Atherosclerosis is one of the leading non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka. Analysis of fatty acid composition in blood vessels is important in understanding the development of atherosclerosis. Here, analyses of fatty acid profiles in major arteries which are commonly used in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery (CABG) were subjected to investigation. Patients (n = 27) undergoing elective CABG were enrolled in the study. A small biopsy segment of the saphenous vein (SV), radial artery (RA), and left internal mammary artery (LIMA) of patients was obtained during the surgery. The fatty acid (FA) profile of tissue samples was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS). Among the different arteries tested, palmitic acid and stearic acid were the predominant fatty acids. As far as monounsaturated FA (MUFA) are concerned, oleic acid was found to be the most abundant MUFA in vessels. The FA profile of LIMA samples had a higher SFA percentage and lower unsaturated FA percentage compared to other vessels. Furthermore, the vessel samples of RA indicated the highest percentage of pro-inflammatory ω -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as well as a higher percentage ratio between ω -6: ω -3 PUFA. The fatty acid composition and ω -6: ω -3 PUFA ratio suggests that LIMA graft is preferred for CABG over RA and SV.
BackgroundLipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) excess is an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) and have shown wide ethnic variations. Further, lipid parameters used in the assessment and management of risk factors for CAD may not reflect accurately the disease or severity if the patients are on pharmacological interventions when compared to Lp(a). Lp(a) levels of Sri Lankan CAD patients awaiting coronary artery bypass graft are not documented.MethodsA cross sectional study was carried out with patients (n = 102) awaiting coronary artery bypass graft at a tertiary healthcare institution in Sri Lanka. Lp(a) was determined by immunoturbidimetric method (Konelab 20XT) and information on risk factors collected using a standardized questionnaire. The severity of CAD was determined by Gensini score. Lipid parameters and pharmacological treatment data were obtained from the Medical Records. Data were analysed using independent sample t-test, Pearson and Spearman tests respectively.ResultsTotal cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDLc) and HDL cholesterol (HDLc) of the total study sample (average ± SD) were, 150 ± 36 mg/dL, 92 ± 36 mg/dL and 34 ± 9 mg/dL respectively with no significant difference irrespective of being on pharmacological treatment or not. All lipid parameters were significantly high (p < 0.05) in females. The average Lp(a) was 50 ± 38 (SD) mg/dL with no significant difference in males or females independent of being on treatment (50 ± 39 mg/dL) or not (49 ± 39 mg/dL) and above the cut off value (30 mg/dL).ConclusionsDespite pharmacological interventions 27 % of the study population had high LDLc and majority low HDLc. Mean Lp(a) was in excess irrespective of risk factors or being on treatment or not and is confirmed as an independent, potential marker for assessing the susceptibility for CAD especially in those with other intermediate risk factors but considered non-hyperlipidemic by conventional methods.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the medically beneficial spices consumed by Sri Lankan people in different ways. The study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds and in vitro anticoagulant activity of aqueous and methanolic extract of raw, boiled, and honey fermented preparations of garlic. Different concentrations of aqueous and methanolic extract of raw, boiled, and honey fermented garlic were prepared by grinding different weights of garlic (2.5×10-3 kg for 500 mgmL-1, 1.25×10-3 kg for 250 mgmL-1, 0.25×10-3 kg for 50 mgmL-1 and 0.05×10-3 kg for 10 mgmL-1). For aqueous extract, the crude extract had been collected whereas for methanolic extract preparation, maceration had been done. In vitro anticoagulant activity was analysed using prothrombin time (PT) of pooled plasma diluted with different concentrations of garlic extract. Bioactive compounds in garlic extracts were analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Methanolic extract of all 3 preparations and aqueous extract of honey fermented garlic had significantly prolonged PT at all concentrations compared to the control (p<0.05). Aqueous extract of raw and boiled garlic showed significant prolongation in PT only at high concentrations compared to the control (p=0.008). Prolongation in PT was increased with increasing concentration of garlic extract. Honey fermented garlic had the highest prolongation in PT compared to the other two preparations. Moreover, methanolic garlic extract exhibited the a higher prolongation in PT compared to aqueous garlic extract. The content of Dodecanoic acid methyl ester and Methyl tetradecanoate in boiled garlic extract was much higher than in raw garlic extract. Diallyl disulphide, Methyl thiourea and S-Methyl methanethiosulfinate were only found in aqueous raw garlic extract. Beta sitosterol was only detected in methanolic raw garlic extract. All three consumption methods of garlic have an inhibitory effect on blood coagulation. Honey fermented garlic is the most effective preparation for anticoagulant activity.
Analysis of 24-hour urine composition is widely used in diagnosis of acute and chronic kidney diseases. In Sri Lanka, no guidelines are available on preservation of urine. This study aimed to identify an effective preservation technique/s among currently practiced techniques in laboratories to maintain chemical stability of high demand bio chemical analytes in a 24-hour urine collection. An experimental study was undertaken using urine samples from volunteers (n=42, National Hospital of Sri Lanka and University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka). Each sample was divided in to 10 ml aliquots; Out of the lot, one was preserved without any preservative and another refrigerated at 4ºC for 24 hours. Other aliquots were preserved for 24-hours by addition of following preservatives in a 24-hour collection: boric acid g/ urine (5, 7.5, 10), sodium azide g/ urine (0.3, 0.6, 0.9), HCl ml/ urine (1N;10ml, 6N;10ml, 25ml and 30ml). The aliquots with preservatives were kept at room temperature for 24 hours. Protein, Creatinine, Ca2+, Mg2+ and PO43- concentrations were measured in each aliquot. Least mean squared error for each analyte in different preservatives was calculated. For protein and creatinine, least mean squared error was given by, 10g/L boric acid. That of Ca2+, Mg2+ and PO43 were observed when the sample was refrigerated or after addition of 10g/L boric acid as the preservative. Sodium azide and HCl that are utilized in current practice as preservatives for 24-hour urine collections do not show better performance in selected analytes. Boric acid (10g/L) is more effective in persevering protein and creatinine. Due to practical issues in acquiring refrigeration facilities, Ca2+, Mg and PO4 3- also can be preserved effectively by using the same preservative. Consequently, Boric acid (10g/L) could be recommended as an effective preservative to preserve selected analytes in 24-hour urine collection
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