Nephrotoxicity of long-term occupational exposure to gasoline in El-Minia governorate

The current study was carried out to evaluate the nephrotoxic effect of long-term occupational exposure to gasoline in El-Minia governorate. 76 male subjects aging 18-42 years were involved in this study. They were divided into 4 groups: control group 1: consists of 20 normal subjects with no history of long-term gasoline exposure or previous history of blood, hepatic or renal disorders, group II: consist of 15 gas stations workers for a period of 1 year +/- 2 months with daily exposure to gasoline, group III: consists of 21 gas stations workers for a period of 5 years +/- 2 months with daily exposure to gasoline, and group IV: consists of 20 gas stations workers for a period of 10 years +/- 2 months with daily exposure to gasoline. All subjects sere investigated for blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine [S.Cr.], beta[2] microglobulin [beta[2]MG] and cystatin C. The levels BUN, S.Cr., beta[2]MG, and cystatin C of the subjects of group II were within normal with no significant differences when compared to those of group I. The values BUN, S.Cr., beta[2]MG, and cystatin C of the subjects of group III were significantly elevated when compared to those of groups I and II. The levels BUN, S.Cr., beta[2]MG, and cystatin C of the subjects of group IV were significantly elevated when compared to those of group I, II and III. In group III, there was a positive correlation between S.Cr. to the level of beta[2] MG. Also, there was a positive correlation of the level of S.Cr. to the levels of beta[2] MG, and cystatin C among the subjects of group IV. Long-term exposure of the gas station workers to gasoline may carry the risk of nephrotoxicity. This raises the importance of increasing the safety protective measures at these stations, and to develop a more safe fuel in the near future

Serum levels of ghrelin in healthy children and in children with simple obesity and the effect of insulin and glucose on ghrelin secretion

In addition to its regulation by GH releasing hormone [GHRH] and somatostatin, release of GM from the pituitary is modulated by a third factor, ghrelin, which is expressed in high concentration in the stomach and is present in the circulation. Ghrelin has also been shown to cause weight gain by increasing food Intake and decreasing fat utilization. Ghrelin is a potential candidate hormone to influence nutrient intake and growth. Its role through normal childhood and adolescence has not been fully defined. Ghrelin levels increase before and decrease after meals, potentially playing a role in meal initiation and satiety in an inverse pattern to that of insulin. The role of ghrelin in childhood obesity a state associated with hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance, is not fully understood. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to Investigate the dynamics of ghrelin suppression after an oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] in normal weight [NW] children versus children with simple obesity [SO] and the relationship of ghrelin suppression to insulin sensitivity. Fifteen NW [8 males and 7 females] and 15 children with SO [8 males and 7 females] prepubertal children from 8-12 years underwent a 3-h OGTT with measurements of ghrelin, glucose, and Insulin at 0, 30 and 60 minutes. The fasting glucose to insulin ratio and the whole body insulin sensitivity index were used to assess the relationship of insulin sensitivity to tasting ghrelin and ghrelin response to the OGTT respectively. Fasting ghrelin levels were significantly lower in children with SO versus NW children and were mainly influenced by insulin sensitivity. OGTT-induced suppression in ghrelin which was less in children with SO versus NW children, resulting in a similar suppression from baseline in the two groups despite a significantly higher insulin response in children with SO. The suppression of ghrelin correlated positively with the whole body insulin sensitivity index [r= 0.43; P = 0.001] and negatively with the change in insulin at 30 min [r = -0.31; P = 0.02]. Fasting ghrelin and ghrelin suppression after OGTT are modulated by insulin sensitivity. Alterations in ghrelin suppression in SO children may be yet another manifestation of the insulin resistance of obesity. Whether this is responsible for differences in satiety in obese individuals merits additional investigation