While leptin deficiency or dysfunction leads to morbid obesity, obese subjects are characterized paradoxically by hyperleptinemia indicating lack of response to leptin. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been suggested to be a key plasma protein that could bind to leptin. To examine whether CRP interferes with leptin action, mediated through its cell surface receptor, docking studies of CRP with the extracellular domain of the leptin receptor were done employing bioinformatics tools. Monomeric CRP docked with better Z-rank score and more non-bond interactions than pentameric CRP at the CRH2–FNIII domain proximal to the cell membrane, distinct from the leptin-docking site. Interaction of CRP with leptin receptor was validated by solid phase binding assay and co-immunoprecipitation of CRP and soluble leptin receptor (sOb R) from human plasma. Analysis of the serum levels of leptin, CRP, and sOb R by ELISA showed that CRP levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.0001) in non-morbid obese subjects (n = 42) compared to lean subjects (n = 32) and correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001) and leptin (r = 0.8, p < 0.0001); levels of sOb R were significantly low in obese subjects (p < 0.001) and showed a negative correlation with BMI (r = −0.26, p < 0.05) and leptin (r = −0.23, p < 0.05) indicating a minimal role for sOb R in sequestering leptin.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused Coronavirus disease 2019 in early December, 2019. The disease begins as a respiratory disease with varied outcomes, from complete recovery to long-standing complications, such as respiratory distress, heart ailments and stroke. The present study was undertaken to identify the derangements in liver function and inflammatory status which may be used to diagnose the severity and thus assess the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 infection. The present study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital. The study population included 456 patients with COVID-19, confirmed by the reverse transcription-PCR of nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected from patient files. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Data are expressed based on the normality of distribution. Variables were compared and correlation analyses were performed. Receiver operating characteristics and the Youden index were applied to obtain cut-off values. The results revealed an increase in C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin levels. In addition, there was evidence of leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia and an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The NLR exhibited an area under the curve of 0.77, with a cut-off value of 2.23 mg/l. Collectively, the findings of the present study demonstrate that the CRP, LDH, neutrophil and eosinophil counts along with the total leucocyte counts and absolute lymphocyte counts, NLR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, D-dimer, ferritin and AST levels serve to predict the severity and prognosis of patients with COVID-19. AST appears to be a more sensitive marker than alanine aminotransferase. However, the De Ritis ratio, although not as sensitive as AST, may provide insight towards morbidity.

Background: In India, there is a rising burden of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. It has been estimated that 25-40% of these patients are likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a significant percentage requiring renal replacement therapy. Haemodialysis is the most common method which is used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure. Derangements in the metabolism of several toxic and trace elements such as antimony, arsenic cadmium, molybdenum, nickel, and selenium have been reported for several decades in patients with chronically reduced renal functions. Overall, the available literature suggests that the blood levels of some elements such as cadmium, chromium, fluorine, iodine, lead, or vanadium are high in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Aim and Objectives:Our aim was to study the levels of blood arsenic and cadmium in ESRD patients who were on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD), and to study whether there was any relationship between their concentrations and the duration of the MHD. Methods:The blood lead levels were determined in 50 healthy subjects with normal renal functions and in 50 patients with ESRD, who were on MHD. None of them had any history of smoking or any industrial exposure. Results:The results of the study revealed that the blood arsenic and cadmium concentrations were higher in the ESRD patients who were on MHD than in the healthy adults. The blood arsenic and cadmium concentrations were found to increase with the duration of the MHD. Conclusion:The mild increase in the blood arsenic and cadmium concentrations, with an increase in the duration of the MHD in the study population, may be viewed in the wider context, that a prolonged exposure to arsenic and cadmium, even at low levels, may result in renal damage and/or progression of an already existing CKD.

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Background: In India, there is rising burden of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. It has been estimated that 25-40% of these patients are likely to develop CKD, with a significant percentage requiring renal replacement therapy. Haemodialysis is the most common method which is used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure. The derangements in the metabolism of several toxic and trace elements such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, molybdenum, nickel, and selenium have been reported for several decades in patients with chronically reduced renal function. Overall, the available literature suggests that the blood levels of some elements such as cadmium, chromium, fluorine, iodine, lead and vanadium are high in ESRD. Aim and Objectives:Our aim was to study the levels of blood lead in the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients who were on Maintenance Haemodialysis (MHD), and to study whether there was any relationship between the blood lead concentration and the duration of MHD. Methods:The blood lead level was determined in 50 healthy subjects with normal renal function and in 50 patients with ESRD who were on MHD. None of them had a history of smoking or any industrial exposure. Results:The results of this study revealed that the blood lead level was higher in the ESRD patients who were on MHD than in the healthy adults. The blood lead concentration was found to increase with the duration of the MHD.