Comparison of the calcium-related factors in Parkinson's disease patients with healthy individuals

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Studies have demonstrated that biochemical markers have an association with PD. We aimed to investigate an association of biochemical markers including calcium, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathormone (PTH), and phosphorous with PD. Methods: This study was conducted on 139 PD patients and 100 healthy individuals. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, ALP, PTH and vitamin D were evaluated. Furthermore, student’s t-test and logistic regression models were used by SPSS. Results: The mean levels of calcium (9.4±0.7 and 9.0±0.8 ) and vitamin D (29.7±22.1 and 25.8±23.7) were higher in PD patients as compared with healthy controls, which only status of calcium being significantly different in the two groups (P<0.001). Levels of ALP (202.4±96.7 and 242.9±142.4) and phosphorous (3.6±0.6 and 4.22±1.1) were significantly different comparing PD patients with healthy subjects (P<0.01, P<0.001, respectively). ALP and phosphorous were significantly different in the two groups (OR=0.996, CI 95%, 0.994-0.999, P <0.001, OR= 0.475, CI 95%, 0.325-0.694, P<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, increased levels of calcium resulted in an elevated risk of PD (OR= 2.175, CI 95% 1.377-3.435, P <0.001). Conclusion: Results show that mean levels of calcium are higher in PD patients relative to healthy controls. Thereby, higher levels of calcium may be associated with PD

Association of serum magnesium levels with risk factors, severity and prognosis in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. One of the factors that affect the occurrence of stroke can be attributed to changes in the levels of trace elements. Accumulating evidence has been shown that magnesium, as an important element, is a new predictor of stroke. We aimed to determine the levels of Mg in ischemic stroke patients in comparison with those having the hemorrhagic type. Methods: This study was conducted on 447 stroke patients. Demographic characteristics of patients, stroke severity, and risk factors such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were recorded. Stroke was diagnosed based on the neurological examination and neuroimaging findings e.g. computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The colorimetric technique was used to determine the concentration of Mg at 450 nm according to the commercial kit. Results: The mean of magnesium levels in ischemic patients was significantly higher than that in the hemorrhagic patients (P=0.001). Difference in magnesium status was associated with gender in thrombotic patients (P<0.05), while hyperlipidemia was associated with the status of magnesium in embolic patients (P=0.012). Furthermore, magnesium levels were correlated with ischemic heart disease in embolic (P=0.011) and sub-arachnoid hemorrhagic (SAH) patients (P=0.012), and with diabetes mellitus in thrombotic patients (P=0.012). Magnesium status was associated with the severity of ischemic stroke at the time of discharge in ischemic patients (P<0.001). Mg levels had the best area under curve (AUC) for the discrimination of ischemic patients from hemorrhagic ones. Conclusion: Magnesium levels were higher in ischemic patients compared to hemorrhagic ones, and these levels were associated with many risk factors contributing to a stroke. Magnesium may be used as a new predictor of stroke in ischemic patients as opposed to hemorrhagic ones. &#160

Epilepsy and Associated Factors in Elderly People of Amirkola, North of Iran (The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project)

Background: Knowledge about the associated factors with epilepsy in the elderly in Iran is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and associated factors in Amirkola elderly patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study is a part of a comprehensive and cohort research of "The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project". The Mini-mental State Examination was used for cognitive impairment, Geriatric Depression Scale for psychiatric diseases and the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly questionnaire for physical activity. Results: The prevalence of epilepsy was 35 from 1482 participants (24/1000). The significant association between Parkinson’s Disease (OR=6.25, 95CI=1.35-28.4, P=0.001), falls (OR= 3.81, 95CI=1.62-8.97, P=0.001), depression (P=0.001), hyperphosphatemia (P=0.039) and hypokalemia (P= 0.031) concluded with epilepsy. Past history of stroke (6 versus 2, OR= 2.8, 95CI, 0.97-8.27, P=0.07), increased serum level of triglyceride (OR= 1.96, 95CI= 0.99-3.88, P=0.06) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P=0. 45) were seen in epileptic patients vs. non-epileptic patients. Conclusion: Parkinson's disease, frequency of falls and depression were the associated factors in epileptic patients and a correlation between past history of stroke, increased serum level of triglyceride and LDL with epilepsy were seen. Associated factors required screening, diagnosis and treatment

Evaluation of Serum Uric Acid, Glucose and Nitrite-Nitrate Levels in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Introduction: In this study, we evaluated serum levels of uric acid, nitrite-nitrate and glucose in ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 60 ischemic stroke patients admitted to the Rouhani Hospital in Babol and 60 healthy volunteers as controls. The subjects were matched in terms of age and gender. Uric acid and glucose levels were measured with standard biochemical kits. Level of nitrite-nitrate was evaluated by the Griess method. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 19). Results: Serum uric acid, glucose and nitrite-nitrate levels were higher in ischemic stroke patients compared to healthy controls. However, these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: Serum uric acid, glucose and nitrite-nitrate levels are higher in ischemic stroke patients compared to healthy controls. Therefore, these factors could be used as useful markers for identification of elderly subjects at risk of ischemic stroke