Kidneys in SARS-CoV-2 era: A challenge of multiple faces.

INTRODUCTION: With the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was believed to be a direct respiratory virus. But, its deleterious effects were observed on different body systems, including kidneys. AIM OF WORK: In this review, we tried as much as we can to summarize what has been discussed in the literature about the relation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and kidneys since December, 2019. METHODS: Each part of the review was assigned to one or two authors to search for relevant articles in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Google scholar) and collected data were summarized and revised by two independent researchers. CONCLUSION: The complexity of COVID-19 pandemic and kidney could be attributed to the direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the kidneys, different clinical presentation, difficulties confronting dialysis patients, restrictions of the organ transplant programs, poor outcomes and bad prognosis in patients with known history of kidney diseases who got infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Relationship between Elevated Liver enzymes and Metabolic syndrome among Egyptian adults

Background and study aim: Liver enzymes are important markers for hepatocyte damage. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a combination of metabolic abnormalities including high blood glucose, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The incidence of MS is believed to be increasing in Egypt. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between elevated liver enzymes and MS among Egyptian adults. Patients and Methods: A total 138 apparently healthy subjects were randomly included (99 females and 39 males). Demographic, clinical (blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference) and biochemical (measurements of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid profile, blood glucose and viral markers) were collected from every subject. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to a well-known criteria and subjects in the final analysis were divided into group I; metabolic syndrome and group II; non-metabolic syndrome subjects. Results: In this study, 92 persons fulfilled three of the five criteria of metabolic syndrome (group I) with prevalence of 66.7% while group II (non-metabolic syndrome) represented 33.3%. Patients with MS were older and less physically active in comparison with group II. There were an association between elevations in liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) and MS. ALT, AST and ALP were elevated in 42.4%, 17.2% and 20.7% of patients with MS respectively. ALT and AST showed positive correlation with elevated blood glucose and triglycerides levels while AST/ALT ratio showed negative correlation with diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides level and waist circumference. The more items of MS the patient have the higher the level of liver enzymes. Conclusion: Among Egyptian adults elevated levels of liver enzymes were associated with MS and a correlation was noticed with its components