[Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (Glu-OC) bone metabolism and vascular calcification in hemodialyzed patients]. / Niedokarboksylowana osteokalcyna (Glu-OC) a metabolizm kostny i kalcyfikacja naczyn u chorych hemodializowanych.

UNLABELLED: Osteocalcin (OC) is witamino-K dependent calcium-binding protein comprising three gamma carboxy glutamic acid residues (Gla) which determines a strong bond with hydroxyapatite. In vitamin K deficiency and/or increased bone resorption undercarboxylated osteocalcin (Glu-OC) appears in the blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of Glu-OC and markers of bone metabolism and their impact on coronary artery calcification in patients with end-stage renal failure treated with repeated hemodialysis. The study included 68 patients (29 women and 39 men) aged 60.3 +/- 12.3 years hemodialysis period 24.5 +/- 4.8 months. Control group consisted of 35 healthy volunteers comparable in terms of age and gender. CACS was evaluated based on multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT). Measurement of carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC) and Glu-OC, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP5) were assessed by ELISA and iPTH by Nichols method. Present study demonstrated that the Gla-OC and Glu-OC in hemodialysis patients were significantly higher than the control group 116.37 +/- 70.01 ng/ml and 93.72 +/- 112.63 ng/ml versus 19.51 +/- 3.78 ng/ml and 4.88 +/- 2.63 ng/ ml; p <0.001. Glu-OC level correlated significantly with iPTH, bALP, TRAP5 (p <0.001) and CaSc (p <0.014). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The results indicate a significant correlation between Glu-OC and assessed markers of bone metabolism. 2. Research has indicated a link between bone metabolism and the degree of calcification in the coronary arteries.

Pure red cell aplasia due to treatment with epoietin beta: first case report of PRCA from Poland.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) emerged recently as the potentially life-threatening condition secondary to anti-Epo antibodies. Vast majority of cases were reported from Western European countries and were secondary to subcutaneous injections of Epoietin alpha. Here we describe possibly for the first time in the literature the case of PRCA from Poland or even Central and Eastern Europe in patient treated exclusively with Epoietin beta from multi-dose vial. In the last section of the paper the current epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspect of PRCA were discussed.

[Conditions contributing to late diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis--own experience]. / Uwarunkowania opóznien w rozpoznawaniu ziarniniaka wegenera--doswiadczenia wlasne.

The paper presents two cases of Wegener's granulomatosis, diagnosed in the phase of advanced renal failure, requiring dialysis therapy. Analysis of factors resulting in delayed diagnosis was performed.