Is there a relationship between longevity, blood group type, and secretor status of blood group substances?

Blood and saliva were collected from 150 old individuals [60 years and over, 76 were males and 74 females], as well as from 100 young controls. The blood was used for grouping by the tile technique, while the saliva was used for testing the secretion of ABH substances by the agglutination-inhibition test. Eighty of the non- secretors [50 old individuals and 30 controls] were also tested for the presence of Lewis substance in saliva. Fifty out of the 150 old individuals were group "O" phenotype [33.3%], while only 15 out of the 100 young controls had this phenotype [15%]. Ninety out of 150 elderly individuals were non-secretors [60%], but only 24 out of the 100 controls were non-secretors [24%]. The majority of the elderly and young non-secretors of ABH were secretors of Lewis substance. Ten cancer patients were similarly tested and none of them was of group "O", and they were all secretors of ABH substances. It seems that there is hope for group "O" non-secretors to live long

Some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in patients of chronic renal failure

Carbohydrate metabolism was studied in 20 non diabetic patients with chronic renal failure and ten normal controls. The study showed a positive correlation between glucose intolerance was demonstrated in 70% of uremic patients, yet a high fasting serum insulin level was demonstrated in 55% of them. Also a high insulinogenic index was found in 40% of the patients indicating hyperinsulinism. It was suggested that the cause of glucose intolerance in chronic renal failure was probably due to a peripheral insulin antagonism

Histochemical study of gastroduodenal mucosa in uremic patients

The study demonstrated that the metabolic activities of the gastroduodenal mucosal cells are impaired in undialized chronic renal failure patients and to a less extent in hemodialysis patient, as evidenced by weak alkaline phosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase and alpha esterase enzyme activities. In the same time autolytic activities are increased in undialyzed patients and to a less extent in hemodialysis patients, as evidenced by increased acid phosphatase activity in the gastroduodenal mucosa in these patients

Assessment of monocyt-macrophage functions in senescence

Monocytes and histiocytes are the blood and tissue phagocytes, respectively. Blood samples were taken from 30 normal elderly male individuals over 60 years of age. Assessment of phagocytic function was performed using ingestion of dye opsonised yeast for detecting phagocytes in lymphocytes. A significant increase in both monocytes and macrophages in the elderly compared with the control young control group; however, there was remarkable difference in the phagocytic function

Evaluation of complement system in the aged

This study was conducted on 30 normal elderly males over 60 years of age and a control group of 10 healthy young male volunteers. Estimation of serum complement components C3 and C4 were performed using radial immune, diffusion technique. An increase in the complement C3 and C4 was demonstrated in the elderly, which might be due to extensive activation of the complement system or impaired utilization

High erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the elderly

Significant elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate was detected in 60 healthy senescent males and females. This was attributed to an accompanying increase in plasma fibrinogen and serum alpha 2 globulin levels. The results are discussed in the light of being a normal alteration of cellular function with age

relation between chronic gall bladder diseases and disturbed carbohydrate metabolism

The relation between pancreaticobiliary disorders and diabetes mellitus was studied in 20 patients with chronic gallbladder disorders, 13 of them were less obese non-diabetics and 10 healthy individuals. They were subjected to plain X-ray and cholecystogram, blood sugar and blood lipids estimation, liver function tests and endocrine as well as exocrine pancreatic function tests

clinical study of diabetic patients with upper gastrointestinal enteropathy

Twenty diabetic patients of matched age group, 10 with symptoms of gastro-intestinal disturbance and 10 asymptomatic. They were studied for their upper gastro-intestinal tract by fluoroscopy, x-ray- barium swallow and meal, endoscopy and gastric secretory function, to detect any gastro-enteropathic complication. The present study showed that patients with late diabetic complication and long duration have gastric neuropathy due to vagal nerve affection. Achlorhydria and hypo-chlorhydria are common in diabetic patients with long duration due to mucosal degenerative changes, vagal neuropathy and uncontrolled hyperglycaemic state. On the other hand, the radiological findings of asymptomatic diabetic patients showed positive results and endoscopic abnormality indicating early development of gastro enteropathy