[Factors influencing homocysteineamia in type 2 diapetic patients]

Previous studies have suggested that hyperhomocysteinaemia [Hcy] could be a strong and independent cardiovascular risk factor. Many factors could influence the serum concentration of Hcy such as vitamin B 12, folic acid, renal failure, hypothyroId status, ovarian failure and cancers. So the aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia among 54 type 2 diabetic patients and to study, its relationship with vitamin B 12, folic acid and Metformin. Were excluded all patients with an evident cause of hyperhomocysteinaemia. Mean age of patients was 52.8 years. Mean Hcy was 11,7 + 6,9 micro mol/l. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia was 27,8% in our group. There were eight [14%] patients with vitamin B 12 deficiency and three among them had hyperhomocysteinaemia There was no folic acid deficiency and no relationship with Metformin treatment. We suggest a wide screening of hyperhomocysteinaemia in type 2 diabetic patients and folic acid or vitamin B 12 supplements if necessary

[Homocysteinaemia and degenerative complications in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus [non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: NIDDM] is known to be associated with degenerative complications. Although, the pathophysiology of such complications is well known, the role of homocysteine [Hey] is still discussed.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the homocysteine levels and the NIDDM related complications in a group of NIDDM patients. Our study population consisted of 41 NIDDM patients including 13 subjects [G1] without complications [group controls], 17 patients [G2] with microangiopathy and 11 patients [G3] with coronary deficiency. Plasmatic homocysteine, glycemia, glycated haemoglobin [HbAIC] and lipid parameters were assessed in all patients. Our results showed that mean levels of plasmatic homocysteine were within the normal range [10.4 +/- 3.3 micro mol/l, 9.9 +/- 5.5 micro mol/l and 14.8 +/- 10.4 micro mol/l in G1, G2 and G3 respectively]. Nevertheless, moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia was found in 36% in the coronary group [G3], 17.3% in patients with microangiopathy [G2] and 7.7% in controls.These preliminary results showed that cardiovascular complications in NIDDM patients may be related to high levels of homocysteine

[Hyponatremies: clinical, prognostic and etiological aspects. About 4 observations]

Hyponatremia is defined as a plasmatic sodium level lower than 136 mmol/l it is a relatively frequent pathology and it is often discovered incidentally. The authors report 4 cases of hyponatremia illustrating the variety of mechanisms and the need for adapted treatments. The prognosis depends mostly on the etiology