Impairment of renal function with increasing blood lead concentrations in the general population

Article Abstract:

Exposure to high levels of lead in the environment may cause kidney damage in otherwise healthy individuals. The association between blood levels of lead and zinc protoporphyrin (an indirect measure of lead exposure) and impaired kidney function was studied in 965 men and 1,016 women. Blood levels of lead were higher in men than women, but blood levels of zinc protoporphyrin were higher in women than in men. Men and women with increased blood levels of lead excreted lower levels of creatinine in their urine. Men with increased blood levels of lead had increased blood levels of beta2-microglobulin. Higher blood levels of beta2-microglobulin were associated with higher blood levels of zinc protoporphyrin in both men and women. Decreased excretion of creatine in the urine and increased blood levels of beta2-microglobulin indicate decreased kidney function. It is also possible that impaired kidney function may increase blood levels of lead rather than the reverse.

Health aspects, Causes of, Physiological aspects, Kidneys, Kidney, Lead in the body, Kidney diseases

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How far should blood pressure be lowered?

Article Abstract:

Several studies have found increased mortality in patients with hypertension - high blood pressure - when their diastolic blood pressure was lowered below 85 mm Hg. However, other evidence indicates that the association may not be causal; in other words, low blood pressure may not necessarily cause death in patients with coronary artery disease. It is possible that blood pressure may be lowered as a by-product of the disease that is the actual cause of death. Other studies have shown that diastolic blood pressure can be reduced with no increase in mortality. Future studies may reveal how far below 85 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure can safely be lowered.

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Effects of calcium-channel blockade in older patients with diabetes and systolic hypertension

Article Abstract:

Calcium channel blockers may be beneficial in diabetic patients with hypertension. Researchers randomly assigned 4,695 hypertensive patients, 492 of whom were diabetic, to take nitrendipine or a placebo for several years. During the follow-up period, the rates of death from all causes and death from heart disease and stroke were substantially lower in the diabetic patients who took nitrendipine compared to non-diabetics taking the drug. In both diabetics and non-diabetics, blood pressure was lower in the patients taking nitrendipine than in those taking a placebo.

Evaluation, Diabetics, Drug therapy, Nitrendipine

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