Lysosomal enzymes, isoenzymes in rheumatoid arthritis

This study has shown that serum activity of cathepsin B, cathepsin D and B-NAG were insignificantly decreased in rheumatoid group compared with normal group while serum acid phosphatase was significantly increased in rheumatoid arthritis when compared with normal group. Synovial activity of cathepsin B, cathepsin D, B-NAG and acid phosphatase were significantly increased in rheumatoid group compared with osteoarthritic group. B-NAG is fractionated in rheumatoid synovial fluid into 2 bands [A, B], where A band had disappeared by heating, while in, osteoarthritic synovial fluid B-NAG had been fractionated into only one band [A], which had disappeared by heating

Microalbuminuria in diabetics with coronary heart disease

Microalbuminuria was determined in 40 patients with type II diabetes mellitus [10 without coronary heart disease [group I] and 30 with CHD [group II]] before and after exercise, using automated immunoprecipitin analysis. Microalbuminuria in group I showed significant increase before [P <0.05] and after exercise [P <0.001] when compared with control. Diabetic group with CHD showed significant increase in microalbuminuria before and after exercise [P <0.05]. Both patients in group I and group II showed in significant changes in microalbuminuria before and after exercise [P >0.05]. However, these results were obtained from a small number of selected diabetic patients with or without coronary heart disease

Lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde in synovial fluid and serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The concentration of malondialdehyde in serum and syovial fluid was measured as an indicator of free radical in 20 arthritic patients [10 osteoarthritis and 10 rheumatoid arthritis] plus ten healthy volunteers. Free radical activity showed high significant increase in rheumatoid group compared with both control and osteoarthritic groups, this increase was manifested both in serums as well as in synovial fluid. From this study it is concluded that, measurement of free radicals are useful in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The study strongly recommend the administration of antioxidants side by side with antirheumatic drugs to correct the oxidative stress and promote oxidant antioxidant balance

Natural honey as potential diuretic, [experimental study]

In this study the potential diuretic effect of honey was investigated in anaesthatized dogs and compared to hydrochlorothiazide as a standard diuretic drug. Intravenous administration of honey 1 gm/k gm in a 40% dilution in normal saline produced significant augmentation of volume of urine output, urine sodium, chloride and to less extent potassium excretion. The increase in cation excretion is covered with commonsurate increase of chloride ion i.e. chloride ions appears to be the main attending anion. The diuretic effect of honey starts immediately after administration and reaches maximum after 20 to 40 minutes. The pattern of diuretic effect of honey as well as the magnitude of this effect, compare favourably with the response to hydrochlorothiazide [2.5 mg/kgm I.V]. However, honey has the advantage that it produces less kaliuresis. Measurement of serum concentration of sodium, chloride and potassium following administration of honey or hydrochlorothiazide revealed that concentrations of these ions are not altered except the potassium concentration which shows mild hypokalaemia in dogs treated with hydrochlorothiazide. A mixture of glucose-fructose - sucrose - maltose [GFSM] in the same proportions as they are found in honey was tested in a group of dogs in a dose of 1 gm/kgm i.e. equal to the o dose of natural honey, this mixture failed to produce any diuretic effect. Such finding could suggest that the diuretic effect of honey is not attributed to its sugar content. Although the various mechanisms of action or the site of the diuretic effect at the nephron have not been elucidated, this is the first study which provides a controlled scientific evidence for the potential diuretic effect of honey. These preliminary results suggest that honey may be used clinically as a safe diuretic. However, further investigations are required to explore the mechanism [s] of this property and fully to ascertain it's clinical potential

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic pattern of urinary and serum proteins in some chronic renal diseases

In this study, urinary and serum proteins in control, CRF and nephrotic groups are fractionated into 11 fractions arranged from the anodal side on polyacrylamide gel electrophoressis. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that: 1- In chronic renal failure group, both quantitative and qualitative changes in serum and urinary proteins occur. There is a very highly significant increase in urinary total proteins, F1[1] F[5] and F[6] as well as a highly significant increase in urinary F4 and a significant increase in urinary F[2]. On the other hand there is a highly significant decrease in serum total proteins and F6. Also, there is a highly significant decrease in F[2] and F[6]. On the other hand, there is a highIy significant increase in serum F1 and F9. F10 and F11 are present only in CRF group but not in control or nephrotic groups. 2- In nephrotic group, there is a very highly significant increase in urinary total proteins, F1, F3, F5 and F6 as well as a highly significant increase in F[2]. The urinary protein F7, F8 and F9 are present in nephrotic group but F[10] and F[11] are absent. As for serum, there is a very highly significant decrease in serum total proteins. F[2] and F[6]. a highly significant decrease in F[5] and a significant increase in F9 and absence of F[10] and F11 which are present in CRF group only. 3 In CRF group, there is a highly significant increase in serum F 1, which may be B2 microglobulin and may be of value in the genesis of symptoms in CRF. 4 Considering urinary F3, which is most probably transferrin, it showed a very highly significant increase in nephrotic group, but insignificant change in CRF group. So, it may be considered as an indicator for pathological glomerular proteinuria. 5 As regards urinary F4 which is most probably B-globulin, it showed a highly significant increase in CRF group but insignificant change in nephrotic group. This may be of value in diagnosis and differntiation between CRF and nephrotic syndrome.6- F7, F8 and F9 are most probably IgM. These fractions are present in urine of CRF and nephrotic group, but absent in urine of control group because they can not pass through the normal glomerular membrane. 7- There is a highly significant increase in serum F9 in CRF group. This fraction is of a large molecular weight and essentially unfilterable and may have a role in the genesis of renal failure symptoms. It is concluded that fraction of urinary as well as serum proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis may be of high value in diagnosis and prognosis of renal disease status. The increase in urinary F3 is an indicator of glomerular proteinuria which occurs in nephrotic syndrome and the increase in urinary F4 is an indicator of tubular proteinuria and may be of diagnostic value in chronic renal failure

Effect of captopril on some hydroclorothiazide adverse metabolic effects in rats

This study was conducted to declare the effect of calcium channel blockers [nifedipine and isradipine] on the vasoconstrictor responseophenylephrine and norepinephrine.Mongrel dogs were used to study this interaction on the blood pressure, nifedipine and isradipine attenuated the effect of vasopressors on the blood pressure. The degree of attenuation was in the following order: norepinephrine > phenylephrine. When dogs were subjected to bleeding, it was found that nifedipine and isradipine also attenuated the effect of vasopressors on the blood pressure of dogs. The degree of attenuation was in the following order: norepinephrine > phenylephrine. Using Albino rat hind quarter preparations, it was found that nifedipine and isradipine produced significant increase in the vascular outflow rate. The effect of isradipine was more significant than that of nifedipine. Phenyleprine and norepinephrine significantly decreased the vascular outflow rate. Nifedipine and isradipine did not attenuate the vasoconstrictor response of phenylephrine and non significant attenuation to the vasoconstrictor response of norepinephrine was observed. In conclusion, and 2 -mediated vasoconstriction is mostly dependent upon the influx of calcium through calcium channels. This effect is almost totally blocked by nifedipine and isradipine. and1 -mediated vasoconstriction is mediated, by the previously mentioned mechanism and other mechanisms e.g. intracellular release of calcium. The vasopressor effect mediated by and 1-stimulant is resistant to total blockade by nifedipine or isradipine. Blockade of the vasoconstrictor effect mediated by and 1 or and 2 stimulants should be taken in consideration if a subject under nifedipine or isradipine treatment needs and 1 or and 2 stimulant for treatment of emergency hypotensive states