Anemia is independently associated with NT-proBNP levels in asymptomatic predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Although anemia and renal dysfunction are related to increased natriuretic peptides levels in heart failure patients, less is known about this relationship in asymptomatic predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to investigate relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) levels and echocardiographic findings in these patients.

Methods: The study included 61 patients with CKD stage IV-V (34 male, mean age 62.

Effects of dietary milled seed mixture on fatty acid status and inflammatory markers in patients on hemodialysis.

Background: Plant seeds have gained interest for their health benefits due to their fatty acid content. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary consumption of milled sesame/pumpkin/flax seed mixture on glycemic control, serum lipids, phospholipid fatty acid status, and inflammatory factors in patients on hemodialysis.

Methods: Thirty patients with well nutrition status (18 male, 12 female) were enrolled in the study.

Screening of elderly for chronic kidney disease.

Background And Aims: The frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) markers was assessed in two groups of patients over 60 years--one without and the other with hypertension.

Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 585 asymptomatic elderly patients (227 males), 93 without and 492 with hypertension. Data on patients were obtained by interview, analysis of medical records and physical examinations.

Relation of CuZnSOD activity with renal insufficiency in hypertensive diabetic patients.

Diabetes and renal insufficiency are interrelated metabolic disorders closely associated with redox homeostasis disturbances. The aim of this study was to compare the activity of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) in the erythrocytes of hypertensive diabetic patients with or without renal insufficiency with normal healthy control subjects. In both groups of diabetic patients, blood glucose level and the content of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were higher than in the control group.

Association of blood pressure and metabolic syndrome components with magnesium levels in drinking water in some Serbian municipalities.

Chronic exposure to insufficient levels of magnesium (Mg) in drinking water increases the risk of magnesium deficiency and its association with hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to assess the potential association of mineral contents in drinking water with blood pressure and other components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (BMI as measure of obesity, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin resistance, index-HOMA IR), in a healthy population. This study was conducted in three randomly selected municipalities (Pozarevac, Grocka and Banovci), and recruited 90 healthy blood donors, aged 20-50 years.

Early detection of chronic kidney disease: collaboration of Belgrade nephrologists and primary care physicians.

Background: Belgrade screening study was undertaken in order to detect persons with CKD markers in at risk populations and to educate primary care physicians how to carry out CKD screening.

Methods: The study was performed by primary care physicians from thirteen Belgrade health centers in collaboration with nephrologists from clinical centers. Subjects without previously known kidney disease were enrolled: 1316 patients with hypertension without diabetes, 208 patients with type 2 diabetes and 93 subjects older than 60 years without hypertension or diabetes.

Lower serum paraoxonase-1 activity is related to linoleic and docosahexanoic fatty acids in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: Serum paraoxonase-1(PON-1) activity is decreased in clinical conditions associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), increased lipid peroxidation and low-grade chronic inflammation, as in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Until now there are no data about the association of any fatty acid (FA) with PON-1 activity in T2DM.

Methods: Twenty patients with T2DM and 16 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study.

Bilateral ureteral obstruction due to primary myelofibrosis caused hyperuricaemia.

In healthy population, uric acid comprises the major component of 10-20% of renal stones. Extreme hiperuricaemia is seen in cancer patients with tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) which is classically associated with haematological malignancies with rapid tumour growth rates such as acute lymphoid leukaemia and high grade lymphomas. Primary melofibrosis (Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia-AMM) is a chronic myeloproliferative disease characterized by splenomegaly, a leukoerythroblastic blood picture, teardrop poikilocytosis and varying degrees of marrow fibrosis.

Treatment of lupus nephritis by mycophenolate mofetil.

Background/aims: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been increasingly used for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of MMF used with low doses of corticosteroids as maintenance therapy in patients with LN.

Methods: The study covered 35 patients, most of them with proliferative types of LN (5 WHO class III, 26 class IV), while 1 had class V and 3 class VI nephritis.

Do components of metabolic syndrome contribute to cardiac autonomic neuropathy in non-diabetic patients?

Objective: To evaluate whether autonomic dysfunction exist in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) to establish any association with components of MetS.

Methods: From July 2008 to January 2009, 32 outpatients attending the University Clinical Center, Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia, 15 with MetS, 17 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 15 control subjects were recruited for cross-sectional study among adults. The study was completed at the University Clinical Center, Bezanijska Kosa, and University Clinical Center, Dragisa Misovic, Belgrade, Serbia.

Paraneoplastic bleeding disorder due to isolated hypofibrinogenemia: a case report.

An 80 years old male patient was admitted in our hospital with massive haematomas in the left forearm, chest and abdominal wall accompanied by intense back pain symptoms. Laboratory evaluation showed anemia, mild thrombocytopenia and elevated lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase levels and normal concentrations of all the other biochemical parameters. Study of the coagulation status demonstrated prolonged thrombin time (TT), low fibrinogen levels--0.

Mycophenolate mofetil in high-risk patients with primary glomerulonephritis: results of a 1-year prospective study.

Background/aims: Glucocorticoids and classic immunosuppressive drugs can improve disease activity in primary glomerulonephritis (GN). However, these drugs have serious toxicity and patients frequently experience inadequate response or relapse, so there is a need for alternative agents. This multicenter uncontrolled study analyzed the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in high-risk patients with primary GN.

Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation are associated with muscle wasting in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis.

Muscle wasting is independent predictor of mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We investigated the effect of insulin resistance on lean body mass (LBM), and association between insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and body composition in these patients. We analyzed cross-sectionally body composition, nutritional status and biochemical parameters in 35 non-diabetic ESRD patients who were on MHD.

[Inflammatory markers, nutritional parameters and polyunsaturated fatty acids in hemodialysis patients].

Introduction: Malnutrition and inflammation are associated with end-stage renal disease. Inflammation leads to reduced synthesis of albumin, transferin, and other negative acute-phase proteins and increases their catabolic rates. The causes of inflammation are multifactorial, including oxidative modification of plasma proteins, interaction of blood with nonbiocompatible membranes, and other infectious processes.

Relationship between inflammatory cytokines and cardiorenal anemia syndrome: treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhepo).

Background And Aim: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are exposed to persistent inflammatory state. Erythropoietin resistance is known to be strongly associated with chronic inflammation. Aim of the study was to analyze the effect of elevated inflammatory markers on hemoglobin levels and rhEPO requirements in stable patients of our hemodialysis center.

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin treatment on insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in non-diabetic patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Background And Aim: Iron overload and inflammation might participate in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in community. The improvement of insulin resistance in hemodialysis (HD) patients is frequently seen after correction of anemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of recobinant humam erythropoietin (Epo) treatment on insulin resistance in non-diabetic HD patients.

Inflammatory cytokines and malnutrition as related to risk for cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients.

Malnutrition and inflammation are associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) powerfully predict death from cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to establish an association between markers of inflammation and parameters of malnutrition in patients on hemodialysis.

Effect of n-3 fatty acids on nutritional status and inflammatory markers in haemodialysis patients.

Aims: Nutrition as an aetiological factor participates a great deal in premature atherosclerosis in haemodialysis (HD) patients. The basic mechanisms of end-stage renal disease and premature atherosclerosis are connected with changes in cell functions at the membrane level. We investigated the red cell membrane fatty acids and the effects of fish oil supplements on nutritional status and inflammatory markers in HD patients.

[Predictors of mortality in dialysis patients--association between malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis (MIA syndrome)].

Introduction: Numerous recent studies have shown increased comorbidity and mortality in dialysis patients with malnutrition. Protein-energy malnutrition with muscle wasting occurs in a large proportion of patients with chronic renal failure and is, in addition to atherosclerosis, a strong risk factor for mortality in patients undergoing dialysis. Malnutrition is also associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients.

[Clinical significance and pathogenic mechanisms of insulin resistance in chronic renal insufficiency (part II): pathogenic factors of insulin resistance in chronic renal insufficiency].

Introduction: Factors implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in chronic renal failure are: uremic toxins, exercise tolerance, metabolic acidosis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency. Many of them may contribute, but are not the main cause of insulin resistance in uremia. The aim of this review is to debate about each, separately.

[Clinical importance and pathogenic mechanisms of insulin resistance in chronic renal insufficiency (part I): insulin resistance in patients with chronic renal insufficiency].

Introduction: This paper presents new investigations of abnormal insulin action in patients with chronic renal failure. Reduced tissue sensitivity to insulin action and the effects of the impairments on carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism have important pathophysiological implications in the genesis of the uremic syndrome. We analyzed confounding factors of reduced insulin sensitivity and potential sites of insulin resistance.

[Apolipoproteins as risk factors in patients on a regular hemodialysis program].

Apolipoprotein abnormalities in patients undergoing permanent hemodialysis programme appear to be risk factors for development of cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to determine the presence of risk factors of lipidic origin in these patients. We examined a group of 45 patients on hemodialysis--26 males (average age of 52.

[Hyperinsulinism in hyperlipoproteinemia in patients on a chronic hemodialysis program].

The aim of this study was to establish possible hyperinsulinemia, as a consequence of insulin resistance in chronic hemodialysis patients. We examined 45 HD (hemodialysis) patients and 18 healthy subjects. On an empty stomach the following parameters were established: glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol.

[Visceral protein status and hyperlipoproteinemia in patients on hemodialysis].

Long-term therapy and inadequate diet regimens in terminal phase patients with renal insufficiency lead to loss of body weight which causes changes in anthropometric indexes. The occurrence of hypoalbuminemia in chronic hemodialysis patients without nephrotic syndrome, is a clear sign of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to establish the visceral protein status in these patients as well as to find if there is a difference in this status in regard to hyperlipemic and normolipemic patients.