Estimation Of Blood Glucose Levels Research Articles

A community based screening of gestational diabetes mellitus within 16 weeks of pregnancy: a study from Mysuru district, Karnataka

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is defined as carbohydrate intolerance with onset/recognition during pregnancy where maternal and perinatal complications are increased. Aged care facilities in rural areas reports disparity in the management of gestational diabetes as compared with urban counter parts. As a need to address this, study conducted with objective to estimate prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus within 16 weeks of gestation for GDM by oral glucose challenges test.Methods: Antenatal mothers attending primary health centers within 16 weeks of gestation were screened for GDM. Two hours, venous samples were calculated for estimation of blood glucose level. Plasma glucose level of >140mg/dl was considered as OGTT positive.Results: Among 301 patients examined 11 mothers had OGTT positive results. GDM was seen in 3.7% of Mothers. GDM is found significantly associated with increasing age (p=0.01, t=2.52, mean difference 2.54 CI 0.5-4.5), weight (p=0.04, t=2.24, mean difference 10.8 CI 0.11-21.5), and BMI (p<0.01, t=2.97, mean difference 3.6 CI 1.2-6). GDM was seen more in multigravida (P=0.01). Statistically significant association of GDM was found with mean systolic (p<0.01, t=2.62, mean difference 8.08 CI 2.01-14.14) and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01, t=3.44, mean difference 7.87 CI 3.38-12.36). A multiple regression shows these variables statistically significantly predicted GDM, F (5, 295)= 7, p<0.001, R2=0.106.Conclusions: GDM is statistically associated with increasing age, increasing weight, BMI and multiple gravida in pregnancy. It is recommended to screen for GDM within the 1st trimester & follow up needed to prevent further complications.

A non-invasive glucose level estimation in a multi-sensing health care monitoring system.

The treatment and care of patients with chronic diseases depends directly on the evolution of biomedical parameters. It is important to have a monitoring health care system that provides biomedical data at any time and place. Here, a multi-sensing health care monitoring system with a built-in non-invasive blood glucose level estimation method is presented. Six biomedical parameters were obtained from 15 participants. Glucose levels were obtained using a computer vision approach. A standard glucose laboratory test was taken as a baseline, and a commercial glucometer as a secondary reference. The remaining parameters were also contrasted with a commercial vital signs monitor. In comparison to standard test, our proposal reported a better performance (RMSE of 9.811) than obtained with the commercial glucometer; the Mann-Whitney test found no significant differences. The remaining biomedical parameters exhibit similar results to the commercial vital signs monitor as validated by a cardiologist. The results suggest the proposed approach could be considered highly competitive regarding standard tests and validated with commercial health care monitoring systems.

Enzyme-Based Glucose Sensor: From Invasive to Wearable Device.

Blood glucose concentration is a key indicator of patients' health, particularly for symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus. Because of the large number of diabetic patients, many approaches for glucose measurement have been studied to enable continuous and accurate glucose level monitoring. Among them, electrochemical analysis is prominent because it is simple and quantitative. This technology has been incorporated into commercialized and research-level devices from simple test strips to wearable devices and implantable systems. Although directly monitoring blood glucose assures accurate information, the invasive needle-pinching step to collect blood often results in patients (particularly young patients) being reluctant to adopt the process. An implantable glucose sensor may avoid the burden of repeated blood collections, but it is quite invasive and requires periodic replacement of the sensor owing to biofouling and its short lifetime. Therefore, noninvasive methods to estimate blood glucose levels from tears, saliva, interstitial fluid (ISF), and sweat are currently being studied. This review discusses the evolution of enzyme-based electrochemical glucose sensors, including materials, device structures, fabrication processes, and system engineering. Furthermore, invasive and noninvasive blood glucose monitoring methods using various biofluids or blood are described, highlighting the recent progress in the development of enzyme-based glucose sensors and their integrated systems.

Metabolic syndrome in the inhabitants of Mountain Shoria: prevalence, variants of manifestations and ethnic peculiarities

Background. Metabolic syndrome is one of the most dangerous risk factors of cardiovascular and endocrine diseases development and mortality due to them, especially among young people.
 Aims: Our purpose was to study the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, combinations of its components in indigenous and non-indigenous inhabitants of Mountain Shoria.
 Materials and methods. During the period since 2012 to 2015 we have examined the inhabitants of the villages of Mountain Shoria: Ust-Kabyrza, Orton, Sheregesh by a continuous method on the basis of a name list. All the participants were examined by a cardiologist, an endocrinologist and a general practitioner, also a waist circumference and arterial blood pressure were measured. Specific diagnostic methods included an estimation of blood glucose level, triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood serum.
 Results. All the subjects (460 persons) were divided into age (1839 years, 4059 years, 60 years and older), ethnic (the Shors and the non-Shors) and gender (men and women) groups. Generally, the metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 40.2% of inhabitants of Mountain Shoria. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was presented in 12.4% of indigenous men and in 47.8% of non-indigenous examined men (р=0.00001). MSwasrevealedin 36.8%, of Shor-women and in 60.7% of non-Shor women (р=0.00002). The most common variant of 3-component MS was abdominal obesity + arterial hypertension + hyperglycemia and the rarest was abdominal obesity + TG + hyperglycemia. The most common variant of 4-component MS was a combination of abdominal obesity + hyperglycemia + arterial hypertension + HDL-C, the rarest was abdominal obesity + arterial hypertension + TG + HDL-C. Different variants of 3-component and 4-component MS occurred with similar frequency in all age groups of the Shors and non-Shors.
 Conclusions. Generally MSoccurred more frequently in non-indigenous inhabitants than in indigenous inhabitants. Only in women of young age group this pathology was revealed with the similar frequency among both ethnic groups. Among all the inhabitants of Mountain Shoria the most frequent clinical variant of 3-component MS was a combination of abdominal obesity + arterial hypertension + hyperglycemia and of 4-component variant a combination of abdominal obesity + hyperglycemia + arterial hypertension + HDL-C.

Wearable Microsystem for Minimally Invasive, Pseudo-Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring: The e-Mosquito

This paper presents a wearable microsystem for minimally invasive, autonomous, and pseudo-continuous blood glucose monitoring, addressing a growing demand for replacing tedious fingerpricking tests for diabetic patients. Unlike prevalent solutions which estimate blood glucose levels from interstitial fluids or tears, our design extracts a whole blood sample from a small lanced skin wound using a novel shape memory alloy (SMA)-based microactuator and directly measures the blood glucose level from the sample. In vitro characterization determined that the SMA microactuator produced penetration force of 225 gf, penetration depth of 3.55 mm, and consumed approximately 5.56 mW·h for triggering. The microactuation mechanism was also evaluated by extracting blood samples from the wrist of four human volunteers. A total of 19 out of 23 actuations successfully reached capillary vessels below the wrists producing blood droplets on the surface of the skin. The integrated potentiostat-based glucose sensing circuit of our e-Mosquito device also showed a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.9733) with measurements using standard blood glucose monitoring technology. These proof-of-concept studies demonstrate the feasibility of the e-Mosquito microsystem for autonomous intermittent blood glucose monitoring.

A Review on Glucose Sensor

The estimation of blood glucose levels is done utilizing different glucose biosensors for the screening, conclusion, and long term administration of patients with diabetes. Amperometric biosensors work by the creation of a present when a potential is connected between two terminals. At the point when a capability of - 0.6 V, with respect to the Ag/AgCl anode is connected to the platinum cathode, a present relative to the oxygen focus is created. The sensor measures the level of glucose in the interstitial (liquid encompassing the phone) at regular intervals and changes it into an electrical signal. The signal speaks to the measure of sugar in the blood. A small transmitter connects to the The expression biosensor is another way to say sensor. The gadget is comprised of a transducer and a natural component that might be a protein, a counter acting agent or a nucleic acid. The bioelement cooperates with the analyte being tried and the organic reaction is changed over into an electrical signal by the transducer.

Gingival crevicular blood: A noninvasive pathway to determine blood glucose level in periodontal patients

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and reliability of estimation of blood glucose level of patients with diabetes suffering from periodontal disease using gingival crevicular blood through periodontal pockets. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients with a known history of diabetes mellitus suffering from chronic periodontal diseases having visible signs of gingival inflammation were selected for the study based on other inclusion criteria. The excess gingival crevicular blood produced during routine periodontal examinations were carefully collected onto the glucometer test strips, and blood glucose levels were estimated with the help of glucose self-monitoring device (Glucometer). The finger-prick blood samples were also collected and glucose levels were also estimated using Glucometer. Patient's venous blood samples were collected at the same time, and blood glucose estimations were done using conventional laboratory measurements. Results: The results of this study revealed a strong correlation between (a) the gingival crevicular blood glucose (GCBG) and finger-prick blood glucose (Pearson's correlation r = 0.982; P < 0.001); and also (b) between GCBG and corrected venous blood glucose (Pearson's correlation r = 0.891; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Oozing blood from the gingival crevice during the routine periodontal examination can be used as a quick, noninvasive, chair-side diagnostic mode to estimate, and/or monitor blood glucose levels in periodontal patient suffering from diabetes mellitus with the help of Glucometer.

In-vivo study for anti-hyperglycemic potential of aqueous extract of Basil seeds (Ocimum basilicum Linn) and its influence on biochemical parameters, serum electrolytes and haematological indices.

The study introduced anti-hyperglycemic influence of aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum seeds (AEOBS) in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and estimating its potential to ameliorate altered level of biochemical parameters, serum electrolytes level and haematological indices along with its effect on body weight of treated rats. The albino rats were selected to observe oral glucose tolerance test by oral intake of aq. glucose solution (4g/kg, body weight) in normal rats and estimation of blood glucose level after administration of AEOBS at 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and standard drug glibenclamide at 0.6mg/kg, body weight. Antidiabetic activity was evaluated in chronic study models by STZ induced diabetes in rats followed by blood glucose estimation. Chronic study model was selected to carry out further studies to evaluate the effect of AEOBS at 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and standard drug on body weight, alterations in biochemical parameters including AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and total protein, alterations in serum electrolytes like Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3- along with estimation of haematological indices like red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils. AEOBS significantly reduced the blood glucose level of diabetic rats at both doses. Body weight was also improved significantly. Similarly, the levels of biochemical parameters, serum electrolytes, and haematological indices were significantly ameliorated at both doses of AEOBS. The histopathological results revealed reconstitution of pancreatic islets towards normal cellular architecture in rats treated with AEOBS. The results illustrated that AEOBS have eminent antidiabetic potential in STZ effectuated diabetes in rats and can be extensively used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus-II and its associated complications including anaemia, diabetic nephropathy, liver dysfunction, and immunosuppression.

In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Leaf Essential Oil of Pulicaria inuloides -Asteraceae

The essential oil of leaf of P. inuloides was extracted by using hydrodistillation process and the volatile components investigated with the help of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Diabetic rats were treated with a 400 mg/kg dose of essential oil of P. inuloides orally for 3 h (acute) or 21 days (chronic). In acute model blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals. In the chronic model blood samples were collected from overnight fasted diabetic rats on day 21 to estimate blood glucose level. And the body weight, serum lipid profile and activities of liver and kidney enzymes were measured. Histopathological observations of liver sections were also studied. Total seventy compounds were identified as 2-Cyclohexen-1-one, 2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-, (S)- 58.19%; Oxirane, 2-ethyl-2-methyl- 8.25%; 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester 13.18%; n-Hexadecanoic acid 2.12% by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Treatment of diabetic rats with 400 mg/kg of P. inuloides proved to have significant (P < 0.05) antihyperglycemic effect and have the capacity to correct the metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes. Histopathological studies showed that the essential oil of P. inuloides reinforced the healing of liver.

Estimation of gingival crevicular blood glucose level for the screening of diabetes mellitus: A simple yet reliable method

AimThis study was designed to assess the reliability of blood glucose level estimation in gingival crevicular blood(GCB) for screening diabetes mellitus. Materials and method70 patients were included in study. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed. Among these, 39 patients were diabetic (including 4 patients who were diagnosed during the study) and rest 31 patients were non-diabetic. GCB obtained during routine periodontal examination was analyzed by glucometer to know blood glucose level. The same patient underwent for finger stick blood (FSB) glucose level estimation with glucometer and venous blood (VB) glucose level with standardized laboratory method as per American Diabetes Association Guidelines.1 All the three blood glucose levels were compared. Periodontal parameters were also recorded including gingival index (GI) and probing pocket depth (PPD). ResultsA strong positive correlation (r) was observed between glucose levels of GCB with FSB and VB with the values of 0.986 and 0.972 in diabetic group and 0.820 and 0.721 in non-diabetic group. As well, the mean values of GI and PPD were more in diabetic group than non-diabetic group with the statistically significant difference (p<0.005). ConclusionGCB can be reliably used to measure the blood glucose level as the values were closest to glucose levels estimated by VB. The technique is safe, easy to perform and non-invasive to the patient and can increase the frequency of diagnosing diabetes during routine periodontal therapy.

In Vivo Anti-Hyperglycemic Potential of Brahmi Gritham and Docking Studies of Its Active Components Against Protein Kinase C and CD38

The anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of the Indian herbal formulation Brahmi gritham were studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic female Wistar albino rats. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight [b.w.], i.p.). Estimation of blood glucose levels, liver glycogen content and antioxidant levels were carried out in experimental rats. The tested parameters were compared with those of the glibenclamide (600 μg/kg b.w.) treated group. Molecular docking studies were carried out to analyze the interaction patterns of protein kinase C (PKC) and CD38 of chosen proteins of signal transduction pathways that are significant in the pathogenesis of diabetes against active components of Brahmi gritham. Immunohistochemistry of pancreas revealed that Brahmi gritham was able to restore β-cell mass and function near to that of the normal control. In silico studies showed that apigenin and quercetin showed significant interactions with PKC, while clitorin, bacopaside I and II showed significant interactions with CD38. Quercetin showed highest percentage inhibition of α-amylase enzyme. Practical Applications Brahmi gritham is a traditional polyherbal formulation used in Ayurveda to treat memory disorders. The individual components of this formulation are known to possess significant antioxidant properties and contain several biologically active compounds found to be effective in treating various disorders, including diabetes and obesity. The efficacy of Brahmi gritham in diabetes management has not yet been studied, and therefore, the present study provides insights into the anti-hyperglycemic potential of this formulation in rat model. In addition, the results of in silico analysis would pave way for better utilization of the flavonoids quercetin and apigenin in diabetes management and in particular microvascular diabetic complications.

Evaluation of antidiabetic activity of plants used in Western Sudan

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the traditional antidiabetic uses of some indigenous Sudanese plants on streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Methods Diabetic rats were treated with a 400 mg/kg dose of aqueous extracts of five plant species orally for 2 h (acute) or 14 days (chronic). In acute model blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals. In the chronic model blood samples were collected from overnight fasted diabetic rats on day 15 to estimate blood glucose level. And the body weight, serum lipid profile and activities of liver and kidney enzymes were measured. Histopathological observations of liver sections were also studied. Results In the case of acute treatment, aqueous extracts of Tinospora bakis ( T. bakis ), Nauclea latifolia ( N. latifolia ) and Randia nilotica ( R. nilotica ) at 400 mg/kg significantly lowered ( P 0.05) blood glucose levels in diabetic rats whereas, chronic treatment of diabetic rats with 400 mg/kg of T. bakis, N. latifolia, R. nilotica and Mitragyna inremis proved to have significant ( P 0.05) antihyperglycemic effect and have the capacity to correct the metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes. Histopathological studies showed that the aqueous extracts of these four plants reinforced the healing of liver. However, Striga hermonthica aqueous extract did not exert any antihyperglycemic effect to diabetic rats. Conclusions This study demonstrated that T. bakis, N. latifolia, R. nilotica and Mitragyna inremis have therapeutic value in diabetes and related complications and thus supporting the traditional uses of these plants in Sudanese traditional medicine.

English

INTRODUCTION: Hypoglycemia is one of the most common metabolic problems encountered in neonates. Hypoglycemia in neonates can be symptomatic and asymptomatic. Hypoglycemia is known to be associated with brain dysfunction and neuromotor developmental retardation. The glucose oxidase method used in the laboratory for determining the blood glucose concentration is precise and specific for glucose. As it is usually performed in the main laboratory, the results are not available quickly enough for timely appropriate management. The glucometers are often used for blood glucose estimation in NICU. Many studies have shown that their results co-relate well with the laboratory measured glucose levels in the normoglycemic and hyperglycemic range but are not satisfactory in the lower range. OBJECTIVES: This is a prospective study done to determine the efficacy of glucometer in estimation of blood glucose levels in neonates in comparison with the laboratory values. METHODS: 250 neonates admitted in NICU, KIMS hospital, Bangalore with varied symptomatology were enrolled in this study. Blood glucose estimation was done by glucometer and laboratory method using the same venous sample at the time of admission. For the last 50 cases glucometer estimation of capillary blood was also done. Statistical analysis was done by using Pearson correlation. Hypoglycemia was defined as blood glucose level 45mg%(0.756) and when the value is <45mg%, there is just a moderate correlation(0.417). Though the pick-up rate of hypoglycemia by venous blood glucometer (28%) was slightly better compared to the capillary blood glucometer value (22%), the overall pick-up rate of hypoglycemia by glucometer is very low compared to the laboratory method (56%). CONCLUSION: The glucometer as a sole measuring device to screen neonatal hypoglycemia is not satisfactory and confirmation with the laboratory measurements of plasma glucose is still of up

Blood glucose level reconstruction as a function of transcapillary glucose transport

A diabetic patient occasionally undergoes a detailed monitoring of their glucose levels. Over the course of a few days, a monitoring system provides a detailed track of their interstitial fluid glucose levels measured in their subcutaneous tissue. A discrepancy in the blood and interstitial fluid glucose levels is unimportant because the blood glucose levels are not measured continuously. Approximately five blood glucose level samples are taken per day, and the interstitial fluid glucose level is usually measured every 5min. An increased frequency of blood glucose level sampling would cause discomfort for the patient; thus, there is a need for methods to estimate blood glucose levels from the glucose levels measured in subcutaneous tissue. The Steil–Rebrin model is widely used to describe the relationship between blood and interstitial fluid glucose dynamics. However, we measured glucose level patterns for which the Steil–Rebrin model does not hold. Therefore, we based our research on a different model that relates present blood and interstitial fluid glucose levels to future interstitial fluid glucose levels. Using this model, we derived an improved model for calculating blood glucose levels. In the experiments conducted, this model outperformed the Steil–Rebrin model while introducing no additional requirements for glucose sample collection. In subcutaneous tissue, 26.71% of the calculated blood glucose levels had absolute values of relative differences from smoothed measured blood glucose levels less than or equal to 5% using the Steil–Rebrin model. However, the same difference interval was encountered in 63.01% of the calculated blood glucose levels using the proposed model. In addition, 79.45% of the levels calculated with the Steil–Rebrin model compared with 95.21% of the levels calculated with the proposed model had 20% difference intervals.

Analytical model for real time, noninvasive estimation of blood glucose level.

The paper presents an analytical model to estimate blood glucose level from measurements made non-invasively and in real time by an antenna strapped to a patient's wrist. Some promising success has been shown by the RIT ETA Lab research group that an antenna's resonant frequency can track, in real time, changes in glucose concentration. Based on an in-vitro study of blood samples of diabetic patients, the paper presents a modified Cole-Cole model that incorporates a factor to represent the change in glucose level. A calibration technique using the input impedance technique is discussed and the results show a good estimation as compared to the glucose meter readings. An alternate calibration methodology has been developed that is based on the shift in the antenna resonant frequency using an equivalent circuit model containing a shunt capacitor to represent the shift in resonant frequency with changing glucose levels. Work under progress is the optimization of the technique with a larger sample of patients.

English

The role of adrenergic receptors in nicotine-induced hyperglycaemia has not been well studied in amphibians. Thus, this study investigates the effects of alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blockers in nicotine-induced hyperglycaemia in the common African toad Bufo regularis. Toads fasted for 24 h were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (3 mg/100 g body weight) intraperitoneally (i.p) and given intravenous (i.v) injection of 0.7% amphibian saline, or nicotine (50 &micro;g/kg), nicotine(50 &micro;g/kg i.v) 30 min after pretreatment with prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v), propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v) or combination of both prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v) and propranolol (0.5 mg/kg, i.v). Thereafter, blood samples were also collected from truncus arteriosus for estimation of blood glucose level using the modified glucose oxidase method. Nicotine caused significant increase (P&lt;0.01) in the levels of blood glucose in the common African toad. Pre-treatment of the toads with prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v) or propranolol (0.5 mg/kg, i.v) significantly (p &lt; 0.01) reduced the hyperglycaemia induced by nicotine (50 &micro;g/kg i.v). However, the combination of prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v) and propranolol (0.5 mg/kg, i.v) abolished the hyperglycaemic effect of nicotine (50 &micro;g/kg i.v). The above results on glucose metabolism suggests involvement of both alpha and beta adrenoceptors in nicotine-induced hyperglycaemia in common African toad B. regularis. &nbsp; Key words: Nicotine, hyperglycaemia, prazosin, propranolol, common African toad Bufo regularis.

Serum Calcium Levels In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Hyperglycemia in Diabetes Mellitus is known to have its effect on almost all body system through alterations in structural and biochemical changes in tissues.From this study it is hypothesized that alteration in calcium flux may adversely affect the insulin secretion as it is a calcium dependent process. Aim And Objectives: This study was done to estimate the serum calcium levels in type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Objectives: 1.Estimation of blood glucose levels in all subjects. 2.Estimation of serum calcium levels in diabetes and non-diabetes. 3.Compare the serum calcium levels in diabetes and non-diabetes. Materials and methods: Case control study. Study Design: Diabetes subjects (cases) n=50 Age and sex matched non diabetes (controls) n=50 Plasma glucose levels was estimated by GOD-POD method.Serum calcium level was estimated by calcium Arsenazo method for all subjects at central lab of SBMCH,Chennai. Results And Conclusion: Results were analyzed using anova single factor.f statistical was greater than f critical value. A negative correlation was observed between serum calcium levels and plasma blood glucose levels. Also the p value was found to be less than 0.05 which confirmed that correlation was statistically significant.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Gingival Crevicular Blood for Assessment of Blood Glucose Levels in Dental Office: A cross Sectional Study

Objectives: The gingival crevicular blood (GCB) obtained during routine periodontal probing may be a source for blood glucose measurements. The aim of this study was to compare gingival crevicular blood and fingerstick blood glucose measurements using a glucometer against the conventional laboratory methods. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised of three groups. In the first group 30 patients with periodontitis and positive bleeding on probing were chosen. Blood samples of two sites intraorally were analyzed using a glucose self-monitoring device. The second and third group comprised of 50 diabetic and 50 non-diabetic patients. After testing fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting glucose levels in gingival crevicular blood (GCBG), and fasting capillary fingerstick blood (CFBG) samples were analyzed using same device. Results: Significant correlation (r= 0.93, p<0.001) was found between gingival crevicular blood glucose levels and capillary finger stick blood glucose levels. Considerable correlation (r=0.75, p<0.001) was found between levels of fasting gingival crevicular blood glucose and fasting blood glucose both in diabetic patients and the normal population. Conclusion: It is evident that the blood obtained during routine periodontal probing can be used for estimation of blood glucose levels. GCB can be used as a marker for blood glucose estimation using glucometer. The technique described is safe, easy to perform and helps to increase the frequency of diabetes screening in dental office.

The role of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in cortisol-induced hyperglycaemia in the common African toad (Bufo regularis)

The role of adrenergic receptors in cortisol-induced hyperglycaemia is not well known. The present study investigated the effects of adrenergic receptor blockers in cortisol-induced hyperglycaemia in the common African toad (Bufo regularis). Each toad was fasted and anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (3 mg/100 g i.p). The animals (control) received intravenous (i.v) injection of 0.7% amphibian saline while animals (untreated) were given cortisol (20 µg/kg). In pre-treatment groups, animals received prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v), propranolol 0.5 mg/kg or combination of prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v) and propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v) before i.v injection of cortisol (20 µg/kg). Thereafter, blood samples were collected for estimation of blood glucose level using the modified glucose oxidase method. Cortisol caused significant increase in blood glucose level from 44.4±3.8 to 71.7±9.7 mg/dl. Pre-treatment of the toads with propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v) caused significant reduction (p≤ 0.01) in cortisol-induced hyperglycaemia while pre-treatment with prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i.v) produced no significant effect on hyperglycaemia induced by cortisol. The combination of both prazosin and propranolol completely abolished the effects of cortisol on blood glucose level. The results suggest that cortisol-induced hyperglycaemia in the toad (B. regularis) is mediated probably by both the α- and β-adrenergic receptors with the beta adrenergic receptors playing dominant role. Key words: Cortisol, hyperglycaemia, prazosin, propranolol, amphibian saline, common African toad.

Cinnamon modulates biochemical alterations in rats loaded with acute restraint stress

The present study was undertaken to investigate pretreatment efficacy of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) on blood glucose level as well as oxidative changes at the liver level.Following acute restraint stress, the experimental animals (n=6) were randomly assigned into four groups, i.e., non-stressed control, stress control and treatment groups (cinnamon decoction 10%, 3 and 6ml/kg, p.o, for 7days). Anti-stress effect of cinnamon was studied by estimation of blood glucose level, liver marker enzymes; aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase, liver reduced glutathione (GSH) and liver antioxidant enzymes; super oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR). Acute restraint stress was evidenced by reduction of blood glucose level and liver GSH and elevation of liver marker enzymes in serum. In addition, antioxidant enzymes were drastically inhibited in liver homogenate of stress control rats. Pre-treatment with cinnamon decoction 10%, (3ml/kg and 6ml/kg, p.o, for 7days) avoided the changes observed in stress control rats. This study substantiates that cinnamon is effective in minimizing stress responses thereby beneficial in stress therapy.