Unveiling some FDA-approved drugs as inhibitors of the store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway

The store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) pathway is an important route for generating cytosolic Ca²⁺ signals that regulate a diverse array of biological processes. Abnormal SOCE seem to underlie several diseases that notably include allergy, inflammation and cancer. Therefore, any modulator of this pathway is likely to have significant impact in cell biology under both normal and abnormal conditions. In this study, we screened the FDA-approved drug library for agents that share significant similarity in 3D shape and surface electrostatics with few, hitherto best known inhibitors of SOCE. This has led to the identification of five drugs that showed dose-dependent inhibition of SOCE in cell-based assay, probably through interacting with the Orai1 protein which effectively mediates SOCE. Of these drugs, leflunomide and teriflunomide could suppress SOCE significantly at clinically-relevant doses and this provides for an additional mechanism towards the therapeutic utility of these drugs as immunosuppressants. The other three drugs namely lansoprazole, tolvaptan and roflumilast, were less potent in suppressing SOCE but were more selective and thus they may serve as novel scaffolds for future development of new, more efficacious SOCE inhibitors.

Structural and Functional Characterization of Malate Synthase G from Opportunistic Pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen recognized as a critical threat by the World Health Organization because of the dwindling number of effective therapies available to treat infections. Over the past decade, it has become apparent that the glyoxylate shunt plays a vital role in sustaining P. aeruginosa during infection scenarios. The glyoxylate shunt comprises two enzymes: isocitrate lyase and malate synthase isoform G. Inactivation of these enzymes has been reported to abolish the ability of P. aeruginosa to establish infection in a mammalian model system, yet we still lack the structural information to support drug design efforts. In this work, we describe the first X-ray crystal structure of P. aeruginosa malate synthase G in the apo form at 1.62 Å resolution. The enzyme is a monomer composed of four domains and is highly conserved with homologues found in other clinically relevant microorganisms. It is also dependent on Mg²⁺ for catalysis. Metal ion binding led to a change in the intrinsic fluorescence of the protein, allowing us to quantitate its affinity for Mg²⁺. We also identified putative drug binding sites in malate synthase G using computational analysis and, because of the high resolution of the experimental data, were further able to characterize its hydration properties. Our data reveal two promising binding pockets in malate synthase G that may be exploited for drug design.

Incidence of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus in Asian elephants in India

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHVs) are the cause of acute hemorrhagic disease in endangered Asian and African elephants. In the present study, we report the incidence of EEHV infection and associated mortality in the captive elephant of Assam, India. Our result showed the gross morphology and histopathological changes of EEHV infection in the elephant. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis of the polymerase, helicase, and GPCR genes from the infected tissue samples suggested the presence of EEHV1A virus.

Literature review and case report: Current concepts for concomitant intra and extracapsular fractures of neck of femur in elderly patients

Though the incidence of concomitant ipsilateral intracapsular and extracapsular fracture neck of femur is still a rare presentation in day to day fracture hip admissions. Cases of simultaneous ipsilateral intra- and extra-capsular neck of femur fractures are forestalled with problems relating to diagnosing this injury as well as debate regarding optimal methods of fixation versus arthroplasty. We did a literature review to assess frequency of such fracture incidence, highlight methods of treatment applied, current practice for management as well as case report presentation.

Isolated pores dissected from human two-pore channel 2 are functional

Multi-domain voltage-gated ion channels appear to have evolved through sequential rounds of intragenic duplication from a primordial one-domain precursor. Whereas modularity within one-domain symmetrical channels is established, little is known about the roles of individual regions within more complex asymmetrical channels where the domains have undergone substantial divergence. Here we isolated and characterised both of the divergent pore regions from human TPC2, a two-domain channel that holds a key intermediate position in the evolution of voltage-gated ion channels. In HeLa cells, each pore localised to the ER and caused Ca²⁺ depletion, whereas an ER-targeted pore mutated at a residue that inactivates full-length TPC2 did not. Additionally, one of the pores expressed at high levels in E. coli. When purified, it formed a stable, folded tetramer. Liposomes reconstituted with the pore supported Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ uptake that was inhibited by known blockers of full-length channels. Computational modelling of the pore corroborated cationic permeability and drug interaction. Therefore, despite divergence, both pores are constitutively active in the absence of their partners and retain several properties of the wild-type pore. Such symmetrical ‘pore-only’ proteins derived from divergent channel domains may therefore provide tractable tools for probing the functional architecture of complex ion channels.

Discovery of a small-molecule binder of the oncoprotein gankyrin that modulates gankyrin activity in the cell

Gankyrin is an ankyrin-repeat oncoprotein whose overexpression has been implicated in the development of many cancer types. Elevated gankyrin levels are linked to aberrant cellular events including enhanced degradation of tumour suppressor protein p53, and inhibition of gankyrin activity has therefore been identified as an attractive anticancer strategy. Gankyrin interacts with several partner proteins, and a number of these protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are of relevance to cancer. Thus, molecules that bind the PPI interface of gankyrin and interrupt these interactions are of considerable interest. Herein, we report the discovery of a small molecule termed cjoc42 that is capable of binding to gankyrin. Cell-based experiments demonstrate that cjoc42 can inhibit gankyrin activity in a dose-dependent manner: cjoc42 prevents the decrease in p53 protein levels normally associated with high amounts of gankyrin, and it restores p53-dependent transcription and sensitivity to DNA damage. The results represent the first evidence that gankyrin is a "druggable" target with small molecules.

Outcome of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

This prospective study was conducted to compare the outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) using SNOT-20 score chart (subjective) and Lund & Kennedy scoring chart (objective) and carried out in the Department of Otolaryngology & Head-Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) & Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital (ShSMCH) from July 2010 to March 2012. Total 73 admitted cases were selected purposively for ESS, male 53(72.60%) and female 20(27.40%). Among the study participants 10(13.7%) had chronic rhinosinusitis with bilateral polyposis and 26(35.62%) had chronic rhinosinusitis with unilateral polyposis and 12(16.44%) had bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis without polyposis and 25(34.25%) had unilateral chronic rhinosinusitis without polyposis. Surgical procedures done among the patients were Uncinectomy (infundibulectomy), Middle Meatal Antrostomy; Anterior Ethmoidectomy; Sphenoidotomy, Associated septoplasty and no significant per or post operative complications were noted. In Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with polyposis pre operative SNOT-20 mean and SD 1.322±0.341 and post ESS snot-20 mean and SD 0.3472±0.0755, CRS without polyposis pre operative SNOT-20 mean and SD 0.9297±0.86 and post ESS SNOT-20 mean and SD 1986±0.0558. In CRS with polyposis pre operative Lund & Kennedy score of endoscopic assessment, mean and SD 5.333±2.255 and post ESS mean and SD 1.31±1.009. In CRS without polyposis pre op Lund & Kennedy score mean and SD 3.108±1.074 and post ESS mean and SD 0.76±0.641.Post ESS SNOT-20 in CRS with Polyposis, 't' test result was 27.58 which was significant (p<0.001) and in CRS without Polyposis was 21.622 which was significant (p<0.001); Lund & Kennedy Score of post ESS in CRS with Polyposis 't' test result was 7.763 which was significant (p<0.001), CRS without Polyposis was 7.177 which was significant (p<0.001).This implies that outcome of ESS in treatment of CRS with or without polyposis had statistically significant role. Symptomatic relief and quality of life improvement after ESS was compared by improvement in post operative scores of SNOT-20 & Lund-Kennedy score of endoscopic assessment. Post operative lower values were considered to be better improvement status. The results of the study suggests that ESS performed in Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Polyposis cases, relief of symptoms and quality of life improved was better than Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Polyposis cases postoperatively as compared by SNOT-20 and Lund & Kennedy score of endoscopic assessment.

Carcinoma Tongue--Clinicopathological Presentation

This prospective study was done to observe the diversity of clinical presentation of carcinoma of tongue and to study the pathological variety of carcinoma of tongue and was conducted in the Department of General Surgery and Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital on 50 patients from January 2011 to July 2013. In this series highest number of patients were middle aged (36%). Male female ratio was 2:1. Average socioeconomic conditions of the patient were poor (68%). Betel nut and leaves chewing (88%) and smoking (56%) habits were commonly practiced for more than 10 years among the patients. Depending on site of involvement, variation in presenting symptoms has been observed. Oral tongue carcinoma mostly was presented with tongue lesion, pain and dysphagia where as the carcinoma of base of tongue commonly was presented with dysphagia, lump in neck. Lateral border of tongue (60%) was seen commonly involved. Ulcerative lesion (56%) predominantly was found in tongue lesion. Eighty percent (80%) of cases had no palpable Lymph node. Only few patients were found with Lymph node metastasis and most of them had carcinoma in base of the tongue (75%). Most of the carcinoma was well differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma. Carcinoma of tongue in our study commonly found in middle aged male patients. Variation of symptoms has depended on anatomical site involved. Most of the carcinoma was well differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma. Carcinoma other than squamous cell was not found.

Study of Commonest Variety of Sinonasal Malignancy and Its Sex Wise Distribution

This study was done to find the commonest variety of sinonasal malignancy and its association with sex.This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Department, Dhaka Medical College & Hospital and in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University between January 2009 and December 2009. A total of 146 cases of sinonasal malignancy were consecutively included in the study. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. The mean age was 47.8 years (range: 22-75 years). Over three-quarters (77%) of the patients were male with male to female ratio being 3:1. Nearly one-third (30.8%) of the patients was farmer and over one-third (36.3%) was illiterate. The right sinonasal region was involved in 48.6% cases, left sinonasal region in 39% and both sinonasal region in 12.4% cases. Histopathological diagnosis of sinonasal malignancy revealed that squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 82.9% of sinonasal malignancies, 9.6% adenocarcinoma and the rest were olfactory neuroblastoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. About 96.6% of the tumours involved nasal cavity, 97.9% maxillary sinuses, 17.8% frontal sinuses, 48.6% ethmoidal sinuses and 13% sphenoid sinuses. Over 80% of patients were smoker. Exposure to wood dust was found in 26% of cases. Lather tanning in 4.8% of cases and welding in 4.1% of cases. T staging shows that nearly half (48.6%) of the patients lesion was T2, 29.5% T3, 19.9% T4 and 2.1% T1. None of the patients exhibited lymph node involvement or distant metastasis. Males tend to develop squamous cell carcinoma significantly more than the females with risk of acquiring squamous cell carcinoma being nearly 3(1.1-7.1) times higher in male than that in female (p=0.022). The study concludes that the most common histopathological variety of sinonasal malignancy is squamous cell carcinoma and males are prone to develop this malignancy more frequently than the females.

A case report of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) caused by complete laryngeal obstruction

CHAOS or Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome is a blockage of the fetus’s trachea or larynx due to a number of factors including narrowing of the airway, a web-like membrane or even tracheal atresia. In the uterus, the fetal lungs constantly produce fluid and as a result of this airway blockage in the trachea, the lung fluid cannot escape out of the fetal mouth. Because of this the fetus’s lungs become distended with fluid and over distended lungs can put pressure on the heart and affect the heart’s ability to function. If the heart cannot beat effectively hydrops or congestive heart failure can occur. We present a case of CHAOS with hydrops and associated anomalies, determined prenatally at about 21 weeks by MRI in our hospital.Pulse Vol.7 January-December 2014 p.38-41

Two-pore channels provide insight into the evolution of voltage-gated Ca2+ and Na+ channels

Four-domain voltage-gated Ca(2+) and Na(+) channels (CaV, NaV) underpin nervous system function and likely emerged upon intragenic duplication of a primordial two-domain precursor. To investigate if two-pore channels (TPCs) may represent an intermediate in this evolutionary transition, we performed molecular docking simulations with a homology model of TPC1, which suggested that the pore region could bind antagonists of CaV or NaV. CaV or NaV antagonists blocked NAADP (nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate)-evoked Ca(2+) signals in sea urchin egg preparations and in intact cells that overexpressed TPC1. By sequence analysis and inspection of the model, we predicted a noncanonical selectivity filter in animal TPCs in which the carbonyl groups of conserved asparagine residues are positioned to coordinate cations. In contrast, a distinct clade of TPCs [TPCR (for TPC-related)] in several unicellular species had ion selectivity filters with acidic residues more akin to CaV. TPCRs were predicted to interact strongly with CaV antagonists. Our data suggest that acquisition of a "blueprint" pharmacological profile and changes in ion selectivity within four-domain voltage-gated ion channels may have predated intragenic duplication of an ancient two-domain ancestor.

Phytochemicals increase the antibacterial activity of antibiotics by acting on a drug efflux pump

Drug efflux pumps confer resistance upon bacteria to a wide range of antibiotics from various classes. The expression of efflux pumps are also implicated in virulence and biofilm formation. Moreover, organisms can only acquire resistance in the presence of active drug efflux pumps. Therefore, efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) are attractive compounds to reverse multidrug resistance and to prevent the development of resistance in clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. We investigated the potential of pure compounds isolated from plants to act as EPIs. In silico screening was used to predict the bioactivity of plant compounds and to compare that with the known EPI, phe-arg-β-naphthylamide (PAβN). Subsequently, promising products have been tested for their ability to inhibit efflux. Plumbagin nordihydroguaretic acid (NDGA) and to a lesser degree shikonin, acted as sensitizers of drug-resistant bacteria to currently used antibiotics and were able to inhibit the efflux pump-mediated removal of substrate from cells. We demonstrated the feasibility of in silico screening to identify compounds that potentiate the action of antibiotics against drug-resistant strains and which might be potentially useful lead compounds for an EPI discovery program.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

We report a rare case of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a 22-year-old Malay woman who presented initially with minor soft tissue injury due to a cycling accident. She was then incidentally found to have severe xanthelasma and hypercholesterolemia (serum TC 15.3 mmol/L and LDL-C 13.9 mmol/L). She was referred to the Specialized Lipid Clinic and was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) based on the Simon Broome (SB) diagnostic criteria. There was a family history of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in that three siblings had sudden cardiac death, and of consanguineous marriage in that her parents are cousins. DNA screening of LDLR and APOB genes was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), followed by Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC). Homozygous mutation C255S in Exon 5 of her LDLR gene was found. There was no mutation was found in Exon 26 and Exon 29 of the APOB gene. This report is to emphasize the importance of identifying patients with FH and cascade screening through established diagnostic criteria and genetic studies in order to ensure early detection and early treatment intervention to minimize the risk of developing CHD and related complications.

Detection and estimation of human papillomavirus viral load in patients with cervical lesions

Human papillomavirus (HPV) high risk genotype infection and HPV viral load influences the development of invasive cervical cancer and cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). HPV DNA testing for screening of cervical cancers may play a potential role in its early detection and management. The present study detected HPV DNA and estimated HPV viral load in different types of cervical lesions among Bangladeshi women. Using the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) assay, HPV DNA was tested among 68 women between 25-70 years of age. A total of 13 (19.1%) cases were positive for HPV DNA. The highest viral load (501 x 10³ copies/ml) was detected in a patient with invasive carcinoma, while the lowest viral load (105 x 10³ copies/ml) was detected from a case of chronic cervicitis. The mean viral load in CIN I was 119.25 x 10³±12.5 x 10³ copies/ml (range: 110 x 10³ - 137 x 10³) and 208.50 x 10³ ± 0.59 x 10³ copies/ml (range: 139 x 10³-305 x 10³) in CIN II / III. Interestingly, HPV DNA was detected from a patient with normal cytological findings. Our study observed a moderate presence of high-risk HPV genotypes among women with cervical lesions. The HPV viral load varied with the age of the patients and stage of cervical lesions. The HC2 assay is a promising tool for diagnosing high-risk HPV infection especially before cytology tests show any abnormality. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v39i2.19648 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2013; 39: 86-90

Pharmacological and Ethnomedicinal Overview of Heritiera fomes: Future Prospects

Mangrove plants are specialized woody plants growing in the swamps of tidal-coastal areas and river deltas of tropical and subtropical parts of the world. They have been utilized for medicinal and other purposes by the coastal people over the years. Heritiera fomes Buch. Ham. (family: Sterculiaceae) commonly known as Sundari (Bengali) is a preeminent mangrove plant occurring in the Sundarbans forest located in the southern part of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal province of India. The plant has applications in traditional folk medicine as evidenced by its extensive use for treating diabetes, hepatic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, goiter, and skin diseases by the local people and traditional health practitioners. A number of investigations indicated that the plant possesses significant antioxidant, antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Phytochemical analyses have revealed the presence of important chemical constituents like saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, gums, phytosterols, and reducing sugars. The present study is aimed at compiling information on phytochemical, biological, pharmacological, and ethnobotanical properties of this important medicinal plant, with a view to critically assess the legitimacy of the use of this plant in the aforementioned disorders as well as providing directions for further research.

In silico assessment of interaction of sea anemone toxin APETx2 and acid sensing ion channel 3

Acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels that are expressed throughout the nervous system and have been implicated in mediating sensory perception of noxious stimuli. Amongst the six ASIC isoforms, ASIC1a, 1b, 2a and 3 form proton-gated homomers, which differ in their activation and inactivation kinetics, expression profiles and pharmacological modulation; protons do not gate ASIC2b and ASIC4. As with many other ion channels, structure-function studies of ASICs have been greatly aided by the discovery of some toxins that act in isoform-specific ways. ASIC3 is predominantly expressed by sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system where it acts to detect acid as a noxious stimulus and thus plays an important role in nociception. ASIC3 is the only ASIC subunit that is inhibited by the sea anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima)-derived toxin APETx2. However, the molecular mechanism by which APETx2 interacts with ASIC3 remains largely unknown. In this study, we made a homology model of ASIC3 and used extensive protein-protein docking to predict for the first time, the probable sites of APETx2 interaction on ASIC3. Additionally, using computational alanine scanning, we also suggest the 'hot-spots' that are likely to be critical for ASIC3-APETx2 interaction.

Efficacy of Selected Chemotherapeutic and Medicinal Plants on Fungal Fish Pathogens

Studies were conducted to examine the efficacy of selected chemotherapeutic and medicinal plants against common fungal fish pathogens. Four different doses of available fungicidal agents viz., lime + salt, brilliant green, malachite green and methylene blue were applied to the fresh culture of newly isolated fish pathogenic fungi (Aphanomyces invadans, Saprolegnia sp. and Achlya sp.) under in-vitro condition and minimum inhibitory dose (MID) was determined. Based on in-vitro results, chemotherapeutic were applied to the experimental infection of fish (Barbonymus gonionotus). Salt + lime, brilliant green and malachite green offered better results in reducing the rate of infection followed by medium effective methylene blue. Medicinal plants were selected on the basis of previous studies. Crude extracts were prepared from various parts (leaves and bulb) of neem (Azadirachta indica), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and shoti (C. zedoaria) and four different doses were applied to the fresh culture of above mentioned fungal pathogens under in-vitro condition to determine MID. Treatment trial was performed using the MID of the highly effective plant extracts (viz., tumeric, shoti, neem + tumeric and neem + shoti) on experimental infection of fish. Turmeric and neem + tumeric were found to be the most effective ones. Thus, medicinal plants would be an effective and alternative control measure along with selected chemotherapeutic against fungal diseases of fish.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i1.17361 Progress. Agric. 19(1): 105 - 116, 2008 

Ebstein's anomaly may be caused by mutations in the sarcomere protein gene MYH7

Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare congenital heart malformation characterised by adherence of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve to the underlying myocardium. Associated abnormalities of left ventricular morphology and function including left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) have been observed. An association between Ebstein’s anomaly with LVNC and mutations in the sarcomeric protein gene MYH7, encoding β-myosin heavy chain, has been shown by recent studies. This might represent a specific subtype of Ebstein’s anomaly with a Mendelian inheritance pattern. In this review we discuss the association of MYH7 mutations with Ebstein’s anomaly and LVNC and its implications for the clinical care for patients and their family members.

Stimulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor subtypes by analogues of IP3

Most animal cells express mixtures of the three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R) encoded by vertebrate genomes. Activation of each subtype by different agonists has not hitherto been examined in cells expressing defined homogenous populations of IP(3)R. Here we measure Ca(2+) release evoked by synthetic analogues of IP(3) using a Ca(2+) indicator within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum of permeabilized DT40 cells stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP(3)R. Phosphorylation of (1,4,5)IP(3) to (1,3,4,5)IP(4) reduced potency by ~100-fold. Relative to (1,4,5)IP(3), the potencies of IP(3) analogues modified at the 1-position (malachite green (1,4,5)IP(3)), 2-position (2-deoxy(1,4,5)IP(3)) or 3-position (3-deoxy(1,4,5)IP(3), (1,3,4,5)IP(4)) were similar for each IP(3)R subtype. The potency of an analogue, (1,4,6)IP(3), in which the orientations of the 2- and 3-hydroxyl groups were inverted, was also reduced similarly for all three IP(3)R subtypes. Most analogues of IP(3) interact similarly with the three IP(3)R subtypes, but the decrease in potency accompanying removal of the 1-phosphate from (1,4,5)IP(3) was least for IP(3)R3. Addition of a large chromophore (malachite green) to the 1-phosphate of (1,4,5)IP(3) only modestly reduced potency suggesting that similar analogues could be used to measure (1,4,5)IP(3) binding optically. These data provide the first structure-activity analyses of key IP(3) analogues using homogenous populations of each mammalian IP(3)R subtype. They demonstrate broadly similar structure-activity relationships for all mammalian IP(3)R subtypes and establish the potential utility of (1,4,5)IP(3) analogues with chromophores attached to the 1-position.

Effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on Blood Pressure and Glycemic Status of Hypertensive Diabetic Male Volunteers

Different species of mushrooms are being used increasingly for their nutritional and medicinal values. They are used in traditional medical practice in the treatment and prevention of diabetes, obesity, heart diesaes, hyperacidity, cancer and hypertension. This study was designed to see the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus on blood pressure and glycemic status of hypertensive diabetic male volunteers. The study was carried out in the National Mushroom development and Extension Center (NAMDEC) laboratory, Savar, Dhaka in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacy along with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University. A total of 27 hypertensive male volunteers suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with age range of 32 to 68 years, who were free from renal impairment and other known acute or chronic diseases were included in the study. Blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and serum creatinine were measured before and after 3 months of regular intake of 3 grams mushroom powder capsule daily in in 3 divided doses. However they were allowed to continue the drugs they were taking already. The study showed that after 3 months of regular intake of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p<0.001). It was also observed that, Pleurotus ostreatus decreased fasting plasma glucose level significantly (p<0.001). Reduction of HbA1c % observed after 3 months of mushroom intake was found to be significant (p<0.001). But there was no significant change of plasma creatinine level (p>0.05) indicating Pleurotus ostreatus has no detrimental effect on renal system. From the study, it can be said that, Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom intake improves glycemic status and blood pressure control in diabetic hypertensive subjects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i1.13280 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(1): 5-10

Serum free Triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone level in severe protein energy malnourished children

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v20i2.10545 J. Dhaka Med. Coll. 2011; 20(2): 175-177