Norma Amador-Licona

The Short-Term Effect of a Switch from Glybenclamide to Metformin on Blood Pressure and Microalbuminuria in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background Renal hyperfiltration and albuminuria have a deleterious effect on kidney function. Therefore, we studied the effect of metformin on blood pressure, renal hemodynamics, and microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods A clinical trial was designed in type 2 diabetic patients with incipient nephropathy. All patients were below the age of 65, normotensive, and without evidence of malignant, hepatic, or cardiovascular disorders. They were randomly allocated to receive glybenclamide or metformin. At baseline and 12 weeks thereafter we measured body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, blood glucose, lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, and urine albumin. Results We studied 23 patients in the glybenclamide group and 28 in the metformin group. There was no difference in baseline variables between the groups. Metabolic control was obtained in both groups. In the metformin group, all the following variables decreased: microalbuminuria was reduced by a mean of 24.2 mg/day ( p = 0.008); systolic and diastolic blood pressure by a mean of 5.3 mmHg ( p = 0.002) and 3.93 mmHg ( p = 0.009), respectively; insulin levels by an average of 11.8 μIU/mL ( p = 0.001), and total cholesterol levels and triglycerides by an average of 0.45 and 0.18 mmol/L, respectively. Insulin resistance measured by the homeostasis model decreased more in the metformin group than in the glybenclamide group. Patients treated with glybenclamide had an increase in HDL cholesterol of 0.082 mmol/L ( p = 0.01). Conclusions Metformin significantly decreased the urine albumin excretion rate with none of the expected changes in renal hemodynamics, probably due to its favorable effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, metabolic control, and insulin resistance.

Catch-up growth in infants born small for gestational age - : A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies correlate low birth weight and the subsequent development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Early changes in insulin resistance in infants with catch-up growth (CUG) have not been evaluated in our population. AIM To identify dietary and metabolic features associated with CUG in infants born small for gestational age (SGA) at 1 year old. METHODS In a cohort study of 88 term infants (44 SGA and 44 appropriate for gestational age [AGA]), breastfeeding and weaning age were registered. Anthropometric measurements, glucose, insulin, and leptin concentrations were measured at birth and at 1 year old. RESULTS A history of DM in a second-degree relative (p = 0.01) and complementary breastfeeding (p = 0.0003) were higher in SGA compared to AGA infants. Ten (13.6%) infants showed CUG in length and weight combined. They had lower weight, glucose, IR index, and leptin concentrations at birth than those without CUG. After logistic regression analysis for factors related to weight CUG, gender, weaning age, birth weight and leptin concentration at birth were included in the model (R2 = 0.31; p = 0.00004). CONCLUSIONS Female gender, early weaning, lower birth weight, and lower leptin concentration at birth are related to weight CUG in Mexican infants.

Iron overload as cardiovascular risk factor in children and adolescents with renal disease

BACKGROUND Iron overload can affect cardiac structure and function by the production of free radicals in addition to iron deposits in heart muscle. The purpose of this study was to compare traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in children and adolescents on renal replacement with and without iron overload. Also, we evaluated the relationships between iron overload and left ventricular mass (LVM). METHODS First, in a cross-sectional study, we evaluated traditional and non-traditional CVRF in 143 children and adolescents, 48 on peritoneal dialysis (PD), 53 on hemodialysis (HD) and 42 after renal transplantation according to iron overload. In a second phase with a case-control study, we measured LVM in 12 case patients and 12 matched controls. RESULTS Iron overload was identified in 15 patients (10.5%), 11 in HD and 4 in PD (P = 0.002). The group with iron overload had lower body mass index (17 versus 19; P = 0.01), total cholesterol (132 versus 165 mg/dL; P = 0.03) and hemoglobin (8.5 versus 10.6 g/dL; P = 0.003) but higher interleukin (IL)-6 levels (4.8 versus 3.6 ng/L; P = 0.04) and hypertension diagnosis (79 versus 48%; P < 0.001) than those without iron overload. Ferritin showed a positive correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6 levels. In a subgroup of 24 patients (12 with and 12 without iron overload), LVM was not different. However, ferritin levels showed a borderline positive correlation (r = 0.44, P = 0.05) with LVM. CONCLUSION Children and adolescents with iron overload show more CVRFs, especially if they received replacement therapy with HD. Ferritin is related to CRP and IL-6 levels.

Heart sympathetic activity and pulmonary function in obese pregnant women

Objective. To estimate autonomic balance and pulmonary function in obese women according to their baseline weight and weight gain during pregnancy. Design. A cohort study. Setting. Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Leon, Mexico. Population. One hundred and seventy‐eight healthy pregnant women (88 obese and 90 non‐obese). Methods. At first visit of pregnancy and in the third trimester blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were evaluated and spirometry, oximetry, and 60 minutes electrocardiograph monitoring were performed. Main outcome measures. Heart rate variability and pulmonary function. Results. Blood pressure levels, glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were higher in obese women, whereas total power of heart rate variability was lower in this group than in non‐obese women at the beginning of pregnancy. In the third trimester, the standard deviation of all the normal R–R intervals was lower in obese women, whereas blood pressure and glucose levels remain higher. In the multiple regression analysis, the change in forced expiratory volume at 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio and leptin levels independently of weight gain were associated to low‐frequency/high‐frequency (LF/HF) index at third trimester (R2 = 0.21; p<0.001 for the model) only in obese women. Conclusions. LF/HF index at third trimester of pregnancy is associated with increase in leptin levels and decrease in FEV1/FVC in obese women independently of weight gain.

A parent motivational interviewing program for dental care in children of a rural population

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a motivational interviewing-based educational program in reducing the number and intensity of new caries and bacterial dental plaque levels at 6 months post randomization. Study Design: A randomized and single blind clinical trial in 100 schoolchildren between 6-10 years of age presenting the highest risk score of caries according to the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) criteria was performed. These patients were randomized to two groups: control (in which the mothers initially received an oral prevention informative session) and experimental (in which the mothers received the initial informative session, followed by individual motivational interviewing sessions during a period of 6 months). The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores and bacterial plaque were evaluated at baseline, at 6 and 12 months. Results: After 12 months, children in the experimental group had 2.12 ± 0.8 new caries versus 3.5 ± 0.9 in the control group (t=7.39; p<0.001). Caries in the experimental group was seen to be limited to the enamel, with a median intensity of 2 (range 0-3) versus 3 (0-6) in the control group (U=1594; p<0.0001). Bacterial plaque determined by the O’Leary index decreased in both groups; however, it decreased more in the experimental than in the control group (34.3 vs. 20.6; t=-3.12, p= 0.002) respectively. Conclusions: Motivational interviewing is better than traditional educational programs in preventing caries and decreasing bacterial plaque. Key words:Health educational, motivational interviewing, caries risk.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids Supplementation and Oxidative Stress in HIV-Seropositive Patients. A Clinical Trial.

HIV-seropositive patients show high incidence of coronary heart disease and oxidative stress has been described as relevant key in atherosclerosis development. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of omega 3 fatty acids on different markers of oxidative stress in HIV-seropositive patients. We performed a randomized parallel controlled clinical trial in The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, a public health hospital. 70 HIV-seropositive patients aged 20 to 55 on clinical score A1, A2, B1 or B2 receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were studied. They were randomly assigned to receive omega 3 fatty acids 2.4 g (Zonelabs, Marblehead MA) or placebo for 6 months. At baseline and at the end of the study, anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, glucose and stress oxidative levels [nitric oxide catabolites, lipoperoxides (malondialdehyde plus 4-hydroxialkenals), and glutathione] were evaluated. Principal HAART therapy was EFV/TDF/FTC (55%) and AZT/3TC/EFV (15%) without difference between groups. Treatment with omega 3 fatty acids as compared with placebo decreased triglycerides (-0.32 vs. 0.54 mmol/L; p = 0.04), but oxidative stress markers were not different between groups. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02041520

Antenatal dexamethasone and renal vascular resistance in preterm infants

Objective:  To compare vascular resistance, renal volume and insulin levels in preterm infants with and without antenatal steroids.

Correlation between interleukin-1β and matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels in crevicular fluid with a proposed periodontal disease index in children

Background: The crevicular fluid contains biomarkers that allow the identification of periodontal disease, anticipation of its risk, and prediction of its progression. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to correlate interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels in crevicular fluid with periodontal disease severity in schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 82 schoolchildren between 9 and 12 years. The biofilm percentage, attachment level, gingival recession, dental calculus, and bleeding on probing were measured in the teeth 16, 26, 36, 41, and 46. These five parameters obtained were considered to propose a disease score between 0 and 10 points. In crevicular fluid from the tooth with the highest score, IL-1β and MMP-1 levels were measured. Results: According to the proposed score, mild gingivitis was identified in 20 schoolchildren, moderate gingivitis in 30, and severe gingivitis in 32. Biofilm percentage, IL-1β, and MMP-1 levels increased as the severity of the disease increase. The mean and 95% confidence interval were 23.2 pg/μl (18.6–27.7), 37.3 pg/μl (27.8–46.9), and 44.6 pg/μl (34.4–58.8) (P = 0.01) for IL-1β and 2.69 mol/min (2.51–2.87), 4.43 mol/min (3.9–4.95), and 5.59 mol/min (4.81–6.38) (P < 0.001) for MMP-1 in each group, respectively. The proposed clinical score correlated with biofilm percentage (r = 0.63), IL-1β (r = 0.50), and MMP-1 (0.45) levels, P < 0.001 in all cases. Conclusions: The proposed clinical score for periodontal disease in children correlated with percentage of biofilm, IL-1β, and MMP-1 levels.