[Serum level of retinol-binding protein 4 in obese patients with insulin resistance and in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin].

Objective: Is there a difference between the retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels in obese patients with insulin resistance (IR) without diabetes, in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2T) treated with metformin and in nonobese healthy individuals?

Method: 28 obese individuals with insulin resistance, 11 type 2 diabetes patients treated with metformin and 17 control individuals were examined for serum level of retinol-binding protein 4 using the RIA method. The results were compared within the groups and RBP4 was correlated with insulin in the IR group and the control group.

Outcome: The highest and the lowest RBP4 levels (561.

Enhanced plasma catecholamine and cAMP response during the head-up tilt test in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Aims: Vasovagal syncope appears related to transient changes in sympathetic neural outflow. Several studies have documented sympathetic inhibition at the time of syncope. However, data on the activity of the sympathetic nervous system a short time before the onset of syncope are controversial.

Selected hormones levels in individuals with endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Aim: To determine possible differences in selected serum hormones levels related to endothelial function and insulin sensitivity.

Methods: Ghrelin, insulin, serotonin, growth hormone, IGF-1, leptin and adiponectin serum levels were determined in a group of 83 adults (40 women, 43 men) with a mean age 49.4+/-4.

[The thyroid gland in women during the reproductive age].

Objective: To find out thyroid volume and its functional status in women in reproductive age as well as possible correlation between thyroid size and functional status and age and residential location of women.

Design: Project can be characterized as an epidemiological study and consists of three separate observations.

Setting: 1st Internal Clinic, UPJS, Kosice, Medical Faculty, Slovakia.

[Effect of nitrates on active transport of iodine].

Active iodine transport into the thyrocyte is catalyzed by the transmembrane transport protein Na+/J- symport (NIS) Nitrates can expel iodine from the bond with this transport protein which was found not only in the thyrocyte membrane but also in the cell membrane of the gastric mucosa. The weight of the thyroid gland in mg was significantly greater even when calculated in relation to body weight in the NIT group of rats who were given for 6 days nitrate by gastric tube (100 mg/kg/day) as compared with controls (CON) 17.56 +/- 8.

[The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and serum lipoproteins in patients with essential hypertension].

The authors investigated the relationship between the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and serum lipid levels in patients with essential hypertension (EH). They examined 72 patients with EH stage I and II WHO classification (group A, n = 72, age bracket 16-70 years). They investigated the plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA) and total cholesterol (TCH), HDL, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (TG).

Influence of water and sodium diuresis and furosemide on urinary excretion of vitamin B(6), oxalic acid and vitamin C in chronic renal failure.

Urinary excretion of vitamin B(6), oxalic acid and vitamin C was investigated in 15 healthy subjects during maximal water diuresis and in the group of 12 patients in polyuric stage of chronic renal failure without dialysis treatment receiving a diet containing high sodium chloride (15g/day). Urinary excretions of the same parameters were investigated in another group of 15 patients in polyuric stage of chronic renal failure without dialysis treatment after i.v.

[The effect of furosemide on urinary excretion of oxalic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B6 in chronic kidney failure].

The authors describe the effect of a single i.v. dose of 20 mg furosemide on the excretion of oxalic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B6 in a control group and in patients with chronic renal failure without dialyzation treatment.

Peritoneal clearance and peritoneal transfer of oxalic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

The peritoneal clearance and peritoneal transfer of oxalic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 in 32 patients during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) using peritoneal dialysis solutions containing 1.5% or 2.5% glucose were examined.

[Changes in thrombocyte aggregation in primary hypothyroidism].

The authors examined the thrombocyte aggregation in 10 controls and 17 patients with the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism before and after 2 months substitution treatment with levothyroxine. They recorded a significantly reduced intensity of the aggregation response in untreated patients as compared with controls after adrenaline (p < 0.01), ADP (p < 0.

Metabolism of vitamin B6 and its requirement in chronic renal failure.

Vitamin B6 is very important for the normal function of multiple organ systems. In the majority of patients with chronic renal failure and in patients during various forms of renal replacement therapy can develop vitamin B6 deficiency from many causes. Intravenous administration of 20 mg furosemide led to the increase of urinary excretion and fraction excretion (FE) of vitamin B6 in patients with chronic renal failure.