Browsing by Author "Marasinghe, E."

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In-vitro application of Chitosan in controlling the fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum musae in ‘Embul Banana’
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2009) Marasinghe, E.; Wicramarachchi, S.
Micronutrient status and its relationship with nutritional status in preschool children in urban Sri Lanka
(HEC Press, Australia, 2015) Marasinghe, E.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Abeysena, C.; Rajindrajith, S.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the micronutrient status and its relationship with nutritional status in preschool children. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, anthropometric data and fasting blood samples were obtained from 340 children attending preschool in urban Sri Lanka. Serum concentrations of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, vitamin A, zinc and haemoglobin were measured. Z-scores of anthropometric indices of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height were computed to evaluate the nutritional status. RESULTS: Prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and anaemia among children were 7.1%, 16.9%, 21.2% and 7.4%, respectively. Deficiencies of zinc and vitamin A occurred among 67% and 38% of children, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) and insufficiency (10-20 ng/mL) occurred in 5.0% and 29.1% of children, respectively, and12% had parathyroid hormone levels indicative of hypocalcaemia. Nutritional status was significantly correlated (p<0.05) with vitamin D status [height-for-age (r=0.10), weight-for-age (r=-0.18), weight-for-height (r=-0.12)], and with haemoglobin status [weight-for-age (r=0.11)]. Zinc and vitamin A levels were lower in severe stunting compared with normal height (p<0.05). Significant correlations (p<0.05) were observed between vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (r=-0.12) and between haemoglobin and vitamin A (r=0.01), zinc (r=0.02) and vitamin D (r=0.02) levels. CONCLUSIONS: In the surveyed population, zinc deficiency was high and to a lesser degree vitamin A deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency prevailed. The nutritional status of the children was related to vitamin D status and with haemoglobin status. Zinc and vitamin A levels were low in children with severe stunting. Vitamins A, D and zinc levels were associated with haemoglobin status.
Serum adiponectin levels in overweight and obese women; discrimination between insulin resistance and abdominal obesity
(American Association for Clinical Chemistry, 2016) Chackrewarthy, S.; Medagoda, K.; Marasinghe, E.; Wijayasinghe, S.
INTRODUCTION: Insulin resistance and abdominal obesity are both associated with lower serum adiponectin concentrations. Since insulin resistance and abdominal obesity are related, the extent to which the association of adiponectin with insulin resistance is dependent on its relationship with abdominal obesity is not clear. The present study investigated the association between insulin resistance and abdominal obesity in its relationship with serum adiponectin. METHODS : Eighty-eight overweight or obese women (BMI>23) in the age group 35-65 years were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure were recorded and a fasting blood sample was obtained for biochemical parameters. Insulin resistance (IR) was quantified by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Abdominal obesity was assessed by waist circumference (WC). Subjects were divided according to WC quartiles: Q1) WC < 89cm (n = 21); Q2) WC 89-96cm (n = 21); Q3) WC 97-102cm (n = 25); and Q4) WC > 102cm (n = 21) and on the basis of insulin resistance. Data were analysed by SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of adiponectin in women were 5.93±1.9 µg/mL. In linear regression analysis, significant correlates of serum adiponectin were serum insulin (r = -0.439, p=0.000) and insulin resistance (r = -0.415, p0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) correlated positively with adiponectin level (p 2.5) subjects had significantly lower (p< 2.5) subjects irrespective of the level of abdominal adiposity. CONCLUSION: High adiponectin levels are associated with insulin sensitivity and a favourable lipid profile. Serum adiponectin levels are more tightly linked with insulin resistance than with abdominal obesity.
A study of the nutritional status of 2-5 years old children in an urban Sri Lankan community
(University of Kelaniya, 2014) Marasinghe, E.
In Sri Lanka, high prevalence of undemutrition among preschool children is a major public health problem. A range of factors influence their nutritional status. The present study was designed to investigate the relationships between micronutrient status, macronutrient intakes and the nutritional status of preschool children in a Sri Lankan community. In a cross sectional study, 340 children in 2-5 year age group were selected from a community in Ragama MOH area. Anthropornetric data and serum concentrations of vitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), vitamin A, zinc and haemoglobin levels were measured. Dietary intakes of the children were recorded by a seven day fcod diary. The prevalences of underweight, stunting and wasting among the pre-school children were 17%, 7% and 21% respectively. Majority of the children suffered from two or mere coexisting micronutrient deficiencies (92%). but met the requirements of energy (%?) and protein (%?) in diet. Nutritional status had significant associations (p
Vitamin D status and its association with serum parathyroid hormone in preschool children in a Sri Lankan Community
(Sri Lanka Medical Assosiation, 2012) Marasinghe, E.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Abeysena, H.T.C.S.; Rajindrajith, S.
INTRODUCTION: Despite increased awareness of the adverse health effects of low vitamin D status, data on serum vitamin D status of Sri Lankan preschool children is scarce. AIMS: To investigate the vitamin D status and its association with serum parathyroid hormone in preschool children in a community in the Ragama MOH area. METHODS: In a cross sectional study a total of 340 children (172 girls and 168 boys) aged 2-5 years were selected by random sampling. Fasting levels of serum vitamin D [as 25(OH)DJ and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were determined. The anthropometric characteristics of the children were measured using calibrated equipment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The mean fasting 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations were 23.47+8.9 ng/ml and 28.2±17.6 pg/ml respectively. 5.6% and 32.4% of the children had 25(OH)D concentrations indicative of vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml) and insufficiency (10 - 20 ng/ml) respectively. 6% of the children were stunted and prevalence of wasting and" underweight were 17% and 14% respectively. Prevalence of stunting was significantly higher in girls (p<0.05J. Linear regression analysis showed a.significant inverse association between serum levels of 25(OH)D and PTH (r = -0.226, p<0.02). Intake of milk and diary foods had a positive association with 25(OH)D levels although statistically insignificant (r = 0.224, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the presence of sub-optimal vitamin D status in preschool children in a tropical country. Inverse changes in PTH may deleteriously affect skeletal development and growth. The need for appropriate interventions to optimise vitamin D status is emphasized.