Pancreatic Elastase Levels in Feces As A Marker of Exocrine Pancreatic Function in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: The measurement of pancreatic elastase (PE) in feces is used widely to screen for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship of PE with residual beta cell secretion and metabolic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Method: We determined the presence of PE in specimens via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas serum fasting glucose, C-peptide, amylase, lipase, triglycerides, total 25(OH)-vitamin D, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations were assayed using routine laboratory tests.

Correlation of bone alkaline phosphatase and iPTH with some basic biochemical markers in predialysis and dialysis patients.

Background: Bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) is a direct and independent indicator of impaired bone turnover. We intended to find out whether there are any significant changes in BALP and iPTH levels, in comparison to total Ca, total Mg, inorganic P, total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in predialysis and dialysis patients.

Methods: Out of 266 patients investigated, 114 were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, 112 were on maintenance haemodialysis, while 40 predialysis patients had end stage renal disease.

Gender Associated Lipid and Apolipoprotein Profile in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

The role of lipid parameters disorder in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze lipid profile in these patients and to test the influence of gender on lipid profile of AMD patients, especially in the early and late form of the disease. 82 patients with AMD (mean age 70.

Relation between 25(OH)-vitamin D deficiency and markers of bone formation and resorption in haemodialysis patients.

Deficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] may contribute to the impaired bone turnover of end stage renal disease patients. In 112 hemodialysed patients we analysed the relation between 25(OH)D and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), beta-CrossLaps (beta-CTx) and iPTH. We analysed parameters according to the manufacturers' instructions.