Detection of an early marker of atherosclerosis among non-insulin dependent-diabetic patients

An early marker of subclinical arteriosclerosis, the increased intimal-medial thickness [IMT] of the common carotid artery was measured by B-mode ultrasound in twenty non-diabetic and thirty non- insulin- dependent diabetic patients [ten newly diagnosed and twenty well established diabetics]. This marker was compared in non- diabetic and diabetic subjects to evaluate its correlation with some cardiovascular risk factors, and duration of diabetes. In addition, body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAic] and fasting concentrations of plasma glucose, serum lipids and serum insulin were measured in all subjects. In conclusion, diabetes is characterized by a greater thickness of the carotid artery, which lead to increased risk of arteriosclerosis. Also, central adiposity is considered as a predictor of IMT in non- diabetic individuals

Rate of fibrosis progression in the hepatitis C virus patients in relation to alanine transaminase activity

In hepatitis c virus [HCV] patients, the progression rate of fibrosis in relation to the liver enzymes is unknown. The aim of this study was done to assess the progression rate of fibrosis and to compare HCV patient normal ALT liver enzyme with HCV patients with elevated ALT. Hislological lesions were stayed using the metavir score we defined fibrosis stage progression per year as the ratio of the fibrosis stage in metavir units to the duration of infection. 72-HCV patient were included in each group. In group I liver enzymes values were normal, and lower than in group II [ALT 24 vs. 140 I u/L; p < 0.0001]. HCV RNA was less frequently in-group I [66% vs.97%; p < .0001]. Histological activities were lower in group I [0.6 vs. 1.36; p< .0001]. The stage of fibrosis was lower in group I [0.95 vs .1.8; p < .001]. The mean progression rate of fibrosis was lower in group I [0.06 vs 0.14; p< .001] HCV patient with normal ALT showed weaker histological activity and lower fibrosis scores, and the progression rate of fibrosis was twice as slow as in HCV patient with elevated ALT

Markers of thrombin and plasmin generation in some patients subjected to thrombotic attacks

Hemostasis and thrombosis depend on the relative production of thrombin and plasmin generated by the coagulation and fibrinolytic system, respectively. These systems are regulated by natural inhibitors so that a physiological equilibrium exists in which thrombin and plasmin generation are minimal. In some patients with acquired thrombophilia as in preeclampsia [group I], diabetes [group II] and females; taking oral contraceptive pills [group III] may be predisposed to vascular thromboembolism. An Attempt has, therefore, been made to define a hypercoagulable state characterized by excessive thrombin generation. Plasma concentration of antithrombin, protein c, protein s, prothrombin peptide F 1.2, fibrin degradation [Fb DP] and fibrinogen degradation products [Fg DP] were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 44 patients in the three groups and 24 normal unaffected relatives