Erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase measurements in Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a chronic progressive kidney disease leading to renal insufficiency. The possible etiological role of some toxic factors was considered in this study by investigating the activity of erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D), an enzyme influenced by various environmental factors. We observed that ALA-D activity was markedly decreased in patients with BEN and in 32% of their healthy family members.

Partial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency in Balkan endemic nephropathy.

The role of lipid abnormalities has been also implicated in the progression of renal diseases. The search for lipid abnormalities in Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) has roused sporadic interest and has not been fully elucidated. This study was performed in 54 healthy subjects from the families affected with BEN (group A), 18 members from non-affected families living in the same location (group B), and 25 control subjects (group C).

Urinary protein excretion in children from families with Balkan nephropathy.

We studied the urinary excretion of total protein and five other proteins in urine samples from a total of 831 children and adolescents. The characteristics of the children were: (1.) they resided in areas where Balkan nephropathy (BEN) is endemic and also had family members suffering from BEN; (2.

[Diurnal rhythm and the effect of hemodialysis therapy on blood prolactin levels in patients with chronic renal insufficiency].

In 97 patients with different stages of chronic renal failure prolactin serum level was determined, and its diurnal rhythm and dependence on haemodialysis treatment were studied. Diurnal rhythm was investigated in 6 men and 6 women with advanced chronic renal failure on diet and other symptomatic treatment. A normal diurnal rhythm of prolactin was recorded only in 3 patients, two of them being with elevated basal prolactin levels; an abnormal prolactin rhythm was documented in 8 patients.

[Cortisol and aldosterone plasma levels in patients with acute renal insufficiency].

The paper deals with the study of cortisol and aldosterone plasma levels in patients with acute and chronic renal insufficiency. Various degrees of supranormal cortisol levels were found in all 6 examined patients with acute renal insufficiency in oligonauric phase of the disease. A gradual decrease was observed in diuretic stade.

Plasma aldosterone and cortisol levels in experimental acute renal failure.

Deranged adrenal cortical function was previously described in different stress situations. The aim of this work was to study the plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels in acute renal failure induced by the uranyl nitrate injection or bilateral ureteral ligation. In both groups of uremic dogs on the first day of uremia there was a significant elevation of the plasma cortisol level, being more pronounced and lasting longer after bilateral ureteral ligation.

The effect of parathyroid hormone and 1,25 (OH)2D3 on nerve conductance in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

In 30 uremic patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis the sensory and motor fiber conduction and the motor distal latency were measured in the left tibial nerve, in order to evaluate if a correlation between their values and the serum IPTH or 1.25(OH)2D3 can be found. The sensory and motor fiber conduction velocities were found to be significantly lower in hemodialysis patients than in a group of healthy controls.

Serum testosterone levels in experimental acute renal failure.

In dogs made uremic by bilateral ureteral ligation or by uranyl nitrate injection the serum testosterone levels were investigated. In both experimental models of acute renal failure a profound decrease of serum testosterone was found. The relationship between serum iPTH and testosterone levels was also investigated.

Calcium and phosphate metabolism in uranyl nitrate-induced acute renal failure.

Plasma calcium regulation in uranyl nitrate-treated dogs was studied. A discrete hypercalcemia was observed without significant changes in the level of plasma ionized calcium. Serum phosphate increased markedly following uranyl nitrate treatment.