ABSTRACT
We observed 29 patients with hyponatremia associated with oropharyngeal carcinoma. In 19/29 the hyponatremia was attributable to a decreased effective arterial blood volume whereas in the remainder (10/29) the presence of SIADH could be demonstrated. These etiologies of hyponatremia were best differentiated by the plasma urea concentration (less than 30 mg/dl in SIADH), urate concentration (less than 4,0 mg/dl in SIADH) and creatinine concentration (less than 0,9 mg/dl in SIADH). Furthermore, SIADH patients had a spontaneous natriuresis. The mainstay of therapy in either form of hyponatremia is fluid restriction (less than 1 l/d).
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/physiopathology , Hyponatremia/physiopathology , Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/physiopathology , Water-Electrolyte Balance/physiology , Creatinine/blood , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Hyponatremia/etiology , Inappropriate ADH Syndrome/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Sodium/bloodABSTRACT
The concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, protein and lactoferrin and the enzymatic activity of salivary kallikrein, phosphohexoisomerase, alpha-amylase, lysozyme and IgA were measured in the parotid saliva of 12 patients suffering from Sjögren's syndrome. Compared with a control group (n = 31) remarkable differences were found in the composition of the parotid saliva in Sjögren patients. The possible reasons for these sialochemical alterations are discussed.
Subject(s)
Electrolytes/metabolism , Saliva/enzymology , Salivary Proteins and Peptides/metabolism , Sjogren's Syndrome/diagnosis , Adult , Amylases/metabolism , Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase/metabolism , Humans , Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/metabolism , Kallikreins/metabolism , Lactoferrin/metabolism , Middle Aged , Muramidase/metabolism , Salivation/physiology , Secretory Rate/physiology , Sjogren's Syndrome/enzymologyABSTRACT
The cytological evaluation of a nasal smear is described as a helpful but almost forgotten method in daily rhinological practice, especially for the differentiation of rhinitis. With the help of pre-stained, ready-to-use slides it is a simple method available within minutes without any laboratory. The diagnostic significance of cells and crystals found in nasal smears is explained.
Subject(s)
Nasal Mucosa/pathology , Rhinitis/pathology , Basophils/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Eosinophils/pathology , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Lymphocytes/pathology , Neutrophils/pathologyABSTRACT
We determined the activity of parotid salivary kallikrein in 65 healthy males and females. We then formed two groups of probands by age. The mean age in the first group (n = 35) was 24.5 +/- 1.7 years, whereas the mean age in the second group (n = 30) was 58.1 +/- 10.5 years. The activity of the glandular kallikrein was measured with a chromogenic substrate. The salivary kallikrein excretion in the younger females was higher when compared with that in the younger males. No sex differences concerning salivary kallikrein activity could be observed in the second group. A possible influence of female sex hormone on salivary kallikrein excretion is discussed.
Subject(s)
Kallikreins/metabolism , Parotid Gland/metabolism , Saliva/enzymology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Citrates , Citric Acid , Estrogens/physiology , Female , Humans , Kallikreins/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Parotid Gland/enzymology , Sex Factors , Stimulation, ChemicalABSTRACT
Salivary kallikrein was measured in the parotid saliva of 11 patients suffering from chronic recurrent parotitis and 15 healthy control persons. While in the control group kallikrein levels from 1-4 U/l could be registrated, the results obtained from patients were significantly elevated and varied between 23,45 U/l and 89,41 U/l. Release of kallikrein from destroyed duct cells is suggested to be the origin of the elevated salivary levels of this enzyme in chronic recurrent parotitis. A leakage of glandular kallikrein into the interstitial fluid and thereby release of kallidin from kininogen is discussed as a possible mechanism in the development of this disease.
