[A marathon runner with rhabdomyolysis].

Background: Serious complications after running a marathon are relatively rare. We saw a patient at the emergency department (A&E) who developed acute renal failure as a result of rhabdomyolysis after excessive exertion.

Case Description: A 31-year-old, healthy male was referred to the A&E by the GP service two days after running a marathon because of a CK level of 131,900 U/l.

[Hypervitaminosis D due to a dietary supplement].

In the Netherlands, over-the-counter dietary supplements are controlled by the NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority). Nevertheless, health problems may ensue from the use of these freely available supplements. We describe the case of a 39-year-old woman with a four-week history of headaches, nausea, reduced appetite and weight loss.

Glucose-dependent leukocyte activation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, familial combined hyperlipidemia and healthy controls.

Background: Leukocyte activation has been associated with vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia may be involved in this leukocyte activation. Our aim was to investigate the role of elevated glucose concentrations on leukocyte activation in patients with a wide range of insulin sensitivity.

Exploring the value of apoB48 as a marker for atherosclerosis in clinical practice.

Background:   Postprandial accumulation of atherogenic remnants has been described in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH), familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Scarce data are available on fasting plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B48 levels in relation to these conditions and atherosclerosis.

Design:   Treated patients with FCH (18), FH (20), T2DM (26), CAD (65), T2DM with CAD (T2DM/CAD) (28) and 33 healthy controls were included.

Erythrocyte-associated apolipoprotein B and its relationship with clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Background: Apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins are closely linked to atherogenesis. These lipoproteins are transported in plasma and are also associated with blood leucocytes. Our aim was to investigate whether apoB-containing lipoproteins are also present on the surface of erythrocytes and investigate the relationship with the presence of atherosclerosis in a cross-sectional study.