Background: Auditory brainstem response is an objective electrophysiological method for assessing the auditory pathways from the auditory nerve to the brainstem. The aim of this study was to correlate and to assess the degree of involvement of peripheral and central regions of brainstem auditory pathways with increasing severity of hypertension, among the patients of essential hypertension. Method: This study was conducted on 50 healthy age and sex matched controls (Group I) and 50 hypertensive patients (Group II). Later group was further subdivided into-Group IIa (Grade 1 hypertension), Group IIb (Grade 2 hypertension), and Group IIc (Grade 3 hypertension), as per WHO guidelines. These responses/ potentials were recorded by using electroencephalogram electrodes on a root-mean-square electromyography, EP MARC II (PC-based) machine and data were statistically compared between the various groups by way of one-way ANOVA. The parameters used for analysis were the absolute latencies of Waves I through V, interpeak latencies (IPLs) and amplitude ratio of Wave V/I. Result: The absolute latency of Wave I was observed to be signifi cantly increased in Group IIa and IIb hypertensives, while Wave V absolute latency was highly signifi cantly prolonged among Group IIb and IIc, as compared to that of normal control group. All the hypertensives, that is, Group IIa, IIb, and IIc patients were found to have highly signifi cant prolonged III-V IPL as compared to that of normal healthy controls. Further, intergroup comparison among hypertensive patients revealed a signifi cant prolongation of Wave V absolute latency and III-V IPL in Group IIb and IIc patients as compared to Group IIa patients. These fi ndings suggest a sensory defi cit along with synaptic delays, across the auditory pathways in all the hypertensives, the defi cit being more markedly affecting the auditory processing time at pons to midbrain (IPL III-V) region of auditory pathways among Grade 2 and 3 hypertensives. Conclusion: Hence, we conclude there has been greater involvement of pontomesenchymal region with the increasing severity of the disease.

A B S T R A C T BACKGROUNDThe blazing feature of female reproductive system is the shedding of uterine epithelium at regular intervals with bleeding, termed as menstruation. The dynamic endocrine interplay reflecting rhythmic changes in the rate of secretion of ovarian hormones during different phases of menstrual cycle are known to affect the physiological functioning of various systems of the body which include the reproductive system and the other non-reproductive system. Pulmonary functions show such variations during the different phases of menstrual cycle. So, the present study was carried out to study the pulmonary functions in different phases of menstrual cycle. METHODSThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Physiology of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MMIMSR), Mullana, Ambala (Haryana). 100 female subjects in their reproductive age having regular menstrual cycles were studied. Pulmonary function parameters were assessed during pre-and post-ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle. All anthropometric parameters such as age, weight in Kgs., Height in cms., were recorded and BMI was calculated. Data was analysed by paired T test to obtain statistical significance (p value) between pre-ovulatory and post-ovulatory phases of menstrual cycle. RESULTSOur study shows a highly significant increase in FEV1 parameter during post ovulatory phase having mean values of 2.55±0.26 as compared to pre-ovulatory phase with the mean values of 2.22±0.15. We found a significant increase in FVC (L), during post ovulatory phase as compared to pre ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONSThe results obtained could be attributed to the role of Progesterone acting as a bronchodilator by causing relaxation of smooth muscles lining the bronchial walls resulting an increase in the ventilatory capacity of the individuals. Further the present study may find its clinical application in suggesting the clinicians to supplement progesterone hormone to the females affected with inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis.

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