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.

Effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system of Nigerians with mild to moderate essential hypertension: A comparative study with lisinopril.

Objectives: The present study investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) on the three basic components of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: Plasma renin, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and plasma aldosterone (PA) in mild to moderate essential hypertensive Nigerians and compared with that of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor.

Materials And Methods: A double-blind controlled randomized clinical study was used. Seventy-eight newly diagnosed but untreated mild to moderate hypertensive subjects attending Medical Outpatients Clinic of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu were recruited for the study.

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffaon blood pressure and electrolyte profile of mild to moderate hypertensive Nigerians: A comparative study with hydrochlorothiazide.

Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) is widely consumed in Nigeria as a refreshing beverage and also as an antihypertensive agent. Since three decades ago when its antihypertensive activities were reported in several animal experiments, its consumption has greatly increased.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of HS consumption on blood pressure (BP) and electrolytes of mild to moderate hypertensive Nigerians and compare it with that of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic widely used as first-line antihypertensive drug.

The Effect of Intranasal Desmopressin Spray on Basal and Total Tear Secretions in Healthy Subjects.

Many hormones have been implicated in dry eye syndrome. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on tear secretion. Fifty (50) healthy male and female volunteers between the ages of 21 and 70 years were studied.

Estimation of Plasma Arginine Vasopressin Concentration Using Thirst Perception and Plasma Osmolality Values.

In human, thirst and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) are controlled by similar sensitive osmoregulatory mechanisms such that above a certain osmotic threshold (280-288 mOsm/kg H20) there is a linear relationship between the increase in plasma osmolality and increase in ADH and thirst. The purpose of this study was to estimate plasma arginine vasopressin (PAVP) using thirst perception (TP) and plasma osmolality (POSM) values before and at 60 minutes in control or euhydrate (group A, 0.0 ml/kg body weight of distilled water), hydrated (group B, 7.

The role of oropharnygeal receptors in thirst perception after dehydration and rehydration.

This study examined the effect of drinking and gargling on thirst perception (TP) in 33 young dehydrated female subjects (18-25 yrs), using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Group A subjects drank, while group B gargled the fluid provided - 0.0%, 0.

Thirst perception, plasma osmolality and estimated plasma arginine vasopressin concentration in dehydrated and oral saline loaded subjects.

Infusion of hypertonic saline produces an increase in thirst appreciation as well as increase in plasma Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) concentration, which may be estimated using thirst perception and/or plasma osmolality In this study, we examined the changes in thirst perception (TP), plasma osmolality (Posm) and plasma arginine vasopressin concentration (PAVP) as well as their relationships in dehydrated and oral saline loaded subjects. Forty (40) healthy subjects between the ages of 18 and 30 years were divided into 4 groups of 10 subjects (5 females and 5 males) each. Subjects in group A (dehydrated) were subjected to 18 hr fluid restriction, while those in B, C, and D orally ingested 7.

Relationship between thirst perception and plasma arginine vasopressin concentration in man.

We examined the possibility that measurements of thirst perception in man using the visual Analogue Scale (VAS) can be used to estimate plasma arginine vasopressin concentration in man. In thirty normal subjects (male=15 and female=15), thirst perception (TP, cm) was rated and 5.0ml blood samples were collected for the measurement of plasma arginine vasopressin (PAVP) using Enzyme Immunoassay kit.

Streptozotocin diabetes and insulin resistance impairment of spermatogenesis in adult rat testis: central vs. local mechanism.

Mammalian reproduction is dynamically regulated by the pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are synthesized in the pituitary gland following stimulation by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and act by stimulating steroid production and gametogenesis in both males and females. Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats (120 - 140 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups.

Thirst perception in dehydrated sickle cell disease patients in steady state.

Liberal fluid intake is one of the key management strategies in sickle cell anaemia [SCA] patients in steady state, but less work has been done on the desire of patients to drink water. Using the Visual Analogue Scale we studied thirst perception [TP] in 20 euhydrated SCA patients and 28 control [HbA] subjects, as well as during dehydration in 13 SCA patients and 9 HbA subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected and analyzed for Na, K ions, creatinine concentrations and haematocrit and specific gravity of urine were determined.

Thirst perception and drinking in euhydrate and dehydrate human subjects.

Studies on how the body senses the need to correct extracellular and intracellular volumes and ionic concentration changes is relatively scanty. The present studies were designed to determine the effect of oral distilled water (DW) and saline loads, gargling with DW and DW preload on thirst perception (TP) and drinking in euhydrate and dehydrated subjects. The subjects were healthy male volunteers between the ages of 17 and 35 years.

Gonadectomy influences blood pressure through the kallikrein-kinin system.

The kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) appears to be involved in blood pressure regulation. We showed that ovariectomy (oVx) stimulates urinary kallikrein activity (UKa). So, we test whether gonadectomy (Gx) would affect blood pressure through an increase in KKS activity and which mechanism(s) were involved.

Alloxan-induced and insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus affect semen parameters and impair spermatogenesis in male rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance on semen parameters, histology of reproductive organs and serum concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH). Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180 - 200g were made diabetic by intravenous injection of alloxan (40 mg/kg): and insulin resistant by chronic fructose feeding (25% fructose) for 12 weeks. Rats were anaesthetized, followed by laparatomy.

Pattern of paediatric blood pressure in rural, semi-urban and urban communities in Ilorin, Nigeria.

The blood pressures of 2,526 children aged between 1 and 14 years were measured in their home environments in rural, semi-urban and urban communities in Ilorin. Blood pressure increased with age, but there was no significant difference between the communities. Girls had higher blood pressures than boys between the ages of 9 and 13 years, in the semi-urban and rural communities.

Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to acute haemorrhage in anaesthetized potassium-adapted rats.

The experiments were designed to determine whether potassium-loaded rats have a deficient recovery of blood pressure after a rapid arterial haemorrhage. Potassium loading was achieved by providing a 0.75% KCl solution as drinking fluid for 14 days, while control rats had either distilled water or tapwater.

Urinary kallikrein excretion during potassium chloride infusion in potassium-adapted rats: effect of amiloride.

1. Urinary kallikrein excretion in the anaesthetized rat was measured during intravenous KCl infusion in control and in K+-adapted rats. 2.

Haemodynamic responses to vasopressin in anaesthetized young and adult Brattleboro rats.

1. The cardiovascular effects of pressor doses of arginine vasopressin were examined in anaesthetized Brattleboro rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus (BDI) and normal rats of the parent Long Evans (LE) strain, either 37 or 85 days old. 2.

Vasopressin V1-receptor blockade lowers arterial blood pressure in young conscious Long-Evans rats.

Young, conscious Long-Evans rats had significantly higher basal mean arterial blood pressure than age-matched Brattleboro rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus, and an intravenous injection of a specific vasopressin V1-receptor blocker significantly decreased the mean arterial pressure in the former animals only. The basal heart rate, which was significantly higher in the Brattleboro rats than in the Long-Evans rats, was unaffected by the vasopressin antagonist in either strain. These results indicate that vasopressin may be important in maintaining normal blood pressure in young rats.

Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on the release of rat renal kallikrein.

The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on renal kallikrein release was investigated in barbiturate anesthetized rats. ANP injections in a pharmacological dose (1 microgram i.v.

Transient hyperkalaemia immediately after acute haemorrhage in rats.

The effect of haemorrhage on plasma potassium concentration was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats, Brattleboro (BDI) rats and the parent strain Long-Evans (LE) rats. Haemorrhage induced an increase in plasma potassium within 10 min in all rats studied; 20 and 30 min later, plasma potassium was back to prehaemorrhage level. Changes in plasma sodium concentration were not statistically significant.