Is apolipoprotein-(a) an important indicator of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction?

We aimed to investigate whether high peripheral and cavernosal plasma levels of apolipoprotein-(a) [Lp (a)] is an indicator for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. We determined Lp (a), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in peripheral and cavernosal blood in 39 patients with erectile dysfunction. Thirty-nine impotent patients have been divided into two groups: vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) and nonvasculogenic erectile dysfunction (NVED), according to colour Doppler ultrasonic flowmetry, dynamic infusion cavernosometry, and the pressure difference between the brachial arterial systolic pressure and cavernosal arterial systolic pressure measurements. Biochemical values were compared in both groups. Lp (a) and TC levels were higher in both peripheral and cavernosal samples of VED group than in NVED group, with no differences between peripheral and cavernosal blood levels within the same groups. There were no significant changes in TG and HDL levels in either group. The detection of more than 31 mg/dl in Lp (a) level solely shows the vascular origin with a sensitivity and specificity of 95 and 82.3%, respectively. High Lp (a) levels can be considered an indicator of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Hepatitis G virus infection in haemodialysis patients and its relationship with hepatitis C virus RNA positivity.

A novel RNA virus designated hepatitis G virus (HGV) was identified recently in patients with acute and chronic liver disease. Since HGV may be transmitted parenterally, chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients are at increased risk for acquiring this infection. 110 chronic HD patients were studied (56 HCV-RNA and anti-HCV-positive, and 54 HCV-RNA and anti-HCV-negative). HGV-RNA and HCV-RNA were studied by RT-PCR. HCV genotype determination was applied to all 56 HCV-RNA-positive patients. 28 of 110 (25%) patients were found be HGV-RNA-positive. HCV-RNA-positive patients had higher rate of HGV-RNA positivity compared with HCV-RNA-negative patients. The HCV genotypes of HGV-RNA-positive patients were mostly 4 (48%) and 1b (33%). HGV was not linked with HBsAg positivity. While there was a significant correlation between HCV-RNA positivity and the number of blood transfusions and duration of HD, we did not observe this relationship in HGV-RNA-positive patients. These results indicate that the prevalence of HGV is high in HD patients and that HGV-RNA positivity is higher in HCV-RNA-positive patients.

Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion in bladder carcinoma.

The urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion in 35 patients with bladder cancer was significantly greater than that in 30 normal persons. In the cancer patients, the results were analysed according to tumour characteristics. Statistically significant differences were found, with increased GAG levels paralleling tumour size, multifocality, stage and grade. These preliminary data suggest that, parallel with established clinical parameters, measurement of urinary GAG excretion provides an indicator of repair of the bladder epithelium.

The effect of short term lithium treatment on the leukocyte, liver and muscle carbohydrate metabolism of guinea-pigs.

1. The effect of lithium treatment on the leukocyte, liver and muscle glycogen levels of guinea-pigs has been studied. 2. A 4-week treatment with lithium chloride (5 mmol/l i.p. in saline) increased leukocyte, liver and muscle glycogen and decreased blood glucose levels. 3. These results strongly suggest that a lithium-induced insulin-like effect may be related to the long term effect.

Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

A clinical study was designed to investigate whether extracorporeal shock waves altered the urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans and if they have a diagnostic value in determining the extent of the renal tissue damage. A total of 25 consecutive patients were treated for renal stone by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with Siemens Lithostar and were studied 24 hours before, then 24 hours and 30 days after ESWL. Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans was significantly increased after 24 hours but the difference from the pre-ESWL period was insignificant 30 days later. These results showed that extracorporeal shock waves induce an acute increase in the excretion of glycosaminoglycans, but this elevation is transient and probably reflects negligible ultrastructural damage to the glycosaminoglycan-containing renal and extrarenal structures.