Urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase levels in diabetic adults.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to be one of the most common causes of end-stage renal disease. The disease is usually not detected on time, because of the large functioning reserve of the kidney. Currently used markers (serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urea, and electrolytes) remain relatively normal even when more than 50% of the renal nephron is not functioning.

Osmoregulatory adaptations during lactation: Thirst, arginine vasopressin and plasma osmolality responses.

Pregnancy and lactation are accompanied by an increase in circulating blood volume secondary to a 10 mOsmol/kgH20 decrease in plasma osmolality, decrease in the osmotic threshold for thirst and arginine vasopressin (AVP) release, prolactin-induced AVP, oxytocin and aldosterone release, as well as increased water intake and retention. The increased blood volume as a result of increased thirst; drinking and fluid retention could be beneficial for milk production and secretion during lactation. Furthermore, AVP can directly initiate milk ejection similar to oxytocin by interacting with both vasopressin and oxytocin receptors located in myoepithelial cells of the mammary gland.

Circadian Potassium Excretion is Unaffected Following Furosemide Induced Increase in Sodium Delivery to the Distal Nephron.

The mineralocorticoid aldosterone is widely accepted as a key regulator of K+ balance as well as urinary K+excretion. However, recent evidence suggests that the circadian control of K+ excretion is independent of aldosterone. Thedelivery of Na+ to the distal nephron is known to be an important determinant of aldosterone mediated secretion of K+ in thissegment of the nephron.

Monotherapy with amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide in patients with mild to moderate hypertension: Comparison of their efficacy and effects on electrolytes.

Background: Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) are commonly prescribed in Nigeria either as a monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. The present study was designed to investigate the antihypertensive efficacy of monotherapy with amlodipine or HCTZ and their effects on electrolyte profile in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical study was used; fifty patients newly diagnosed with mild to moderate hypertension (aged 33 to 60 years) were recruited and divided into two groups: amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide each comprising of 25 subjects.

Does consumption of an aqueous extract of Hibscus sabdariffa affect renal function in subjects with mild to moderate hypertension?

Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine in Nigeria mainly because of its antihypertensive action. In view of the recent increase in the prevalence of renal failure, we have investigated the effect of HS consumption on renal function in Nigerians with mild to moderate hypertension. A total of 78 newly diagnosed but untreated subjects with mild to moderate hypertension attending the medical outpatients unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (Enugu, Nigeria) were recruited for the study.