Plasmatic levels of N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide in preeclamptic patients and healthy normotensive pregnant women.

Background And Objective: To compare plasma N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in preeclamptic patients and healthy normotensive pregnant women.

Methods: A cases-controls study was done with 180 patients at Hospital Central Dr. Urquinaona, Maracaibo, Venezuela, that included 90 preeclamptic patients (group A; cases) and 90 healthy normotensive pregnant women selected with the same age and body mass index similar to group A (group B; controls).

[Glycemic index, glycemic load and insulin response of two formulas of isoglucose with different sweeteners and dietary fiber in healthy adults and type-2 diabetes].

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of two formulas with the same glucose content with different sweeteners and dietary fiber for diabetics in healthy adults and in patients with type-2 diabetes (DM2). Methodology: In this randomized, double-blind crossover research, eleven healthy people and six with DM2 consumed two enteral formulas, Glucerna SR®, Laboratorios Abbott C.A.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in obese and non obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To measure macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) concentrations in obese and non-obese women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Women diagnosed with PCOS and age-matched healthy controls with regular menses and normal ovaries on ultrasound examination were selected and divided into 4 groups (group A, PCOS and obese; group B, PCOS and non-obese; group C, obese controls; and group D, non-obese controls) based on body mass index (obese >30 kg/m2 and non-obese <25 kg/m2). Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, androstenedione, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, serum glucose, insulin and MIF levels were measured.

[Atherogenic index of plasma in patients with preeclampsia and in healthy pregnant women].

Background And Objective: To compare the values of the atherogenic index of plasma between preeclamptic patients and healthy pregnant women.

Patients And Method: Seventy patients were selected. Twenty-three severe preeclamptic patients (group A), 12 mild preeclamptic patients (group B) and 35 healthy pregnant women with similar age and body mass index (group C).

[Plasma renin and aldosterone levels in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome].

Objective: To assess plasma renin and aldosterone levels in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Obese women (body mass index [BMI]>30 kg/m2; group A, n=34) and non-obese women (BMI<25 kg/m2; group B, n=13) with PCOS were selected. The control group (groupC, n =47) consisted of age-matched women with regular menses and normal ultrasonographic ovaries.

[Lipid profile modifications in post-menopausal women treated with testosterone gel].

Objective: To assess lipid profile changes in post-menopausal women treated with testosterone gel.

Methods: Thirty-six oophorectomized women on estradiol treatment who received transdermal testosterone gel (5mg daily) were enrolled into our study. Cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density-lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and lipoprotein (a) were tested before and after 6 months of treatment.

[Endothelial microparticles in preeclampsia and eclampsia].

Objective: To compare endothelial microparticles values in eclamptic, preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.

Materials And Methods: Patients were selected among those who assisted to Obstetrics Emergency at Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo, Venezuela.

[Lipid profile in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with metformin].

Objective: To compare lipid and lipoprotein concentrations between obese and non-obese women with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with metformin for 6 months.

Methods: Sixty-five women with a diagnosis of PCOS were included. The presence of obesity, serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were recorded before and after 6 months of metformin treatment.

Oat-derived beta-glucan significantly improves HDLC and diminishes LDLC and non-HDL cholesterol in overweight individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia.

Objective: To investigate the effect of bread formulated with 6 g of beta-glucan (oat soluble fiber) on serum lipids in overweight normotensive subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Design: Thirty-eight male subjects [mean age 59.8 +/- 0.

[Comparative study of the effect of intravaginal misoprostol at 50 and 100 micrograms in cervical ripening and labor induction].

The objective of this work was to compare the efficacy of 50 and 100 microg of misoprostol administered intravaginally for cervical ripening and labor induction. Ninety-five patients were randomly assigned to receive 50 microg (n=48) or 100 microg (n=47) of misoprostol. The primary measures in this study were cesarean section rate, time from induction to delivery, need for oxytocin use, rate of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystoles, proportion of fetal distress and neonatal Apgar score.