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.
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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.