Echo-doppler study of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with psoriasis

This work was performed to assess left ventricular [LV] diastolic and systolic performance in 50 psoriatic patients diagnosed clinically and with skin biopsy, as well, as 20 healthy individuals by using electrocardiographic and Doppler-Echocardiographic techniques. All the studied psoriatic subgroups showed subclinical alteration of LV performance both systolic performance in the form of prolonged QTc., reduction of LVEF [Ejection fraction] and% FS and the diastolic performance in the form of significant reduction of M-mode mitral-EF slope: and non-significant decrease in E peak velocity: significant increase in A peak velocity as well as significant decrease of E/A ratio of the transmitral Doppler flow study. The duration of psoriasis has more deleterious effect on the parameters reflecting LV systolic performance while the severity and extent of psoriatic lesion alter more the parameters of LV diastolic performance. The presence or absence of psoriatic arthritis or nail pitting does not affect the changes observed in LV performance. For the first time; pericardial effusion and tricuspid valve prolapse to be observed in psoriatic patients [4% and 6% respectively]. In conclusion cardiac examination is advised in psoriatic patients

Atrial natriuretic factor [ANF] in type II diabetics: relationship to hypertension and nephropathy

Sixty-three non-insulin dependent diabetic patients, 11 healthy normotensive volunteers and 10 non-diabetic hypertensive men were included in this work. For all members of the study, a morning urine sample was collected without a preservative, centrifuged, and the supernatant was test for macroalbuminuria by albustix and the creatinine was determined by alkaline picrate reaction. Microalbuminuria was also determined by a double antibody 125I radioimmunoassay. Fasting blood sample was also taken from each individual and the serum was separated and the atrial natriuretic factor [peptide] was assayed by a competitive radioimmunoassay. The results revealed a highly significant increase in ANF levels in the whole diabetic group as compared with non-diabetic one and this increase of ANF in diabetics has been explained by the volume expansion associated with hyperglycemia and that raised plasma ANF could contribute to the glomerular hyperfiltration characteristics of early diabetes

Evaluation of renal glomerular and tubular markers in type I diabetics without clinical proteinuria and relation to B-cell function

To evaluate the value of microalbuminuria, urinary B2 microglobulin [B2M] and urinary N-acetyl B-D-glucosaminase [NAG] in the assessment of renal glomerular and/or tubular impairment in type 1-insulin dependent diabetic patients without clinical proteinuria and to try to clarify the relationship of these parameters with the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy and with the pancreatic B-cell function; 30 insulin dependent diapetic patients and 10 healthy normal controls were selected. Urinary C-peptide was measured in 2 hours urine collection after oral glucose load. Serum and urinary B2M, microalbuminria, urinary NAG, serum and urine creatinine and blood glucose were measured to both subjects and controls. A significant reduction in the level of C-peptide among diabetics was evident [P < 0.001]. A highly significant increase in microalbuminuria urinary B2M and urinary NAG was observed in diabetics[P < 0.001]. The incidence of abnormal increase in microalbuminuria was 80%, urinary B2M was 73. 3% and urinary NAG was 46. 67%. Mixed type proteinuria with high levels of both microalbuminuria and B2M was observed in 59.97% of diabetics. Microalbuminria was inversely related to urinary C-peptide. These data suggests that an early impairment might develop in glomeruli and/or tubules in type 1 diabetics before the occurrence of overt nephropathy and the measurement of Microalbuminria, urinary B2M and NAG are reliable methods to detect this early damage before the development of irreversible diabetic nephropathy