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.

[Evaluation of the iron bioavailability from meals prepared with lentil (Lens esculenta) or with white kidney bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris) in anemic rats].

The aim of our study was to evaluate the iron bioavailability from lentil seeds and white kidney bean seeds. The iron bioavailability from diets was measured in rat by the depletion-repletion hemoglobin method and the reserve of iron stored in the liver. Our results showed that the iron bioavailability from meal based on cooked lentil seeds was significantly low (3.

[Food intake, and anthropometrical and biological parameters in adult Tunisians during fasting at Ramadan].

We evaluated the effects of fasting during Ramadan on nutritional intake and plasma lipoproteins in 20 healthy adults of normal weight. A 5-day food questionnaire was completed for every participant. Clinical investigations, anthropometrical measurements and laboratory analysis were also undertaken.

Diabetic pregnancy in over 35 years old women.

87 pregnancies in diabetic women older than 35 years at time of conception were studied. 3% were insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 52% non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 45% gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Mean age was 38 +/- 3 years; BMI was 33.

Effect of tea decoction given to rats ad libitum for a relatively long time on body weight gains and iron, copper, zinc, magnesium concentrations in blood, liver, duodenum and spleen.

The aim of our study was to examine the influence of tea decoction given ad libitum for 15 days on body weight gains and on nonheme iron, copper, zinc and magnesium concentrations in the blood from a semisynthetic diet provided to healthy rats. We have also evaluated the reserves of these essential minerals in the liver, duodenum and spleen. Our findings indicate that the tea decoction significantly reduced the total body weight growth in the tea group as compared to the control group (p < 0.

[Post-traumatic anterior pituitary insufficiency. Apropos of 2 cases].

Post-trauma hypopituitarism is rare. The frequency of pituitary lesions observed at autopsy contrasts with small number of clinical cases. We report two cases in a 38 and a 25-year-old patients who developed hypopituitarism two years after severe craniofacial trauma followed by early onset but transitory poluria-polydypsia.

Effect of different levels of an ascorbic acid and tea mixture on nonheme iron absorption from a typical Tunisian meal fed to healthy rats.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the bioavailability of iron from a typical Tunisian meal 'couscous' provided to healthy rats with or without appropriate mixtures of tea plus ascorbic acid and to search for the optimal amount of ascorbic acid able to overcome the inhibitory effect of tea prepared under realistic Tunisian circumstances. Our findings show that a tea decoction (100 mg/ml) reduced nonheme iron absorption from couscous by 50% (16.5 vs.

Effect of tea on iron absorption from the typical Tunisian meal 'couscous' fed to healthy rats.

Black and green tea decoctions are popular beverages in Tunisia, especially after eating. Our study was performed to examine the effect of graded amounts of black and green tea decoction prepared under realistic Tunisian conditions on nonheme iron absorption from a typical Tunisian meal, 'couscous', by extrinsic radioiron labeling in rats. Concentrations of 300, 200 and 100 micrograms/ml of black tea decreased dramatically nonheme iron bioavailability from couscous, but 50 micrograms/ml did not influence iron absorption.

Bioavailability of iron from a traditional Tunisian meal with chickpeas fed to healthy rats.

The influence of a diet of couscous with chickpeas, a traditional Tunisian meal, or one providing iron as ferrous sulfate, on the utilization of 59Fe was evaluated in studies with rats. The iron content of the couscous and chickpea preparation was 30 mg/kg dry weight. There was no difference in the relative absorption of iron from ferrous sulfate or couscous with chickpeas, suggesting that iron from this preparation may be a good dietary source of nonheme iron for rats.