These results show that the administration of an isoflavone combination extracted from red clover was associated with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a significant fall in apolipoprotein B, and a significant increase in the predominantly cortical bone of the proximal radius and ulna after 6 months of treatment. Interpretation of the results is undertaken cautiously because of the absence of a simultaneously studied control group.

In younger postmenopausal women ( age: 56 y) whose average baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was well within the normal range, the addition of 10 000 U vitamin D(2)/wk to calcium supplementation at 1000 mg/d did not confer benefits on BMD beyond those achieved with calcium supplementation alone.

OBJECTIVE—Although it is accepted that elevated plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels occur in end-stage renal disease and type 2 diabetes, the changes with milder renal dysfunction (e.g., microalbuminuria) are less clearly established. This study explores the relationship among tHcy, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and albumin excretion rate (AER) in a population with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 260 patients with type 2 diabetes were screened in our outpatient clinic during 10 months. Fasting blood samples were collected, and AER was calculated from an overnight timed urine sample. Ccr was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault formula. RESULTS—A total of 198 subjects (76%) had normoalbuminuria (<20 μg/min), 50 subjects (19%) had microalbuminuria (20–200 μg/min), and 12 subjects (5%) had macroalbuminuria (≥200 μg/min). Those with microalbuminuria had higher levels of tHcy than those with normoalbuminuria (13.2 ± 7.8 vs. 11.3 ± 4.6 μmol/l, P < 0.05). Patients were then subdivided based on low Ccr (<80 ml · min−1 · 1.73 m−2) and normal Ccr (≥80 · min −1 · 1.73 m−2). None of the patients with macroalbuminuria had normal Ccr. In those with normoalbuminuria, tHcy levels were higher than in those with low Ccr than in those with normal Ccr (12.0 ± 4.6 vs. 10.0 ± 4.4 μmol/l, P < 0.01). The same was found for those with microalbuminuria (low Ccr versus normal Ccr: 14.6 ± 9.0 vs. 10.2 ± 2.8 μmol/l, P < 0.02). For normal Ccr, tHcy was similar irrespective of AER (normoalbuminuria versus microalbuminuria: 10.0 ± 4.4 vs. 10.2 ± 2.8 μmol/l, NS). For low Ccr, tHcy was higher in those with microalbuminuria versus normoalbuminuria (14.6 ± 9.0 vs. 12.0 ± 4.6 μmol/l, P = 0.01). Using multivariate regression, Ccr, but neither AER nor the presence of albuminuria, was an independent predictor of tHcy. CONCLUSIONS—These data strongly suggest that in patients with type 2 diabetes, the relationship between plasma tHcy and AER is largely due to associated changes in renal function, as defined by Ccr.

There is considerable overlap between pentagastrin test results in individuals who are RET mutation positive and those who are RET mutation negative. These results indicate a need for routine performance of RET proto-oncogene analysis on all individuals at risk of developing MEN 2A or FMTC and a coupling of pentagastrin test results and RET proto-oncogene analysis in the decision to proceed with thyroidectomy.

No abstract