Media Release
Ajman, Mar 29: For the first time in the UAE, the Center for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation (CABRI) at the Gulf Medical University has introduced ‘Low density lipoprotein sub-profiling’ that helps in prevention of heart disease. The test helps a physician to monitor an individual’s lipid sub-profiles and reverse unfavorable LDL sub-profiles to protect patients from the onset of coronary heart disease.
Explaining the details Dr P K Menon, Director of CABRI said ‘The test helps in differentiating LDL into seven subtypes, the first two being safe and the latter five being atherogenic. A sample of serum collected from the patient after a 12 hour fast is stained and separated on an electrophoretic gel. The result is scanned and analyzed using proprietary software. An easy-to-interpret color graph of the patient’s lipoprotein profile is generated and printed. The LDL type of the persons sample is generated. Type A pattern indicates a good LDL pattern. A person with normal cholesterol but with a “non type A” LDL profile is prone to CHD’.
It is known that statins reduce the levels of total cholesterol and the number of lipoprotein particles. Niacin and fibrates change the particle distribution from small atherogenic to large less atherogenic “LDL subtype A”. A combination therapy is often recommended along with dietary changes and exercise schedules. This test can thus help a physician monitor an individual’s lipid sub-profiles monitor and reverse unfavorable LDL sub-profiles to protect patients from the onset of coronary heart disease, added Dr Menon.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by fat deposits or “atheroma” formation on the walls of coronary arteries. The risk of developing atherosclerosis is significantly increased by having a family history of CHD, smoking, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol, lack of regular exercise, diabetes and obesity. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL, often referred to as bad cholesterol, takes cholesterol from the liver and delivers it to the cells. HDL, often referred to as "good cholesterol", carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver. However not all LDL is bad. The larger buoyant fractions of LDL are less atherogenic as compared to the smaller stickier fractions of LDL.
About CABRI
The Center for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation, set-up at Gulf Medical University Ajman, will focus on research studies and advanced diagnostics in nationally important health areas like Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, Genetic Disorders, Allergies and Thalassemia. CABRI is keen to work with the industry and carry out industry sponsored research and generate Intellectual Property Rights. CABRI is already working with some of the multinational companies on various research projects, and aims to focus on diagnostic testing.
The Center has, in addition, the ability to do bio analytical testing, toxicology testing and rare metal analysis. The Center aims to be a leading service provider for High Complexity Testing in the next 3-5 years. The Center for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation will raise the current undergraduate facility to a higher pedestal as a postgraduate facility, predominantly focusing on graduate studies and medical research. The Center will encourage and nurture our students and faculty members to be active in research.
The Center plans to launch inter-institutional collaboration within UAE and abroad. The center is seeking accreditation from the College of American Pathologists. CABRI will be following national and international standards and guidelines (Ministry of Health/ College of American Pathologists/ Good Laboratory Practice/ Good Clinical Practice) by using the latest technologies within a state of art infrastructure.