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Biomedical subjects

K Vanden Houte

Publications and source records attributed to K Vanden Houte.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Diabetes delaying the diagnosis of RPGN.

The present case describes the unusual association of a crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN), diabetes mellitus and a monoclonal gammopathy. After an unexplained deterioration of renal function, a kidney biopsy was performed. The finding of crescentic glomerulonephritis was unexpected. This case illustrates the usefulness of kidney biopsy in diabetes to exclude concomittant disease.

Biopsy↗

Renal antioxidant enzymes and fibrosis-related markers in the rat adriamycin model.

Excessive generation of reactive oxygen intermediates can induce changes in the cellular antioxidant defence system. In this study we examine the antioxidant enzyme status and the expression of fibrosis-related marker proteins in the Adriamycin model of chronic renal failure in the rat. Twenty weeks after Adriamycin treatment, rats have overt nephrotic syndrome and renal failure with development of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis. Lipids accumulate in blood and in both glomeruli and tubulo-interstitial tissue. Desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression increases in glomeruli and in the tubulo-interstitial area. Renal cortex antioxidant enzyme activities are decreased 20 weeks after Adriamycin injection (to 41% for catalase, to 56% for total superoxide dismutase and to 69% for glutathione peroxidase). The mRNA levels of catalase, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1 evaluated by Northern blot are decreased by more than 50% for catalase, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1. We conclude that in the rat Adriamycin-induced model of chronic renal failure with fibrosis, the combination of decreased antioxidant enzyme status in renal cortex with high concentrations of lipids in blood and renal tissue facilitates oxidative damage. Development of fibrosis is paralleled by increased expression of desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin.

Animals↗

Enalapril increases antioxidant enzyme activity in renal cortical tissue of five-sixths-nephrectomized rats.

In rats with five-sixths nephrectomy (remnant kidney), blood pressure, glomerulosclerosis, and proteinuria are significantly reduced by administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril, during 16 weeks after reduction of the nephron number. The activity of catalase in remnant-kidney cortex homogenate is not influenced by enalapril treatment; the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase are significantly increased. Elevated lipid peroxidation in cortex homogenates, evaluated by malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal concentrations, is not changed by treatment. Supplementation of dietary vitamin E to enalapril treatment does not alter antioxidant enzyme activities when compared to enalapril monotherapy. These results show that enalapril improves the balance between reactive oxygen intermediates and antioxidant enzymes in the remnant-kidney cortex of the rat. This finding may in part explain the protective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on the progression of glomerulosclerosis.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Effect of vitamin E on antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation products and glomerulosclerosis in the rat remnant kidney.

In rats with five-sixth nephrectomy (remnant kidney), glomerulosclerosis was significantly reduced by dietary administration of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) during 11 and 16 weeks after reduction of nephron number. The activity of catalase and the production of H2O2 in remnant kidney cortex homogenate were not influenced by the vitamin E diet; however, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased (up to 140 and 180%, respectively, after 16 weeks). Lipid peroxidation, evaluated by malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal concentrations, was decreased in cortex homogenates and in urine. Though the extent of the effect of vitamin E on antioxidant enzyme levels and lipid peroxidation is small, the important reduction of glomerulosclerosis is in favor of dietary supplementation with vitamin E.

Animals↗

Carvedilol protects against glomerulosclerosis in rat remnant kidney without general changes in antioxidant enzyme status. A comparative study of two beta-blocking drugs, carvedilol and propanolol.

Nephron loss leads to increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates. We measured the effect of carvedilol, a beta-blocking drug with radical scavenging properties, on renal function, glomerulosclerosis, antioxidant enzyme status and in vivo hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in rats with chronic renal failure caused by 5/6 nephrectomy (remnant kidney) and compared results to data obtained with propranolol, a beta-blocking drug without scavenging characteristics. Carvedilol and propranolol were administered during 11 weeks following reduction of nephron number. Kidneys were examined using enzymatic and histological techniques. Both carvedilol and propranolol decreased systolic blood pressure. Compared to propranolol, carvedilol offered some additional beneficial effects on renal function, particularly with regard to glomerulosclerosis. Lipid peroxidation, evaluated by malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal concentration in cortex homogenates, was decreased in carvedilol-treated rats only. Superior beneficial effect of carvedilol treatment is not linked to a significant up-regulation of the activities of the remnant kidney antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) or to a decreased in vivo H2O2 production.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Pathologic aspects of a newly described nephropathy related to the prolonged use of Chinese herbs.

A new cause of chronic interstitial fibrosis of the kidney, recently identified in Belgium, was found to be related to a slimming regimen that included Chinese herbs. Thirty-three biopsy-proven cases of this nephropathy are discussed, with special reference to the pathologic aspects. Extensive interstitial fibrosis with atrophy and loss of the tubules was the major lesion; it was predominantly located in the superficial cortex. The glomeruli were relatively spared. They nevertheless showed a mild collapse of the capillaries and wrinkling of the basement membrane. Thickening of Bowman's capsule was the rule. Interlobular and afferent arterioles showed thickening of their walls due to swelling of the endothelial cells. These aspects suggest that the primary lesions could be located in the vessel walls, leading to ischemia and interstitial fibrosis. On the other hand, they are characteristic enough to allow the pathologist to suspect the diagnosis even in the absence of an anamnesis of ingestion of Chinese herbs.

Adult↗

Pseudotuberculous pyelonephritis associated with nephrolithiasis.

This report describes a 40-year-old man with an unusual form of granulomatous pyelonephritis, associated with nephrolithiasis, resulting in end-stage kidney disease and right pretransplant nephrectomy. The kidney specimen contained a staghorn calculus and showed chronic inflammation with confluent caseating granulomas and multinucleated giant cells, resembling renal tuberculosis. However, neither tubercle bacilli nor other microorganisms were demonstrated in the renal tissue or in urine cultures. Because these findings do not support a tuberculous etiology of the granulomatous pyelonephritis, we conclude that this patient had a pseudotuberculous reaction as a consequence of nephrolithiasis.

Adult↗

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome in the elderly.

A case of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome) in an elderly woman is reported. The present case demonstrates that this entity originally observed in children, and more recently in adults, may also occur in the elderly. The aetiology and treatment are briefly discussed.

Acute Disease↗

Malignant schwannoma. A case report and review of the literature.

A rare case of a malignant schwannoma presenting as a central fracture-dislocation of the acetabulum is reported. Histological examination showed a high-grade sarcoma. A pleural metastasis was present. A local reconstructive procedure consisting of local tumor excision with an acetabular prosthetic replacement and adjunctive radiation therapy was elected for the patient, who had a short-term prognosis.

Acetabulum↗

Iodine-123 MIBG imaging in a generalized pancreatic polypeptide-gastrin-serotonin secreting tumor.

The usefulness of radio-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), a specific radiopharmaceutical agent for scintigraphic imaging and treatment of phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma, has been extended to the location of carcinoid tumors. Scintigraphic evaluation with I-123 MIBG in a patient with a histologically proven endocrine tumor (apudoma) of unknown origin with liver and bone metastases is reported. Elevated plasma hormone levels of gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, and serotonin were found. Tumoral content of these hormones was immunocytochemically confirmed on liver biopsy. I-123 MIBG uptake could be seen in those areas of the liver with deficient lesions in the Tc-99m colloid image with a maximal uptake in a large mass at the level of the left liver lobe. No abnormal uptake could be observed at any other level, which was in contrast with autopsy findings of generalized metastatic disease.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗