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Vincenzo Sepe

Publications and source records attributed to Vincenzo Sepe.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Henle loop basement membrane as initial site for Randall plaque formation.

Since the early description of Randall plaques in 1937, studies of the pathogenesis of stone formation mainly focused on the chemistry involving salt precipitation and crystallization, rather than tubular and interstitial medullar mechanisms of calcium concentration and supersaturation. In 2003, Bushinsky published a suggestive and inspiring sequence of events aimed to show that the basement membrane of the thin limb of the loop of Henle can be the first site of nucleation, as recently shown by the impressive work by Evan et al. The aim of this minireview is to verify the consistency of the Evan and Bushinsky theory with the current literature in the field.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed2004

Vitamin E-loaded dialyzer resets PBMC-operated cytokine network in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: In hemodialysis patients the activity of stimulated Th1 lymphocytes is depressed, while Th2 cells are constitutively primed. Such phenomena may depend on monocyte activation and altered release of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18, which regulate Th cell differentiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate monocytes; therefore, a hemodialyzer with antioxidant activity would contrast ROS, prevent monocyte activation, reset IL-12 and IL-18 release, and restore Th1/Th2 balance. METHODS: Ten patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT) with cellulosic membrane (CM) were shifted to vitamin E-coated dialyzer (VE). During treatment with CM and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment with VE, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and purified CD4+ cells were isolated, and cultured, resting, mitogen-stimulated, and interferon gamma (IFNgamma), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-18 release was measured. Vitamin E and A plasma levels and the effects of a single dialysis session on peripheral blood NO levels were assayed. RESULTS: The constitutive release of IL-4 and IL-10 by CD4+ cells was abated significantly by treatment with VE (nadir -77.8% and -55.3%, respectively, at 12 months). INFgamma release by mitogen-stimulated CD4+ recovered with VE (zenith +501% at 12 months). PBMC constitutive production of IL-12 and IL-18 was significantly reduced by VE (nadir at 12 months -64.7% and -51.3%, respectively). VE increased plasma levels of vitamins E and A. NO plasma levels fell after a single dialysis treatment with VE (-17%, P < 0.05) in contrast with CU (+27.1%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The network of cytokines released by monocytes and Th cells is reset toward normality by treatment with vitamin E-coated dialyzer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

One-year angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition plus mycophenolate mofetil immunosuppression in the course of early IgA nephropathy: a multicenter, randomised, controlled study.

Angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibition (ACEI) is a widely accepted treatment during established renal diseases and beneficial effects have also been reported in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Immunosuppression with myco-phenolate mofetil (MMF) has recently been introduced in the treatment of immune-mediated renal diseases showing promising results. Preliminary clinical reports are also suggestive that MMF is effective in severe forms of IgAN. We propose a randomised prospective trial aimed to compare long-term renal survival of early IgAN in the course of ACEI therapy with or without MMF immunosuppression.

Adolescent↗