Plasma leptin concentration in cord blood: relationship to the degree of preeclampsia and placental weight

The objective of this work was to study the changes in the level of umbilical cord plasma leptin in newborns of women with preeclampsia and whether there is a correlation between the degree of preeclampsia and the level of umbilical cord plasma leptin; in addition, to study if there is any correlation between cord plasma leptin and placental weight. This study compared cord plasma leptin of 42 preeclamptic mothers' newborns [24 mild preeclampsia, 18 severe preeclampsia] and 40 normal control mothers' newborns. Mean value of cord plasma leptin was significantly higher in preeclamptic group, than control group, furthermore, it was significantly higher in severe preeclamptic group than mild preeclamptic group. Female newborns had significantly higher mean value of cord plasma leptin than male gender newborns. Comparing mean value of pulsatility index of umbilical artery in preeclamptic and control groups, it was significantly higher in the former than the later. Also, it was significantly higher in severe preeclampsia compared to mild preeclampsia groups. A significant positive correlation was found between the pulsatility index and cord plasma leptin level in the preeclampsia group, while there was no significant correlation between each of placental weight, maternal weight, birth weight, ponderal index and cord plasma leptin level. In conclusion, cord plasma leptin increased significantly in newborns whose mothers suffer from preeclampsia and this increase is more in newborns of mothers with severe preeclampsia. These changes plus the significant rise in pulsatility index of umbilical artery in preeclamptic women suggested a potential angiogenic regulating role for leptin in preeclampsia and, consequently, a potential therapeutic role for leptin hormone in preeclampsia. Moreover, this study proved that cord plasma leptin is unrelated to placental weight

Biochemical study of the concentrations of arachidonic acid metabolites in inflammatory nasal polyp and antrochoanal polyp

Arachidonic acid metabolites [AAMs] are known to be involved in inflammation. It is suggested that AAMs play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. This study started in January 1999 and ended in July 2000. During the same period of the year, by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] assay, tissue concentrations of prostagl and ins [6keto-PGFl alpha], hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids [15 HETE] and leukotrienes [LTC4 and LTD4] were measured in inflammatory nasal polyp, antrochoanal polyp and inferior turbinate. We found that the concentrations of 6 keto-PGFI alpha were not signeficantly different among the three groups. The antrochoanal polyp showed significantly lower levels of 15-HETE than those in the nasal polyp and inferior turbinate. As regrds leukotrienes, LTC4 conentrations were markedly different among the three groups. LTD4 was detected in the nasal polyp group and not detected in the antrochoanal polyp group or the inferior turbinate group. Our results showed a difference between inflammatory nasal polyp and antrochoanal polyp in terms of arachidonic acid metabolism. The findings of our study may help to explain the biochemical basis of the pathogenesis of inflammatory nasal polyp and antrochoanal polyp and this may help to develop a better medical treatment for them

Some cytokines variations in patients with diabetes mellitus

This study comprised eleven newly diagnosed type I diabetics, twelve long-standing type 1 diabetics, eleven long-standing type 2 diabetics, and ten healthy volunteers as control group. For all subjects glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAIc], interleukin-2 [iL-2], soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R], and tumor necrosis-alpha [TNF-alfa] were determined aiming to evaluate their role in pathogenesis of diabetes. HbAIc was significantly elevated in all diabetic groups as compared to control group. Newly diagnosed type I and long-standing type 2 diabetics had significantly higher HbAIc levels than long-standing type I diabetics. It was positively correlated with duration of diabetes in long-standing cases of both type I and type 2, and with post-prandial plasma glucose in long-standing type I diabetics. With respect to IL-2, it was significantly decreased in newly diagnosed and long-standing type I diabetics as compared to control group and long-standing type 2 diabetics. Also, it was significantly lower in newly diagnosed type I than long-standing cases of type I. Whereas, sIL-2R was only significantly elevated in Newly diagnosed type I diabetics as compared to control and long-standing type 2. No significant correlation was detected between IL-2 or sIL-2R and other assayed parameters. As regard to TNF-alfa, it was significantly elevated in both newly diagnosed-and long-standing type I diabetics as compared to control group, whereas no significant difference was found when other groups were compared with each other. TNF-alfa was positively correlated with duration of diabetes in long-standing cases of both type 1 and type 2 and with HbAIc in newly diagnosed and long-standing type 1 diabetics. In conclusion, hypoproduction of IL-2 may be attributed to decrease of IL-2-secreting T-lymphocytes, whereas elevated sIL-2R may be related to increased expression and release from the surface of IL-R-bearing T-lymphocytes infiltrating the islets of pancereas and PBMC. These findings indicate imbalance of IL-2-IL-R system which, may be genetically determined and involved in pathogenesis of autoinnune type of diabetes [type 1]. TNF-alfa elevation may be derived from macrophages infiltrating pancreatic islets and mononuclear cells found in percipheral circulation. It may be implicated in B-cell destruction in type I diabetes as well as insulin-resistance in type 2 diabetes

Some pharmacological effects of captopril, Lisinopril and perindopril in experimental hypertensive rats

The present work is an experimental study of the effects of chronic administration [two and four weeks] of three angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] [captopril, lisinopril and perindopril] on arterial blood pressure [BP], glomerular filtration rate [GFR], renal plasma flow [RPF], serum electrolytes [Na+ and K+], serum glucose and serum lipids [cholesterol, HDL and LDL] in experimental hypertensive rats. Hypertension had been induced in rats by ligation of the left renal artery. The three test drugs produced reduction in BP, captopril showed the less effect. GFR decreased, while RPF increased with the three drugs, perindopril produced the most marked increase in RPF. Also, the three drugs produced decrease in serum Na+ with increase in K+ level. Fasting serum glucose and serum lipids showed no change with the three drugs. It can be concluded that captopril, lisinopril and perindopril are recommended in hypertension, especially with that associated with the decreased RPF, diabetes and hyperlipidemia