HCV RNA was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 41 haemodialysed patients with a known anti-HCV status (ELISA and RIBA-2) and a monthly alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level determination. No histological examination of the liver tissue was available. Four samples from each patient were collected at 6 month intervals for 18 months. Seven patients negative for anti-HCV during the entire follow-up gave negative PCR results on the four samples. Two patients who were anti-HCV-negative upon entry into the study seroconverted to HCV during follow-up. HCV RNA was detected during the acute phase of hepatitis. HCV RNA was no longer detectable after antiviral therapy was administered to one patient. Out of 27 anti-HCV-positive patients, 24 had persistent viraemia, 2 had transient viraemia (1 sample PCR-negative and 3 samples PCR-positive) and 1 was PCR-negative on the 4 samples. Thirteen of the 26 viraemic patients had a normal ALT level during the preceding 3 years. Three patients with a C22-3 band alone by RIBA-2 were negative by PCR, whereas two patients with a C33-c band alone were PCR-positive on the four samples. These results suggest that HCV viraemia was strongly associated with anti-HCV in haemodialysed patients with or without biological hepatitis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[In vivo effects of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on kidney alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase of hypophysectomized rats].

The effects of 24R, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24, 25 (OH)2 D3) on alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities were investigated on renal cortex of hypophysectomized (Hx) rats. ALP activity was increased by +27, +56 and +60% as compared to controls respectively 3, 6 and 12 h after intraperitoneal administration of the secosteroid (10 pmoles/100 g body weight). Stimulations of GGT activity began only after 6 h (+30%) and 12 h (+ 46%). ACP activity was not modified. In vivo, the two enzymatic inductions in kidneys of Hx rats were higher and longer than those obtained in vitro.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Day time and night time effects of 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on renal alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities in intact rats.

The effects of 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25(OH)2 CC] on alkaline phosphatase (APA), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) and acid phosphatase (AP) activities were investigated on renal cortex slices of intact rats killed at 18h00 or at 06h00. At 06h00, three, six and nine hours after a single intraperitoneal injection of 24,25(OH)2 CC, APA activity was increased by 30%, 51% and 29%, respectively and gamma-GT activity, by 25%, 39% and 38%, as compared to their controls. AP on the other hand was not modified at all. These enzymatic stimulations were statistically higher than those measured at 18h00, respectively APA: 11%, 25%, 28% and gamma-GT: 2%, 20%, 22%. They can be explained by variations in new protein synthesis in relation with rat activity periods. Physiological significance of these renal effects remains to be elaborated.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Microalbuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential arterial hypertension. A study in non-diabetic patients].

To evaluate the relationship between urinary albumin excretion and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension, we studied, cross-sectionally, 64 subjects with essential hypertension and no diabetes. Urinary albumin excretion and Sokolow index correlated significantly (r = 0.483; P = 0.0001). Five subjects were positive for microalbuminuria (> 30 mg/24 h) and Sokolow index (> 35 mm); 43 were negative for both, with a concordance rate of 77 percent (chi-squared test 11.1; P = 0.0009). Stepwise multivariate regression analysis indicated two independent determinants for urinary albumin excretion: Sokolow index (F = 18.29), and diastolic blood pressure (F = 12.23). The relationships between urinary albumin excretion, Sokolow index, and blood pressure were not different in the 18 subjects taking angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors and in the 46 others. The close relationship between urinary albumin excretion and Sokolow index observed in this study suggests that left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension may account for the increased cardiovascular mortality observed in non diabetic subjects with microalbuminuria.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Isolation of "Toxoplasma gondii" membrane antigens using latex microspheres (author's transl)].

The authors describe a method for isolation of Toxoplasma gondii antigenic membrane components. Technical work is described into four points: 1) specific labelling of membrane proteins was realised by DD125ISA; 2) methacrylate microspheres were bound to unbroken toxoplasma membranes by the mean of an indirect technic with antibody molecules (double sandwich); these microspheres were used to modify the membrane density; 3) toxoplasmas bound to microspheres were broken by sonication; 4) microspheres fixed to membrane components were isolated by isopycnic ultracentrifugation on continuous sucrose gradient.

Antigens, Surface↗