Hormonal regulation of fluid homeostasis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

This study was carried out on 20 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] patients and 10 normal control subjects of the same age group to show the interrelationship of hormones regulating fluids in COPD patients. There was no significant statistical difference in the serum sodium concentration or aldosterone or plasma arginine vasopressin [AVP] levels. On the other hand, plasma atrial natriuretic factor [ANF] was significantly increased in COPD group. Also, in COPD patients, the FEV1, FVC, MEFR, MMFR and MVV were significantly decreased from their predicated values while blood value was significantly increased of these COPD patients. Thirteen were nonedematous while seven were edematous, i.e. showing clinically; evident edema or having a past history of edema, between these both groups, blood volume, PCO2, serum aldosterone and plasma AVP were significantly different showing increase in those indices in the edematous group, while the right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, serum sodium, PO2 and plasma ANF were not significantly different. The present study showed that hypercapnia plays a cardinal role in the pathogenesis of hypervolemia and development of edema in COPD patients. This seems to be mediated principally through increase in hormonal levels of aldosterone and AVP

Electrocardiographic and electrolyte changes before and after calcium antagonist in dogs

This study deals with determination of the effects of administration of vasopressin and Ca antagonist [nifedipine]. The signs of coronary insufficiency and concomitant myocardial ischemia after vasopressin were quiet evident electrocardiographically. Nifedipine corrects ECG changes and causes significant decrease in arterial blood pressure and significant changes in serum and tissue electrolytes. The results were discussed

Kidney function in manic-depressive psychosis

This study was carried out to assess the kidney functions in manic-depressive psychosis on 9 cases under Li therapy and 10 who never received it and a control group. Determination of Na, K, C1, creatinine, and osmolality in serum and urine were done. A significant change in urine flow/min., creatinine clearance, osmolality, urinary excretion of Na, K, C1, was found in manic-depressive cases and in those under Li treatment compared with controls

Fibrinolysis, fibrinogen and fibrinogen-degradation products in athletes and nonathletes

Resting levels of fibrinolytic activity, fibrinogen and fibrinogen- degradation products were determined in blood samples obtained from 20 heavily exercising athletes. The results were compared with those obtained from a control group of 15 inactive students. The athletic group was trained 3-4 times weekly for a period of 5-6 years before the study. The blood fibrinolytic activity was significantly increased in athletes as compared to non-athletes. While, fibrinogen concentration and fibrinogen-degradation product level did not show significant difference between trained and non-trained persons. The results were discussed and explained

Effect of chlorpropamide and glibenclamide on plasma electrolytes and kidney functions of diabetic patients

The effect of a short term therapy with two sulphonurea hypoglycaemic drugs [Chlorpropamide and Gilbenclamide] on plasma electrolytes [Na[+], K[+], C1[-] and P[-3]], plasma osmolality [P[osm]] glomerular filteration rate [GFR] and kidney excretory functions of 30 patients with recently discovered diabetes mellitus was studied. Results revealed a decrease of P[osm,] glomerular filteration rate, urine excretion rate, Na[+], C1[-], P[-3] reabsorption rate by the kidney in case of chlorpropamide therapy. Glibenclamide produced a diuretic action manifested as an increase of free water clearance [C[H2O]] osmolal clearance C[osm] and plasma osmolality. A decrease of plasma inorganic phosphate, and phosphate reabsorption by the kidney due to a direct tubular action was also recorded, the explanation of these changes was mentioned

comparative study of the effects of salicylates and diclofenac sodium [voltaren] on renal functions of rheumatic patients

The present study was done on 20 patients with Rheumatoid arthritis who gave a negative history of renal disease and were normotensive. Ten patients received salicylates in the form of Aspirin while the others received, diclofenac sodium, which is a new non-steroidal antirheumatic agent. Serum creatinine concentration, creatinine clearance, sodium and potassium in serum and urine, osmotic pressure of serum and urine were measured before and after medication. Salicylates apparently affect renal function in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis while diclofenac sodium is a quite safe drug

Studies on the mitochondria in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

The present work was done on 10 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and alike number of control, admitted to the surgery department of Alexandria University Hospital. During the operation a liver biopsy was taken and used for isolation of mitochondria. The work was carried out to investigate any changes in electrolytes, protein content and mitochondrial swelling in the mitochondria isolated from human liver in both groups. Sodium was found to be significantly increased [T=5.08], while protein content was significantly decreased [T=3.99]. On the other hand, there was no significant changes in the potassium level and swelling ratio. It was stated that increased sodium level and the decreased protein content reflect the great hindrance of cell energetics with a consequent interference with the cell respiration and metabolism leading to vital changes in the body's homeostatic mechanisms. We can suggest that biochemical failure at the subcellular level may be added to the lethal factors in schistosomal patients

effect of gentamicin on p-aminohippurate uptake by rat renal cortical slices

The mechanism of P-aminohippurate [PAH] uptake by cortical slices of rat kidney was investigated. The uptake of PAH was significantly greater in rats injected with gentamicin for 4 days than in the control group. The uptake of PAH by renal cortical slices was not affected by adding gentamicin to the incubation medium. The data suggest that gentamicin specifically stimulates the organic acid transport system and that this effect may represent an early functional correlate of gentamicin nephrotoxicity

Zinc metabolism in acute renal failure in rats

Manifestatios of zinc deficiency include abnormal bone metabolism, skin lesion, testicular atrophy and impaired wound healing. Because these abnormalities are also common in uremia, zinc metabolism in renal insufficiency was studied in fifteen male Albino rats made acutely uremic by ureteral ligation. Ten sham operated rats served as controls. To evaluate the effect of acute uremia on zinc metabolism, plasma zinc in rats was measured 48 hours after ureteral ligation. In spite of low plasma zinc level, there was no tissue deficit of zinc in liver, muscles or testis. Decreased plasma zinc in renal failure may be due to distribution to other unexamined tissues as total body Zn depletion was excluded

Studies on the mitochondria in protein-energy defficient rats

The effect of protein energy deficiency on the electrolyte content and the swelling of mitechondria isolated from rat liver, kidey and thigh muscle was studied. The level of sodium was insignifcantly increased in the three types of mitochondria. Potassium concentration in the kidney mitochondria was slightly decreased, while in the liver and muscle mitochondria it was not changed. Calcium level did not show marked variations, while magnesium concentration was significantly increased in the liver mitochondria only. It was found that liver and kidney mitochondria isolated from the malnounshed animals were swollen. Inorganic phosphorous estimations showed no significant change. It was concluded that protein-energy malnutrition could interfere with the biochemical processes carried out by mitochondria, which may lead to a serious interference with the energetics of the cell

Effect of protein-energy malnutrition on the electrolyte level and total proteins in rat tissues

The effect of protein and energy deficilncy on the electrolyte levels in rat serum, kidney, liver and thigh muscle was studied. The present study revealed a significant increase of serum sodium in the malnourished animals as compared with the control group. The kidney was the only tissue which showed a marked demrease in the potassium level. Calcium was significantly decreased. In both the kidney and the thigh muscle, While magnesium was markedly decreased only in the liver. Inorganic phosphorus level was decreased significantly in the serum, kidney and liver. Total protein estimations revealed that only the liver and muscle may contribute in the compensation of protein deficiency. The results of this work were compared with the data reported in the literatuer

maternal oxygen tension in normal and abnormal pregnancy

The oxygen tension of the maternal arterial blood in 135 pregnant females in the third trimester was studied. 35 cases as normal control group and 100 cases of hypertension with pregnancy. 20 more cases of I.U.F. death were studied as well, of whom four cases of recent [2-7] days and 19 of prolonged [8 days- 8 weeks] duration of death. The maternal arterial P02 in normal pregnant cases was found lower than the accepted mean of non pregnant, again the maternal arterial P02 in hypertensive cases and I.U.F.D, cases were found significantly lower than in normal cases

Plasma cortisol and synacthen test after oral contraceptives

Thirty women receiving Gyn-Anovlar were studied for plasma cortisol level. Ten of them were examined before and after Gyn-Anovlar therapy for basal cortisol and were injected intramuscularly with 250 mg mg of Synacthen. There was a significant rise of plasma cortisol and the patients responded normally to the injection of Synacthen indicating a good adrenal reserve function. The remaining 20 patients were already taking the pills for periods ranging from 8 to 9 months. Their plasma cortisol level was not statistically different from those taking the pills for six months