Relationship Between Plasma Calcium Level and Fibrinogen, Homocysteine in Non-diabetic Elderly Patients / 中国循环杂志

To explore the impact of normal range plasma calcium level changes on fibrinogen and homocysteine (Hcy) in non-diabetic elderly patients. Methods: A total of 1030 non-diabetic patients≥65 years were retrospectively studied. According to adjusted plasma calcium concentration (Cac), the patients were divided into 4 quartiles as Q1 group, Q2 group, Q3 group and Q4 group. The relationship between Cac and plasma levels of fibrinogen and Hcy were compared. Results: ① Plasma levels of fibrinogen and Hcy were increased by Cac elevation accordingly, P=0.010 and P<0.001 respectively. ② Cac was obviously related to the prevalence of high fibrinogen (OR=1.75, P=0.019) and high Hcy (OR=1.82, P=0.026). ③ Cac was positively related to fibrinogen (Standardized β=0.15, P<0.001) and Hcy (Standardized β=0.08, P=0.009). Conclusion: Normal range plasma calcium level changes were related to the elevation of plasma fibrinogen and Hcy in non-diabetic elderly patients.

Responses of parathyroid gland, C cells, and plasma calcium and inorganic phosphate levels in rat to sub-lethal heroin administration.

In order to record the effects of heroin on plasma calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels as well as parathyroid gland and C cells, two sub-lethal doses (0.50 LD50 and 0.75 LD50) of the drug were administered intramuscularly in Rattus norvegicus for 30 days. Plasma Ca level of control rats ranged between 9.53±0.32 - 9.88±0.22 mg 100 ml-1 while plasma Pi concentration fluctuated between 4.55±0.18 - 4.71±0.24 mg 100 ml-1. Sub-lethal heroin administration induced progressive increase in plasma Ca level during the first seven days (p <0.001), thereafter the level declined on day 15 and 30. However, plasma Pi level of the heroin-treated rats registered increase with the peak value (p <0.001) on day 30. The treatment elicited degenerative changes in parathyroid gland as evident by cytoplamic vacuolization, presence of more pycnotic nuclei and occurrence of patchy areas among the chief cells. Degenerative changes were also noticed in cristae of mitochondria, Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum. There was decrease in chromatin material in the nucleus and loss of hormone granules in the cytoplasm. Oxyphil cells of the heroin-treated rat depicted dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and damaged cristae. Sub-lethal heroin administration in the rat for 30 days induced dilation in endoplasmic reticulum and loss of secretory granules in C cells.