[Effect of low-dose oral contraceptive regulon-Gedeon Richter on some hemostatic variables]. / Vliianie na nisko doziraniia oralen kontratseptiv regulon-Gedeon Richter vurkhu niakoi parametri na khemostazata

The authors have investigated the changes of some haemostatic variables at 33 women, who used low-dosed oral contraceptive REGULON--Gedeon Richter in the duration of six months. Statistically significant decrease is found in the activity of Protein S and Protein C, but plasminogen level is increased. The levels of the other variables remained in referential ranges. The use of REGULON doesn't influence the coagulation system.

[Hemostatic profile of women using low-dose oral contraceptive Mercilon. (Preliminary report)]. / Khemostazen profil pri zheni upotrebiavashti niskodoziraniia oralen kontratseptiv--Mercilon (predvaritelno suobshtenie).

The authors have investigated the hemostatic profile at 20 women using low-dosed oral contraceptive Mercilon (Organon) in continuation of six months. Statistically significant changes are found for factor X of hemocoagulation, plasminogen, protein C, protein S and antithrombin III. It is concluded that Mercilon causes activation of the coagulation system, which is balanced by the activation of the fibrinolytic system.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure.

We studied the changes in the urinary cAMP level in fifty-five predialysis patients (30 men and 25 women) with chronic renal failure (CRF). The excretion of cAMP in 20 patients with first-degree CRF (serum creatinine levels below 356.6 mmol/I) and 15 patients with second or third degree CRF (serum creatinine below 800 mmol/I) was compared with that of 20 age-matched controls using the original I-125 RIA (radioimmunoassay) kit of Incstar Corporation, USA. The urinary cAMP was within normal limits in first-degree CRF patients (mean +/- Sx = 2,617 +/- 268.2 nmol/l) whose serum calcium level was slightly decreased. When calculated per 100 ml of glomerular filtration rate, their urinary cAMP level was significantly elevated--101.17 +/- 0.39--as compared with that of the controls--2.5 +/- 0.2. The urinary cAMP excretion was significantly higher in second and third degree CRF patients--mean 3,755 +/- 435.2 nmol/l, p < 0.05. This increase correlated with hypocalcemia whereas the serum alkaline phosphatase levels remained normal. 20% of the patients with second or third degree CRF had normal urinary cAMP excretion. In our opinion, urinary cAMP levels can reliably be employed as a sensitive and specific indicator of the onset of mild secondary hyperparathyroidism in predialysis patients with CRF.

Ionized calcium in patients with chronic renal failure.

Parameters of various renal disorders were studied in 31 patients (17 men and 14 women) who all were in the stage of chronic renal failure (CRF). These parameters included total serum creatinine, ionized calcium, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and acid-base balance. The results were compared with a control group of 30 healthy subjects. In the patients with first stage CRF, the total serum calcium did not significantly decrease (mean = 2.19 +/- 0.12 mmol/l) and ionized calcium was within reference value limits (mean = 1.28 +/- 0.02 mmol/l). The percentage of ionized calcium in total serum calcium was higher for these patients (mean = 58.43%) than for the control group (mean = 52.25%). For patients with first and second stage CRF, the total serum was significantly lower (mean = 1.92 +/- 0.03 mmol/l) than for the healthy controls (p < 0.001) as well as for patients with first stage CRF (p < 0.05). The ionized calcium in these patients was not significantly lower (mean = 1.14 +/- 0.01 mmol/l); however, its percentage was higher than that of serum calcium (mean = 59.38%). There was a slight negative correlation between the levels of ionized calcium and serum creatinine in patients with first stage CRF (r = -0.30) and a significant correlation in patients with second and third stage CRF.

[The antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and in their closest blood relatives (a preliminary report)]. / Antifosfolipiden sindrom pri bolni ot sistemen lupus erythematodes i pri tekhni purvostepenni rodstvenitsi (predvaritelno suobshtenie).

The description of a phospholipid syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE) filled up a gap in defining an "atypical" subgroup--quite often negative to DNA antibodies but suffering from arterial thromboses, thrombophlebitis, aseptic bone necroses, and pulmonary hypertension. 54 patients with SLE and 32 of their closet blood relatives were examined for lupus anticoagulation factor, anticardiolipin antibodies and Wassermann test. The results were interpreted in relation to the forms of the disease and its clinical manifestations. Clinically healthy relatives positive for circulating lupus anticoagulation factor or antiphospholipid antibodies are under close control.