Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) (C677T and A1298C) Polymorphisms and Vascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Objectives: To assess whether 2 polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T and A1298C, are risk factors for vascular complications in Tunisian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The MTHFR polymorphisms were genotyped, and plasma homocysteine levels were evaluated in 160 Tunisian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results: Prevalence of the 2 heterozygous polymorphisms of the thermolabile MTHFR gene (CT and AC) was encountered more commonly in patients with diabetes mellitus than in the healthy controls (p<10).

Association of HLA-DR-DQ polymorphisms with diabetes in Tunisian patients.

Objective: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a polygenic disease whose principal locus is the human leukocytes antigen (HLA) region. The aim of this study was to evaluate HLA DR-DQ alleles and to asses them as risk factors for type 1 diabetes in the Tunisian population.

Materials And Methods: A total of 119 subjects with diabetes were tested for HLA class II alleles and compared with 292 healthy controls.

Efficacy of low-dose oral sulodexide in the management of diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the single greatest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Without specific interventions, microalbuminuria (incipient nephropathy) gradually progresses to macroalbuminuria (overt nephropathy) within 10-15 years in about 80% of type 1 and 30% of type 2 diabetic patients, and to ESRD within further 20 years in about 75% and 20%, respectively. A primary alteration in DN consists of decreased concentration of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the glomerular extracellular matrix.

[Hypothalamic-pituitary Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adults].

Introduction: Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare entity. Involvement of the pituitary region is frequently delayed and rarely studied.

Cases: We report some clinical and paraclinical particularities of the disease in four women.

[Factors influencing homocysteineamia in type 2 diabetic patients].

Previous studies have suggested that hyperhomocysteinaemia (Hcy) could be a strong and independent cardiovascular risk factor. Many factors could influence the serum concentration of Hcy such as vitamin B 12, folic acid, renal failure, hypothyroid status, ovarian failure and cancers. So the aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia among 54 type 2 diabetic patients and to study, its relationship with vitamin B12, folic acid and Metformin.

[Homocysteinaemia and degenerative complications in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus].

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: NIDDM) is known to be associated with degenerative complications. Although, the pathophysiology of such complications is well known, the role of homocysteine (Hcy) is still discussed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the homocysteine levels and the NIDDM related complications in a group of NIDDM patients.

[HbA1c in the monitoring of type 1 diabetic patients].

We conducted this study to determine quality of glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes, based on evaluation of mean HbA1c. We enrolled 125 patients with type 1 diabetes who were hospitalized during the period from December 1998 to December 2001. Glycemic control was evaluated on mean of HbA1c in 82 patients and on mean of fasting glycemia values in 43 patients.

[Primary hyperaldosteronism. A study of 18 cases].

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is defined as an autonomous over-production of aldosterone by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal glands. It is classically considered as a rare cause of hypertension. Aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) and idiopatic hyperoldosteronism (IHA) represent the most frequent subtypes of PA.