Saroglitazar is a potential therapeutic option in type 2 diabetic patients with high TG levels, not controlled by statins, for comprehensive control of lipid and glycemic parameters with acceptable safety profile.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by nonscarring hair loss involving any hair-bearing surface of the body. The current therapy for AA is not curative but rather aimed at controlling or limiting the pathogenic process. Corticosteroids are the most popular drugs used, however localized atrophy is a common complication, particularly with triamcinolone. Promoting hair growth by application of autologous blood extracted platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a simple, yet effective procedure. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (5 mg/ml) with intralesional PRP in the treatment of two different scalp AA patches of same individual. Methods: A total of 30 patients having ≥2 patches of AA were randomized and given two separate modalities of treatment in two different patches and divided in Group I, treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (5 mg/ml) and Group II, treated with PRP. Interval time between every follow-up was 3 weeks and four such follow-ups were done. Hair regrowth was calculated according to Mac Donald Hull and Norris grading system at every follow-up and was compared with the initial grading. Results: Group I patches, treated with triamcinolone acetonide have the significantly higher mean grading score than the group II patches, treated with PRP at each follow up. Conclusions: Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is more efficacious than intralesional PRP in the treatment of scalp alopecia areata with no recurrences and very few adverse effects like atrophy and hypopigmentation.

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<b><i>Background:</i></b> Whether HAIR-AN syndrome and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are distinct entities or represent a phenotypic spectrum of the same syndrome is still unclear. HAIR-AN syndrome is characterized by high insulin resistance, obesity, and hyperinsulinemia as compared to PCOS and could represent adipose tissue dysfunction as the primary pathophysiologic trigger. This study was undertaken to study the role of adipose tissue dysfunction in HAIR-AN syndrome and PCOS using adipocytokines as surrogate markers of “adiposopathy.” <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 1 year. Serum adiponectin, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were measured in 30 women with HAIR-AN syndrome and in 30 women with PCOS. Correlations between adipocytokines, inflammatory markers, serum testosterone, and serum insulin were determined. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 23.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software program. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Women with HAIR-AN syndrome had significantly higher hyperandrogenemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance as compared to PCOS women. They also had high leptin levels and lower adiponectin levels (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). However, the levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6) were similar in both the groups (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Serum adiponectin showed a negative correlation with HOMA-IR and testosterone levels, while leptin showed a positive correlation with both in HAIR-AN patients while no such correlation was found in the PCOS group. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The significantly raised adipocytokines in HAIR-AN syndrome patients as compared to PCOS patients indicates the primary role of adipose tissue dysfunction (“adiposopathy”) in the pathogenesis of HAIR-AN syndrome while only a minor role, if any, in PCOS. Both these syndromes stand as distinct entities pathogenically with an overlapping phenotype.

Festive season in India is associated with a marked change in diet of people. It is accompanied by consumption of sweets and fat-rich fried foods. There is a concern that this dietary change can cause significant deterioration in the metabolic profile of patients with T2DM. The effect of this change in diet on blood glucose and lipid profile of patients of T2DM has not been studied [1,2]. We studied the effect of expected changes in diet on glycemic control and lipid levels of patients with T2DM around the Hindu festival of Diwali of 2011.The study was conducted from 12th October to 11th November 2011 at the out-patient department of MDM Hospital, Jodhpur. Seventy-two T2DM patients, treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs, were enrolled for the study. Out of them, 67 patients completed follow-up. Their mean age was 60.0±8.3 years; male-to-female ratio was 43:24. Mean BMI was 26.14±2.94 kg/m 2 . The study involved two visits, first within 2 weeks before and second within 2 weeks after Diwali. At each visit, the following biochemical parameters were estimated: fasting and 2 h post breakfast plasma glucose, lipid profile including total cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL, and HDL. At the first visit, height and weight were also measured. The exclusion criteria were patients on insulin therapy and those suffering from renal failure, stroke, cancer, and other conditions affecting diet and weight. The biochemical tests were performed using Bayer Semi-autoanalyzer RA-50. The paired t test was used for comparison of study parameters measured at both the visits and p<0.05 was considered significant.The results of the study show that Diwali is followed by a significant increase in fasting ( ) after Diwali. The results of this study show that there is deterioration of lipid and glycemic parameters after festival of Diwali. These findings have clinical implications. While managing T2DM, lifestyle and cultural factors should be considered. The antidiabetic drugs can be adjusted in accordance with the expected dietary change during festivals. Specialized diet counseling can be of help for patients.T2DM type 2 diabetes mellitus, TG triglycerides, LDL lowdensity lipoprotein, VLDL very-low-density lipoprotein, HDL high-density lipoprotein. This study was presented as a poster at ENDO 2012 (Houston, TX) and the abstract is present online on the meeting organizer's website.