Some markers to elucidate the pathophysiology in early diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, microalbuminuria is considered as an important predictor for the onset of diabetic nephropathy. The goal of this study is to search for other markers in the hope of enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of screening for this life threatening complication. In the present study, 82 diabetic patients [26 insulin dependent and 56 non insulin dependent] aged from 21-69 years, [57 males and 25 females], together with 18 apparently healthy control of matchable age and sex were subjected to estimation of serum levels of Interlukin-1B [IL-1B], N-acetyl-13-glucosaminidase [NAG], fructosamine, random blood glucose, urinary levels of NAG, B[2]-microglobulin [B[2]-MG] and creatinine. The study showed that all the parameters studied were significantly higher in diabetics compared to the control group and their levels were significantly higher in diabetics with longer duration of diabetes and serum IL-1B, NAG, urinary B[2]-MG/mg creatinine, and NAG/mg creatinine were significantly higher in non-insulin dependent compared to insulin dependent. No significant correlation could be observed between any of the parameters studied and random blood glucose or fructosamine. Serum IL-1B, urinary B[2]-MG and urinary and serum NAG may be considered a good markers in detecting early diabetic nephropathy

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-I, II and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in bladder carcinoma

Insulin-like growth factors I, II [IGF-I, II] and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 were estimated in the sera of 22 subjects suffering from bladder carcinoma and 25 subjects selected as a control group by using IRMA kits. Also, histological examination of the surgical specimen of the cancer bladder patients was done. The results showed that all patients had squamous cell carcinoma and were subdivided into grade II [n = 16] and grade III [n = 6]. IGF-I, IGF- II and IGFBp-3 were significantly higher in sera of bladder carcinoma patients compared with the control group. Serum levels of IGF-II were correlated positively with the grading of the bladder cancer, where IGF-II serum levels in grade III carcinoma were significantly higher than that in grade II carcinoma. On the other hand, neither IGF-I nor IGFBp-3 correlated with the grades of tumor

investigation of the possible mechanism for propranolol induced sexual dysfunction

Propranolol as a beta adrenergic blocking agent is widely used in therapeutics for many indications. The drug has been observed to produce sexual dysfunction in many patients. However, the mechanisms of this effect is still unclarified. The present work is designed to investigate the effect of subchronic administration of propranolol on rat testicular tissues and serum testosterone level. Propranolol was given in 3-dose levels for 4 weeks. Results revealed that propranolol could produce degenerative changes in the interstitial cells of Leydig as well as the sperm cells and this associated with significant reduction in serum testosterone level. These changes may be the cause of sexual dysfunction that complicate propranolol therapy. The possible mechanisms underlying these changes were discussed

Permeability of blood nerve-barrier in diabetic rats

Experimental diabetes was induced in twenty rats using alloxan monohydrate. Another group of [10] normal rats of the same age and weight were served as control. Horse radish peroxidase [HRP] was injected I. V to demonstrate vascular permeability changes in sciatic nerves of these rats. Electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections of sciatic nerves revealed that HRP reaction product was seen between the perineurial cells and within pinocytic vesicles of these cells in sciatic nerves of diabetic rats indicating failure of normal blood-nerve diffusion barrier. HRP reaction product was observed in the epineurium and did not penetrate into the endoneurium in sections of sciatic nerves of normal rats indicating normal blood-nerve diffusion barrier. It can be concluded that an increase in vascular permeability does occur in diabetic rats, resulting in impairment of blood-nerve diffusion barrier. The possible pathogenesis will be discussed

Effect of caffeine on movements of the small intestine isolated from male rabbits

Caffeine [Caffeine-Sodium benzoate in doses of 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mg in 0.1 ml distilled water stimulated the amplitude of intestinal movements isolated from mature male rabbits. His stimulation increased with gradual increase in caffeine dosage. On the other hand, a small dose of caffeine [0.3 mg in 0.1 ml distilled water] was without effect on intestinal - movements while larger doses of caffeine [1.8 and 2.4 mg in 0.1 ml distilled water] decreased these movements. Avil [Pheniramine hydrogen maleate] which is a histaminic antagonist in a dose of 4.55 mg in.1 ml distilled water antagonized the effect of caffeine on the amplitude of intestinal movements, while other antagonists [atropine as anticholinergic drug and indomethacin as a prostaglandin inhibitor] failed to antagonize the effect of caffeine on isolated intestinal movements. These results led to the conclusion that caffeine acts through the release and potentiation of action of histamine on intestinal movements