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Kazuharu Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to Kazuharu Uchida.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Glomerular capillary tenascin staining in renal allografts and its correlation with capillary loop 'double contours', proteinuria and graft outcome.

BACKGROUND: Glomerular capillary injuries result in proteinuria, previously reported to be a risk factor for renal allograft dysfunction. According to the Banff 97 Working Classification of Renal Allograft Pathology, 'double contours' in glomerular capillary loops (GC-DC) were suggested to be most specific for chronic transplant glomerulopathy. Tenascin-C (TN), a component of extracellular matrix, is known to be overexpressed in various conditions. METHODS: TN immunostaining was performed by the labeled streptavidin biotin method. The correlations between glomerular capillary TN (GC-TN) and proteinuria, and between GC-DC and GC-TN, were studied in 27 biopsies showing chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) lesions. In 14 patients (serum creatinine <2.0 mg/dl at biopsy), graft outcome was studied. Graft function 3 years after biopsy was classified as stable or deteriorated; the term 'deteriorated' was used if serum creatinine had increased 20% over baseline, or if the patient required dialysis. RESULTS: In CAN, GC-TN correlated with GC-DC. Proteinuria in patients with intense GC-TN tended to increase during 1 year after biopsy. In graft outcome analysis, GC-TN was significantly lower in stable grafts than in deteriorated ones. Furthermore, all 3 patients demonstrating weak GC-TN without GC-DC returned to dialysis. CONCLUSION: TN immunostaining is a sensitive method to detect glomerular capillary injury with a predictive value for renal allograft dysfunction.

Adult↗

Total parathyroidectomy reduces elevated circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 in advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a common complication in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), accelerated by hyperphosphatemia. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), a phosphorus-regulating protein, has key roles in several phosphate-wasting disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the association of advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism with circulating FGF-23 levels. METHODS: Fifteen patients with marked secondary hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone [PTH], 990 +/- 118 pg/mL [ng/L]) were enrolled. All underwent parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation (PTX), and their FGF-23 levels were measured before and after PTX (days 1, 3, 7, and 10) by means of sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Preoperative FGF-23 levels correlated positively with phosphorus (P < 0.05), calcium-phosphorus product (Ca x P; P < 0.0005), and PTH values (P < 0.05). Serum FGF-23 levels decreased time dependently after PTX (P < 0.0005). Both serum phosphorus and Ca x P values decreased similarly after PTX ( P = 0.0001). Furthermore, FGF-23 levels days 1 and 3 correlated linearly with serum phosphorus (P < 0.05; P < 0.005, respectively) and Ca x P values (P < 0.01; P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: FGF-23 levels correlate positively with serum phosphorus, Ca x P, and PTH values in patients with advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism. Complete ablation of progressive parathyroid glands reduces circulating FGF-23 levels, simultaneously decreasing serum phosphorus and Ca x P values. These findings suggest that hyperplastic parathyroid glands, together with hyperphosphatemia, affect abnormal FGF-23 metabolism in patients with stage 5 CKD with advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Chronic Disease↗

Infarction of mediastinal parathyroid gland causing spontaneous remission of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a serious complication in long-term hemodialysis patients. The authors report on 2 patients on long-term hemodialysis who suffered from persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism due to missed mediastinal parathyroid gland after total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft. Reoperation was planned. In both cases, severe hypocalcemia suddenly developed; serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level decreased markedly after this episode. The serum calcium level increased gradually in response to administration of vitamin D and calcium carbonate, but serum PTH level remained low. A follow-up computed tomography scan showed that the formerly enlarged mediastinal parathyroid gland was markedly reduced in size. Moreover, a hot spot formerly detected by technetium 99m-MIBI (methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile) scintigraphy in the mediastinum disappeared after this episode. The authors considered that necrosis of the enlarged ectopic parathyroid gland, probably due to infarction, resulted in hypocalcemia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of spontaneous mediastinal parathyroid autoinfarction after parathyroidectomy in hemodialysis patients.

Choristoma↗

Diabetes mellitus after transplant: relationship to pretransplant glucose metabolism and tacrolimus or cyclosporine A-based therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify pretransplantation and posttransplantation indicators for the development of diabetes mellitus in the first 2 months after renal transplantation and to examine the influence of a cyclosporine A (CsA)-based versus a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen on these risk factors. METHODS: Key variables associated with the development of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in the first 2 months after transplantation were assessed in 48 patients who underwent living-related renal transplantation and who were treated with a CsA-based or a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen. The insulinogenic index (I Index) and glucose infusion rate (GIR) were measures of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, respectively. RESULTS: Eight patients developed PTDM. I Index (odds ratio, 0.000384) and GIR (odds ratio, 0.349) were significant risk factors for PTDM development. The cumulative steroid dose had a borderline association. PTDM developed in 4 of 28 CsA-treated patients and in 4 of 20 tacrolimus-treated patients. CsA therapy increased the mean I Index from 0.713+/-0.071 preoperatively to 1.130+/-0.140 postoperatively (P<0.01), whereas in tacrolimus-treated patients, I Index remained unchanged (1.09+/-0.264 preoperatively and 0.949+/-0.296 postoperatively; P=not significant). Age, duration of pretransplant dialysis, and body mass index did not predict PTDM development. All eight patients with PTDM had hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and posttransplant abnormalities of insulin secretion and sensitivity are significant predictors of PTDM. Corticosteroid cumulative dose may affect the incidence of PTDM during the first 2 months after transplantation. CsA treatment increases insulin secretion in patients with a high pretransplant risk of PTDM.

Adult↗

Amlodipine, but not MDR1 polymorphisms, alters the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A in Japanese kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a critical immunosuppressive drug with a narrow therapeutic range and wide interindividual variation in its pharmacokinetics. Many factors, including P-glycoprotein (PGP), influence the oral bioavailability and interpatient variability of CsA. A number of polymorphisms have been identified in the human MDR1 gene, and some of them have been found to be associated with an altered expression of PGP. We have investigated the role of these polymorphisms in CsA absorption from kidney transplant recipients. In addition, we also investigated the effect of amlodipine on CsA absorption. METHODS: The area under the time-concentration curve from 0 to 2 hr (AUC(0-2)) estimated by the trapezoidal rule was used for the evaluation of extent of CsA absorption. The genotypes were identified by a polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: No association was found between polymorphisms in the MDR1 and CsA AUC(0-2)/dose/kg. In contrast, the combination of amlodipine significantly increased CsA AUC(0-2)/dose/kg (706.2 microg x hr/L to 819.2 microg x hr/L, P<0.05). Furthermore, we attempted to compare MDR1 polymorphisms and the absorption of CsA again without patients receiving amlodipine, but there was still no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: There is no relationship between polymorphisms for MDR1 and CsA absorption, suggesting polymorphisms for MDR1 cannot account for the interpatient variability of CsA. Amlodipine, which is the substrate of PGP, significantly increased CsA absorption. These results indicate that PGP plays a significant role in CsA absorption, but its polymorphisms could not influence the CsA absorption.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Complement fragment C4d deposition in peritubular capillaries in acute humoral rejection after ABO blood group-incompatible human kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Acute humoral rejection (AHR) is the most important risk factor for early graft loss in ABO-incompatible (ABO-i) kidney transplantation (RTx). The pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria for AHR after ABO-i RTx remain unclear. Complement fragment C4d deposition in peritubular capillaries (PTC), which is a sensitive indicator for activation of the classical complement pathway, was studied to establish the pathologic diagnostic indicator of AHR. METHODS: Forty-four graft biopsy specimens from 19 patients with ABO-i living donors were analyzed within 90 days after RTx. Nineteen biopsy specimens with acute rejection after ABO-compatible (ABO-c) living-related RTx were used as controls. Diffuse and bright C4d deposition in PTC was considered significantly positive. RESULTS: All of 8 recipients with AHR showed significantly positive C4d in PTC in the ABO-i group, but 9 of 11 recipients without AHR were negative. In the ABO-c RTx group, 16 of 19 recipients were negative for C4d in PTC. The prevalence of C4d in PTC was significantly higher in ABO-i RTx (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: C4d deposition is valuable as a specific and sensitive indicator for AHR, even of mild severity, in ABO-i RTx.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Outcome of 3 years of immunosuppression with tacrolimus in more than 1,000 renal transplant recipients in japan.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, the new macrolide immunosuppressant, tacrolimus, was approved for the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection in renal transplant recipients in April 1996. This article summarizes efficacy and safety data for tacrolimus gathered since its approval. METHOD: Data from 1,007 patients who received tacrolimus-based treatment after kidney transplantation at 35 leading Japanese transplant centers between April 1996 and December 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The renal transplants consisted of 856 living (756 ABO compatible, 100 ABO incompatible) and 151 cadaveric (146 non-heart-beating, 5 brain dead) donor grafts. Mean follow-up duration was 24.4 months. Overall patient and graft survival rates were 98.4% and 94.8% at 1 year, 98.0% and 92.6% at 2 years, and 97.6% and 90.4% at 3 years, respectively. Graft survival rates in living and non-heart-beating donor graft transplantations were 95.9% and 88.8% at 1 year, 94.0% and 85.0% at 2 years, and 92.2% and 80.0% at 3 years, respectively. Graft survival rates in living ABO-compatible donor graft transplantation ranged from 93.4% to 97.5%, and in ABO-incompatible cases, rates were stable at 83.2% throughout the 3-year assessment period. Median serum creatinine levels ranged from 1.30 to 1.37 mg/dL during this time. Percentages of patients receiving antihyperlipidemics, antihypertensives, and insulin were 12.6%, 41.1%, and 6.5% at 1 year, respectively, and remained low at 3 years after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Three years of tacrolimus therapy demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety in more than 1,000 renal transplant recipients, including recipients of living ABO-incompatible and non-heart-beating donor grafts, with favorable graft function maintained.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

A case report of a renal transplant recipient developing chronic glomerular rejection with a weak antibody against anti-donor T-cell, only detected by flow-cytometry crossmatch.

The pathogenesis of antibody-mediated rejection has been investigated, but the precise mechanism of chronic glomerular rejection remains unclear. We have followed the clinicopathological course of a patient with pre-existing anti-donor antibody only detected by flow-cytometry crossmatch for over 3 years. Glomerular endothelial injuries and peculiar glomerular lesions were noted in biopsy specimen of postoperative year 3; however, both typical chronic vascular rejection lesions and peritubular capillary multilayered lesions were not revealed. We consider that the presence of weak anti-donor antibody leading early onset of acute humoral rejection played a role in the pathogenesis of early onset of chronic transplant glomerulopathy.

Adult↗

Re-operation is frequently required when parathyroid glands remain after initial parathyroidectomy for advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism in uraemic patients.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroidectomy (PTx) is the most successful treatment for advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) not responsive to medical treatment. However, persistent HPT remains problematic after PTx if some glands remain. The clinical course in patients with persistent 2HPT was evaluated to clarify the risk for re-operation after PTx. METHODS: Between March 1981 and December 2001, initial total PTx with forearm autograft were performed in 1156 uraemic patients. Persistent HPT cases were defined as those in which the lowest post-operative intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) concentration was >60 pg/ml, and patients were classified into groups A, B and C, with i-PTH concentrations of >or=500, 300-500 and 60-300 pg/ml, respectively. These patients were followed for 7-234 months after PTx. RESULTS: Persistent HPT was identified in 49/1156 patients (4.2%), with nine cases in group A, 10 in group B and 30 in group C. Re-operation was required in 21/49 (42.8%) cases, and in seven of these the last i-PTH concentration was >or=500 pg/ml. All cases in group A required re-operation. In group C, 11/30 (36.7%) patients required re-operation. The missed glands removed at re-operation were supernumerary in 14 cases, and located in the mediastinum in 13 cases. The frequency of advanced HPT and re-operation was not negligible. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent persistent 2HPT, all parathyroid glands must be found and resected during the initial operation. Even if small parathyroid glands remain, there is a risk of progression. Complete PTx is the first treatment choice for advanced 2HPT.

Female↗

Reoperation for renal hyperparathyroidism.

Reoperation for secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) due to uremia (2HPT) may be required among patients with persistent renal failure if not all parathyroid glands are removed at the initial operation. Between March 1981 and July 2001, altogether 1,110 patients underwent total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft for advanced 2HPT in our department. In this study, we evaluated the clinical features of patients who required reoperation and classified them into persistent HPT [the lowest intact parathyroid (PTH) level after initial operation remained higher than 60 pg/ml] and recurrent HPT (the lowest intact PTH level was normalized after surgery but reelevated became high enough to require reoperation). Removal of residual glands was indicated in 30 (2.7%) cases for persistent or recurrent HPT. All remaining glands were detected by preoperative imaging diagnoses. In 44 (4.0%) patients persistent HPT was recognized and in 15 of them (1.4% of all cases) reoperation was required. In 11 cases, the responsible glands were supernumerary ones removed from the mediastinum. In 4 cases, the glands were resected from the neck. In 15 cases (1.4%), reoperation was performed for recurrent HPT when residual glands were left either in the neck or in the thymic tongue. In all but one case, the missed glands were supernumerary. This study reveals that it is often difficult to avoid persistent HPT induced by mediastinal supernumerary glands and recurrent HPT caused by small glands left in the neck. Our findings indicate that patients with uremia should be closely followed considering the possibility that persistent or recurrent HPT may occur after parathyroidectomy.

Adult↗

Enzymatic removal of alphaGal antigen in pig kidneys by ex vivo and in vivo administration of endo-beta-galactosidase C.

Xenotransplantation using the pig as a donor species is considered to be a promising solution to the serious shortage of organ donors. Both hyperacute and acute vascular rejection (AVR) are believed to be associated with xenoreactive antibody binding to alphaGal epitopes on the pig vascular endothelial cells. Thus, suppression of this antigen-antibody reaction would appear essential for successful long-term xenograft survival. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of ex vivo and in vivo administration of recombinant endo-beta-galactosidase C (EndoGalC which, in previous in vitro studies, has been proven to digest alphaGal antigens completely) on alphaGal epitopes expressed in pig kidneys. Excised pig kidneys were perfused with University of Wisconsin solution containing EndoGalC and preserved for 4 h. After cold storage, the pig kidney was transplanted into another pig. Ex vivo perfusion and cold storage with EndoGalC reduced alphaGal epitope expression on vascular endothelial cells to an undetectable level. However, alphaGal antigens began to be expressed again as early as 1 day after transplantation. The digestion of alphaGal epitopes by EndoGalC did not cause any damage to the kidney graft. EndoGalC was intravenously administered to two pigs (15 kg), without causing any serious adverse effect. Twelve hours later, >98% of alphaGal antigens on pig red blood cells (RBCs) had been digested. Immunohistochemical study revealed almost complete elimination of alphaGal expression on vascular endothelial cells of the kidney graft 4 and 8 h after in vivo administration, but reappearance within 24 h. EndoGalC was administered to a baboon after an interval of 2 months. The second administration did not result in any serious toxicity or reduction in efficacy. These results suggest that ex vivo and in vivo administration of EndoGalC is simple and useful in removing alphaGal epitopes from pig organs. As the effect of EndoGalC is temporary, multiple in vivo administrations of EndoGalC would be required to inhibit the reappearance of alphaGal epitopes. Alternatively, transgenic techniques of introducing the gene for EndoGalC into the donor organ might permanently prevent alphaGal expression.

Animals↗

[Pathogenesis of chronic renal allograft dysfunction].

The pathogenesis of chronic renal allograft dysfunction was reviewed. Chronic rejection/chronic renal allograft nephropathy is the most prevalent cause of renal graft loss after the first year post-transplant. Both immunologic and non-immunologic factors play key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic allograft nephropathy. Acute rejection episodes are the most prevalent risk factor for chronic rejection. Many risk factors for chronic allograft nephropathy have been identified, such as glomerular hyper-filtration, delayed graft function, repeated acute rejection, systemic hypertension and hyperlipidemia. However, the precise pathogenesis of chronic allograft nephropathy remains obscure. The differential diagnosis of immunologically mediated chronic rejection and chronic allograft dysfunction caused by non-immunologic factors is usually impossible using clinical parameters. The histopathologic findings of chronic allograft nephropathy are progressive interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy and thickening of vascular intima, and these findings are non-specific. Therefore, the term chronic allograft nephropathy may be clinically preferable to chronic rejection to describe the gradual decline in graft function. The most effective way to prevent chronic allograft dysfunction is to avoid any kind of graft damage via immunologic or non-immunologic pathway.

Chronic Disease↗

Cases with fewer than four parathyroid glands in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism at initial parathyroidectomy.

In the surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) due to uremia, it is considered necessary to remove all parathyroid glands from the neck to prevent persistent and recurrent parathyroid hyperfunction. However, in some cases fewer than four parathyroid glands can be recognized at initial operation; in the present study, we evaluated the long-term prognosis and estimated surgical strategy in such cases. Between March 1981 and January 1999, 822 patients underwent total parathyroidectomy (PTx) with forearm autograft for advanced 2HPT at the Department of Transplant Surgery of Nagoya Second Red Cross Hospital. In 21 cases (2.6%) fewer than four parathyroid glands were macroscopically found at the initial operation. These cases were followed up and their parathyroid function was evaluated by measurement of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH). In 20 of the 21 cases three glands were found, in 1 patient only two glands. In 5 of these cases the fourth gland was identified first after postoperative histopathologic evaluation. In all these cases the intact PTH level was normalized. In 8 of the remaining 16 cases high PTH levels persisted after the initial operation, including 3 patients who underwent neck reexploration. However, in the other 7 patients PTH levels dropped within normal range immediately after PTx and a fourth gland has never been recognized. One patient was lost to follow-up. Thus, using our operative strategy, 12 of 822 cases (0.85%) did not develop persistent or recurrent HPT even though only three glands were identified at the operation. To avoid postoperative hypoparathyroidism, autotransplantation should be performed when fewer than four parathyroid glands are found at the initial operation.

Adult↗