Background: The association of raised serum uric acid levels with various cardiovascular risk factors has often led to the debate of whether raised serum uric acid levels could be an independent risk factor in essential hypertension. Hence we carried out a study to examine the possibility of hyperuricemia causing hypertension, to see if there is a relationship between the serum uric acid levels and severity and duration of hypertension.Methods: The study was carried out in Smt. SCL Hospital, Saraspur, Ahmedabad, India, the study period from September 2012 to June 2014, a total of 100 patients were studied. The patients were included if they satisfied the JNC VII criteria for hypertension. They were excluded if they were having any other condition known to cause raised serum uric acid levels and secondary hypertension.Results: With the result based on the study carried out we concluded that there can be a direct relation between hyperuricemia and hypertension. Also the study showed that the SUA levels were significantly increased in patient with stage 2 hypertension in comparasion with those with stage 1 hypertension, showing that the severity of hypertension also related to the SUA levels.Conclusions: Based on the study carried out we concluded that SUA can be used as an early biochemical marker to determine the severity and duration of hypertension.

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Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, autoimmune, and inflammatory disorder which affects the lining of the colon and the rectum. It involves inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, nitrogen and oxygen-derived free radicals exerting oxidative stress, deranged colonic milieu, and increase in intestinal permeability. Ricinus communis roots are used traditionally in diseases of liver and rectum, in gastropathy such as constipation, inflammation, fever, colic and in colon cancer. Several reports exhibiting analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of R. communis root extract (RCRE) are available. Hence, this study was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the effectiveness of RCRE in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced UC in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). 5-Aminosalicylic acid was used as a standard drug, and RCRE was administered at a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg p.o. for 14 days. UC was induced by replacing drinking water with 4% DSS solution for the past 7 days. Results: Severity of colitis induced was assessed by observing macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and changes in the level of oxidative stress parameters. All parameters were altered in model control rats, while pretreatment with RCRE preserved normal colonic architecture, improved macroscopic and microscopic scores and altered oxidative stress biomarkers in the colon. Conclusion: Results showed the good effectiveness of RCRE against DSS-induced UC possibly by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.