Hyperuricemia in Pediatric Malignancies Before Treatment

The objective of this study was to clarify the prevalence and characteristics of hyperuricemia in various pediatric malignancies before the initiation of treatment. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 119 children with various newly diagnosed malignancies between April 2000 and March 2010. On the basis of the reference values previously established in our laboratory, hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid (UA) levels above 2 standard deviations (s.d.) over the mean values at each age. Thirty-six patients (30.3%) showed hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia was more common in male patients (36.8%) than in female patients (21.6%). The prevalence of hyperuricemia was highest in patients with lymphoma followed by those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). When the study population was divided into hyperuricemia-negative and -positive populations, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and white blood cell counts (only in leukemia) were found to be significantly higher in the latter group by a univariate analysis. This study highlights useful information for identifying patients with malignancies at risk for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) before starting chemotherapy.     

成人原发肾病综合征患者血尿酸与血脂代谢的关系

目的:研究成人原发肾病综合征(PNS)患者高尿酸血症的患病率及其与血脂代谢的关系。方法:将109例成人PNS患者根据其尿酸水平分为高尿酸血症组与血尿酸正常组,检测患者的血脂、血清脂蛋白、ALB及24小时尿蛋白定量,分析成人PNS患者高尿酸血症的患病率,比较高尿酸血症组与血尿酸正常组PNS患者的一般情况及血脂水平,并分析PNS患者血尿酸水平的相关因素。结果:成人PNS患者高尿酸血症的发病率为24.77%;高尿酸血症组患者TG及24小时尿蛋白定量水平明显高于血尿酸正常组(P0.01),两组患者TC、LDL-C、HDL-C、Apo AI及Apo B比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);成人PNS患者血尿酸水平与TG及24小时尿蛋白定量水平呈正相关(r=0.350,P=0.001;r=0.533,P=0.014),与TC、LDL-C、HDL-C及ALB无明显相关性(P0.05)。结论:成人PNS患者高尿酸血症的发生率较高,高尿酸血症患者具有更高的TG及尿蛋白水平,且成人PNS患者血尿酸水平与TG及24小时尿蛋白定量具有相关性,应高度重视成人PNS患者的血尿酸水平。     

Prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acute and chronic leukemia patients in Taiwan

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with the development of Kaposi's sarcoma and several other human malignancies. The prevalence of HHV-8 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Taiwanese leukemia populations has not been investigated. In this study, HHV-8 DNA was extracted from PBMCs, and detected in 10.29% of the leukemia cases and 8.94% of the relatives' cases. In addition, the prevalence of HHV-8 DNA in PBMCs was nonsignificantly associated with gender, age and leukemia subtypes. The study examines the prevalence of HHV-8 DNA in PBMCs in Taiwanese leukemia and can be applied in further epidemiological studies.     

Investigation on Hyperuricemia in Children with Obesity or Various Pediatric Disorders

The present study aims at investigating the frequency and characteristics of hyperuricemia in both obese and sick children. First, we established our own reference values for serum uric acid (UA), since UA values are highly dependent upon age. In the analysis of 328 samples consisting of six different age groups: <1, 1–3, 4–6, 7–9, 10–12, and 13–15 years, the mean values for UA were found to increase significantly with an increase of age. A significant sex difference was observed only in the age group of 13–15 years. Hyperuricemia was defined as the values over the mean value plus 2 standard deviations for each age group. Next, we examined the frequency of hyperuricemia in 1,687 obese children aged 6–15 years and its relation to metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 328 children (19.4%) were found to have hyperuricemia. Among them, 98 children (29.9%) had MetS, whereas 197 (14.5%) out of 1,359 children without hyperuricemia had MetS. Finally, the frequency of hyperuricemia in sick patients was investigated using 13,675 samples from 9,405 patients. Hyperuricemia was seen in 348 (3.7%) patients after excluding redundant samples. The number of patients with hyperuricemia was higher in males than in females. The most common disorder causing hyperuricemia was gastroenteritis, followed by respiratory tract infection and cardiac diseases. This first comprehensive study of childhood hyperuricemia is useful for considering its relationship with hyperuricemia and life-style-related disorders occurring in adulthood.     

Investigation on hyperuricemia in children with obesity or various pediatric disorders

The present study aims at investigating the frequency and characteristics of hyperuricemia in both obese and sick children. First, we established our own reference values for serum uric acid (UA), since UA values are highly dependent upon age. In the analysis of 328 samples consisting of six different age groups: <1, 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-15 years, the mean values for UA were found to increase significantly with an increase of age. A significant sex difference was observed only in the age group of 13-15 years. Hyperuricemia was defined as the values over the mean value plus 2 standard deviations for each age group. Next, we examined the frequency of hyperuricemia in 1,687 obese children aged 6-15 years and its relation to metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 328 children (19.4%) were found to have hyperuricemia. Among them, 98 children (29.9%) had MetS, whereas 197 (14.5%) out of 1,359 children without hyperuricemia had MetS. Finally, the frequency of hyperuricemia in sick patients was investigated using 13,675 samples from 9,405 patients. Hyperuricemia was seen in 348 (3.7%) patients after excluding redundant samples. The number of patients with hyperuricemia was higher in males than in females. The most common disorder causing hyperuricemia was gastroenteritis, followed by respiratory tract infection and cardiac diseases. This first comprehensive study of childhood hyperuricemia is useful for considering its relationship with hyperuricemia and life-style-related disorders occurring in adulthood.     

Hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital,South West Ethiopia

Background

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of the most dangerous heart attack risk factors such as diabetes and prediabetes, abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Hyperuricemia is a condition in which the serum uric acid concentration is greater than 5.5 mg per deciliter for child and greater than 7.2 and 6.0 mg per deciliters for male and female adults respectively.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the magnitude of hyperuricemia and associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HCSH) from February 28 to May 30 /2017. A random sampling technique was used to include 319 study subjects and a signed consent had been provided by each study subject before running any data collection. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and some clinically useful data. In addition to this, we reviewed the records of the study subjects to obtain other useful clinical data. Five milliliter blood specimen was collected from each study subjects after overnight fasting. A25TM Bio-System Random Access chemistry analyzer was used for blood sample analysis. All data were checked visually, coded and entered into epi-data version 3.4 and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the association between explanatory and the outcome variables.

Results

The prevalence of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetic patients in the study area were 33.8%(n?=?106) and 70.1% (n?=?220) respectively. Having age greater or equal to 45 years (AOR: 1.9, CI: 1.-3.2, P value =0.015) and having metabolic syndrome (AOR: 2.6, CI: 1.5–4.7, P value?=?0.001) were the determinant variables for hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetic patients.

Conclusion

There was high prevalence of hyperuricemia among type 2 diabetic patients with high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, regular health information about life style modification, early diagnosis and treatment for hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome are essential to reduce hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients.

     

The prevalence of TT virus in cancer patients

Transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) is a recently discovered transfusion-transmissible DNA virus. Its frequency and clinical impact has not been established in cancer patients in Turkey. In this study, we determined the prevalence of TTV DNA positivity, and its relationship with history of transfusion, amount of transfusion, age and sex in patients with hematological and solid malignancies. Sixty-one patients (35 male and 26 female) followed up for various malignancies and 45 healthy subjects were included in the study. ITV DNA was assayed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). TTV DNA was detected in 18 of 61 patients (29.5%) and in 5 of 45 control subjects (11.1%). In cancer patients, the prevalence of TTV DNA positivity was higher to comparison with control group. In addition, the prevalence of TTV DNA positivity was significantly higher in 22 patients who had a history of blood transfusion in the last 6 months than 39 patients who had no current or past history of transfusion (40.9% vs 23.0% respectively). These results suggest that the prevalence of TTV DNA is high and the parenteral route is an important mode of transmission for TTV in cancer patients. In addition, the high prevalence and persistence of TTV in cancer patients with parenteral risk exposure could be related to the immunodeficiency due to cancer and high viral loads by parenteral route.     

The prevalence of molecular and immunologic infective markers of hepatitis viruses in patients with hematological malignancies

Acute and chronic viral hepatitis infections are corresponding to increase the risk of different types of hematological malignancies especially with leukemia. In this study the serological and molecular markers of hepatitis viruses were evaluated in patients with different types of leukemia in comparing with control group. In this cross sectional study, 100 EDTA-treated blood samples were collected from leukemia patients and also from healthy control group, respectively. Serological and molecular markers of HBV, HCV and HDV viruses were analyzed for determination of the role of these hepatitis viruses in clinical outcomes of leukemia disorders. Increasing risk factors of leukemia were evaluated statistically in two studied groups by SPSS software. One of molecular and immunological markers of HBV, HDV and HCV was found in 24 of 100 (24%), 22 of 100 (22%), and 1 of 100 (1%) patients with leukemia and in 12 of 100 (12%), 6 of 100 (6%), and 2 of 100 (2%) control patients. Significant differences were detected in detection of HBsAg (P = 0.02), HBeAb (P = 0.009), and HCV-RNA (P = 0.05) between leukemia patients and control group, respectively. The high prevalence of HBV and HCV infective markers were detected in ALL and AML patients. Identification of high prevalence of HBV and HCV infective markers in leukemia patients proposed strong association between hepatitis viral infections and leukemia. Therefore, evaluation of the prevalence of viral hepatitis infections in larger groups of patients with long lasting follow up is suggesting.     

Membrane-bound/soluble IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) and levels of IL-1α, IL-2, and IL-6 in the serum and in the PBMC culture supernatants from 17 patients with hematological malignancies

The present study investigated the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) blastic responses to PHA, PHA plus recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) and rIL-2 alone; the expression of membrane-bound IL-2R on PHA-stimulated PBMC; and the levels of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and sIL-2R in serum and in culture supernatants from PHA-stimulated PBMC in 17 patients with hematological malignancies (mean age 58.5 yr, range 22–82): 6 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), 4 with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), 5 with Hairy cell leukemia, 1 with chronic myelogenous leukemia, and 1 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The patients with HL and NHL with active disease (AD) were separated from those in clinical remission. The patients with AD were studied at diagnosis (obviously before therapy) and the patients in clinical remission were out of therapy since at least 6 mo. The lymphocyte blastogenic response to PHA was significantly lower in patients with HL and NHL with AD than in the control group. The response to rIL-2 alone was in the same range in the control group and in HL and NHL AD patients. By adding rIL-2 to PHA there was an increase of the blastogenic response of the same patients. The percentage of CD25 expressed on PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from patients with HL and NHL AD and from normal subjects is in the same range. Serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, and sIL-2R were significantly higher in HL and NHL AD patients than in controls as well as in all other hematological malignancies. Supernatants derived from PHA-stimulated PBMC were assessed for the presence of cytokines and sIL-2R by ELISA. The levels of IL-2, IL-6, and sIL-2R were significantly lower in HL and NHL AD patients than in controls as well as in all other hematological malignancies.     

In vitro culture studies of granulocyte/macrophage and erythroid progenitor cells in lymphoproliferative disorders

Granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) and erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-E) have been assayed in peripheral blood (PB) and/or bone marrow (BM) from 12 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 16 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 31 patients with various forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) without BM involvement. Progenitor cell growth in PB and BM from the NHL patients did not differ statistically from controls (p greater than 0.1). CFU-GM and BFU-E per ml PB were markedly increased in ALL and CLL patients (p less than 0.001) while CFU-GM and BFU-E per plated BM cells from these patients were severely depressed (p less than 0.001). Lymphoblasts from one ALL patient failed to inhibit CFU-GM and BFU-E-derived colony growth from control PB mononuclear cells. The high levels of circulating progenitor cells in ALL and CLL patients clearly distinguish them from other cytopenic hematological malignancies, in which decreased progenitor cell levels have been demonstrated previously (acute myeloid leukemia, hairy cell leukemia). The cause of this finding and its pathophysiological implication still remains to be established.     

Association between the prevalence of hyperuricemia and reproductive hormones in polycystic ovary syndrome

Background

The prevalecne of hyperuricemia in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is still uncertain. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia in PCOS and to determine the influence of reproductive hormones on uric acid concentration.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed at a large reproductive medicine center. Between March 2007 and October 2016, a total of 1,183 women with PCOS and 10,772 women without PCOS were included. PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, uric acid, reproductive hormones, glucose and lipids were measured in all subjects.

Results

The serum uric acid (SUA) level was higher in women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. The prevalence of hyperuricemia in women with PCOS (25.48%) was significantly higher than that in women without PCOS (8.74%). Analysis stratified for age and body mass index (BMI) showed that both the SUA level and the prevalence of hyperuricemia were higher in women with PCOS of different age and BMI groups than in women without PCOS. After adjusting for age, BMI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), logistic regression analysis revealed that the luteinizing/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) ratio (odds ratio (OR)?=?1.20, 95% CI?=?1.01–1.43) and testosterone level (OR?=?1.56, 95% CI?=?1.27–1.90) were positively associated with the prevalence of hyperuricemia in females with PCOS.

Conclusions

The serum uric acid (SUA) level and the prevalence of hyperuricemia markedly increased in women with PCOS. The testosterone level was positively associated with the SUA level and the prevalence of hyperuricemia in females with PCOS.

     

Association of Serum Uric Acid and Coronary Artery Disease in Premenopausal Women

Objective

To date, no study in the published literature has investigated the role of various serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations in the development of angiographically-proven coronary artery disease (CAD) in premenopausal women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role SUA levels may play in the prevalence, severity, and prognosis of CAD in premenopausal women.

Methods

This cross-sectional retrospective study included 607 premenopausal women who had undergone coronary angiography. The CAD diagnosis was based upon stenosis affecting ≥50% of the luminal diameter. Association of the SUA levels with CAD prevalence, severity, and clinical outcomes were assessed by statistical analysis.

Results

In total, 369 (60.8%) of the patients were diagnosed with CAD. The CAD patients had significantly higher SUA levels than those without CAD (5.3±1.9 vs. 4.8±1.7 mg/dL, P = 0.001). The SUA levels were found to be significantly associated with CAD prevalence (P = 0.013). Patients with higher levels of SUA also showed increased rates of multivessel disease and composite end-points, such as major adverse cardiac events. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified abnormally high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) as an independent risk factor for CAD (OR 1.51 (1.11–2.53), P<0.05).

Conclusions

The SUA levels are significantly associated with the prevalence of CAD. The SUA levels may be a predictor for incidence of major cardiovascular events in premenopausal women.     

Physiological and pathological relevance of extracellular NM23/NDP kinases

The nm23 gene is overexpressed in many hematological malignancies and other neoplasms. Some tumor cell lines that overexpress NM23 secrete this protein into extracellular environment. In this study, we found that the serum concentration of NM23-H1 protein was significantly higher in patients with various hematological malignancies. The serum level of NM23-H1 protein was clinically useful as a prognostic factor in malignant lymphoma and acute myelogeneous leukemia (AML). The level of NM23-H1 protein in all of the normal serum samples examined was lower than 10 ng/mL, while those in the tumors varied from about 0 to 1000 ng/mL. Exogenously added NM23-H1 protein did not affect the growth or survival of various leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. However, NM23-H1 protein inhibited the survival of adherent normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) at 100–1000 ng/mL, and slightly stimulated the survival of nonadherent PBMNC. These results suggest that the effect of NM23-H1 protein on normal PBMNC may be associated with a poor prognosis in hematological malignancies.     

Tumor markers in leukemia: evaluation of serum levels of different forms of sialic acid, Regan isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase.

A sensitive and specific serum marker can greatly help in the early diagnosis of malignancy as well as in monitoring the treatment of cancer patients. The present work was initiated for determining serum levels of Total Sialic Acid (TSA), Lipid Bound Sialic Acid (LSA), Free Sialic Acid (FSA). Regan Isoenzyme (RI) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), so as to evaluate their value as potential tumor markers. Fifty patients with anemia and 78 patients with leukemia were studied. The leukemia group consisted of 32 cases of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), 29 cases of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and 17 cases of Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL). The levels were compared with the values obtained from 88 healthy individuals. Compared to the healthy controls, all the biomarkers were significantly elevated in patients with anemia as well as in those with leukemia. However, in leukemia patients significantly higher levels of TSA, LSA, FSA and LDH were observed compared to anemia patients. TSA levels were significantly higher in AML patients compared to CML and ALL patients. LSA levels were also significantly higher in AML patients compared to ALL patients. LSA was the most sensitive (84.6%) while FSA and RI levels were the most specific (78.0%) markers for leukemia. The combined use of the markers showed increased sensitivity and specificity (100.0% and 98.0%, respectively). The study suggested that the biomarkers investigated might be used for differentiating anemic from leukemic conditions, however, more in-depth studies are indicated to assess their utility in classifying various leukemias.     

Dose-Response Association of Uncontrolled Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors with Hyperuricemia and Gout

Background

First-line therapy of hypertension includes diuretics, known to exert a multiplicative increase on the risk of gout. Detailed insight into the underlying prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in persons with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) and common comorbidities is informative to practitioners initiating antihypertensive agents. We quantify the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in persons with uncontrolled BP and additional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods and Findings

We performed a cross-sectional study of non-institutionalized US adults, 18 years and older, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in 1988–1994 and 1999–2010. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid >6.0 mg/dL in women; >7.0 mg/dL in men. Gout was ascertained by self-report of physician-diagnosed gout. Uncontrolled BP was based on measured systolic BP≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP≥90 mmHg. Additional CVD risk factors included obesity, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 6–8% among healthy US adults, 10–15% among adults with uncontrolled BP, 22–25% with uncontrolled BP and one additional CVD risk factor, and 34–37% with uncontrolled BP and two additional CVD risk factors. Similarly, the prevalence of gout was successively greater, at 1–2%, 4–5%, 6–8%, and 8–12%, respectively, across these same health status categories. In 2007–2010, those with uncontrolled BP and 2 additional CVD risk factors compared to those without CVD risk factors had prevalence ratios of 4.5 (95% CI 3.5–5.6) and 4.5 (95% CI: 3.1–6.3) for hyperuricemia and gout respectively (P<0.01).

Conclusions

Health care providers should be cognizant of the incrementally higher prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout among patients with uncontrolled BP and additional CVD risk factors. With one in three people affected by hyperuricemia among those with several CVD risk factors, physicians should consider their anti-hypertensive regimens carefully and potentially screen for hyperuricemia or gout.     

Liver Fat Content Is Associated with Elevated Serum Uric Acid in the Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Populations: Shanghai Changfeng Study

Background and Aims

Although many studies have indicated a relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperuricemia, a few studies specifically examining the effects of the severity of liver fat content (LFC) on serum uric acid (SUA) and the presence of hyperuricemia because of the limitation of the examination methods for NAFLD. In this study, we investigate the relationship between the NAFLD and SUA levels in the Chinese population using standardized quantitative ultrasound.

Methods

A community-based study was conducted from May 2010 to December 2012. A total of 4,305 people aged 45 years and above without excessive drinking were enrolled. A standard interview and anthropometric and laboratory blood parameters were collected for each person. The standardized ultrasound hepatic/renal ratio and hepatic attenuation rate was used to quantify LFC.

Results

The prevalence of NAFLD and hyperuricemia was 33.1% and 17.1%, respectively. A total of 23.5% of the NAFLD subjects had hyperuricemia, and their SUA was higher than that of non-NAFLD subjects (327.2±76.8 vs 301.9±77.4 μmol/L, P<0.001). The LFC was positively correlated with SUA (r = 0.130, P<0.001) and an independent factor for SUA (standardized β = 0.054, P<0.001). The OR for the presence of hypreuricemia was 1.175 (95% CI 1.048–1.318; P<0.001) with a 1 SD increase in the log LFC. LFC greater than 10% was related to elevated SUA and an increased presence of hyperuricemia.

Conclusions

LFC accumulation was associated with an increase in the prevalence of hyperuricemia and elevated SUA in our community-based population. LFC greater than 10% is related to the risk for hyperuricemia.     

Relationship Between Hyperuricemia and Chronic Kidney Disease

Because approximately 70% of uric acid is excreted from the kidney, hyperuricemia occurs when renal function deteriorates. Until now, it has not been clear if the hyperuricemia seen in such renal diseases plays a role in the progression of renal disease. However, recent clinical studies show that the serum uric acid value is closely associated with hypertension in hyperuricemic patients (cross-sectional study), and also with the onset of hypertension (longitudinal study). Furthermore, one interesting report shows that treatment of hyperuricemia with allopurinol lowers blood pressure in juvenile essential hypertension patients with hyperuricemia. In addition, it is well known that hyperuricemia is closely associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a risk factor for renal insufficiency in general populations, and is a poor prognostic factor of renal function in patients who also have IgA nephropathy. On the other hand, in intervention studies on hyperuricemia, the treatment of hyperuricemia with allopurinol in CKD has resulted in a fall in blood pressure and inhibition of the progression of renal damage. Conversely, the cessation of allopurinol treatment in CKD was followed by a rise in blood pressure and the development of renal damage. Furthermore, the rise of blood pressure and development of renal damage following cessation of allopurinol treatment are only seen in patients not receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). This suggests that the renin angiotensin (RA) system plays an important role in the development of hypertension and renal damage from hyperuricemia.     

Relationship between hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease

Because approximately 70% of uric acid is excreted from the kidney, hyperuricemia occurs when renal function deteriorates. Until now, it has not been clear if the hyperuricemia seen in such renal diseases plays a role in the progression of renal disease. However, recent clinical studies show that the serum uric acid value is closely associated with hypertension in hyperuricemic patients (cross-sectional study), and also with the onset of hypertension (longitudinal study). Furthermore, one interesting report shows that treatment of hyperuricemia with allopurinol lowers blood pressure in juvenile essential hypertension patients with hyperuricemia. In addition, it is well known that hyperuricemia is closely associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a risk factor for renal insufficiency in general populations, and is a poor prognostic factor of renal function in patients who also have IgA nephropathy. On the other hand, in intervention studies on hyperuricemia, the treatment of hyperuricemia with allopurinol in CKD has resulted in a fall in blood pressure and inhibition of the progression of renal damage. Conversely, the cessation of allopurinol treatment in CKD was followed by a rise in blood pressure and the development of renal damage. Furthermore, the rise of blood pressure and development of renal damage following cessation of allopurinol treatment are only seen in patients not receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). This suggests that the renin angiotensin (RA) system plays an important role in the development of hypertension and renal damage from hyperuricemia.     

Effects of Selenium Nanoparticles on Reproductive Performance of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats at Supranutritional and Nonlethal Levels

It was studied that cancer-causing processes are related with the disproportions of essential and toxic elements in body tissues and fluid. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the levels of magnesium (Mg) and cadmium (Cd) in serum and blood samples of smokers and nonsmokers who have chronic myeloid (CML) and lymphocytic (CLL) leukemia, age ranged 31–50 years. For comparative study, age-matched smokers and nonsmoker males were chosen as controls/referents. The levels of elements in patient were analyzed before any treatment by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, after microwave assisted acid digestion. The validation of the method was done by using certified reference materials of serum and blood samples. The resulted data indicated that the adult male smokers and nonsmokers have two- to fourfold higher levels of Cd in the blood and sera samples as compared to the referents (p < 0.01), whereas two- to threefold lower levels of Mg was found in blood and serum samples of both types of leukemia patients as related to referent values. The resulted data indicates significant negative correlation among Mg and Cd in leukemia patients and smoker referents. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of these elements in pathogenesis of chronic leukemia.