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Biomedical subjects

M el-Shahawy

Publications and source records attributed to M el-Shahawy.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Factors modulating cytosolic calcium. Role in lipid metabolism and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Studies in the uremic rat indicate that insulin resistance and glucose intolerance leading to dyslipidemia are associated with a hyperparathyroid-induced increase in cytosolic calcium ([Ca++i]). These alterations are reversed with verapamil, but recur after discontinuation of the drug, suggesting that increased [Ca++i] is responsible for the metabolic derangement. To our knowledge, no similar studies have been conducted in humans. We retrospectively examined, over 12-year period, the effects of factors that lower [Ca++i] on total serum cholesterol and triglycerides in 176 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Because the study was retrospective, detailed lipid profiles were not available. We therefore relied on the morbidity and mortality outcome related to atherosclerotic vascular disease. Diabetic patients were excluded from the study, because their dyslipidemia and vascular disease are mediated via a different mechanism. The patients were classified into four groups. Group I [high parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the absence of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), n = 56] represented the highest [Ca++i]. Group II (high PTH in the presence of CCBs, n = 43) and group III (lower PTH in the absence of CCBs, n = 37) represented intermediate [Ca++i]. Group IV (lower PTH in the presence of CCBs, n = 40) represented the lowest [Ca++i]. High PTH was defined as > or = 3.0 times normal; lower PTH, as < 3.0 times normal. Lower [Ca++i] was achieved through the use of CCBs, or through lower PTH, or both. Lower PTH was achieved by parathyroidectomy or calcitriol administration. The four groups showed no differences in age, sex, race, weight, dialysis duration, or primary disease. Group I showed a mean serum cholesterol of 358 +/- 27 mg/dL and serum triglycerides of 469 +/- 41 mg/dL. Group II showed mean serum cholesterol of 198 +/- 21 mg/dL and serum triglycerides of 147 +/- 17 mg/dL. Group III showed a mean serum cholesterol of 205 +/- 20 mg/dL and serum triglycerides of 174 +/- 16 mg/dL. Group IV showed mean serum cholesterol of 184 +/- 10 mg/dL (p = 0.008) and serum triglycerides of 103 +/- 8 mg/dL (p = 0.005). The cardiovascular morbidity and mortality incidences were: group I, 64%; group II, 27%; group III, 31%; and group IV, 20% (p = 0.002). We conclude that, in non diabetic PD patients, dyslipidemia is related to a hyperparathyroid-induced increase in cytosolic calcium [Ca++i]. Lowering [Ca++i] by decreasing the parathormone level (via parathyroidectomy or calcitriol administration), or by blocking calcium entry into cells (via CCBs), or both, is associated with less dyslipidemia and improved long-term morbidity and mortality related to atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition by perindopril on proteinuria of primary renal diseases.

Many primary renal diseases are associated with marked proteinuria resistant to immunosuppressive therapy. Short-term treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may decrease proteinuria in these patients, but the long-term effect of these agents on urinary protein excretion is not known. We conducted a double-blind, parallel-design, placebo-controlled study of 1 year duration to evaluate the efficacy of the new ACE inhibitor, perindopril, in reducing proteinuria in patients with nephrotic syndrome due to histologically proven membranous and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Half of the patients treated with perindopril displayed a decrease in urinary protein excretion from 6.1 +/- 1.0 to 1.2 +/- 0.5 g/24 h, and a rise in serum albumin levels. In the placebo group, protein excretion increased modestly and serum albumin level did not change. There was no difference between the responders and nonresponders to perindopril in age, blood pressure, level of creatinine clearance or urinary sodium excretion. However, the degree of proteinuria before treatment with perindopril was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the nonresponders. In 3 patients in whom the treatment with perindopril was extended for 18-24 months, urinary protein excretion remained below 1 g/24 h. The data show that perindopril: (1) is an effective agent in the treatment of proteinuria of primary renal diseases; (2) the effect is sustained for up to 2 years if the administration of the drugs is maintained, and (3) this action of perindopril does not depend on the level of sodium intake.

Adult↗

Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are a rare but clinically important cause of infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We describe seven cases of catheter-related nontuberculous mycobacterial infections associated with CAPD. Six patients had Mycobacterium fortuitum infections and one had a Mycobacterium kansasii infection. Three patients presented with peritonitis, three presented with exit site infections, and one developed an infection at the exit site after catheter removal. There were no specific clinical findings that differentiated these infections from those caused by common bacterial pathogens. Initial routine peritoneal dialysis fluid and exit site cultures were negative in two patients and grew M fortuitum in four patients and M kansasii in one patient. M fortuitum and M kansasii were sensitive to amikacin, and M fortuitum was sensitive to ciprofloxacin when tested. Sensitivities to other antibiotics were variable. All patients were treated with a combination of antibiotics from 3 weeks to 6 months. Catheter removal was necessary for cure of the infection in all patients with peritonitis and in a majority of patients with exit site infections. The majority of patients changed to hemodialysis after catheter removal. Two patients remained on CAPD, with follow-up ranging from 2 months to 4 years. One patient has received a successful renal transplant. In conclusion, M fortuitum is the most common nontuberculous mycobacterial catheter-related infection in CAPD patients. Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any culture-negative infection associated with CAPD. In patients with infections secondary to M fortuitum, our findings suggest that amikacin and ciprofloxacin are the initial antibiotics of choice until antibiotic sensitivities are available.

Aged↗

Glomerulonephritis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of glomerulonephritis associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are described. The first patient presented with the nephrotic syndrome and normal renal function, whereas the second suffered from recurrent acute renal failure together with a unique pattern of IgM deposition within glomerular capillaries. Our review of the literature suggests that this association, although rare, has been documented in a sufficient number of cases to show that it is more than coincidental. Whereas the most common renal lesion associated with Hodgkin's disease is minimal change disease, more advanced glomerular changes are found in the patients with NHL. This is reflected in the higher incidence of renal failure in the latter patients. Treatment of the lymphomas has been shown to result in improvement or even cure of the renal disease, although long-term follow-up is rarely available in the reported cases.

Aged↗

Acid excretion and serum electrolyte patterns in patients with advanced chronic renal failure.

Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis can be seen in advanced chronic renal failure (CRF). To study this further, we measured acid excretion under controlled conditions in 19 patients with severe but stable CRF. Twelve patients had a hyperchloremic metabolite acidosis, 3 had an elevated anion gap acidosis ('delta acidosis'), while the 4 remaining patients had a slightly decreased tCO2 with a normal anion gap and serum chloride level ('mild acidosis'). Ammonium excretion was markedly reduced in CRF patients (11 +/- 1 vs. 32 +/- 2 mEq/day in normal subjects, p less than 0.005), and likewise urinary titratable acid was diminished (18 +/- 2 mEq/day in patients, vs. 28 +/- 3 mEq/day in normal subjects; p less than 0.005). When expressed per 100 ml GFR, ammonium and titratable acid excretion were markedly increased in all groups of patients compared to normal subjects. The Tm for bicarbonate was 22.5 +/- 3.7 mEq/l for all CRF patients and 24 +/- 1 mEq/l for the patients with a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. We conclude that the hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in advanced renal failure is due to diminished excretion of ammonium and titratable acid and is not due to an increased bicarbonate leak. As renal failure advances and renal mass declines, the remaining functioning nephrons hypersecrete acid.

Acidosis↗

Echocardiography.

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Cardiomyopathies↗