorvastatin 10 mg in reducing LDL-C levels and produces greater improvements in other elements of the lipid profile.     

Plasma lipoprotein levels and the prevalence of hyperlipoproteinemia in a Canadian working population

The lipids and lipoproteins — cholesterol (C), triglyceride (TG) and high-density, low-density, very-low-density and sinking pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C and SPB-C) — in plasma samples from 1620 fasting white adults and children from the Toronto—Hamilton area were analysed. The mean concentration of HDL-C was about 45 mg/dl in men and about 60 mg/dl in women, and the levels were constant throughout adult life in both sexes. Boys had higher mean HDL-C levels than men, but girls had lower mean HDL-C levels than women. Mean LDL-C levels, like total C levels, increased with age, from about 87 mg/dl in boys to 136 mg/dl in men, and from about 91 mg/dl in girls to 145 mg/dl in women. The mean levels of VLDL-C followed the TG patterns for age and sex, rising from about 7 mg/dl in boys to 26 mg/dl in men, and from about 11 mg/dl in girls to 19 mg/dl in women. SPB-C was detectable visually in 39% of the population and with the aid of densitometry in 54%; the levels were not related to age, sex or oral contraceptive use, and the median level was 3 mg/dl.

Prevalence estimates of hyperlipoproteinemia showed that type IV was the most common, and it was found more than three times as often in men as in women. This was in part due to the customary use of plasma TG cut-off points that do not reflect the large difference in TG levels between males and females. Type IIA hyperlipoproteinemia was found in about 2% of the adults and type IIb in a further 1%. Types I, III and V were all rare. The prevalence of types II and IV hyperlipoproteinemia was four times greater in women using oral contraceptives than in nonusers in the same age range.

     

Effect of natural honey on lowering lipid profile

Objectives:To evaluate the available evidence of natural honey and its effect on improving lipid profiles among the adult population.Methods:The following databases were searched in May 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover studies without any restrictions in language, publication year, or status: CENTRAL, Embase Elsevier, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and Google Scholar. We included all RCTs and crossover studies that studied the effect of natural honey on improving lipid levels in individuals at any age, for any dose and duration. Trials investigated the intake of honey alone or honey dissolved in water. The comparison groups were no intervention or placebo. Two independent reviewers screened and evaluated the included trials. The third reviewer was involved in resolving any disagreement. Our aim was to evaluate the evidence available regarding the effect of natural honey in improving lipid profile.Results:Seven trials with 370 participants fitted the inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis showed, honey was found to reduce total cholesterol levels with statistical significance (mean difference [MD]: -14.97 mg/dl, 95% CI: 19.61 to -10.32). Honey was associated with a statistically significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (MD: 1.78 mg/dl, 95% CI: 0.68 to 2.88). There was a statistically significant LDL reduction level (MD: 18.99 mg/dl, 95% CI: -22.79 to -15.20). Finally, honey was found to lower triglyceride levels significantly (MD: 9.68 mg/dl, 95% CI: -15.56 to -3.80).Conclusions:Total cholesterol was significantly reduced with the use of natural honey intake, as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. High-density lipoprotein showed significant increment. Small quantity of honey can be recommended for patients with dyslipidemia. The impact on clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular mortality and morbidity needs to be evaluated in large studies.PROSPERO REG. NO. CRD: 42020130741     

Prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity at different levels of urbanisation in Vanuatu

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of non-communicable disease, specifically hypertension, diabetes and obesity, amongst populations at different levels of urbanisation in Vanuatu, and to relate the frequency of these conditions to the modernisation of way of life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population-based comparative study of indicative cluster samples. SETTING: Republic of Vanuatu (south-west Pacific). A relatively undeveloped malarious island country. PARTICIPANTS: Adult (aged greater than or equal to 20 years) Melanesian ni-Vanuatu of both sexes. An occupation-based (civil servants) urban sample (n = 623) and area-based semi-rural (n = 349) and rural (n = 397) samples were employed. Response rates were 78%-92%. INTERVENTIONS: Cases detected were referred for assessment and treatment by local medical staff. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, blood pressure, plasma glucose (fasting and 2 hours after 75 g glucose), plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. RESULTS: Modernity scores confirmed that the three locations represented different levels of acculturation. Prevalences of non-communicable disease were relatively low compared to other Pacific Island communities and industrialised countries. These conditions were nevertheless more common in the urban sample and least common in the rural sample. Non-communicable disease correlated positively with modernity scores and negatively with physical activity scores. Obesity correlated with blood pressure in the urban sample, and there was indirect evidence (urine sodium concentration) of higher salt intake with modernisation. Mean plasma cholesterol levels were lowest in the rural group. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalences of non-communicable disease are relatively low in Vanuatu, although rural-urban differentials are present, and likely to increase with continued development. The evidence presented is consistent with non-communicable disease being related to the modernisation of way of life; specifically: decreased exercise, obesity, and dietary change. Preventive activities should commence now.     

Lipid levels among African and Middle-Eastern Bedouin populations.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies observed higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and lower triglycerides levels among people of African ancestry. The goal of this study was to characterize lipid levels in Bedouins of African vs. Middle-Eastern ethnicity. MATERIAL/METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Bedouin primary care clinic in southern Israel, with 4470 listed individuals over the age of 21, of whom 402 (9%) were of African origin. A stratified random sample was included in the analysis. Associations between ethnicity, age, gender and lipid levels were assessed. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study included 261 African Bedouins and 406 Middle-Eastern Bedouins. (median age: 37 years, 58.6% females). The average total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were 10 mg/dl lower among African Bedouins as compared to Middle-Eastern Bedouins (total cholesterol: 168.6 vs. 179.6 mg/dl, p<0.001; LDL: 99.5 vs. 109.0 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.001). Average triglycerides levels were 36 mg/dl lower among African Bedouins as compared to Middle-Eastern Bedouins (102.8 vs. 138.9 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.001). Average HDL levels were 3 mg/dl higher among African Bedouins as compared to Middle-Eastern Bedouins (48.3 vs. 44.6 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A lower prevalence of dyslipidemia was found in African Bedouins, as compared with Middle-Eastern Bedouins.     

辽宁省城乡成年居民血脂异常患病率及其危险因素分析

  目的分析辽宁省城乡成年居民血脂异常的患病率及其危险因素。方法抽取辽宁省城市及乡镇2989名年龄≥20岁的居民为研究对象,进行问卷、体格检查及血脂、血糖测定,计算血脂异常患病率并分析其危险因素。结果辽宁省成年居民血脂异常的患病率为51.6%,男性患病率为60%,女性患病率为47.4%。血脂异常的患病率随年龄的增加呈现上升趋势。在50岁以前,男性血脂异常的患病率明显高于女性,而50岁以后女性血脂异常的患病率明显高于男性。城市居民血脂谱的异常主要表现为总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平的增高和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平的降低,而乡镇居民血脂谱异常主要表现在甘油三酯水平的增高。多因素非条件Logistic回归分析显示男性、年龄增加10岁、吸烟、超重或肥胖、中心型肥胖、高血压、高血糖均为血脂异常的独立危险因素。结论辽宁省成年居民血脂异常的患病率已高达51.6%,城市及乡镇血脂谱异常的特点有所不同,应加强对血脂异常高危人群的防治。     

LIPID PROFILE IN NORMAL HEALTHY CHILDREN

One hundred and fifty healthy children in the age group of 0–12 years were studied to establish normal levels of lipid profile. They were divided into six equal groups viz., newborns, 0–1 year, 1–4 years, 4–7 years, 7–10 years and 10–12 years. The mean values ± SD for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 70 ± 14.48 mg/dl, 35.1 ± 8.04 mg/dl, 23.8 ± 10.62 mg/dl and 50.9 ± 20.77 mg/dl respectively for male neonates and 71.8 ± 13.96 mg/dl, 34.6 ± 6.55 mg/dl, 25.5 ± 9.29 mg/dl and 57.2 ± 18.57 mg/dl respectively for female neonates. These values increased to 158.7 ± 21.23 mg/dl, 60.7 ± 11.70 mg/dl, 80.3 ± 19.26 mg/dl, 86.7 ± 28.80 mg/dl in males and 161.6 ± 23.09 mg/dl 66.7 ± 8.75 mg/dl, 75.8 ± 20.26 mg/dl and 93.2 ± 44.09 mg/dl in females respectively between 10–12 years of age, The various lipid fractions were at the lowest level at birth and increased significantly during first year of life, there after showing a much slower rise in levels. There was no significant difference in values between male and female children.KEY WORDS: Lipid profile, Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides     

Increase in prevalence of obesity and diabetes and decrease in plasma cholesterol in a central Australian aboriginal community

OBJECTIVE: To document change in prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and trends in dietary macronutrient intake, over an eight-year period in a rural Aboriginal community in central Australia. DESIGN: Sequential cross-sectional community surveys in 1987, 1991 and 1995. SUBJECTS: All adults (15 years and over) in the community were invited to participate. In 1987, 1991 and 1995, 335 (87% of eligible adults), 331 (76%) and 304 (68%), respectively, were surveyed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index and waist: hip ratio; blood glucose level and glucose tolerance; fasting total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and apparent dietary intake (estimated by the store turnover method). INTERVENTION: A community-based nutrition awareness and healthy lifestyle program, 1988-1990. RESULTS: At the eight-year follow-up, the odds ratios (95% CIs) for CVD risk factors relative to baseline were obesity, 1.84 (1.28-2.66); diabetes, 1.83 (1.11-3.03); hypercholesterolaemia, 0.29 (0.20-0.42); and dyslipidemia (high triglyceride plus low HDL cholesterol level), 4.54 (2.84-7.29). In younger women (15-24 years), there was a trembling in obesity prevalence and a four- to fivefold increase in diabetes prevalence. Store turnover data suggested a relative reduction in the consumption of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting nutritional factors alone are unlikely to greatly alter trends towards increasing prevalences of obesity and diabetes. In communities where healthy food choices are limited, the role of regular physical activity in improving metabolic fitness may also need to be emphasised.     

Treatment of primary hypercholesterolaemia with pravastatin: efficacy and safety over three years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of pravastatin over three years of treatment. DESIGN: An open, multicentre randomised study. SETTING: Subjects receiving tertiary care at three hospital lipid clinics. PATIENTS: Subjects with primary hypercholesterolaemia (type IIa) or combined hyperlipidaemia (type IIb), already stabilised on a cholesterol-lowering diet, with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of greater than 4.7 mmol/L and triglyceride levels of less than 4.5 mmol/L. Sixty-one subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment groups: 60 completed 12 weeks and 46 completed 30-36 months of treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either pravastatin 20 mg/day, pravastatin 40 mg/day or cholestyramine 16 g/day for a period of 12 weeks. Subsequently, dose titration of pravastatin up to 40 mg/day was permitted, if required, and all groups received supplementary therapy with other lipid-lowering drugs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lipids, lipoproteins, haematological and biochemical safety parameters were measured at regular intervals. Adverse events were monitored. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels with all treatments over 12 weeks (P < 0.001). The mean reductions (+/- SD) in LDL cholesterol were 26% +/- 14% in the group taking pravastatin 20 mg/day (n = 21), 30% +/- 8% in the group taking pravastatin 40 mg/day (n = 21) and 34% +/- 13% in the group taking resin (n = 18). The percentage changes in LDL cholesterol were independent of age, baseline cholesterol level or lipid phenotype. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significantly increased, by 8%-18% with all treatments (P < 0.001). Triglyceride levels were reduced by high-dose pravastatin only (7% +/- 29%), but were found to increase with resin (45% +/- 63%). During long-term treatment over 36 months, still greater reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were found in patients taking pravastatin (n = 35), but not in those taking resin (n = 11). There was an apparent decrease in effect beyond 18 months in both groups, possibly related to reduced compliance with diet or cholestyramine intake. Eight subjects allocated to pravastatin and seven allocated to resin withdrew (one and two subjects respectively because of drug-induced adverse events). Adverse events during 12 weeks' monotherapy with pravastatin included central nervous system (CNS) symptoms (12%), gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms (7%) and an acute hepatitic reaction (one subject). Of those in the resin therapy group, 22% developed GIT symptoms. Myalgia occurred in three subjects using a combination of pravastatin and clofibrate, but this resolved fully upon clofibrate withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Pravastatin was found to be a relatively effective, safe and well tolerated lipid-lowering drug. Still greater LDL reduction was achieved with pravastatin combination therapy and this was essentially maintained over three years.     

Correlation of triglyceride level with acute coronary syndrome

The study was aimed to find out the correlation of serum triglyceride level with acute coronary syndrome. This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of cardiology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, from August 2009 to May 2010. Socio-demographic characteristics, smoking habit, hypertension, serum total cholesterol level, serum HDLc, Serum LDLc, TG level were important variable considered. A total number of 100 respondents consisted of 50 cases (patient) and 50 healthy persons (control). Investigations included ECG, cardiac enzyme (troponin I), FBS and lipid profile. The data were analyzed by computer with the help of SPSS. Chi-square Test, T-test & ANOVA test were used as test of significance. The mean level of TG in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients (cases) was 168.2±58.0 mg/dl and in control were 141.2±45.3 mg/dl. So serum TG level is significantly higher in patients with ACS (p=0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, there was a significant association of elevated TG with risk of ACS (relative risk) is the highest, compared with the lowest quarantile = 1.011; 95% confidence interval (CI = 1.002 - 1.020; P for trend = 0.01). The relation of TG level to HDLc was a strong predictor of ACS (RR in the highest) compared with lowest quarantile = 0.02; (95% CI = 0.003 - 0.173; P for trend <0.0001). The study revealed that high level of serum triglyceride is associated with ACS. Categorization of patients with ACS on the basis of TG level may be helpful for risk stratification and management.     

成都地区238例健康成人及161例高脂血症患者...

The serum apoE levels in 238 healthy adults in Chengdu are aware determined by radioimmunodiffusion (RID) assay. The average apoE level was 3.98 +/- 0.98 mg/dl (chi +/- s). The result was basically identical with other reports. There is no difference in sex, and the level has a tendency to increase with age. One hundred and sixty-one hyperlipidemic subjects (including types IIa, IIb, IV and V were compared with the normals. Their serum apoE levels increased by different percentages depending on the type of hyperlipidemia. The percentage of increasing was especially higher in types V and IIb. The content of apoE in serum positively correlated with serum triglyceride (r = 0.65, P < 0.01) and with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.50, P < 0.01).     

沂蒙山区中老年人血脂分析

目的 探讨中、老年人血脂,以预防动脉弱样化的发生。方法 对沂蒙山区８８６名中老年人胆固醇（ＴＣ）、甘油三酯（ＴＧ）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＨＤＬ－Ｃ）进行测定。结果 中、老年人ＴＣ、ＴＨ、ＨＤＬ－Ｃ均比一般人高。非农业人口明显高于农业人口（Ｐ〈０．０１）。结论 中,老年人血脂比一般人高,应注意低脂饮食,增加运动量。     

脂血康对冠心病患者血浆HDL亚组分水平及颗粒直径的影响

研究了中药脂血康煎剂对冠心病１０２例的血浆脂蛋白、载脂蛋白（Ａｐｏ）、高密度脂蛋白（ＨＤＬ）亚组分ＨＤＬ２、ＨＤＬ３水平的影响，并通过４％～３０％聚丙烯酰胺梯度凝胶电泳观察了给药前后ＨＤＬ亚组分的颗粒直径和相对百分含量的变化。结果显示，脂血康能显著降低患者血浆甘油三酯（ＴＧ，Ｐ＜０．０５），总胆固醇（Ｔｃ，Ｐ＜０．０５），低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＬＤＬｃ，Ｐ＜０．０５）和ＡｐｏＢ（Ｐ＜０．０２）的水平以及冠脉风险指数（ＣＩ，Ｐ＜０．００５），升高ＡｐｏＡ－Ⅰ（Ｐ＜０．００５）、ＨＤＬｃ（Ｐ＜０．０１）和ＨＤＬ２ｃ（Ｐ＜０．００５）的水平，增加颗粒直径较大的ＨＤＬ２ｂ的相对百分含量（Ｐ＜０．０５），而且作用优于复方丹参片。提示脂血康能有效地改善冠心病患者的脂蛋白代谢，影响ＨＤＬ的化学组成和颗粒分布，促进胆固醇逆向转运，从而预防动脉粥样硬化病变的发展。     

理想膳食模式评分法评价新乡市居民1991和2000年的膳食营养状况

目的对新乡市居民膳食营养状况进行评价,筛选出合理的膳食模式。方法随机抽取新乡市480户居民,按地区分布将被调查者分为城市、小城镇、郊区、农村4组,每组按年人均收入分为低、中、高3个收入阶层,用理想膳食模式(DDP)评分法评价其1991和2000年的膳食营养状况。结果城市居民膳食质量较其他各组高,但食用油摄入量超过了最大允许量;小城镇组得分明显低于城市组,但优于郊区和农村组;小城镇、郊区、农村组的中、低收入者的膳食质量较差,动物性及豆类食品摄入量低,食用油摄入量已达到或接近最大允许值。城乡居民膳食质量差距明显;与1991年相比,2000年各组的膳食质量均有一定程度的提高。与其他食品相比,动物性食品及油脂的摄入量上升迅速。各组的得分依收入的高低递减。结论被调查者的蛋白质和热量的摄入量均在我国居民每日营养推荐膳食供给量(DRIs)的90%以上。建议城市居民调整消费比例,减少动物性食物和油脂,增加豆制品,小城镇、郊区及农村居民则应增加豆类、奶类及蔬菜、适当的动物性食物消费。     

Evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of RB Tone forte tablet in the treatment of pregnancy anaemia

In India < 90% of anaemia cases are estimated to be due to iron deficiency, because high iron requirements during pregnancy are not easily fulfilled by dietary intake. Ferrous ascorbate is widely prescribed iron salt in India but still no trial of ferrous ascorbate in Indian patients has been published. The study is to aim the evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of RB Tone forte tablet in the treatment of pregnancy anaemia. Fifty-five pregnant women (> 18 years) with haemoglobin value between 8 and 11 g/dl in 13th week of pregnancy were included in the study. The duration of study was 6 months. Study drug RB Tone forte tablet, (Medley pharmaceutical, Mumbai) containing ferrous ascorbate equivalent to elemental iron 100 mg + folic acid 1.5 mg + elemental zinc 22.5 mg was prescribed once daily to all pregnant women from 13th week of pregnancy for a duration of 6 months. Haemoglobin was assessed at the beginning of the therapy and at the end of the trial. Study included birth weight and gestational age as outcomes because of a need for more information on the functional consequences of iron supplementation during pregnancy. Tolerability was evaluated based on the global assessment by the investigator and patients on a 3-point scale marked as excellent/good/poor. Fifty patients were included for final analysis, 5 patients lost to follow-up. Haemoglobin levels increased from the mean baseline value of 8.950 +/- 0.1422 g/dl to 11.91 +/- 0.07840 g/dl, with mean increase of 2.964 +/- 0.1624 g/dl at the end of trial (p < 0.0001). Mean birth weight of infants (n = 50) was found to be 3079 +/- 25.10 g. Mean gestational age at the time of delivery was 38 weeks. No preterm delivery was reported, As per investigators assessment about tolerability of trial drug, 48% of patients reported good, 46% excellent and 6% reported poor tolerability. As per patient's assessment about tolerability 92% of patients reported good to excellent tolerability and 8% reported poor tolerability. All patients reported excellent gastro-intestinal tolerability of study drug. Positive effect on pregnancy outcome like gestational age and birth weight is mainly attributed to vasodilating property of ferrous ascorbate and beneficial effect of zinc. Ferrous ascorbate must be preferred as first choice of oral iron salt due to positive effect on haemoglobin value, vasodilating property and superior tolerability.     

Serum cholesterol and triglyceride measurements in Canadian physicians.

In a study of serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in male physicians, blood was drawn after fasting from 2071 registrants at 17 Canadian medical meetings from 1968 to 1973. Eight regional medical laboratories participated in the study. About two thirds of the samples were analysed in one of two laboratories to diminish method variations. When chylomicronemia, hyperglycemia or extremely high triglyceride values were detected, suggesting nonfasting, the data were discarded. The mean serum cholesterol value for the total study population was 233.9 plus or minus 1.22 mg/dl and the mean serum triglyceride value, 150.5 plus or minus 2.48 mg/dl. The mean values and the prevalence of elevated values (cholesterol larger than or equal to 250 mg/dl; triglyceride larger than or equal to 150 mg/dl) were related to age. Of the total study population 34.7% had elevated cholesterol values and 36.2% had elevated triglyceride values; only the cholesterol value was elevated in 17.5%, only the triglyceride value in 19.6% and both values were elevated in 16.8%. Although this was not a random sampling of Canadian physicians or of Canadian men, our findings of elevated serum lipid values were similar to those in French Canadian civic workers, American executives and Scandinavians, and somewhat higher than those in the Albany, New York and Framingham populations, but distinctly higher than those reported by a recent Nutrition Canada survey.