Genetic influences on insulinemia in normotensive twins.

The aim of this study was to establish the contribution of genetic factors to the variance of plasma insulin concentration in healthy, normotensive twins. Seventeen pairs of monozygotic (MZ) and 17 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins were investigated. The test of genetic variance revealed a significantly larger within-pair variance of fasting plasma insulin (FPI) and a relative insulin resistance (RIR) in the DZ twins, in comparison with the MZ twins. Both FPI and RIR had a higher intraclass correlation coefficient in the MZ twins than in the DZ twins; the corresponding heritability estimates were 0.54 for FPI and 0.66 for RIR. Adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index did not affect heritability estimates for either FPI or RIR. Our data indicate that genetic factors are important determinants of insulinemia in normal subjects, independent of body mass index.

[Prevalence of COPD in Gdansk sea port workers]. / Czestosc wystepowania przewleklej obturacyjnej choroby pluc wsród pracowników portowych.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study was to evaluate prevalence of COPD in sea-port workers who has been employed with handling phosphoric compounds, sulphur compounds and grain. Smoking habits has been also analysed. Study group consists of 238 persons working in Gdansk sea-port. Protocol of the study has included: medical history, detailed description of work place, smoking habit analysis and spirometric study. As a spirometric parameters FEV1, FVC, FEV1%VC, PEF, MEF25%VC, MEF50%VC and MEF75%VC has been assessed. In study group 106 persons worked with phosphoric compounds handling, 42 persons with sulphuric compounds handling and 90 persons with grain handling. COPD had been diagnosed in 55 persons--43 smokers and 12 non-smokers. Mean values of FEV1% in groups with equal 10-20 years time-work has been compared. Typical COPD features has been present in 37 persons--25 smokers and 12 non-smokers. COPD has been defined based on medical history, physical examination and no response o FEV1 after bronchodilatator application (Berodual). CONCLUSION: Smoking habits in Gdansk sea-port workers has been more important factor in COPD development than work place toxicities.

Serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha correlates with the clinical course and activity of Wilms' tumour and soft tissue sarcomas in children.

Wilms' tumour (WT) and soft tissue sarcomas (SA) in children lack reliable biochemical markers. This study was carried out to determine the clinical significance of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) in the diagnostics and treatment monitoring of children with WT and SA. The study included 48 children: ten with WT, eight with SA and 30 healthy controls. The sIL-2Ralpha levels (ELISA) and rates of elevated sIL-2Ralpha values were estimated prospectively at diagnosis and in complete remission during treatment and after therapy. As the dependence on age was determined, the levels of sIL-2Ralpha were expressed as multiplications of the upper value of the normal range for a particular age ( xN). Median pretreatment levels of sIL-2Ralpha in patients exceeded those of healthy controls (1.79 xN for WT and 1.53 for SA vs. 0.61 for controls; p < 0.001) as did the rates of elevated sIL-2Ralpha values (80% of WTand 87.5% of SA patients vs. 0% of controls). Good response to therapy was paralleled by a significant decline of pretreatment sIL-2Ralpha levels and its elevated rates. Thus, sIL-2Ralpha determination may be of some value in the diagnostics and treatment monitoring of childhood WT and SA.

Attenuated glomerular responses to atrial natriuretic factor in low-sodium rats is prevented by theophylline.

Atrial natriuretic factor administered in the large dose did not change glomerular filtration rate, but it was diuretic in low-sodium rats. In response to ANF, excretion of c-GMP was decreased in low-sodium rats in comparison with normal-sodium stimulated c-GMP accumulation in isolated glomeruli was more diminished in low- than normal sodium rats. These results indicate that attenuated glomerular responses to ANF in low-sodium rats might be due to increase of plasma Angiotensin II (Ang II) level, which increases intracellular Ca++ concentration. Theophylline can potentiate the renal response to ANF. We suggest that Ca(++)-activated c-GMP phosphodiesterase plays a major role in the regulation of intracellular accumulation of c-GMP in glomeruli exposed to ANF.

[Clearance, reabsorption and excretion of free and bound L-carnitine in children]. / Klirens, reabsorpcja i wydalanie wolnej i zwiazanej L-karnityny u dzieci.

Acylcarnitines are by-products of fatty acid, pyruvate and some xenobiotics metabolism excreted in urine. We compare the renal handling of free and acylcarnitine in a group of 15 healthy children in relation to sodium and urea excretion and to sodium fractional tubular reabsorption (FTR%) and fractional excretion (FE%). Urea and sodium were determined by routine laboratory method; free and acylcarnitines by enzymatic one. FTR% and FE% were determined as a % of filtration load. Linear regression was used for calculation of correlation coefficient "r" from paired data. Low correlation (r = 0.25; p = 0.42) between urea and free carnitine excretion was observed; for excretion of acylcarnitine and urea correlation was much higher (r = 0.61; p < 0.03). Excretion of free correlation was negatively correlated with sodium FTR (r = -0.86; p < 0.001) and there was no correlation at all for acylcarnitine excretion and sodium FTR. It can be assumed:-neither excretion nor reabsorption of acylcarnitines are Na-dependent;-renal handling of free and total carnitines proceeds on different mechanisms.