Effect of tramadol addiction alone and its co-abuse with cannabis on urinary excretion of Copper, Zinc, and Calcium among Egyptian addicts.

Background: The use of illicit drugs has become a worldwide health problem. Substances with the potential to be abused may have direct or indirect effects on physiologic mechanisms that lead to organ system dysfunction and diseases.

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the structural and reabsorption integrity of the nephron among Egyptian addicts of tramadol alone and coabused with cannabis.

Renal functional and structural integrity in infants with iron deficiency anemia: relation to oxidative stress and response to iron therapy.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare renal functional and structural integrity in 50 infants with IDA and 50 healthy controls and to assess the relation between IDA and oxidative stress and response to iron therapy.

Methods: This was a prospective study in which peripheral blood samples were collected from all study subjects and the following laboratory investigations performed: serum iron profile, urinary microalbumin, urinary leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa), serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum malondialdehyde (MDA), serum and urinary trace elements (iron, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium).

Effect of mercury vapour exposure on urinary excretion of calcium, zinc and copper: relationship to alterations in functional and structural integrity of the kidney.

Background: The kidney has a remarkable capacity to concentrate mercury (Hg) and as such is a primary target organ when exposure to Hg occurs, and it is also an organ for Hg excretion.

Objective: The present work aims to investigate the effect of occupational Hg vapour exposure on the urinary excretion of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), and the possible association of this excretion to work duration as well as renal alterations.

Methods: 83 non-smoker participants (36 referents, age: 35.

Effects of smoking and lead exposure on proximal tubular integrity among Egyptian industrial workers.

Background: The hazards of occupational lead exposure are well documented. Tissue damage produced by lead is slow and progressive. The renal system is one of the systems primarily affected by lead.

Subclinical nephrotoxicity caused by smoking and occupational silica exposure among Egyptian industrial workers.

Background: The aim of the present work was to investigate early signs of subclinical renal alterations due to silica exposure and smoking among non-silicotics and silicotics by measuring urinary indicators of nephrotoxicity.

Methods: The subjects comprised 29 non-silicotics (9 non-smokers, 20 smokers), 24 silicotics (9 non-smokers, 15 smokers), and 28 referents (9 non-smokers, 19 smokers). Measured urinary parameters were concentrations of total protein, microalbumin, retinol-binding protein, and activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and glutathione S-transferase.

Effect of silica exposure on urinary excretion of copper and zinc.

Background: Occupational exposure to silica could lead to renal histological alterations in the glomeruli and proximal tubules. We investigated urinary excretion of copper and zinc and its possible relationship to renal alterations and work duration among nonsmoking, silica-exposed workers.

Methods: Thirty-six control subjects (age, 39.

Glomerular and tubular dysfunction in children with congenital cyanotic heart disease: effect of palliative surgery.

Background: Nephropathy has long been recognized as a potential complication of congenital cyanotic heart disease (CCHD). The present study was undertaken to investigate some aspects of glomerular function by measuring urinary total protein, microalbumin, and tubular function by assessing urinary alpha-1-microglobulin. The structural integrity of the renal proximal tubules was also studied by measuring urinary activities of the brush-border enzyme leucine-aminopeptidase and the lysosomal enzyme -acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase.

Nephrotoxic effects of mercury exposure and smoking among Egyptian workers in a fluorescent lamp factory.

Background: It is known that mercury (Hg) has a nephrotoxic effect in exposed workers. This effect is evident when there is advanced damage of kidney tissue.

Methods: A random morning urine sample was collected from each participant for measuring urinary concentrations of total protein (UTP), retinol-binding protein (URBP), creatinine (UCr), Hg (UHg), and the activities of leucine-aminopeptidase (ULAP) and glutathione S-transferase (UGST) as well as N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG).

Evaluation of renal glomerular and tubular functional and structural integrity in neonates.

Background: Renal cells are not fully differentiated at birth, representing a major risk in preterm infants. We evaluated glomerular and tubular functional integrity as well as structural integrity of renal tubules among healthy full-term and preterm infants as well as diseased preterm infants.

Methods: A total of 50 newborns (10 healthy full-term, 10 healthy preterm, and 30 diseased preterm, at 38.