PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “NEPHROSCLEROSIS”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

Raised blood urea in the elderly: a clinical and pathological study.

We have attempted to define a normal range for blood urea and creatinine for elderly inpatients and to determine the relative importance of pre-renal, renal and post-renal pathology in those with renal impairment. A total of 118 admissions to an acute geriatric unit and 67 separate post mortems in patients over 67 years of age were studied prospectively. Up to 123 items of data were coded and analysed including blood urea and creatinine, clinical or pathological changes associated with renal disease, clinical outcome and post mortem findings. We determined our own 'normal' hospital ranges for urea (1.4-13.2 mmol/l) and creatinine (48-141 mumol/l) from plasma values in 76 patients with no evidence of renal impairment, either on admission or in the past. Using these values 41% of post mortem cases and 25% of clinical admissions had a raised blood urea. Pre-renal conditions such as cardiac failure, dehydration and gastrointestinal haemorrhage, either alone or in combination, were present in 56% of these patients. Urea and creatinine values were substantially higher in patients who died in hospital as opposed to those who were discharged or transferred. Creatinine values were greater in those with intrinsic renal disease or post-renal obstruction as compared to patients with pre-renal causes of renal impairment. Patients with histological evidence of extensive glomerulosclerosis or nephrosclerosis had higher urea and creatinine levels than those with only minor ageing changes.

Aged↗

Pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass for patients with renal insufficiency.

Pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass has been shown to preserve renal function and could therefore have considerable clinical value in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with preoperative renal insufficiency, by protecting them from further postoperative renal deterioration. Our three-year experience with pulsatile bypass in 29 patients with a preoperative serum creatinine concentration over 1.7 mg/100 ml (mean 2.9, range 1.8-6.1 mg/100 ml) (greater than 150 mumol/l (mean 256, range 159-539 mumol/l] supports this premise. There were no renal deaths in the perioperative period and only two patients had irreversible postoperative deterioration in renal function; one died on day 3 of low-output syndrome and the other had rapidly progressive nephrosclerosis and died of that disease one year later. Postoperative oliguria occurred in the patient with low cardiac output and in only one other. This experience contrasts with our previous experience and that reported by others with non-pulsatile bypass in patients with renal insufficiency. We suggest that pulsatile bypass should be considered for cardiac surgery in patients with preoperative renal dysfunction.

Adult↗

Endoscopic renal evaluation and biopsy of Chelonia.

Sixty-nine tortoises, turtles and terrapins representing 28 species of the order Chelonia, class Reptilia were evaluated by endoscopy for renal disease. Under general anaesthesia, coelomic and/or extracoelomic endoscopic evaluations and biopsies of the kidney(s) were undertaken. Endoscopic approaches required a 2 to 4 mm skin incision in the prefemoral fossa, and minimal blunt dissection through the subcutaneous tissues. For the coelomic approach the coelomic aponeurosis of the transverse and oblique abdominal muscles was penetrated so that the cranioventral kidney(s) could be examined and biopsied. The extracoelomic approach required the endoscope to be advanced in a caudodorsal direction, between the coelomic aponeurosis and the broad iliacus muscle, so that the dorsolateral kidney(s) could be examined and biopsied. Both techniques were safe and effective for obtaining renal biopsies for histological examination and microbiological culture. Several renal pathologies were identified including glomerulonephrosis, tubulonephrosis, interstitial nephritis, uric acid accumulation, tubulonephritis, glomerulonephritis, renal oedema, glomerulosclerosis, nephrosclerosis, soft tissue mineralisation, and pyelonephritis. Several infectious conditions were identified, including a predominance of Gram-negative bacterial infections, two cases of hexamitiosis, and one case of mycobacteriosis.

Animal Diseases↗

Endothelin-1 in chronic renal failure and hypertension.

Investigation into the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in renal function has revealed two major direct actions leading to the control of extracellular volume and blood pressure. These are the regulation of renal hemodynamics and glomerular filtration rate and the modulation of sodium and water excretion. In the rat remnant kidney model of chronic renal failure, ET-1 production is increased in blood vessels and renal tissues. These changes are related to an increase in preproET-1 expression and correlate with the rise in blood pressure, the development of cardiovascular hypertrophy, and the degree of renal insufficiency and injury. Selective ETA receptor blockade prevents the progression of hypertension and the vascular and renal damage, supporting a role for ET-1 in chronic renal failure progression. The increase in ET-1 production can be associated with other local mediators, including angiotensin II, transforming growth factor-beta1 and nitric oxide, the local production of which is also altered in chronic renal failure. In human patients with essential hypertension, atherosclerosis, and nephrosclerosis, plasma ET-1 levels are increased compared with patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. Similarly, plasma ET-1 concentrations are markedly increased in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis, and this correlates with blood pressure, suggesting that ET-1 may contribute to hypertension in these patients. The treatment of anemia in patients with renal failure with human recombinant erythropoietin increases blood pressure by accentuating the underlying endothelial dysfunction and the elevated vascular ET-1 production. Overall, these results support a role for ET-1 in hypertension and the end-organ damage associated with chronic renal failure. ETA receptor blockade may then represent a potential target for the management of hypertension and cardiovascular and renal protection.

Animals↗

Adrenal-regeneration hypertension in Wistar-Furth rats.

The susceptibility of young virgin female Wistar-Furth (W/Fu) rats to adrenal-regeneration hypertension (ARH) was evaluated by comparing the blood pressure of adrenal-enucleated, mononephroadrenalectomized, salt-loaded rats with that of similarly treated rats having one intact adrenal over a period of 5 weeks. Hypertension began to appear in animals of the first group by the 3rd week, affected all of them by the 4th week, and increased in severity during the 5th week. Control rats remained normotensive during the study. Hypertensive rats developed marked enlargement of the heart and kidney, which frequently displaced myocardial scarring and nephrosclerosis, respectively. These studies do not support the contention that W/Fu rats display heightened resistance to ARH to which, in fact, they appear to be just as susceptible as are most other strains.

Adrenal Glands↗

Gelfoam embolization of the kidneys for treatment of malignant hypertension.

Some chronic renal failure patients maintained on dialysis have uncontrollable hypertension. Those with elevated renin levels require bilateral nephrectomies prior to kidney transplant to avoid nephrosclerosis. The morbidity and mortality from surgical nephrectomies are high. In 2 such patients we embolized the renal arteries with gelfoam and successfully occluded all the major vessels. One patient became normotensive. The second remained hypertensive and had increased renin levels, probably on the basis of ischemia. Subsequent surgical nephrectomies demonstrated completely occluded segmental branches but only focal areas of infarction. Collateral blood supply determines the success of the procedure.

Adult↗

Renal vein renin sampling in essential hypertension using hydralazine and the tourniquet test.

The results of renal vein renin sampling were assessed in 40 patients who had uncomplicated essential hypertension. All had normal creatinine clearance, intravenous pyelography, and arteriography. During sampling, renin release was stimulated in 29 patients with intravenous hydralazine and in 11 with the tourniquet blood trapping test. Simultaneous sequential renal vein samples were drawn over a 30-minute period. Positive renal vein renin ratios (greater than or equal to 1.5) were seen in 52% of the hydralazine group at 0 minutes and in 69% post-hydralazine. In the tourniquet group, 27% had a positive ratio at 0 minutes as compared with 64% post-tourniquets. A significant difference was found in renal vein plasma renin activity between the two kidneys (p greater than or equal to .0001). The asymmetry of renal vein renin activity and the large renal vein renin ratios in these two groups suggest the presence of true differences in renin secretion. These differences may be due to focal nephrosclerosis. The therapeutic significance of a positive renal vein renin ratio in the hypertensive patient should be determined in conjunction with arteriography.

Blood Volume↗

Estrogen promotes microvascular pathology in female stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Estrogen produces both beneficial and adverse effects on cardiovascular health via mechanisms that remain unclear. Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) maintained on Stroke-Prone Rodent Diet and 1% NaCl drinking water (starting at 8 wk of age) rapidly develop stroke and malignant nephrosclerosis that can be prevented, despite continued hypertension, by drugs targeting angiotensin II and aldosterone actions. This study evaluated estrogen's effects in the SHRSP model. Female SHRSP that were sham operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX) at 4 wk of age, or OVX and treated with estradiol benzoate (E2,30 microg x kg-1 x wk-1) were studied. In a survival protocol, OVX rats lived significantly longer (15.1 +/- 0.3 wk) compared with SHAM (13.6 +/- 0.2 wk) or OVX+E2 rats (12.4 +/- 0.2 wk). In a protocol in which animals were matched for age, at 11.5 wk, terminal systolic blood pressure and urine protein excretion were elevated in SHAM and OVX+E2 rats compared with OVX rats; blood urea nitrogen, renal microvascular and glomerular lesions, and plasma renin concentration were elevated in OVX+E2 relative to SHAM or OVX rats. In a survival protocol using intact female SHRSP, treatment with an antiestrogen (tamoxifen, 7 mg.kg-1.wk-1) prolonged survival by >2 wk compared with controls (P < 0.01). The data indicate that estrogen promotes microangiopathy in the kidney and stroke in saline-drinking SHRSP.

Angiotensin I↗

Effects of saline drinking on malignant course of renal hypertension in rats.

In rats with unilateral renal artery stenosis and an intact contralateral kidney, a malignant course of hypertension (MH) may develop, which is characterized by 1) high BP levels, 2) sodium and water loss and a polyuric-polydipsic syndrome, 3) marked activation of the renin-angiotensin system, 4) malignant nephrosclerosis in the contralateral kidney and high plasma urea concentrations, and 5) deterioration of the animals' general condition. (Some rats exhibit signs of a cerebral vascular crisis; some rats die). When such rats are offered in addition to water 0.9% NaCl, they compulsively drink the saline, BP falls for some days to levels found in the other hypertensive animals, and signs of MH nearly or completely disappear. It is concluded that high saline intake has, for a limited period, a beneficial effect on the malignant course of renal hypertension in rats. The observations made are consistent with the hypothesis that salt and water loss, which ensue subsequent to an increase of BP into a critical high range might trigger the onset of malignant hypertension.

Angiotensin II↗

The interrelationship between TGF-beta1 and nitric oxide is altered in salt-sensitive hypertension.

The study of salt-sensitive hypertension has been facilitated by development of genetic models, especially the Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive (S) rat. S rats rapidly become hypertensive after initiation of a diet containing 8.0% NaCl and subsequently develop arteriolonephrosclerosis and renal failure, whereas the salt-resistant (R) strain remains normotensive on the same diet. The purpose of the present study was to use these strains to demonstrate the interactions between transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and nitric oxide (NO). Young, male S and R rats were fed for 4 days diets that contained either 0.3 or 8.0% NaCl. An increase in dietary salt increased kinase activities of both p38 MAPK and p42/44 MAPK in cytoplasmic extracts from aortic rings and isolated glomeruli from both strains. Inhibition of either pathway with PD-098059 or SB-203580 decreased production of TGF-beta1 and nitrate plus nitrite (NOx). In both strains, production of active TGF-beta1 and NOx linearly correlated. Incubation of aortic rings and isolated glomeruli with the NO donor NOR3 decreased TGF-beta1 levels, whereas the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester increased production. The inhibitory effect of NO on production of TGF-beta1 was reduced in preparations from S rats. Although a close interrelationship existed between TGF-beta1 and NO in both strains, production of TGF-beta1 was increased in prehypertensive S rats and was further exaggerated with the increase in dietary salt intake. Augmented vascular and glomerular production of TGF-beta1 and diminished NO may contribute to the development of hypertensive nephrosclerosis in S rats.

Animals↗

Proteinuria and renal tubular damage: urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and isoenzymes in dissimilar renal disease.

Markers of renal tubular injury are difficult to interpret in patients with proteinura. The 24-hour urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) concentration was measured in 167 patients with dissimilar renal disease, function, and proteinuria. NAG isoenzymes were also separated in 69 patients, using a modified fast protein liquid chromatography technique. The 'A2' isoenzyme predominated at all levels of renal function and in all diagnostic groups. Urinary NAG and proteinuria were well correlated at all levels of renal function, as was NAG 'A2' isoenzyme. Proteinuria and urinary NAG were similarly correlated in patients with different glomerulonephritides, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and chronic pyelonephritis, but not in those with diabetic nephropathy.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Is post-dialysis urea rebound significant with long slow hemodialysis?

BACKGROUND: According to previous studies, postdialysis urea rebound (PDUR) is achieved within 30-90 min, leading to an overestimation of Kt/V of between 15 and 40% in 3- to 5-hour dialysis. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of PDUR on the urea reduction ratio (URR), Kt/V and normal protein catabolic rate (nPCR) with long 8-hour slow hemodialysis. METHODS: This study was performed in 18 patients (13 males/5 females), 62.5 +/- 11.7 years of age, hemodialyzed for 3-265 months. Initial nephropathies were: 3 diabetes; 2 polycystic kidney disease; 3 interstitial nephritis; 2 nephrosclerosis; 3 chronic glomerulonephritis, and 5 undetermined. Residual renal function was negligible. The dialysis sessions were performed using 1- to 1.8-m2 cellulosic dialyzers during 8 h, 3 times a week. Blood flow was 220 ml/min, dialysate flow 500 ml/min, acetate or bicarbonate buffer was used. Serial measurements of the urea concentration were obtained before dialysis, immediately after dialysis (low flow at t = 0), and at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90 and 120 min, and before the next session. The low-flow method was used to evaluate the access recirculation, second-generation Daugirdas formulas for Kt/V, and Watson formulas for total body water volume estimation. The difference between the expected urea generation (UG) and urea measured after dialysis (global PDUR) defines net PDUR (n-PDUR). RESULTS: The n-PDUR usually became stable after 58 +/- 25 (30-90) min. Its mean value was 17 +/- 10% of the 30-second low-flow postdialysis urea (3.9 +/- 2 mmol/l). This small postdialysis urea value and the importance of UG in comparison with shorter dialysis justify the use of n-PDUR. Ignoring n-PDUR would lead to a significant 4% overestimation (p < 0.001) of the URR (79 +/- 7 vs. 76 +/- 8%), 12% of Kt/V (1.9 +/- 0.4 to 1.7 +/- 0.38) and 4% of the nPCR (1.1 +/- 0.3 to 1.05 +/- 0.3). n-PDUR correlated negatively with postdialysis urea (r = 0.45 p = 0.05), positively with URR (r = 0.31 p = 0.01) and Kt/V (r = 0.3 p = 0.03) but not with K, and negatively with the urea distribution volume (r = 0.33 p = 0.05). Mean total recirculation, ultrafiltration rate, predialysis urea levels and urea clearance did not correlate with n-PDUR. CONCLUSION: We found a significant PDUR in long-slow hemodialysis after a mean of 1 h after dialysis. This PDUR has a less important impact upon dialysis delivery estimation than short 3- to 5-hour hemodialysis, especially for the lower Kt/V or URR ranges. This is explained by the low-flux, high-efficiency, and long-term dialysis. Its inter-individual variability incites us to calculate PDUR on an individual basis.

Aged↗

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulates transforming growth factor-beta1 synthesis by mouse renal proximal tubular cells.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2 D3] is a secosteroid hormone with effects on cell growth, differentiation and immunoregulatory functions in a number of tissues not primarily involved in mineral metabolism. We recently demonstrated growth-regulating effects of 1, 25-(OH)2 D3 on human mesangial cells and proximal tubular cells. To investigate whether 1,25-(OH)2 D3 might also affect the synthesis of cytokines and growth factors in proximal tubular cells, we assessed in the present study the expression and secretion of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in a mouse proximal tubular cell line (MCT) in vitro. TGF-beta1 synthesis was measured by a monospecific ELISA in culture supernatant. The secreted TGF-beta1 was proven to be biologically active by means of a bioassay system (CCL-64 mink lung epithelial cell proliferation assay). TGF-beta1 gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR. To analyze whether TGF-beta1 expression mediates the 1,25-(OH)2 D3-induced antiproliferative actions in MCT, proliferation studies in the absence or presence of a blocking monoclonal anti TGF-beta1-3 antibody were performed. 1, 25-(OH)2 D3 (10(-11) to 10(-7) M) specifically increased the TGF-beta1 protein secretion in MCT with a maximum at 10(-8) M. No detectable effect was found with 25 D3 at 10 times higher concentrations. A synthetic 20-epi analogue, MC 1288, increased TGF-beta1 secretion up to similar amounts at equimolar concentrations as the natural hormone 1,25-(OH)2 D3. Steady-state TGF-beta1 mRNA concentration in MCT was transiently increased by 1, 25-(OH)2 D3 between 12 and 24 h, returning to control values at 48 h. Blocking TGF-beta1 did not reduce or abrogate the antiproliferative effect of 1,25-(OH)2 D3. In conclusion, 1,25-(OH)2 D3 stimulates TGF-beta1 expression in renal proximal tubular cells, a growth factor with anti-inflammatory and profibrotic actions which plays an important role in the development and progression of nephrosclerosis.

Animals↗

Short- and long-term effects of fish oil on proteinuria, morphology and renal hemodynamics in the Milan normotensive rat model of spontaneous glomerulosclerosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A diet rich in polyunsaturated Omega3 fatty acids has been shown to modulate the course of several experimental models of renal disease. The short- and long-term effects of an 8% fish oil (FO) chow on proteinuria, renal blood flow and glomerular morphology were evaluated in Milan normotensive rats that spontaneously develop progressive glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Eight rats each were pairfed FO- versus cholesterol-enriched or control diets for either 2 or 32 weeks. 4/48 animals died (2-week trial: 1 rat on the FO and 1 rat on the control diet; 32-week trial: 1 rat on the cholesterol and 1 rat on the control diet) and were excluded from all statistic analyses. RESULTS: After 2 weeks the renal blood flows were higher in the FO animals versus controls (8.75+/-2.19 vs. 6.87+/-1.91 ml/min/g, p<0.05), and the prostaglandin E2/thromboxane B2 ratio shifted towards the vasodilatative prostaglandin E2 (1. 76+/-0.18 vs. 0.91+/-0.19, p<0.05). During the long-term trial proteinuria in the FO animals progressed faster and to a higher level (176.5+/-32.2 vs. 82.7+/-36.7 mg/24 h at week 32, p<0.01). After 32 weeks the renal blood flow was significantly lower in th FO group 2.8+/-1.1 vs. 4.6+/-1.9 ml/min/g, (p<0.05), and the rats had an accelerated development of nephrosclerosis, with sclerotic lesions in 60.3+/-6.6% of the glomeruli as compared with 46.5+/-9.8% in the cholesterol and 39.8+/-5.9 in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The short-time effects of FO on renal hemodynamics did not alleviate the progress of renal damage in Milan normotensive rats, but the morphologic and functional signs of injury were rather pronounced with FO feeding.

Animals↗

Renoprotective effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists in experimental chronic renal failure.

We compared the antihypertensive and renoprotective effects of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan and the calcium channel blocker verapamil in the rat with chronic renal failure. One month after five-sixths nephrectomy, male WKY rats were treated for 2 months with either losartan or verapamil. Both resulted in a similar reduction in blood pressure: from 147.1 to 112 mm Hg in losartan-treated and from 155 to 118 mm Hg (p = NS) in verapamil-treated rats. Losartan improved the creatinine clearance (difference + 17.1% as compared with + 6.6% for verapamil, p = 0.039) and prevented the increase in proteinuria: 12.26 +/- (SE) 2.33 mg/day before and 18.48 +/- 2.19 mg/day (p = NS) after therapy in the losartan-treated and 17.27 +/- 2.73 mg/day before and 32.27 +/- 10.29 mg/day after therapy (p = 0.0484) in the verapamil-treated group. In addition, losartan resulted in minimal mesangial proliferation and significantly less glomerular sclerosis and thickening of the small arterial and arteriolar walls. The changes in interstitial fibrosis and tubular hypertrophy, however, were similar in both the verapamil- and losartan-treated groups. Treatment with losartan 1 month after five-sixths nephrectomy in male WKY rats resulted in reduced blood pressure, similar to that of the verapamil-treated group. However, despite similar antihypertensive properties, losartan improved creatinine clearance and reduced proteinuria. The losartan-treated group also had a marked reduction in mesangial proliferation and less glomerular sclerosis and less reduced vascular wall thickness in renal small arteries and arterioles. However, losartan did not totally eliminate nephrosclerosis. The tubular and interstitial changes were fewer in the losartan-treated group. Thus losartan has an additional, although only partial, renoprotective effect when compared with verapamil.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Changes in renal resistive index and urinary albumin excretion in hypertensive patients under long-term treatment with lisinopril or nifedipine GITS.

INTRODUCTION: Increased renal vascular resistance and microalbuminuria are associated with hypertensive target organ damage and may be predictors of hypertensive nephrosclerosis. AIM: We investigated changes in renal resistive index (RI) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in a group of patients with primary hypertension before and during long-term antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were randomized to receive antihypertensive treatment with either a calcium channel blocker (nifedipine GITS, up to 90 mg/day, n = 16) or an ACE inhibitor (lisinopril, up to 20 mg/day, n = 16), alone or in association with a diuretic (chlortalidone, 25 mg/day). Blood pressure, renal resistive index (by US Doppler) and UAE (mean of three nonconsecutive timed urinary collections, microg/min) were evaluated at baseline and over the course of 24 months of treatment. RESULTS: Both regimens effectively lowered blood pressure (mean blood pressure from 123 +/- 1.8 at baseline to 103 +/- 1.5 mm Hg at 24 months in the lisinopril group and from 122 +/- 1.9 at baseline to 104 +/- 0.8 at 24 months in the nifedipine group, p < 0.001 for both groups). Overall, blood pressure decrease was associated with a reduction in UAE and no change in RI throughout the study. However, despite similar blood pressure reduction, the two regimens showed different specific effects. Lisinopril was associated with a significant decrease in both UAE (33.8 +/- 16.2 at baseline and 9.1 +/- 2.1 at 24 months, p < 0.01) and renal RI (0.61 +/- 0.02 at baseline and 0.56 +/- 0.04 at 24 months, p < 0.05) while nifedipine GITS did not significantly influence UAE (35.7 +/- 12.2 at baseline and 31.2 +/- 12.1 at 24 months, n.s.) or RI (0.61 +/- 0.01 at baseline and 0.59 +/- 0.02 at 24 months, n.s.). CONCLUSION: Effective blood pressure control over a long period of time reduces the severity of organ damage, namely UAE while maintaining renovascular resistance in patients with essential hypertension. Different classes of antihypertensive agents might convey additional specific renal protection beyond blood pressure control. These data could be useful in devising individualized therapeutic strategies in hypertensive patients at increased renal risk.

Adult↗

Transjugular renal biopsy. Our experience with 67 cases.

BACKGROUND: Transjugular renal biopsy (TJRB) is still a novel technique of renal tissue sampling exploiting the transjugular route. TJRB should be performed particularly in situations when the percutaneous route is precluded, i.e. especially in patients with clotting disorders. In the past, only a few papers reported the experience with larger numbers of patients. The goal of this paper is to analyze our experience with TJRB. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1993 to 1999, 67 patients, mean age 49.8 years (SD +/- 10.2), male/female ratio 40/27, underwent TJRB. Fifty-two patients (78%) suffered from renal insufficiency and 19 of them (28%) were on dialysis treatment at the time of TJRB. Arterial hypertension was recorded in 42%. The combined kidney and liver biopsy (46%) and clotting disorders (39%) were the most frequent indications for performing TJRB. Renal tissue was yielded in 53 patients (79%) but a sample sufficient for histological diagnosis was taken in 49 (73%), reaching on average 10.8 glomeruli. Altogether 19 different histological entities were disclosed and out of them, vascular nephrosclerosis (12%), necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and amyloidosis (three latter per 10%) represented the most frequent diagnoses. TJRB was combined with liver biopsy in 31 patients (46%) and/or hepatic vein catheterization in 22 patients (33%) confirming portal hypertension in 8. The clinically significant liver histology was found in 20 patients, of them cirrhosis/fibrosis in 8, chronic hepatitis in 4 and steatosis in 5. Among those 20 patients, IgAN was disclosed as the most common renal diagnosis (6). Clinically symptomatic complications were recorded in 12 cases (18%) but 9 of them suffered from clotting disorders. Complications included development of subcapsular hematoma in 6 cases, macroscopic hematuria in 4 cases, and hypovolemic hemorrhagic shock in 2. One patient had to undergo surgical treatment. Dividing the patients into a subgroup with or without clotting disorders, the complication rate was 34 vs. 7%. CONCLUSIONS: TJRB is a new diagnostic method, which, looking at its indications, facilitates the diagnosis of glomerulopathies in patients who could not be considered for percutaneous renal biopsy, particularly due to clotting disorders. The technical aspect of this procedure plays a fundamental role in the final risk/benefit ratio but if done correctly it involves acceptable risk and is well tolerated.

Adult↗

Expression of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain B (SMemb) in rat allogeneic kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Investigators have reported that the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain B (SMemb) expression is enhanced in various types of glomerular diseases which develop into nephrosclerosis. In renal transplantation, transplant glomerulitis is often recognized during acute rejection. Therefore, we hypothesized that SMemb plays important roles in acute kidney rejection. To evaluate the role of SMemb in the development of kidney rejection, we examined its expression in rat kidney transplantation models. METHODS: We used Lewis rats as recipients and Wistar rats as donors. Group I: controls; group II: isograft model; group III: allograft model; group IV: as group III +10 mg/kg/day of ciclosporin A (CsA), and group V: as group III + CsA administration for 5 days postoperatively. Histopathological and SMemb immunohistochemical studies were completed. RESULTS: Clear enhancement of SMemb expression was found on day 3 in group III. In groups I, II, IV, and V, SMemb was faintly expressed in the glomerular cells. However, after termination of CsA treatment, the SMemb expression increased. The expression of SMemb was higher in the allograft model than in either isograft or CsA-treated models. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistological investigations show that the SMemb expression was significant from an early stage at which histopathological reactions were hardly identifiable. This, therefore, could be useful for an earlier diagnosis of acute rejection.

Acute Disease↗