Concentraciones falsamente elevadas de hemoglobina glicosilada en 2 pacientes diabéticos con hemoglobina fetal persistente / Falsely high levels of glycosilated hemoglobin in 2 diabetic patients with persistent fetal hemoglobin

Two diabetic patients with unusual high levels of glycosilated hemoglobin measured by ion exchange chromatography are described. Further studies revealed a persistence of fetal hemoglobin in both cases. This condition produces falsely high levels of glycosilated hemoglobin, when ion exchange chromatography is used. These cases may be overtreated with risk of hypoglycemia. Patients with inappropiate levels of glycosilated hemoglobin should be investigated for hemoglobinopathies

Alcohol y factores de riesgo de cardiopatía coronaria: estudio en 571 hombres / Alcohol and risk factors for coronary heart disease: a study in 571 males

In 571 health professional males we correlated alcohol consumption with serum total cholesterol (C), HDL-C, triglycerides, blood sugarm cigarette consumption, body mass index and arterial blood pressure. An autstanding finding was a positive independent, correlation of alcohol consumption and serum HDL-C levels (r0.22, p<0.0001). Univariate analysis showed correlation of alcohol consumption woth body mass index, blood pressure and total serum C, however this was dependent on age and/or body mass. No correlation was found between alcohol consumption and blood sugar or TG levels. Alcohol consumption did not identify a group of subjects with high risk factors. Consumption of more than 10 cigarettes per day decreased the strenght of the association between elevated HDL levels and alcohol consumption. We conclude that a moderate intake of alcohol is associated to increased serum HDL levels with no significant change of other coronary risk factors

Colesteramina en el tratamiento de la hipercolesterolemia: experiencia en 11 casos / Cholestyramine therapy for severe hypercholesterolemia: results in 11 patients

Bile acid sequestrant resing are considered agents of choice in the therapy of hypercholesterolemia non responsive to diet treatment. We evaluated the effects of cholestyramine, 12 g per day during 4 weeks, in 11 adult patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. Total cholesterol decreased fom 414 ñ 112 to 302 ñ 140 mg/dl (28%), LDL cholesterol from 330 ñ 122 to 226 ñ 143 (33%) and Apo B lipoprotein from 141 ñ 31 to 115 ñ 34 mg/dl (18%), p < 0.01. HDL cholesterol including fractions HSL2 and HDL3, Apo A1 and Triglyceride levels were not modified. No significant side effects on gastrointestinal function were observed. Thus, we confirm that cholestyramine is an effective therapy for severe hypercholesterolemia