Aims:To evaluate the effects of zinc with or without other antioxidants on blood glucose, lipid profile, and serum creatinine in adult diabetics on long-term follow-up.Materials and methods:Patients (n = 96) were randomly allocated to three groups: group A (n = 29) was supplemented with oral zinc sulfate (22 mg/day) and multivitamin/mineral (zinc+MVM) preparation; group B (n = 31) was given the same preparation without zinc (MVM); and group C (n = 36) was given a matching placebo for a period of 4 months in a single-blinded study. Blood samples were taken at baseline and after 4 months of supplementation to assess blood glucose (fasting and postprandial) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C%) and serum levels of zinc, creatinine, and lipids.Results:The zinc+MVM group had a mean change of fasting blood sugar −0.33 mmol/L (standard error of the mean 0.21 mmol/L) and was significant (P = 0.05) when compared with the other two groups (mean change in the MVM group +0.19 (0.31) mmol/L and +0.43 (0.23) mmol/L in the control group, respectively). The HbA1C% level reduced significantly, irrespective of the baseline level, in zinc+MVM-supplemented individuals. In the other two groups, the change of HbA1C% level was not significant. Serum lipid levels reduced significantly in the zinc+MVM and MVM groups.Conclusions:Zinc+MVM supplementation showed beneficial effects in the metabolic control of adult diabetics in addition to elevating their serum zinc level. Zinc supplementation improved glycemic control measured by HbA1C% and fasting and postprandial glucose. Furthermore, zinc supplementation lowered serum cholesterol and cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio.

BackgroundIndividual variation of examination performance depends on many modifiable and non-modifiable factors, including pre-examination anxiety. Medical students’ quality of life (QoL) and certain biochemical changes occurring while they are preparing for examinations has not been explored.PurposeWe hypothesize that these parameters would determine the examination performance among medical students.MethodsFourth-year medical students (n=78) from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, were invited. Their pre- and post-exam status of QoL, using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, and the level of biochemical marker levels (i.e., serum levels of thyroid profile including thyroglobulin, cortisol and ferritin) were assessed. Differences between the scores of QoL and serum parameters were compared with their performance at the examination.ResultsThe mean QoL score was significantly lower at pre-exam (56.19±8.1) when compared with post-exam (61.7±7.1) levels (p<0.001). The median serum TSH level prior to the exam (0.9 mIU/L; interquartile range 0.74–1.4 mIU/L) was significantly lower (p=0.001) when compared with the level after the exam (median of 2.7 mIU/L; IQR 1.90–3.60). The mean±SD fT4 level was significantly higher before the exam (19.48±0.4 pmol/L at study entry vs. 17.43±0.3 pmol/L after the exam; p<0.001). Median serum ferritin (SF) level prior to the exam (43.15 (23.5–63.3) µg/L) was significantly lower (p≤0.001) when compared with after-exam status (72.36 (49.9–94.9) µg/L). However, there was no difference in mean serum cortisol levels (16.51±0.7 at pre-exam and 15.88±0.7 at post-exam, respectively; p=0.41).ConclusionsStudents had higher fT4 and low ferritin levels on pre-exam biochemical assessment. It was evident that students who perform better at the examination had significantly higher QoL scores at each domain tested through the questionnaire (Physical health, Psychological, Social interaction and Environment). The higher the QoL scores, the better the grades were. It was also found that students who failed exhibited profound differences in the QoL score.

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Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended up to six months of age and is usually estimated by the 24-recall method which actually overestimates the real rate. EBF rate in Sri Lanka up to 4 months of age is 75% and up to 6 months of age is 51% according to data of the Sri Lanka Demographic & Health Survey 2006/07. Deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique could be utilised for assessment of intake by babies of breastmilk as well as intake of water from sources other than breastmilk. Objective: To determine the actual EBF rates at 3 and 6 months of age of infants in Sri Lanka using deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique. Method: Thirty healthy mother-infant dyads were followed up for a six month period from birth and breast milk intake was measured at 3 and 6 months using deuterium isotope analysis. Further, an interviewer administered questionnaire asked about the feeding history. Results: The average milk intake at 3 months was 772±134 g/day 1 (range 587-1057) and 800±174 g/day 1 (range 500-1113) at 6 months (p=0.30). The non-milk oral intake at 3 months was 91±45 g/day 1 (range-2-166) and 128±63 g/day 1 (range 25-304) at 6 months (p=0.01). Breastfeeding practices revealed that only 40% (n=12) of mothers at 3 months and 30% (n=9) of mothers at 6 months were practising EBF. It confirmed that the EBF rate