Serum alpha-2-macroglobulin, antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin activities in patients receiving treatment with cyclosporine.

Cyclosporine has been reported to function as an inhibitor of the chymotrypsin like activity of proteasome. We hypothesized that the administration of an exogenous proteinase inhibitor may affect the activities of the naturally occurring serum anti proteinases. The aim of this study was to observe the pattern of alteration of serum alpha 2 macroglobulin (AMG), alpha 1- antitrypsin (AT) and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) activities in renal transplant patients receiving the immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine.

Aluminum monitoring for chronic renal failure patients in kuwait.

The importance of monitoring serum aluminum (Al) level in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis (HD) is well known. This study on 94 HD patients from Mubarak Hospital, Kuwait revealed that serum Al level was significantly higher in HD patients on aluminum hydroxide therapy (n = 57) than those not on this treatment (n = 37) (p = 100 ug/L. Analysis of water and dialysis fluid showed Al levels just above the permissible limit, on certain occasions, suggesting the need for regular monitoring of these substances for Al contamination.

Erythropoietin deficiency and relative resistance cause anaemia in post-renal transplant recipients with normal renal function.

Background: Following successful renal transplantation, blood erythropoietin (Epo) levels peak in two phases during the first 2-3 months, and blood haemoglobin/haematocrit (HB/Hct) levels are restored to normal in a period of 2-6 months. However, some transplant recipients continue to remain anaemic in spite of normal graft function and in the absence of recognizable causes. The role of endogenous Epo production in the causation of anaemia in such patients is poorly understood and has been investigated in this study.

Chest malignancies & serum immunoglobulin E.

Serum IgE levels were measured by the radioimmunoassay technique in the sera of 53 patients with neoplastic chest diseases. Forty seven patients had malignant chest tumours and another 6 had benign tumours or mediastinal cysts. They included 33 smokers and 20 non-smokers.

Suppression of puerperal lactation using jasmine flowers (Jasminum sambac).

The efficacy of jasmine flowers (Jasminum Sambac) applied to the breasts to suppress puerperal lactation was compared that of Bromocriptine. Effectiveness of both regimens was monitored by serum prolactin levels, clinical evaluation of the degree of breast engorgement and milk production and the analgesic intake. While both bromocriptine and jasmine flowers brought about a significant reduction in serum prolactin, the decrease was significantly greater with bromocriptine.