Hypertension is one of the leading problems of the worldwide public health. As the group of cardiovascular diseases is the number one killer, hypertension should be controlled even in the level of individual or country. From its genesis, social theories can explain its increasing prevalence and apply for its primary prevention. In fact, hypertension is a socialimpact disease, particularly, in the globaliz world. This article demonstrates how social changes (Westernization) influence the genesis and how social awareness as well as its strategies can protect people from hypertension.

To investigate the comparative effects of the pentoxifylline (PTX) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-? in non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) cases. Method: Twenty-eight cases diagnosed to have NAFL were included in our study. The cases were divided into 3 groups. 20 mg/kg/day PTX was given to the subjects in group A (6 male, 4 female), 15 mg/kg/ day UDCA was given to the subjects in group B (5 males, 5 females) for 6 months. The cases in group C (5 male, 3 female) were followed as control group. The biochemical values and cytokine levels of the cases were evaluated before and at the end of the sixth month of the treatment. Results: When compared with the serum cytokine levels before and after the treatment, IL-8 and TNF-? levels were found to be significantly decreased both in group A and group B (p< 0.05), whereas there was no statistically significant change in IL-1ß and IL-6 levels (p > 0.05). Conclusion: While PTX and UDCA significantly decreased the serum IL-8 and TNF-? levels in NAFL, their effects on IL-1ß and IL-6 were not significant.

Nutritional deficiency of zinc is widespread in developing countries. India has the second largest concentration of tribal population after that of African continent. Limited data is available on the serum zinc levels amongst tribal population in India. The objective of this study is to assess the status of serum zinc amongst tribal population in a district of Jharkhand State, India. Method: The study was conducted amongst tribals in the age group of 18-75 years residing in district Sahibganj, Jharkhand. Two blocks in the district were selected for the detailed study keeping in view the operational feasibility. A semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire was utilized to collect information about their age, sex and other socio demographic details. A total of 944 subjects were enrolled for the present study. Serum zinc was determined by the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 34 years. The mean serum zinc concentration of the study subjects was 70.68 ± 26.71 µg/dl. Fifty three percent of the study subjects had zinc deficiency (serum zinc <70 µg/dl). The deficiency was higher in females (61.3%) as compared to the males (38.7%). Conclusion: The results of the present study documented a high prevalence of zinc deficiency amongst tribal population.

We aimed to investigate median lethal dose (LD50) and hypoglycemic effect of fixed oil of Foeniculum vulgare Miller seed fixed oil (FFO) in mice and its hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injury model in rats. Method: Extract of FFO, glibenclamide (as a reference group) and physiologic saline (control group) were administrated to the healthy and diabet occured mice with alloxan. Before treatment in the first, second, third, fourth and 24th hours, blood was taken from the vena coccygea of mice. Blood glucose levels were measured. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n=6), and the groups treated daily for seven days, by i.p. injections, of isotonic saline solution (ISS), olive oil, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), CCl4 + FFO respectively. Results: FFO did not significantly reduced blood glucose in alloxane-induced diabetic mice compared to ISS control group. In contrast, glibenclamide effectively reduced blood glucose of alloxane-induced mice in first, second, fourth and 24th hours as expected. In the CCl4-treated group and FFO-treated group serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were quite high. In contrast, the control groups (group I and group II) had significantly lower levels of AST and ALT when compared with the CCl4 and FFO groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that FFO has neither a potent hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats nor a hypoglycemic action in mice. The LD50 of FFO was determined as 5.52 mL/kg.