role of fibronectin and TNF-alpha in early detection of diabetic nephropathy

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in large areas of the world. Diabetic nephropathy has become the major cause of end-stage renal disease [ESRD] [Kikkawa R. et al., 2003]. In this work, we study the role of measuring of TNF- alpha and fibronectin for possible early detection of diabetic nephropathy. This study was carried out on 45 individuals. It included 15 apparently normal healthy individuals [group I], 15 patients with NIDDM less than 5 years duration [group II], 1.5 patients with NIDDM more than 10 years duration [group III]. All individuals were thoroughly examined clinically including careful general, heart, chest and abdominal examination as well as neurological examination, fundus examination. ECG and US examination was done for all patients. All individuals were investigated with complete urine analysis, urine culture, fasting and 2 hrs postprandial blood glucose, kidney function tests, glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], microalbumin [Albumin / creatinine ratio [ACR]]. Plasma fibronectin and TNF- alpha were done for all patients, fibronectin and TNF-alpha were markedly elevated in group III. We concluded that measurement of plasma fibronectin and TNF-alpha level may be used as marker for follow-up reflecting vascular endothelial changes in the course of diabetic nephropathy

role of L-carnitine in anemic and hypoglycemic neonates

This study was designed to determine the effect of L-carnitine on anemic and hypoglycemic neonates. A total number of 70 neonates were divided into 2 groups: hypoglycemic group [n=40 [20 supplemented with L-carnitine and 20 not supplemented]], and anemic group [n=30 [15 supplemented with L-carnitine and 15 not supplemented]]. The effect of L-carnitine was compared on both groups. We found that there was a significant improvement of hypoglycemia and anemia after L-carnitine supplementation, this improvement significantly correlated with the duration of the treatment

Evaluation of growth hormone [GH] and insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1] in children with protein energy malnutrition

Protein energy malnutrition is a range of pathological conditions arising from coincident lack, in varying proportions, of protein and calories, occurring most frequently in infants and young children and commonly associated with infections. Protein-energy malnutrition [PEM] may range in severity from mild, through moderate to severe degree. Two distinct syndromes occur, at either end of the spectrum, marasmus and kwashiorkor, and in between, varying degrees of signs of each are found mixed together in what is sometimes termed "marasmic kwashiorkor". To clarify the influence of nutrition on the Growth hormone - Insulin-like growth factor-1 axis [GH-IGF1 axis] in protein-energy malnutrition, fifty children suffering from different degrees of protein-energy malnutrition and twenty normal children were recruited from outpatient clinic and inpatient pediatric wards of EI- Minia university Hospital, Egypt. Blood samples were collected from all patients for determination of CBC, total protein, serum albumin, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1. Patients were classified on the basis of Welcome classification of PEM into three groups. Marasmic group included 28 children [16 of them were boys] ranging in age from 4 months to 2 years, kwashiorkor group included 14 children [6 of them were boys], ranging in age from 4 months to 2 years and marasmic-kwashiorkor group included 8 children [3 of them were boys] ranging in age from 4 months to 1.5 years. The results of the study showed that the mean GH serum levels were significantly higher in the three malnourished groups than in controls [p = 0.0001]. In contrast, IGF-1 serum concentration was lower and seemed to be related to high GH and to a reduction of GH receptors. Serum total protein and serum albumin were significantly lower in kwashiorkor than in marasmus and marasmic-kwo groups [p < 0.05], but in all groups they were lower than in controls. We concluded that the combination of low level of IGF-1 together with either normal or elevated level of basal growth hormone is very suggestive of protein - energy malnutrition and can help to distinguish growth failure due to growth hormone deficiency from that of PEM

Hepatitis B virus in pregnant women and their offsprings in Minia

This study was carried out on 60 women in labor and their offsprings and 45 pregnant women, chosen randomly from those admitted to the labor ward and Outpatient Antenatal Care Unit of El-Menia University Hospital. Ten% of the 60 maternal samples and also their offsprings, 5 cases [11%] of pregnant women were positive for HBsAg using ELISA technique. The total incidence of HBsAg carrier status in women of study group was 10.4%. HBeAg was detected in 2 women in labor [3.3%], one of their offsprings was also positive for it. In pregnant group, only one was positive [2.2%]. The anti-HBe was found in B women in labor [13.3%], 6 [10%] of their offsprings and 6 [13.3%] pregnant women were positive for it. It was found that post history of C.S. And hepatitis were contributing factors for the presence of hepatitis markers while the parity is not

Serum bile acids and standard liver enzymes in hepatobiliary disorders

The study included 20 normal individuals as control group and 58 cases [13 cases with hepatitis, 17 cases with chronic cholycystitis, 14 cases with obstructive jaundice and 14 cases with hepatoma]. The mean value of serum levels of postprandial bile acids and standard liver enzymes for each diseased group showed statistically significant difference except in ALP, GGT and 5'N in chronic cholycystitis group when compared with the control group. The sensitivity and accuracy of serum postprandial bile acids were 100% and 97% in both hepatoma and obstructive jaundice groups. While in hepatitis were 100% and 96%, and as regard the cases of chronic cholycystitis were 23.5% and 62%, respectively

role of some clinical and laboratory tests in the prediction of preeclampsia

Eighty eight healthy primigravida women studied in the period between 14-24 weeks and in the period between 28-32 weeks of gestation to predict the later development of preeclampsia. Urine evaluated for microalbuminuria and calcium excretion [calcium/creatinine ratio], also plasma fibronectin and isometric hand grip exercise test [IHET] were measured. Preeclampsia developed in 17 women [19.3%]. Plasma fibronectin was found to have the best sensitivity positive and negative predictive values while IHET had the best specificity in the period between 14-24 weeks. In the period between 28-32 weeks plasma fibronectin showed the best sensitivity, specificity positive and negative predictive values. The best results were obtained in the two periods when plasma fibronectin was combined with calcium/creatinine ratio, yet combination is not superior to the results of plasma fibronectin alone

Diagnostic values of serum alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen and ferritin levels in hepatocellular and colorectal carcinomas

This study included 80 individuals; 25 healthy normal subjects. 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] and 25 patients with colorectal carcinoma [CRC]. In cancer groups the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of biopsy specimens. Serum levels of Alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] and Ferritin [Fer] showed significant increase in both HCC and CRC as compared to the control group. Also, there was a significant increase in all parameters in HCC when compared with CRC

relation between ABO groups and some coagulation factors

The study was carried out on 200 blood donors at Minia and Assiut university Hospitals. It was found that the level of fibrinogen, factor II and VIII were significantly higher in group A when compared with group O, also factor II, VIII and cholesterol was found increased when compared with group B. Fibrinogen, factor II, and IX of group B were significantly higher when compared with group 0. Serum cholesterol and factor II of group AB were significantly increased when compared with B. No other differences between the blood group reached statistical significant

Oxygen detoxifying enzymes in uremic patients

Orygen free radical is a highly toxic agent which is liberated during many metabolic processes. This toxic product is detoxified through the oxygen detoxifying enzyme system, superoxide dismutase [S.O.D.], catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The above mentioned enzymes were found to be elevated in the early stage of chronic renal failure and the activity decreased with the development of the disease. The early affected enzyme is glutathione peroxidase

Determination of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in some pathological conditions

In this study the levels of superoxide dismutase [S.O.D.], catalase and glutathione peroxidase in diabetic patients, pregnant women and patients with cataract were estimated in complication to normal control. A highly significant decrease in the superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxdidase activities and insignificant decrease in catalase activity in diabetic patients was observed. In pregnant women a highly significant increase in S.O.D., glutahinoe peroxidase and isignificant increase in catalase activity was observed. In cataract the activity of the three enzymes was significantly decreased