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Introduction:Hair loss is a common and distressing problem that can affect both males and females of all ages. Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) is idiopathic diffuse scalp hair shedding of at least 6 months duration. Hair loss can be one of the symptoms of metal toxicity. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are highly toxic metals that can cause acute and chronic health problems in human. The aim of the present study is to determine if there is a relationship between these metals and CTE in women and if CTE is also associated with changes in zinc (Zn) or iron (Fe) blood levels.Materials and Methods:Pb, Cd, Fe and Zn total blood levels were determined in 40 female patients fulfilling the criteria of CTH and compared with total blood levels of same elements in 30 well-matched healthy women.Results:Quantitative analysis of total blood Fe, Zn, Pb and Cd revealed that there were no significant differences between patients and controls regarding Fe, Zn, and Pb. Yet, Cd level was significantly higher in patients than controls. In addition, Cd level showed significant positive correlation with the patient's body weight.Conclusion:Estimation of blood Pb and Cd levels can be important in cases of CTE as Cd toxicity can be the underlying hidden cause of such idiopathic condition.

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The Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) is a key regulator of both blood pressure and kidney functions and their interaction. In such a situation, genetic variability in the genes of different components of RAS is likely to contribute for its heterogeneous association in the renal disease patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme-1 (ACE-1) is an important component of RAS which determines the vasoactive peptide Angiotensin-II. In the present study, we have investigated 103 end stage renal diseases (ESRD), 104 primary nephrotic (P.N) patients and 102 normal healthy controls from Mansoura city in Egypt to deduce the association between ACE gene polymorphism and ESRD, P.N. The selected samples were assayed for genotyping of ACE I/D by (PCR) based DNA amplification using specific flanking primers. The results revealed that there was a significance distribution in DD genotype between ESRD and control group (p<0.05), with risk value (OR>1) which resulting in increasing the risk for ESRD. There was significance distribution in ID genotype between ESRD and control group (p<0.05), without disease risk (OR <1). Based on these observations we conclude that ACE DDAngiotensin Converting Enzyme 202 genotype implicate a strong possible role in the in renal damage among Egyptians. The study will help in predetermining the timing, type and doses of therapy for ESRD patients.

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Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was one of the three reasons of mortality with the furthermost increase from 1990 to 2010 between the top 20 killers. Environmental toxins (Lead Pb and Cadmium Cd) are hidden factors incorporated in the increased prevalence of CKD. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between CKD and alteration in blood Pb and Cd levels. Methods This is a case-control study which was held in Forensic department, Mansoura University, Egypt. The individuals were divided into 2 groups: Group I: 40 persons with normal kidney function used as a control group, group II: 40 patients suffering from CKD secondary to unknown cause who are attending to follow up at nephrology outpatient clinic, Mansoura insurance hospital. All participants were subjected to full history taking (Personal history about gender, age, residence and occupation (mechanics, plumbers, battery manufacturers, manufacturers and users of paint and electricians), The history of special habits like smoking, seafood, canned food consumption, using colored mugs and living in old houses, History about medical disorders associated with renal failure as diabetes and hypertension), laboratory investigations including serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, serum Pb and serum Cd. Results Eighty persons (49 males and 31 females) were included in the study with age range from 15 to 76 years. The majority was above 40 years and was coming from rural areas (62.5% in group I and 60% in group II) with no statistical significance (Figure 1). In group I (45.0%) was smokers and (55.0%) were non smokers while in group II (70.0%) were smokers and (30.0%) were non smokers. The difference was statistically significant (p =0.026). Among group I, (42.5%) out of them were using frequently colored food container ceramics while (65%) among group II were frequently use them and the difference was statistically significant (p =0.048). Other risk factors showed no significance (Figure 2). In group I Pb levels range from (9.51µg/100ml) to (42.67µg/100ml) while Cd levels range from (1.59µg/100ml) to (3.87µg/100ml); whereas in group II Pb levels range from (19.43µg/100ml) to (82.3µg/100ml) while Cd levels range from (2.04µg/100ml) to (6.12µg/100ml). There is statistically significant difference among both groups as regard blood Pb levels (p &lt;0.001) with higher blood Pb levels in C.K.D patients (mean±SD=52.76±15.65) than healthy controls (mean±SD=18.06±5.61). Also, there is statistically significant difference among both groups as regard blood Cd levels (p &lt;0.001) with higher blood Cd levels in C.K.D patients (mean±SD=4.27±0.87) than healthy controls (mean±SD=2.62±0.62) (Figure 3 & 4). There was negative correlation between blood Pb,Cd levels and patients` creatinine clearance ( for Pb;R:-0.755, p=0.001, for Cd;R:-0.712, p=0.001 ) (Figure 5, 6). There was positive correlation between blood Pb, Cd levels and serum creatinine (for Pb;R: +0.713, p =0.00, for Cd; R: +0.707, p =0.00) (Figure 7, 8). Conclusion Pb and Cd toxicity may lead to CKD and these environmental factors may explain the unknown etiology of many renal failure cases. With chronic exposure, blood level &gt;25.8 µg/dl for Pb and &gt;3.46 µg/dl for Cd carry the risk for renal failure incidence.