This document provides information about the Biomed newsletter from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. It includes the editorial board members and details about the second issue of Biomed from July 2012. The newsletter aims to keep pace with trends in biochemistry and provide valuable information to readers. It thanks the principal for support and encourages readers to provide suggestions. A picture shows members of the Department of Biochemistry.

1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.