Aqueous extract of Allium sativum L bulbs offer nephroprotection by attenuating vascular endothelial growth factor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 expression in diabetic rats.

To investigate the nephroprotective effect of garlic and elucidate the mechanism by which it prevents the progression of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic rats, diabetes was induced by a single ip injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight). Garlic extract (500 mg/kg body weight) and aminoguanidine (1 g/L) were supplemented in the treatment groups. Histopathological examination using H&E, PAS staining and the immunohistochemical analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 (ERK-1) expression were performed on kidney sections at the end of 12 weeks. Significant change in both, the urine and serum biochemistry confirmed kidney damage in diabetic animals which was further confirmed by the histological changes such as mesangial expansion, glomerular basement membrane thickening, glycosuria and proteinuria. However, the diabetic animals treated with garlic extract showed a significant change in urine and serum biochemical parameters such as albumin, urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to that of diabetic rats. Further, the garlic supplemented diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in the expression of VEGF and ERK-1 compared to diabetic rats, attenuating mesangial expansion and glomerulosclerosis. Thus, garlic extract rendered nephroprotection in diabetic rats.

N-acetil-β-D-glicosaminidase como biomarcador precoce de disfunção renal para a exposição ocupacional ao chumbo inorgânico / N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase as an early biomarker of renal dysfunction due to occupational exposure to inorganic lead

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo averiguar a atividade enzimática da N-acetil-β-D-glicosaminidase (NAG) como possível biomarcador precoce de disfunção renal para a exposição ocupacional ao chumbo inorgânico. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi selecionado um grupo de 30 pessoas do sexo masculino expostas ao chumbo inorgânico em uma fábrica de baterias localizada no estado do Paraná. Fizeram parte do grupo os funcionários que mostraram valores de chumbo sanguíneo inferiores a 40 mg/dl. O grupo controle foi representado por 15 adultos saudáveis com similaridade em relação à idade e ao gênero do grupo exposto. Foram determinados os níveis de plumbemia, do ácido d-aminolevulínico urinário e a atividade da NAG urinária. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: Foi evidenciado que a atividade urinária da NAG foi significativamente maior (p < 0,05; teste U de Mann-Whitney) no grupo exposto ao chumbo inorgânico quando comparado ao grupo controle, e houve uma correlação negativa com significância (p < 0,05; correlação de Spearman Rank Order) entre o indicador biológico de exposição plúmbica e a atividade urinária da NAG. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstraram que o aumento da atividade urinária da NAG pode ser utilizado como um biomarcador precoce da exposição ao chumbo inorgânico.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the enzymatic activity of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) as a possible early biomarker of renal dysfunction due to occupational exposure to inorganic lead. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected a group of 30 males that had been exposed to inorganic lead in a battery factory in the state of Paraná. This group comprised those employees whose blood lead levels were below 40 mg/dl. The control group consisted of 15 healthy adults of similar age and gender compared with the exposed group. Blood lead concentrations, d-aminolevulinic acid levels and urinary NAG activity were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was shown that urinary NAG activity was significantly higher (p < 0.05, U test of Mann-Whitney) in the exposed group in comparison to the control group, and there was a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05, Spearman Rank Order correlation) between the biological indicator of lead exposure and urinary NAG activity. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the increase of urinary NAG activity may be used as an early biomarker of the exposure to inorganic lead.

Hyperamylasaemia & related enzyme factors in renal failure associated with benign & malignant conditions.

Total serum amylase activity, its isoenzymes and pancreatic to salivary amylase (P/S) ratio were studied in 40 normal subjects and 47 patients with renal failure, 32 with benign and 15 with malignant conditions. Amylase to creatinine clearance (Cam/Ccr) was studied in 17 normals and 14 patients with renal failure, 10 benign and 4 with malignant diseases. Total amylase activity, and pancreatic and salivary fractions were found to be increased by about 3.4 times the normal in both benign and malignant conditions producing renal failure though the P/S ratio was within the normal range. However, the increase in the urea and creatinine levels in patients could not be related to the increase in serum total amylase. Besides the Cam/Ccr ratio was elevated in patients with both benign and malignant conditions producing renal insufficiency whereas the Cam and Ccr were individually found to be decreased. Why patients with chronic renal failure in both conditions without clinical evidence of pancreatitis should have elevated Cam/Ccr ratio is not clear.