Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in the world. Cell membrane injury is an important mechanism for pathophysoilogical changes in DM. Osmotic fragility (OF) status of Red blood cell (RBC) in hyperglycemic patients is expected to be increased. This study was conducted in Chittagong medical college hospital and Chittagong Diabetic Hospital from January 2015 to December 2015. 100 newly diagnosed (duration ≤ 3 years) type II diabetes mellitus patients (Fasting blood glucose is ≥7 mmol/L) were selected as cases. Age, sex and BMI matched 100 healthy subjects were included as control. OF of RBC was measured by traditional method with a series of hypotonic solution of NaCl of different strength in twelve test tubes numbered serially. The relationship of OF with Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and two hours post prandial blood sugar (2 HPPBS) were evaluated. Unpaired Student 't' test and Pearson's correlation coefficient test were done for statistical analysis. p value <0.05 was considered as significant. 87% of cases showed normal hemolysis and only 12% had early hemolysis. Mean value of NaCl solution for partial and complete hemolysis in cases were 0.44±0.06(%) and 0.32±0.02(%) respectively; for control group the findings were 0.04±0.06(%) and 0.32±0.02(%). Significant relationship (p<0.001) was found regarding osmotic fragility with FBS ≥ 7 mmol/L and 2 HPPBS ≥ 11.1 mmol/L. OF of RBC is increased in type II diabetes mellitus.

Frequently and persistently raised glucose level causes numerous complications. So it is important to find out a component of diet that can improve glucose homeostasis after ingestion of food without causing any side effect or complication. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial study was to verify the effect of dietary fiber on postprandial blood sugar (PPBS).The study was carried out in a sample of fifty healthy adult subjects at the Department Physiology of Rajshahi Medical College during the period from January 2014 to December 2014. Fasting blood sugar of the subjects was estimated before ingestion of identical glucose drink with or without dietary fiber (ispaghula husk) and PPBS was measured at 30, 60 and 120 min after the drink. The mean plasma glucose concentrations after a 50 gm oral glucose load significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) decreased at 30, 60 and 120 min in both condition with dietary fiber and without dietary fiber. The mean plasma postprandial glucose concentration in condition with dietary fiber was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than the corresponding value without dietary fiber. The study suggests that ingestion of water soluble dietary fiber along with glucose drink reduces sharp rise as well as sustained rise of postprandial glucose.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive obstructive airway disease which is often associated with cardiovascular diseases. Sympathetic dysfunction may complicate the cardiovascular diseases which may in turn increase the morbidity and mortality in COPD patients. Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate sympathetic cardiovascular function status of COPD patients to reduce the cardiovascular complication in those patients. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was carried out at the department of Physiology and department of Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi from July 2013 to June 2014. Results: A total number of 80 subjects aged 40-55 years were selected, among which 40 were clinically diagnosed COPD patients (case) and 40 were age, sex and BMI matched apparently healthy persons for comparison (control group). To observe sympathetic cardiovascular function status resting pulse rate, resting systolic BP, resting diastolic BP, decline of systolic BP in response to standing from lying position (orthostatic test) and rise of diastolic BP in response to sustained hand grip for 5 minutes (isometric exercise test) were measured. For statistical analysis Independent sample t-test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test were performed.  In this study resting pulse rate, systolic BP, diastolic BP and rise of diastolic blood pressure in isometric exercise test were significantly increased in COPD than in healthy control group. On the other hand, decline of systolic blood pressure in orthostatic test was significantly decreased in COPD than in control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that sympathetic cardiovascular function is overactive in COPD and sympathetic over activity correlates with severity of the disease.