Adichunchanagiri

Institute of Medical

Sciences

Chief Patron

Paramapoojya

Sri Sri Sri

Dr.Balagangdharanatha

Mahaswamiji

Chief Advisor

Dr Shivaramu M.G.

Principal A.I.M.S.

Chief Editor

Dr Aliya Nusrath.

Professor & Head

Dept. of Biochemistry

Editorial Board

Dr. Rajeshwari A.

Assoc. Professor

Sri. Somashekar G.N.

Asst. Professor

Dr. Chikkanna D.

Asst. Professor

Dr Maithri C.M.

Asst. Professor

Members

Dr. Divija D.A

Tutor cum PG

Dr. Prathibha K.

Tutor cum PG

Biomed

Dept of Biochemistry ___________________________________________________

News letter VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 JULY 2012

___________________________________________________

From Editor’s Desk Greetings

Biochemistry is currently the most rapidly

developing field of health science and it is important for us

to keep pace with changing trends. With pride and

privilege, we are presenting the second issue of Biomed. We would like to thank our principal Dr. Shivaramu M.G.

for his support and encouragement. We request one and all

to kindly send their valuable suggestions.

Department of Biochemistry From left to right, Standing: Dr. Divija D, Sri Krishne Gowda, Sri Mahalinge Gowda, Sri Hongere Gowda, Dr. Maithri, Dr. Pratibha K, Middle: Dr. Chikkanna D, Sri Somashekhar GN Sitting: Dr. Mahantesh Patil, Dr. Aliya Nusrath, Dr. Rajeshwari A

METABOLIC SYNDROME Metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome and Reaven’s

syndrome includes a group of metabolic risk factors that come together in a single individual and increases

the risk factors that come together in a single individual and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular

disease and diabetes. The risk factors are insulin resistance, hypertension, cholesterol abnormalities and

increased risk for clotting.

According to the American heart association and the national heart lung and blood institute, any

three of the following traits in the same individual meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome.

1. A waist circumference of ≥ 40 inches (102cm) in men and ≥35 inches (88cm) in women.

2. Serum triglycerides ≥150mg/dl.

3. HDL cholesterol ≤ 40mg/dl in men and 50mg/dl in women.

4. Blood pressure of ≥ 130/85 mm of Hg.

5. Fasting blood glucose of ≥ 100mg/dl.

Metabolic syndrome is quite common in Indian urban population. In one study it was shown that it

was present in 36% subjects with prevalence of 22.9% in men and 39.9% in women.

The etiological factors in order are aging, genetics and life style which include low physical activity

and excess calorie intake. A number of markers of systemic inflammation including C-reactive protein,

fibrinogen, interleukins and tumour necrosis factor α are often increased. The adipocytes of visceral fat

increases plasma levels of TNF α and alter levels of a number of other substances like adiponectin, resistin

etc. TNF α has been shown not only to cause the production of inflammatory cytokines, but also trigger cell

signalling by interaction with TNF α receptor that may lead to insulin resistance.

Various strategies have been proposed to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome.

With sustained exercise programme, for example, 30 min 5 days a week, there is a beneficial effect

of exercise on blood pressure, cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity.

Reduced calorie diet decreases the risk of metabolic syndrome. There is now a trend toward the use

of a Mediterranean diet, the one rich in olive oil and contains reasonable amount of carbohydrates and

proteins. In recent studies it has been shown that when compared to a low fat diet, people on the

Mediterranean diet have a greater decrease in body weight and also had greater improvements in blood

pressure, cholesterol levels and other markers of heart diseases. In one study, it was suggested that intake of

a pint of milk or equivalent dairy product reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome to half.

Life style modification is the preferred treatment of metabolic syndrome. Weight reduction usually

requires both dietary restriction and exercise. The disorders that comprise metabolic syndrome are treated

separately using drugs. Dr. Maithri C.M, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry

QUOTE Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds;

Biochemistry is the study of carbon compounds that crawl.

BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF

1. Feeling sleepy after carbohydrate rich diet:

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter formed from amino acid tryptophan induces sleep. In the post

absorptive phase of protein rich meal, the circulating levels of amino acids are increased with increase

uptake of these amino acid by brain cells. This causes a traffic jam and tryptophan being bulky amino acid is

taken up slowly resulting in decrease serotonin levels. However when carbohydrate rich meal is consumed,

insulin secretion is increased which lowers the circulating amino acid levels. This increases the uptake of

tryptophan by brain cells with resultant increased synthesis of serotonin. Serotonin induces sleep. Therefore

carbohydrate rich meal induces sleep whereas protein rich meal causes alertness.

2. Feeling warm after protein rich meal:

When food is consumed, our body releases extra heat called thermogenic effect of food or Specific

Dynamic Action (SDA). Different types of food have different SDA values i.e., 5%, 15%, 30% and 10% for

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and mixed food respectively. As Proteins has highest SDA values (30%),

therefore we feel warm on taking protein rich meal.

Dr Aliya Nusrath, Prof and Head. Biochemistry.

INCRETINS Incretins are a group of gastrointestinal hormones that cause an increase insulin release from the

beta cells of the islets of Langerhans after a meal, even before blood glucose levels become elevated. They

slow the rate of absorption of nutrients into the blood stream by reducing gastric emptying and may directly

reduce food intake. They inhibit glucagon release from the alpha cells of the Islets of Langerhans. They

stimulate insulin sensitivity. There are two main incretin hormones in humans, GIP (glucose-dependent

insulinotropic peptide; also known as gastric inhibitory peptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) which

are secreted by endocrine cells that are located in the epithelium of the small intestine. Incretin hormone

release is regulated in a similar way to other digestive tract hormones. T2DM drugs like sulfonylureas and

meglitinides cause hypoglycemia which stimulates insulin secretion regardless of blood glucose

concentration. A drug that mimics an incretin will not produces hypoglycaemia. Patients using the incretin-

based drug exenatide tend to lose weight due to delayed stomach emptying. Incretins are newer modalities

of treatment of diabetes with promising outcomes.

Dr Divija D A , Post graduate in Biochemistry

SERUM SIALIC ACID Sialic acid is a major biochemical indicator for micro and macrovascular complication of diabetes

such as retinopathy and nephropathy. It is also increased in conditions like cardiovascular diseases,

inflammation, malignancy, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Sialic acid is a family of acetylated derivatives of neuraminic acid. It is an essential component of

glycoproteins and glycolipids and also cofactor of many cell surface receptors such as insulin receptor.

Sialic acid is highly electronegative and is involved in capillary permeability, platelet aggregation, activity

of enzymes, and also has antigenic determinant. Sialic acid contributes to the maintenance of the negative

charge of the renal glomerular basement membrane. It is one of the main regulators of glomerular

permeability. Vascular endothelium carries a high concentration of sialic acid and vascular damage results in

shedding of vascular endothelial sialic acid into the circulation.

Majority of serum sialic acid is present in the terminal residue of oligosaccharide chains of

glycoprotein such as acute phase proteins, α1-acid glycoprotein, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin. Several acute

phase proteins are elevated in diabetic patients with reducing capillary permeability to macromolecules such

as albumin.

Reference interval of sialic acid is 1.69-2.64 mmol/l. If circulatory sialic acid increases before

microangiopathy develops, it may be an early signal indicating the risk of renal failure. Thus, serum sialic

acid is the major biochemical indicator for micro and macrovascular complications of Diabetes mellitus.

Therefore, measurement of serum sialic acid should be considered as a screening procedure for the early

detection of diabetic renal complications.

Dr. Rajeshwari A Assoc. Professor, Biochemistry

Cystic Fibrosis in a nut shell

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life limiting autosomal recessive genetic disorder in whites.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein regulates chloride channels expressed in airway

epithelial cells, GIT, sweat glands and genitourinary system. The gene for this protein, located on

chromosome 7q is mutated with the most prevalent mutation being deletion of UUU codon resulting in

absence of phenylalanine residue at 508 position, almost always associated with pancreatic insufficiency.

The other mutations are R117H and 3849+10KBC.

The two cardinal manifestation of this disease are recurrent respiratory tract infection (most common

–pseudomonas, burkholderia species) and chronic diarrhoea with massive steatorrhoea. Diagnosis of CF is

by sweat chloride test. For new born screening, immunoreactive trypsinogen in blood spots coupled with

confirmatory sweat/ DNA testing is done which is 95% sensitive. Management includes antibiotic therapy

covering pseudomonas (Tobra/Ticarcillin). Corticosteroids may also be helpful.

MD.K. Razzak, VIII term student

Fun and Learn

Biomed Crossword

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8

9 10

11 12

13

14 15

16 17 18

19 20

21 22 23

24

25 26

27 28

29

30 31

Across 2. A triple helix structure. (8)

7. A molecule whose presence is normal in one genetic material but

abnormal in another genetic material (6)

9. An inhibitor with a British in it (3)

10. Face of paper but not paper electrophoresis (4)

11. A chain in powerhouse (3)

12. A molecule which helps in uniting two molecules (6)

13. A scarce element in soil particularly in mountain regions (6)

14. Poisonous gas, yet formed in the body (2)

15. An exogenous tube for stomach (4)

16. A basement membrane protein (7)

19. A pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (6)

21. Molecule involved in body fat regulation (6)

23. Syphilis, AIDS, etc., (3)

24. Molecule which functions as enzymes, hormones etc, however is

not a protein by definition. (7)

25. Defect in urea cycle also results in its increased urinary excretion

27. A dietary macromolecule also used as fabric stiffener (6)

29. Tissue macrophage system (2)

30. Has head and tail, involved in movement (6)

31. A toxic compound, however as a functional group becomes

essential aromatic compound (6)

By Dr Aliya Nusrath Prof and HOD, Biochemistry.

Down 1. A carbohydrate, not nutritionally important but

required in the diet (5).

2. Present in large amounts in the body, but a

small change in its ionic form is life

threatening (7)

3. Hates water, useful within limits but

dangerous in excess (5)

4. A basic molecule of urea cycle (8)

5. Monomeric unit of hereditary (10)

6. A great scientist who got nobel prizes

for his work both in proteins and nucleic

acids (6)

8. One hormone against so many others

(7)

17. Water soluble lipid (7)

18. Important as gene structure but

unimportant for protein biosynthesis (6)

19. Abbreviation of nucleotides (3)

20. A tricarboxylic acid (7)

22. Inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis (6)

26. Part of DNA which codes for part of

protein structure (4)

27. A tool of human genome project (3)

28. A good lipid molecule (3)

Answers will be given in next issue

Humour What did one atom tell another?

– I think I lost an electron

– Are you sure?

– Yes, I’m positive.

What do you call a tooth in a glass of

water?

A one molar solution. What did one titration tell the other?

Let's meet at the endpoint. Why did Carbon marry Hydrogen?

They bonded well from the minute they

met.

What kind of ghosts haunt chemistry

faculties?

Methylated spirits.