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Inflammatory burden is high in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients. In Diabetic ESRDpatients, the balance between pro-and anti-oxidant activities is shifted towards an oxidative stress. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a bactericidal enzyme plays an active role in induction and evolution of the endothelial dysfunction associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). However, whether MPO can serve as a marker in diabetic ESRD patients is doubtful. Hence, the present study was undertaken. The Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), Serum Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Serum Myeloperoxidase levels were estimated in three different groups with 30 subjects each. The Control group includes healthy individuals, group I constitutes Type 2 diabetes with no nephropathy and group II includes Type 2 diabetes with nephropathy patients. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) was calculated using Cockcroft Gault formula corrected for the Body Surface Area. Statistical software, namely, SPSS 15.0, Stata 8.0, MedCalc 9.0.1 and Systat 11.0 were used for the analysis of the data and Microsoft word and Excel have been used to generate graphs, tables etc. Reference Ranges for MPO were established in our study. An increase in MPO levels was noticed in Group I, whereas a differential behaviour of MPO levels was noted in group II. Uremic diabetic nephropathy patients with a low MPO level may be at a lesser risk for any cardiac event compared to those uremic patients with high MPO levels. Hence, MPO may be taken as a biomarker to predict coronary events in diabetic ESRD.

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Background: Abnormal placentation during the 1 st trimester results in oxidative stress, affecting the subsequent gestational course. This study evaluated if the condition of pathological perfusion is distinguished by an altered plasma antioxidant capacity along with investigating the efficacy of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measurement as an adjunct to doppler sonography. Methodology: Pregnant women (2 nd trimester), categorized into 2 groups [Control (n=25, normal uterine perfusion) and case (n=25, abnormal uterine perfusion)], were evaluated for TAC. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: Mean plasma TAC was higher in the control (750.02±74.12 µmol/l) than the case group (580.97±168.37 µmol/l) (p<0.0001). Difference in the mean period of gestation between groups was significant (p<0.0001). The gestation period and birth weight in case group was lower than that of control. Conclusion: Hindered uterine perfusion causing reduced plasma TAC levels was observed. Estimating TAC may have diagnostic, pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications concerning abnormal uterine perfusion.

Introduction: Electrolyte abnormalities are treatable, but known to cause significant morbidity and mortality amongst the general population seeking health care services. The instruments with Ion selective electrode (ISE) (direct or indirect ISE) are the reference methods which are unavailable in rural health care facilities. Materials and methods:A prospective study was undertaken with 120 serum samples. Potassium was estimated using direct, indirect ionselective electrodes ISE and colorimeter. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17, NCSS 11 and MINITAB 18 software. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A strongly positive correlation for potassium values between the instruments was noted. A simple linear regression analysis was done and a regression equation was derived for potassium values while comparing between the instruments. The Bland Altman analysis with 95% Limits of agreement was computed for potassium values between the instruments. It was well within the CLIA suggested target value ± 0.5 mmol/L for potassium. Conclusion:The values of potassium estimated on the colorimeter are comparable with direct and indirect ISE in all the ranges. The derived regression equation calculates a predicted value for direct and indirect ISE using the values obtained on the colorimeter. This will be beneficial in identifying the altered levels of potassium in patients attending the peripheral health centers, use appropriate intervention and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality with the use of a cost-effective and logistically feasible instrument viz., colorimeter.