The objectives of this study are to evaluate trace elements in patients with liver cirrhosis and to assess their association with severity of the disease. One hundred fifty cirrhotic subjects of either sex ranging in age from 20-70 years were included in the study, and the results were compared with 50 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. All cirrhotic subjects were assessed for severity of disease as mild (Child A), moderate (Child B), and severe (Child C) as per Child-Pugh classification. Routine investigations were done and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se, and Mg) were analyzed on atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum level of copper was found significantly increased in patients with liver cirrhosis as compared to control group. Whereas serum zinc, selenium, and magnesium levels were significantly decreased in cirrhotic subjects as compared to controls. Trace elements were compared with severity of liver cirrhosis. Serum copper concentration was slightly increased in patients with more severe clinical state of liver cirrhosis; however, mean level difference of copper among the Child-Pugh groups were statistically not significant. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between copper and Child-Pugh Score. However, copper showed a significant negative correlation with zinc. Serum zinc, magnesium, and selenium levels were significantly decreased with advancement of liver disease as compared to early stage of liver cirrhosis and showed a significant negative correlation with Child-Pugh Score. Trace element abnormalities may reflect the condition of liver dysfunction. These results suggest that liver dysfunction may alter the metabolism of trace elements. Our study shows that micronutrients status in liver cirrhosis correlates well with severity of liver cirrhosis. Micronutrients supplementation in liver cirrhotic patients may prevent progression of disease and development of complications; however, further research needs to be done.

Pregnancy is associated with increased demand of all the nutrients like Iron, Copper, Zinc etc. and deficiency of any of these could affect pregnancy, delivery and out come of pregnancy. With this consideration, the study was conducted on 80 mothers and newborns and 20 age matched control women. Out of 80 mothers, 34 had Iron deficiency anemia and their Hb levels were below 9.0 gm/d'. Pregnant women had significantly lower Iron and Zinc levels while Copper and Total Iron Binding Capacity (I'IBC) were significantly higher (P<0.001). Newborns had significantly elevated Iron and Zinc levels and low levels of Copper and TIBC as compared to their mothers irrespective of Iron deficiency anemia. Micronutrient status of newborn was found to be dependent on their mother's micronutrient status. Besides, results also suggest micronutrient interactions, which are reflected in Iron/Zinc, Iron/Copper and Zinc/Copper ratios. In view of this, there is need for proper, adequate and balanced micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy to affect a healthy outcome.

A disturbance in the antioxidant defense system including α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutahtione metabolism due to free radical induced oxidative injury has been implicated in various neuro-psychiatric disorders. The roles of these antioxidants, changes in their blood levels and correlation with oxidative stress were studied in a common psychiatric illness Schizophrenia. Fifty-eight subjects of either sex ranging in age from 18-60 years divided into two age groups (≤40 and >40 years) diagnosed for schizophrenia, and forty age and sex-matched normal subjects as controls were included in the study. Blood samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), α-tocopherol, total ascorbic acid (TAA), dehydro ascorbic acid (DHAA), reduced ascorbic acid (RAA), leucocyte ascorbic acid (LAA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). A decrease in the levels of α-tocopherol, total ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione was found in schizophrenics compared to normal controls. Further a significant rise in oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status was observed in the chronic stage of schizophrenia as compared to those in acute condition. A significant rise in dehydroascorbic acid with concomitant fall in reduced ascorbic acid suggests scavenging action of ascorbic acid and its utilization with increased oxidative stress as indicated by high blood malondialdehyde levels. Leucocyte ascorbic acid, a better index of ascorbic acid status was also found to be reduced in schizophrenics, suggesting depletion of body stores of ascorbic acid and the condition worsened with advancing age.

As antioxidants play a protective role in the pathophysiology of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, understanding the physiological status of antioxidant concentration among people at high risk for developing these conditions, such as Metabolic Syndrome, is of interest. In present study out of 187 first degree non-diabetic relatives and 192 non-diabetic spouses, 33.1% and 19.7 % were found to have metabolic syndrome respectively. Subjects with metabolic syndrome (> 3 risk factors) had poor antioxidants status as reflected by significantly low levels of vitamin A, C & E and significantly increased (p < 0.01) oxidative stress as compared to those without metabolic syndrome. At the same time serum insulin levels and insulin resistance were found to be significantly high (p < 0.001) in metabolic syndrome. A strong positive correlation (r=0.946; p<0.001) between oxidative stress and insulin resistance was observed in metabolic syndrome. Low levels of antioxidants and increased oxidative stress with insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome suggests that besides therapeutic life style changes (TLC) as suggested in ATP III guidelines inclusion of antioxidant vitamins, fruits and vegetable could be beneficial to ward off the consequences of metabolic syndrome.

The study includes 102 confirmed cases of carcinoma breast with and without metastasis and 25 healthy non-pregnant females. They were evaluated for blood levels of Ferritin, GSH, LDH, ALP, GGT and Hb before and 21 days after mastectomy. A significant increase (p<0.001) was observed in ferritin, LDH and GSH levels in cancer patients without metastasis in comparison to normal control subjects. Patients with metastasis had further elevated (p<0.001) levels of Ferritin, ALP and GGT as compared to non-metastatic patients. Mastectomy in both the cases i.e. with and without metastasis resulted in non-significant decrease in all the biochemical parameters suggesting that longer follow up could confirm post surgery decrease in the biochemical parameters. The results of the study suggest cost effective, usefulness of Ferritin, ALP, GGT and GSH/Hb ratio in differentiating breast cancer patients with and without metastasis which can be assayed in smaller laboratories.