Importance of serum phosphate in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Metabolic disturbances including changes in serum calcium, magnesium or phosphate (P) influence the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We assessed the importance of serum P in elderly patients with type 2 DM non-diabetes mellitus (non-DM) in relation to renal function.

Aim: To determine the association between serum P and serum glucose or insulin resistance in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Triglycerides to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio Predicts Chronic Renal Disease in Patients without Diabetes Mellitus (STELLA Study).

Background: The triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been included in the potential indices for atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we addressed the role of the TG/HDL-C ratio on CKD prediction defined by both classified estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and classified urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in non-diabetic participants.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-three subjects with a mean age 67.

Factors related to peripheral arterial disease in patients undergoing hemodialysis: the potential role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is substantially prevalent among patients in the end stage of renal disease (ESRD). We considered factors related to peripheral arterial disease in patients undergoing hemodialysis including the important role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) serum concentrations. We studied 150 patients in on-line-predilution hemodiafiltration.

Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Serum Concentrations and Cardiovascular Morbidity in End Stage of Renal Disease.

Introduction: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is considered a main biomarker of oxidative stress, a common characteristic in end stage renal disease. We examined the relationship between ox-LDL serum concentrations and cardiovascular disease in permanent hemodiafiltration therapy patients.

Methods: Ox-LDL values were measured by ELISA and were corrected for LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) in 96 participants and in 45 healthy control subjects.

The Association between Intradialytic Hypertension and Metabolic Disorders in End Stage Renal Disease.

Background: Intradialytic hypertension was associated with a high mortality risk. We examined the relationship between intradialytic hypertension and metabolic disorders in hemodialysis treatment patients.

Methods: We studied 76 patients in online hemodiafiltration.

The Relationship of Residual Renal Function with Cardiovascular Morbidity in Hemodialysis Patients and the Potential Role of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1.

Background: Residual renal function (RRF) provides several benefits to patients on dialysis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in atherosclerotic lesions. We considered the relationship between RRF and cardiovascular morbidity and the significant role of MCP-1 serum concentrations in hemodiafiltration (HDF) patients.

Association between Low Serum Bicarbonate Concentrations and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients in the End-Stage of Renal Disease.

Background: Metabolic acidosis, a common condition particularly in the end-stage of renal disease patients, results in malnutrition, inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, we focused on the association between low serum bicarbonate and cardiovascular disease in patients on intermittent dialysis.

Methods: We studied 52 on-line-pre-dilution hemodiafiltration (on-l HDF) patients, 32 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 58.

The relationship between concentrations of magnesium and oxidized low-density lipoprotein and Beta2-microglobulin in the serum of patients on the end-stage of renal disease.

The end-stage of renal disease is associated with increased oxidative stress and oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). Beta2 microglobulin (beta2M) is accumulated in the serum of dialysis patients. Magnesium (Mg) plays a protective role in the development of oxidative stress in healthy subjects.

The relationship between glycemic control, beta2-microglobulin and inflammation in patients on maintenance dialysis treatment.

Background: Hyperglycemia appears to play a significant role on the inflammatory cytokines production. Beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) is accumulated in the circulation of dialysis patients. We studied the relationship between glycemic control defined by glucose serum concentrations and insulin resistance, beta2M and markers of inflammation in patients on renal replacement therapies with or/and without diabetes mellitus.

Glucose Serum Concentrations and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients on the End Stage of Renal Disease without Diabetes Mellitus.

: It is still controversial whether tighter glycemic control is associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure. We examined the association between glucose serum concentrations and cardiovascular disease in patients on the end stage of renal disease without diabetes mellitus. : We studied 76 patients on on-line hemodiafiltration.

β2-Microglobulin, pulse pressure and metabolic alterations in hemodialysis patients.

Background/aim: Pulse pressure (PP) is a result of arterial stiffness seen in dialysis patients, but may be a consequence of fluid overload. We examined the role of β(2)-microglobulin (β(2)M) in PP in relation to metabolic alterations in patients on different hemodialysis (HD) modalities.

Methods: We studied 76 hemodialyzed patients on regular HD (n = 34), predilution bagged hemodiafiltration (n = 19) and online predilution hemodiafiltration (n = 23).

Circulating antibodies to endogenous erythropoietin and risk for HIV-1-related anemia.

Objectives: In a previous retrospective study we have shown that circulating antibodies to endogenous erythropoietin (anti-EPO) are associated with HIV-1-related anemia. The present longitudinal cohort study was conducted to examine the effect of anti-EPO on the risk of developing anemia over time.

Methods: The study population consisted of 113 HIV-1 seropositive patients, who were screened for the presence of anti-EPO, with a mean+/-SD follow up of 105+/-40 months, for a total of 2190 visits.

Changes of plasma levels of gastrointestinal peptides over the course of acute pancreatitis. Any significance for the pathophysiology and treatment of acute pancreatitis?

Background/aims: Acute pancreatitis may be accompanied by alterations of the secretion of pancreatic and gastrointestinal peptides as a result of pancreatic inflammation. These changes, that may constitute targets of therapeutic manipulation, led to the study of the serum levels of various pancreatic and gastrointestinal peptides over the course of acute pancreatitis before and after the administration of octreotide and ranitidine.

Methodology: Concentrations of gastrin, glucagon, vasoactive intestinal peptide, neurotensin and pancreatic polypeptide were determined by radioimmunoassay in the plasma of 22 patients with acute pancreatitis on the first, sixth and 11th day of the disease.