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Clin Invest Med 2009; 32 (4): E261-E265. AbstractPurpose: Vigorous exercise increases urine protein excretion. However, whether exercise increases urine albumin enough to reach the threshold for microalbuminuria (2.8 and 2.0 mg/mmol creatinine in women and men respectively) is uncertain. Furthermore, the duration of such albuminuria is unknown. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and duration of exercise induced microalbuminuria in normal healthy volunteers. Methods: Thirty normal subjects provided a urine sample, then exercised to maximal heart rate, or exhaustion, using the standard Bruce Treadmill protocol. Further urine samples were collected within 15 min of completing exercise, and 24 and 48 hr later. Urine creatinine was measured by the Jaffé method and albumin via immunoturbidometry. Results: Baseline urine albumin: creatinine ratio (A/C) was 0.5 ± 0.3 (SD) in women (n=14) and 0.4 ± 0.1 mg/ mmol in men (n=16). Immediately after exercise A/C increased to 5.6 ± 9.7 (in women) and 7.6 ± 17.6 (in men). Twelve of 30 subjects reached the threshold for microalbuminuria and 2 that for macroalbuminuria. By 24 hr all had returned to baseline and there was no further change at 48 hours. Conclusions: A short period, 15-20 min, of maximal exercise leads to A/C ratios above the microalbuminuria threshold in a substantial proportion of normal subjects. Physicians should not measure urine albumin in patients who give a history of such activity in the past 24 hr.

Purpose: Vitamin D De ciency is common, particularly in northern latitudes. We examined the association between vitamin D status and hypertension in late pregnancy.Methods: A case-control study was conducted during two time periods: SeptemberOctober, 2008, and January-March, 2009, in women near term. A case was de ned as having two or more documented blood pressure readings above 140/90 (either/or) at any time during pregnancy (n=78). Controls had at least two blood pressure readings, with none above 140/90 during pregnancy (n=109). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in all participants.Results: In the summer, 13% of controls and 29% of the cases had 25(OH) D levels < 50 nmol/L. During the winter, these numbers rose to 44% and 49% respectively. Both cases and controls were more likely to be vitamin D de cient in the winter (p=0.002). ere was a negative correlation between BMI and 25(OH)D (r=-0.202, p=0.002). In univariate analysis, cases had lower 25(OH)D (p=0.046), but also higher body mass index, so that in multivariate analysis 25(OH)D status was no longer signi cant. ere was no di erence in mean oral daily vitamin D intake (dietary intake and supplements, 746 and 785 IU respectively). Controls gained less weight in pregnancy. ere was a negative correlation between the highest blood pressure measured in pregnancy and 25(OH)D levels (r= -0.118; p=0.012).Conclusion: ere is a high prevalence of vitamin D de ciency in pregnant women recruited in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Women with low circulating vitamin D concentrations are more likely to have hypertension.

We conclude that home blood pressure measurement, as practiced in our community, is prone to error, mostly due to mistakes by the operator. These can easily be corrected, so that readings become more accurate. Attention should be paid to arm-arm differences.