[Glycation, glycoxidation and diabetes mellitus].

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) result from a reaction between carbohydrates and the free amino groups of proteins, lipids, and DNA. Non enzymatic glycation, glycoxidation with glucose auto-oxidation and the polyol pathway are involved in glycated protein formation. AGEs also named glycotoxins are found in excess in pathological situations such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and aging or after absorption of food containing glycated products.

Multi-detector row CT angiography of pulmonary circulation with gadolinium-based contrast agents: prospective evaluation in 60 patients.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate gadolinium dose safety and effectiveness for 16-detector pulmonary computed tomographic (CT) angiography.

Materials And Methods: Ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained. Sixty patients with contraindications to iodine underwent CT of the pulmonary circulation with 0.

Effect of iodinated contrast agents on residual renal function in PD patients.

Background: Residual renal function (RRF) is an important predictor of outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Although increasing emphasis has been placed on preserving RRF, the nephrotoxicity associated with contrast medium administration in PD patients remains a controversial issue. In the present prospective study, we evaluated the evolution of RRF 2 weeks after iodinated contrast medium administration (ICMA) in a group of stable PD patients, and compared it with that in a non-treated control group of stable PD subjects.

Safety and effectiveness of gadolinium-enhanced multi-detector row spiral CT angiography of the chest: preliminary results in 37 patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast agents.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of gadolinium-enhanced multi-detector row spiral computed tomographic (CT) angiography of the pulmonary circulation by using two gadolinium doses in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast agents.

Materials And Methods: Study was approved by the Ethics Committee, and written informed consent was obtained. Thirty-seven patients (20 men, 17 women) with contraindications to iodinated contrast agents (allergic reactions, n = 27; impaired renal function, n = 10) underwent CT angiography of the pulmonary circulation in search of acute pulmonary embolism (n = 28) or for management of tumoral disease (n = 9).

AGEs bind to mesothelial cells via RAGE and stimulate VCAM-1 expression.

Background: Excess advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed during renal failure, and AGE formation also may be connected with the high glucose concentration of peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids. To determine the effect of human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) exposure to glycated proteins, we studied the HPMC receptor of AGE expression (RAGE), and analyzed the results of AGE-RAGE interaction on adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte binding.

Methods: RAGE was detected by FACS analysis, and RAGE mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).