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Biomedical subjects

Z Zdrojewski

Publications and source records attributed to Z Zdrojewski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Renal allograft protection with angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists.

The renal benefits of agents inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in renal transplant recipients, i.e. preventing the development of chronic graft nephropathy, are supposed but not finally proven. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, we evaluated the influence of losartan on surrogate markers of tubular injury, urine excretion of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) in 16 patients after transplantation. The patients received randomly either losartan (50-100 mg daily) or the beta-blocker carvedilol (12.5-25 mg) for 8 weeks, allowing a placebo washout between treatments. The target office through blood pressure (BP) was below 130/85 mmHg. The BP did not differ in the treatment periods. Losartan significantly decreased N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase and alfa-1 microglobulin excretion relative to placebo and carvedilol. Urine excretion of TGF-beta1 and PIIINP was significantly lower after losartan. In conclusion, losartan reduces urine excretion of proteins associated with tubular damage and graft fibrosis.

Adult↗

Influence of predialysis oxidative stress on peroxidation processes after renal transplantation.

Oxidative stress occurs as a result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. The content of carbonyl groups (CG), malonyldialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA, 4-HNE) represent markers of protein and lipid peroxidation processes, respectively. The aim of the present study was to determine CG and MDA/4-HNE in the serum of 30 hemodialyzed patients (-HD; 13 men, 17 women of mean age 47.7 +/- 15.3 years) before and after a hemodialysis session, of 20 transplant patients (TX; 10 men, 10 women of mean age 40.7 +/- 11.3 years) before and after the procedure (RT), and of a control group (n = 47; including 30 women, 17 men of mean age 38.7 +/- 14.0 years). The CG content was evaluated using the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine assay and MDA/4-HNE by the Oxis Bioxytech colorimetric method. Among the HD group the concentrations of MDA/4-HNE and CG were higher than control subjects (P <.05). In the HD group CG concentrations before and after dialysis session were similar while MDA/4-HNE concentrations were higher before the dialysis session (P <.01). One day after RT, MDA/4-HNE and CG concentrations had increased but at 7 days they had decreased and the CG level was increased. A high production of ROS can be assumed in dialysis patients. MDA/4-HNE concentrations, however, decreased after the dialysis treatment, because as low-weight molecules they diffused across the dialysis filter. On the first day after RT a high intensity of lipid and protein peroxidation was observed. During the first week after RT, accumulation of protein peroxidation products was observed but simultaneously lipid peroxidation product concentrations decreased due to quick metabolism. The intensity of lipooxidation during first day after RT seems to be dependent upon the ischemia time.

Adult↗

Hemolytic anemia after renal transplantation: analysis of case reports.

Hemolysis after renal transplantation in some cases is clearly related to hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and usually attributed to cyclosporine (CsA) treatment. Acute hemolysis in other recipients is related to anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies. In most cases these patients have received ABO-compatible, although ABO-nonidentical, organs, mostly from O blood group donors. We report three cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia after renal transplantation. Two patients (patients: 1 and 2; ABO-compatible, but nonidentical kidneys) suffered acute hemolysis in the third week after transplantation. One patient (patient 3: ABO-identical kidney) suffered a chronic, subclinical course of disease beginning 5 months after transplantation. The clinical picture of this disease was completely different from HUS. The existence of severe anemia (patients 1 and 2), hyperbilirubinemia (particularly high in patient 3), increased serum lactic dehydrogenase levels, and decreased serum haptoglobin in the presence of good graft function suggested an hemolytic anemia. In all patients the direct antiglobulin test was positive. The acute or chronic symptoms of hemolysis disappeared, at 2 and 5 weeks, respectively, after conversion from CsA to tacrolimus. Hemolysis in these patients probably relates to alloantibodies derived from passenger B lymphocytes transplanted with the organs. Because hemolysis has been most frequently related to CsA therapy, it is suggested that B lymphocytes proliferated and produced antibodies because CsA effects to inhibit T-cell function generally spares B-cell activity. It is proposed that a subtype of B cells, which are resistant to CsA, produces anti-A and/or anti-B antibodies. Treatment with tacrolimus appears to be successful, probably due to its alternate, and likely more effective, manner of B-cell suppression.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Influence of spontaneous platelet aggregation on progression of glomerular disease.

UNLABELLED: Platelet secretion products may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of the kidney disease. Amongst the parameters describing platelet hyperactivity the measurement of spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) seems particularly useful. In this study SPA as well as mean platelet volume (MPV), modal platelet volume (PLT Mode) and platelet count (PLT) were investigated in 60 patients with biopsy proven primary glomerulonephritis. SPA was measured using the turbidimetric method according to Born with no enhancers added. Serum creatinine concentration (Cr), reciprocal serum creatinine concentration (1/Cr) and endogenous creatinine clearance (Cl(Cr)) were used for the renal function estimation. Protein and lipid profiles as well as coagulo-fibrinolytic balance were measured in parallel. The investigated group consisted of 30 non-nephrotic patients (CGN) - in 9, SPA was found (CGN-B) while 21 had SPA <10% (CGN-A), and 30 nephrotic patients (CGN+NS) - 19 with SPA (CGN+NS-B) and 11 without (CGN+NS-A). SPA was found to be a constant platelet feature in patients with chronic glomerulopathy. The group remained under observation for 36 months. 41 patients were included in the 3-year prospective study which revealed the significant influence of the blood platelet hyperaggregability on the renal disease progression. A significantly increased serum creatinine concentration, decreased 1/Cr parameter and decreased glomerular filtration rate (Cl(Cr)) were noted in subgroups showing SPA. A significant correlation between SPA and (Delta)Cr/month (r = 0.41), (Delta)1/Cr/month (r = 0.38) as well as (Delta)Cl(Cr)/month (r = 0.52) was found. The platelet activity and thus SPA can be altered by various factors: albumin and fibrinogen plasma concentrations, thrombosis activation and possibly lipoprotein metabolism disturbances. A characteristic feature of spontaneously aggregating platelet is their increased volume (MPV). CONCLUSION: Platelet hyperaggregation in one of nonimmunological factors stimulates the progression of glomerulonephritis.

Adult↗

Correlation between plasma carnitine, muscle carnitine and glycogen levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Chronic hemodialysis (HD) may lead to losses of carnitine from plasma and muscle. Plasma carnitine does not reflect the body content of carnitine. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of total and free plasma and muscle carnitine concentrations (TPC, FPC, TMC, FMC), muscle glycogen and the relationship between plasma and tissue carnitine content and the basic indices of lipid metabolism in HD patients. The studies were conducted in two groups: the first one consisted of 37 HD patients (19 F, 18 M), the second one served as the control and was composed of 29 (10 F, 19 M) patients with healthy kidneys. Tissue specimens in HD patients were taken during surgery on arterio-venous fistula from brachioradial muscle. Carnitine and glycogen measurements were performed using enzymatic methods according to Cederblad and Huijng respectively. Total cholesterol (CH), HDL-CH, and triglycerides were assayed by enzymatic commercial test system (Boehringer-Mannheim, Germany). To summarise, we found the following phenomena in our HD patients in comparison with the controls: 1) In plasma: similar TPC but decreased FPC levels and FPC/TPC ratio which may suggest free carnitine deficiency. 2) In muscle: significantly lower TMC and FMC levels but normal FMC/ITMC ratio. 3) Negative correlation between TMC and FMC levels and duration of dialysis treatment. 4) No correlation between plasma and muscle camitine concentration. 5) Significantly higher concentration of muscle glycogen which could be explained by the changes in the structure of muscle fibres in HD patients and/or lower physical activity. 6) A positive correlation between FPC/APC or FPC/TPC ratio and HDL-CH in HD patients which may suggest that an appropriate proportion between free and acylcarnitines may influence HDL-CH levels in that population.

Adult↗

[The concentration of adenine nucleotides in platelets of patients with primary chronic glomerulonephritis].

UNLABELLED: Nephrotic syndrome (n.s.) is associated with numerous blood coagulation abnormalities and a marked predisposition to thromboembolism. Increased aggregation and activation of platelets in patients with glomerulonephritis (g.l.n. p.t.s.) may partly explain this status. The aim of this study was to measure the platelets adenine nucleotides concentration. The study was performed in 57 patients with a renal biopsy confirmed primary glomerulonephritis and 24 sex and age matched healthy volunteers which served as a control group. The patients were divided into two subgroups: subgroup I/A--36 patients with the symptoms of the nephrotic syndrome and subgroup I/B--21 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and proteinuria but without the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome. Concentration of adenine nucleotides in platelets was measured using HPLC. In the subgroup I/A significantly lower levels of ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations in platelets were observed comparing to control subjects. Simultaneously significant correlation between both ATP and ADP concentration and plasma levels of albumin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and fibrinogen were found in g.l.n. p.t.s. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Significantly lower concentrations of adenine nucleotides in platelets of gln pts with the nephrotic syndrome may result from their activation. 2. Protein and lipid metabolism as well as fibrinogen seem to influence ATP and ADP concentrations in platelets of g.l.n. p.t.s.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Recombinant human erythropoietin stimulates production of interleukin 2 by whole blood cell cultures of hemodialysis patients.

The impairment of function of human T lymphocytes, leading to an inappropriate cytokine production, is partially responsible for defective immunological response in hemodialysis patients (HD). Recent data suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) may exert immunological effects. The aim of this study was to find out whether rhEPO treatment of the HD patients may have an effect on the interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by their whole blood cell cultures. The study was carried out in 10 HD patients receiving rhEPO for 6 months. Compared with the levels seen before the treatment, the concentration of IL-2 increased in the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated whole blood cell cultures of 7 of 10 patients under study. Addition of rhEPO in vitro to the whole blood cell cultures of the HD patients before implementation of erythropoietin confirmed that rhEPO is able to directly stimulate IL-2 production. Our studies show that the therapy with rhEPO affects IL-2 secretion.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Retroperitoneal fibrosis and chronic peri-aortitis--new hypothesis].

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is characterised by the development of fibrotic mass surrounding the abdominal aorta and its branches. In the one third of cases, the causes of this disease include ergot-derivative drugs, retoperitoneal haemorrhage or urine extravasation and desmoplastic response to a variety of tumours. Retroperitoneal fibrosis is idiopathic in two thirds of cases and is found most commonly as an isolated fibrotic plague centered over the lumbar spine and entrapping one or both ureters. It has been postulated that fibrosis in idiopathic cases is caused by a chronic inflammatory or autoimmune response to antigens leaking into retroperitoneum from atheromatous plagues in the aorta or common iliac arteries. Many findings indicate the active nature of aortic adventitial chronic inflammation associated with human advanced atherosclerosis ("chronic periaortitis") and show its possible progressive potential to the clinically important disease termed "idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis" and "inflammatory aneurysm". A definitive differential diagnosis requires not only CT and NMR but also histologic confirmation. Treatment may be surgical or medical, with the best outcome observed in patient receiving both.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

[Lipoprotein metabolism disturbances in patients with kidney diseases].

Lipoprotein(a) was discovered over 30 years age and it is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular diseases. Among patients with end stage renal failure lipoprotein(a) levels are higher than in general population and being independent of the type of treatment. Cardiovascular diseases are the most important cause of mortality in ESRD patients. Moreover we have interesting information about possibility of influence of Lp(a) serum levels.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

[Hypercoagulation in patients with nephrotic syndrome].

Hypercoagulation and thrombotic complications associated with nephrotic syndrome (NS) are known from many years. However pathomechanism of those disturbances is not very clear. The aim of the presented study was to determine the role of platelets in hypercoagulation phenomenon in NS patients. Studies were carried out in 15 patients with NS in the course of chronic glomerulonephritis and 15 healthy volunteers. Following parameters were estimated: prothrombin, time APTT, fibrinogen, FDP, plasminogen, antithrombin III, alpha 2-antiplasmin and using Technicon H1 autoanalyser: platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and PLT Mode. Additionally platelets aggregation (spontaneous and after collagen, epinephrine, ADP) was measured using Apact (Labor) aggregometer. We observed in patients with NS: a) decrease of AT III, b) slight increase (not significant) of fibrinogen, c) decrease of MPV and Mode PLT, d) increased spontaneous aggregation and sensitivity to aggregating agents. Our results suggest that: 1. Pathomechanism of hypercoagulation in NS is multifactorial. 2. Changes in morphology and function of platelets could be one of the factor playing important role in this mechanism.

Adult↗

[Infected abdominal aneurysm with retroperitoneal fibrosis--a case successfully treated conservatively].

53 year old men suffered from abdominal pain, vomiting, lack of appetite, loss of weight, with ESR > 100 mm Hg and moderate anaemia was presented. Many diagnostic procedures were without results and finally laparotomy was taken. The microscopic examination of specimen of periaortic tissue revealed retroperitoneal fibrosis accompanying atherosclerotic aortae. Corticotherapy and antilipemic drugs were given. After 3 years a complete remission of periaortic pathologic mass was observed. This case could prove the autoimmunological hypothesis of retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Aneurysm, Infected↗

[Oral calcitriol pulse therapy in treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with long term hemodialysis].

Oral calcitriol pulse therapy slowly becomes a method of choice in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients. It appears to be equally effective and simultaneously significantly cheaper than an intravenous therapy. In last year we have applied such a treatment to 12 hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (iPTH range: 447-1228 pg/ml). All of them were hemodialysed 3 times a week with dialysate Ca+2 level 1.25-1.75 mM/l. Calcium carbonate was administered to maintain serum Ca level between 9.0-11.0 mg/dl and phosphate below 6.0 mg/dl. The patients were given calcitriol at dose 0.1 microgram/kg once a week, but it was obligatory to take a drug at bedtime, at least two hours after the last meal, a day before hemodialysis. During the treatment we divided the patients into two groups: I-patients who responded to our treatment (7/12); II-treatment was unsuccessful (5/12). In this group we decided to increase the dose of calcitriol to 0.075 micrograms/kg twice a week after 6 months use of a previous one. We have achieved statistically significant decrease of parathormone (p < 0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.02) in group I and after the increase the dose of calcitriol there occurred the decrease of parathormone (p < 0.05) and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.002) in group II. Simultaneously we have observed a great clinical improvement. Our results confirm the fact that even severe secondary hyperparathyroidism can be successfully treated with oral calcitriol pulse therapy. Administering of high doses of calcitriol at bedtime increases safety of this procedure-we have not observed any case of hypercalcemia.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of platelet membrane structure in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN)].

The structure of platelet membrane determines platelet surface glycoprotein receptors and correct cell function. Meanwhile different diseases and drugs may induce changes in this structure. The aim of this study was to determine structure of platelet lipid bilayer in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) in comparison to control group. Studies were carried out in 30 patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and 30 patients without this syndrome and 15 controls. Electron spin resonance phenomenon with spin labelling, was used for estimation of platelet membrane structure. CGN patient platelets showed lower order parameter A/C and increased rotation correlation time tau in comparison with healthy subjects. It indicated abnormal platelet membrane structure in these patients. The negative significant correlation between parameter A/C and plasma fibrinogen concentration of NS patients has been found (r = -0.5; p < 0.05). Additionally the value of an order parameter (A/C) has significantly positively correlated with serum triglycerides concentration in patients with NS and spontaneous platelet aggregation (r = 0.52, p < 0.05). Conclusion. 1. CGN patient platelets have revealed disorders of lipid bilayer structure. 2. These disorders could be responsible for decreased platelet aggregation observed in CGN patients in comparison to healthy controls.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of factors influencing platelet aggregation in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN)].

Platelets (PLT) play an important role in hemostasis, modulation of immunological and inflammatory processes. There is also evidence that PLT takes part in the development of atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis. The aim of presented study was to determine morphological and functional changes of platelets and their relation to the lipid, protein and coagulation factors disturbances in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). The studies were carried out in 60 patients with CGN diagnosed by renal biopsy: 30 patients without nephrotic syndrome (NS)-CGN and 30 patients with NS-CGN+NS. Protein and lipid disturbances, coagulation factors were estimated using routine laboratory methods. Platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and modal platelet volume (PLT-Mode) were measured using Technicon H1 hematological autoanalyser. Platelet function was assessed by aggregometry using turbidimetric method (inductors: ADP 1-3 microM, collagen 50g/ml, epinephrine 0.25-5 microM). Spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) was measured in platelet rich plasma (PRP) without inductors for 15 min, in 1-2 hours after venesection. SPA was observed in 9 of 30 patients with CGN and in 19 of 30 patients with CGN+NS. MPV and PLT Mode were significantly higher in patient showing SPA compared with those without. Significant correlations between SPA and the concentration of plasma albumin (r = -0,70; p < 0.02) TG and CH-LDL (r = 0,61; p < 0.05) were found in CGN+NS patients. APTT was significantly shorter in patients showing SPA compared with those without and negative significant correlation between SPA and APTT was found. Platelet aggregation to inductors in CGN and CGN+NS patients was diminished compared with control group. Lack of second phase aggregation in response to aggregation inducers was observed in patients with SPA. Conclusions. 1. Platelet hyperaggregation play an important role in hypercoagulation state in CGN patients. 2. SPA in vitro was observed in majority of CGN+NS patients and in some without NS. 3. Pathomechanism of SPA is probably multifactorial (hypoalbuminemia, dyslipidemia, changes in concentration of coagulation parameters).

Adult↗