Javeid Iqbal et al.

the fact that female urine normally contains 2-6 epithelial
cells (intact or partially destroyed), (Brenner, 1983). These
cells come from urogenetial tract and are considered
normally if not accompanied with pus cells or RBCs. In
urine these cells provide denatured proteins (mainly
nucleoprotein) which can enhance the growth of parasites.
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Baily GG (1994). Visceral Leishmaniasis: More prevalent
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Brenner BM and Reactor FC (eds) (1983). The Kidney, 2nd
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Chang KP and Fish WR (1983).Leishmania: In vitro
cultivation of protozoan parasites. ed. Jensen JB. CRC
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glomerulonephritis. Semin. Nephrol. 2: 204.
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(1988). Requirement of defined cultivation conditions for
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Mukkada AJ (1977). Energy metabolism Leishmaniasis.
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Bray RS (editors). Elsevier Science Publishers,
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O’Daly JA (1993). A comparison of molecular biology of
Tryanosomes and Leishmaniae, and its impact on the
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O, Ploton I, Tselentis Y, Nzuzi KK and Gentilini M
(1986). Cultures systems for productions of
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trials. Ann. Parasitrol. Hum. Como., 61(2): 147-154.
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Received: 26-1-2006 – Accepted: 3-4-2006

REPORT

PLASMA LIPID PROFILE IN SARCOMA PATIENTS

M. IMRAN QADIR*, SALMAN AKBAR MALIK, ABDUL KHALIQ NAVEED*
AND IJAZ AHMAD*
Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
*Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi

ABSTRACT
Objective of the present study was to observe plasma lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and
HDL-cholesterol) in sarcoma patients. 120 subjects were included in the project. The subjects comprised of two
groups; first as Controls (60 in number) and the second as Patients of Sarcoma (also 60 in number). Fasting blood
samples were collected for estimation. Sarcoma patients showed highly significant (P<0.01) decrease, when
compared with the normal control subjects.

Keywords: Lipid profile, sarcoma.

*Corresponding author: Email: mrimranqadir@hotmail.com

Pak. J. Pharm. Sci., 2006, Vol.19(2), 152-155 155

Plasma lipid profile in sarcoma patients
INTRODUCTION
Cancer of the connective tissues is known as Sarcoma.
Sarcoma may be divided into different types according to its
origin (Robbins et al., 2003).
Lipids are carried in body fluids with the help of
lipoproteins (Edwards et, al., 1995 and Fischbach, 1984),
chylomicrons transport of triglycerides from intestine to all
cells. Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) are involved in
the transportation of triglycerides from liver to other cells.
Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are responsible for the
transport of cholesterol from liver to the cells and high
density lipoproteins (HDL) are involved for the transport of
cholesterol from cells to the liver. Chylomicrons and very
low density lipoproteins are rapidly catabolized (Heeren et,
al., 2003; Murray et al., 2000). Thus triglycerides,
cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol and HDL–cholesterol
constitute Plasma Lipid Profile.
Researchers have reported association of plasma/serum
lipids and lipoproteins with different cancers. As neoplastic
disease is related to new growth, there is a greater utilization
of lipids including total cholesterol, lipoproteins and
triglycerides for new membrane biogenesis. Cells fulfill
these requirements either from circulation, by synthesis
through the metabolism or from degradation of major
lipoprotein fractions like VLDL, LDL or HDL. The plasma
concentrations of lipids are not the single additive function
of intake, utilization and biosynthesis because of its
continuous cycling in and out of the blood stream (Patel et
al., 2004).
The objective of the present study was to investigate any
relationship between plasma lipid profile (triglycerides,
cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) and
sarcoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients
A total 120 individuals were included in our study. Out of
them 60 were normal subjects; 30 males and 30 females;
having no cardiac or neoplastic disease. The remaining 60
were patients of sarcomas. The patients had no other major
illness that affects plasma lipid profile. The patients were
not treated with any chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
Fasting blood samples were collected from CMH,
Rawalpindi. The plasma was stored at -20°C until used for
plasma lipid profile.
ESTIMATION OF PLASMA LIPID PROFILE
Triglycerides
Triglycerides were determined by enzymatic method (GPO-
PAP method), using the commercially available kit
manufactured by Human, Germany.
156
Procedure
Three cuvettes were washed with distilled water and were
labelled blank, standard and sample. 20 µl distilled water,
20 µl standard and 20 µl sample, was pipetted in each
cuvette respectively. Chromogen reagent, 2 ml was added to
each cuvette, contents of all the cuvettes were mixed
thoroughly and incubated for 5 minutes at room
temperature. The wavelength of spectrophotometer was set
at 500 nm. Result command was given to spectrophotometer
and after some time results were displayed. The blood
triglycerides levels were calculated by applying the
following formula.
Absorbance of sample
Triglycerides mg/dl = x 200
Absorbance of standard
Total Cholesterol
Rapid enzymatic determination of the total cholesterol by
CHOD-PAP method, (Allian el al., 1974) was performed by
using the commercially available kit manufactured by
Human, Germany.
Procedure
Three cuvettes were washed with distilled water and were
labelled blank, standard and sample. 20 µl distilled water,
20 µl standard and 20 µl sample was pipetted in each
cuvette respectively. Chromogen reagent, 2 ml was added to
each cuvette. Contents of all the cuvettes were mixed
thoroughly and incubated for 5 minutes at 37°C. The
wavelength of spectrophotometer was set at 500 nm. Result
command was given to spectrophotometer and after some
time results were displayed. The blood cholesterol levels
were calculated by applying the following formula.
Absorbance of sample
Cholesterol mg/dl = —————————— x 200
Absorbance of standard
LDL-Cholesterol
LDL-cholesterol was determined by precipitation method.
Tests were performed by using the commercially available
kit manufactured by Randox, Germany.
Procedure
For sample preparation; 100 µl sample and 1000 µl
precipitant were placed in a tube. After through mixing the
tube was allowed to stand for 15 minutes at room
temperature and then was centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 15
minutes. Supernatant was separated from the sediment and
cholesterol was measured by the CHOD-PAP method. The
LDL-cholesterol levels were calculated by applying the
following formula.
LDL-cholesterol mg/dl = Total cholesterol – Cholesterol in
supernatant.
Pak. J. Pharm. Sci., 2006, Vol.19(2), 155-158

Table 1: Plasma lipid profile of control subjects and patients of sarcomas (Mean ± SD)
Triglycerides Cholesterol
(mg/dl) (mg/dl)
Control subjects 149.87±14.03 171.47±19.52
Sarcoma patients 94.2±29.81 101.27±28.08
HDL-Cholesterol
HDL-cholesterol was determined by using the commercially
available kit manufactured by Randox, Germany.
Procedure
For sample preparation; 200 µl sample and 500 µl
precipitant were placed in a tube. After through mixing the
tube was allowed to stand for 10 minutes at room
temperature and then was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10
minute. Supernatant was separated from the sediment and
cholesterol was measured by the CHOD-PAP method.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Statistical analyses were performed by using computer
program SPSS 11.0 version.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the present study, plasma level of triglycerides in control
males was between 132-178 mg/dl with a mean value of
149.67±13.57. Plasma level of cholesterol in control males
was between 135-208 mg/dl with a mean value of
171.40±19.64. Plasma level of LDL-cholesterol in control
males was between 54-57 mg/dl with a mean value of
73.47±8.82. Plasma level of HDL-cholesterol in control
males was between 35-62 mg/dl with a mean value of
48.00±7.54.
Plasma level of triglycerides in control females was
between 129-179 mg/dl with a mean value of 150.07±14.01.
Plasma level of Cholesterol in control females was between
138-201 mg/dl with a mean value of 171.33±18.77. Plasma
level of LDL-cholesterol in control females was between
52-95 mg/dl with a mean value of 73.13±11.05. Plasma
level of HDL-cholesterol in control females was between
42-70 mg/dl with a mean value of 52.20±9.73.
Comparison between mean values of plasma lipid
profile of control males and control females showed
statistically no significant (P>0.05) difference. Thus
mean of the two were taken as reference values. The
reference value for triglycerides is 149.87±14.03 mg/dl, for
cholesterol is 171.47±19.52 mg/dl, for LDL-cholesterol is
Pak. J. Pharm. Sci., 2006, Vol.19(2), 155-158
M. Imran Qadir et al.
LDL-cholesterol HDL-cholesterol
(mg/dl) (mg/dl)
73.30±10.17 50.27±9.26
50.07±16.52 33.27±12.65
73.30±10.17 mg/dl and for HDL-cholesterol is 50.27±9.26
mg/dl.
In sarcoma patients, plasma level of triglycerides was
between 47-136 mg/dl with a mean value of 94.20±29.81.
Plasma level of cholesterol was between 58-155 mg/dl with
a mean value of 101.27±28.08. Plasma level of LDL-
cholesterol was between 28-71 mg/dl with a mean value of
50.07±16.52. Plasma level of HDL-cholesterol was between
18-66 mg/dl with a mean value of 33.27±12.65.
Comparison between mean values of plasma lipid profile of
control subjects and sarcoma patients is given in table 1.
There is highly decrease in plasma levels of triglycerides
(37%) and cholesterol (41%); and moderate decrease in
LDL-cholesterol (32%) and HDL-cholesterol (33%) in
sarcoma patients. Thus all the plasma lipid components
(triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-
cholesterol) of sarcoma patients showed highly significant
(P<0.01) decrease, when compared with the normal control
subjects. Robertson and Ray, (1919) decided that frequency
of the incidence of sarcoma is reduced by the administration
of cholesterol.
Lipids are major cell membrane components essential for
various biological functions including cell growth and
division of normal and malignant tissues. Low levels of
cholesterol in the proliferating tissues and in blood
compartments could be due to the process of carcinogenesis
(Patel et al., 2004).
CONCLUSION
This study has shown that plasma lipid levels are decreased
in sarcoma patients. As there is a change in plasma lipid
profile of Sarcoma patients, the plasma lipid profile may be
helpful for diagnosis of the disease.
REFERENCES
Allian CC, Poon LS, Chan CS and Richmond W (1974).
CHOD-PAP method for determination of total
cholesterol, Clin. Chem., 20: 470.
157
Plasma lipid profile in sarcoma patients

Edwards CRW, Baired JD, Frier BM, Shephered J and Toft
AD (1995). Ischaemic heart disease. In: Davidsons
Principles and Practice of Medicine, edited by Edwards
CRW, Boucher JAD, Haslett C and Chilvers E, 17th ed.,
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Fischbach FT (1984). Chemistry Studies. In: A Manual of
Laboratory Diagnostic Tests, 2nd ed., JB Lippincott
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Heeren J, Grewal T, Laatsch A, Rottke D and Rinninger F
(2003). Recycling of apoprotein E is associated with
cholesterol efflux and HDL internalization, J. Bio. Chem.,
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Murray RK, Granner DK, Mayes PA and Rodwell VW
(2000). Lipid transport and storage, Appendix. In:
Harper’s Biochemistry, 25th ed., Appleton & Lange,
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Patel PS, Shah MH, Jha FP, Raval GN, Rawal RM, Patel
MM, Patel JB and Patel DD (2004). Alterations in plasma
lipid profile patterns in head and neck cancer and oral
precancerous conditions. Indian J. Canc., 41(1): 25-31.
Robbins SL, Cotran RS and Kumar V (2003). Neoplasia, In:
Robbins Basic Pathology, 7th ed., Saunders, Philadelphia,
USA, pp.165-210.
Robertson TB and Ray LA (1919). Lesions exhibited by
normal, pituitary -, lecithin -, cholesterol - and tetheli -
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Received: 28-12-2005 – Accepted: 10-04-2006

REVIEW

POROUS NANOPARTICLES IN DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

M. SAEED ARAYNE AND NAJMA SULTANA*

Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
*Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy,
University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan

ABSTRACT
This article concentrates mainly on fabrication of porous nanoparticles, its characterisation and its use for
controlled release of drug. It also encompasses the strategies that have been used to translate and fabricate a wide
range of particulate carriers e.g., nanospheres, liposomes, micelles, oil-in-water emulsions, with prolonged
circulation and/or target specificity. Sol-gel technique is one of the most widely used techniques to fabricate
porous nanoparticles within the polymer. Such nanoparticles have also applications in vascular drug delivery and
release, site-specific targeting, as well as transfusion medicine.
With regard to the targeting issues, attention is particularly focused on the importance of physiological barriers.
We have also critically reviewed and assessed the fate and activity of biodegradable polymeric drug delivery
vehicles because the uniformity in degradation of these polymers is questionable.
This article will highlight rational approaches in design and surface engineering of nanoscale vehicles and
entities for site-specific drug delivery. Potential pitfalls or side effects associated with nanoparticles are also
discussed.

Keywords: Nanotechnology; nanoparticles; nanofibers; controlled-release; nanofabrication; biopharmaceuticals;

porous nanoparticles; nanosized drug delivery systems; macrophage; endothelium; intracellular delivery;
extravasation; toxicity; antituberculosis drugs; nanoparticles tuberculosis therapy. intracellular internalization;
endocytosis; bone marrow differentiation.

*Corresponding author: Tel.: +92-21-4610132; email arayne@gawab.com

158 Pak. J. Pharm. Sci., 2006, Vol.19(2), 155-158