Objectives: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is complicated by characteristic dyslipidemias. CRF patients on hemodialysis have abnormalities in lipid profile and have a high incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is now considered as a novel cardiovascular risk factor and its level is increased in CRF patients with and without hemodialysis. We sought to evaluate the pattern of lipid profile including Lp(a) level in CRF patients with and without hemodialysis. Methodology: Study were divided into 3 groups, Group-I: healthy controls (30), Group-II: CRF patients who never undergone hemodialysis (30) and Group-III: CRF patients on hemodialysis for more than 6 months (30). We obtained serum samples from patients in the morning after an overnight fast and were analysed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), HDL, LDL, Lp(a) using standard colorimetric assays on fully automated analyzer. VLDL concentration was calculated using Friedewald's Formula. Results: Among the various parameters tested triglyceride and VLDL levels were significantly higher in group-II and III as compared to controls (p<0.01). HDL levels were significantly lower in group-II and III as compared to control (p<0.05). HDL level was found reduced in group-III as compared to Group-II (p<0.01). There was no significant change (p>0.05) observed in total cholesterol and LDL levels in between healthy controls and CRF patients with & without hemodialysis. Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in group-II and III as compared to controls (p<0.01) but the difference between Lp(a) levels in group-II and III was found insignificant (p>0.05). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) observed between Lp(a) levels and lipid profile in male and female patients in control group and in CRF patients with and without hemodialysis. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that CRF patients with and without hemodialysis are at greater risk of development of dyslipidemias, characterized by hypertriglyceridemia, elevated VLDL and Lp(a) levels and decreased HDL levels. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels remain normal or decreased in these patients. Both male and female patients of CRF with and without hemodialysis have dyslipidemias without any discrimination of sex and it is not attenuated by the hemodialysis process.

Since its discovery over fifteen years ago, Leptin remains the cornerstone for researchers because of its important role in central control of energy metabolism. Apart from role in energy metabolism, researchers have identified some newer but important roles of leptin in various areas like neuroendocrine function and regulation of metabolism-immune system interplay. Recently, recombinant human leptin emerged as a therapeutic intervention in various disorders. In this review, we highlighted important biology and physiology of leptin, its association with several disorders, and therapeutic interventions involving leptin.

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Introduction: Case-based Learning (CBL) is found to be one of the best approaches to promote students’ learning in Clinical Biochemistry which help them to understand clinical diseases. Moreover, exposure of interpreting Laboratory Reports (LR) in CBL session helps students in learning clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of disease. Aim: To assess students’ learning and perception towards CBL supplemented with LR in Biochemistry and also to compare the performance of students with pretest and post-test on a topic taught by Didactic Lecture (DL) and CBL supplemented with LR. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Biochemistry Department, Smt. B. K. Shah Medical College and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara, Gujarat, India from November 2019 to April 2020, after prior permission of Institutional Ethics Committee. Total 60 first year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students were enrolled voluntarily and were divided into two groups: Group A (30) and Group B (30) by lottery method. The study process included pretest for all students, DL session for group A and CBL supplemented with LR session for group B on selected topic followed by the post-test after one week. Crossover was done in which group B was exposed to DL and group A was exposed to CBL supplemented with LR. Perception of both groups about CBL supplemented with LR was taken by prevalidated questionnaire based on five-point Likert scale. Data were analysed by Paired and unpaired (independent) t-test. Results: Total 59 students attended teaching sessions, submitted pre and post-test and gave feedback (Response Rate was 98.33%). Out of 59, 24 were males and 35 were females. Statistically significant difference was observed in pre and posttests performance of students for topics taught by CBL with LR method than DL (p<0.0001). All (100%) students felt that CBL supplemented with LR method was very helpful, interesting and improved their interpretation skills. Conclusion: CBL supplemented with LR proved to be a very good student-centric teaching-learning tool in Biochemistry as compared to DL method. Students who were exposed to CBL supplemented with LR had better understanding of Biochemistry and performed better in post-test than those who were exposed to DL method.