Association between ambulatory arterial stiffness index and poor prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate the association between ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and renal poor prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:A prospective study was conducted to enroll 117 non-dialysis patients with CKD who volunteered for receiving ambulatory blood pressure monitoring test from December 2017 to December 2018 in the Department of Nephropathy of the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital. According to the AASI tertiles, patients were divided into low AASI group (≤0.414, n=38), medium AASI group (0.414-0.517, n=40), and high AASI group (≥0.517, n=39). The differences of clinical baseline information among the three groups were compared. The follow-up time was until August 2020. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to explore the effect of AASI on renal poor prognosis. Results:The median age of 117 patients was 61(49, 65) years old. There were 80 males (68.4%) and patients with hypertension accounted for 77.8%(91 cases). After a median follow-up of 27 months, 34 cases had composite endpoint events [renal replacement therapy (dialysis or kidney transplantation), 40% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, and death], of which 10 patients were on dialysis, 19 patients had 40% eGFR decline, and 5 patients died. There were significant differences in age, hemoglobin, body mass index, eGFR, 24 h systolic blood pressure (SBP), daytime SBP, nighttime SBP, morning SBP, 24 h mean arterial pressure and 24 h pulse pressure among the three groups (all P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that higher AASI was associated with lower cumulative survival rate in patients (Log-rank test χ2=13.111, P=0.001). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that high AASI was an influencing factor for renal endpoint events ( P<0.05), and after adjusting for age, gender, mean arterial pressure, eGFR, 24 h urine protein, diabetes and body mass index, high AASI was an independent influencing factor for renal poor prognosis in classification and continuous variable analysis models ( HR=2.88, 95% CI 1.00-8.26, P=0.050; HR=1.50, 95% CI 1.02-2.21, P=0.039). Conclusion:High AASI is an independent influencing factor for renal poor prognosis in CKD patients.

Netrin-1 works with UNC5B to regulate angiogenesis in diabetic kidney disease / 医学前沿

Netrin-1, an axon guidance factor, and its receptor UNC5B play important roles in axonal development and angiogenesis. This study examined netrin-1 and UNC5B expression in kidneys with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and investigated their roles in angiogenesis. Netrin-1 and UNC5B were upregulated in streptozotocininduced DKD Wistar rats, and their expression was compared with that in healthy controls. However, exogenous netrin-1 in UNC5B-depleted human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) inhibited cell migration and tubulogenesis. This effect was likely associated with SRC pathway deactivation. Netrin-1 treatment also eliminated the pro-angiogenic effects of exogenous VEGF-165 on UNC5B-silenced HRGECs. These results indicate that UNC5B antagonizes netrin-1 and that UNC5B upregulation contributes partly to enhancing angiogenesis in DKD. Therefore, introducing exogenous netrin-1 and depleting endogenous UNC5B are potential strategies for reducing the incidence of early angiogenesis and mitigating kidney injury in DKD.

Comparative analysis of membranous and other nephropathy subtypes and establishment of a diagnostic model / 医学前沿

This study aimed to compare clinical features between membranous nephropathy (MN) and nonmembranous nephropathy (non-MN), to explore the clinically differential diagnosis of these two types, and to establish a diagnostic model of MN. After renal biopsy was obtained, 798 patients were divided into two groups based on their examination results: primary MN group (n = 248) and non-MN group (n = 550). Their data were statistically analyzed. Logistic regression analysis indicated that anti-PLA2R antibodies, IgG, and Cr were independently correlated with MN, and these three parameters were then used to establish the MN diagnostic model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve confirmed that our diagnostic model could distinguish between patients with and without MN, and their corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 79.9%, 89.4%, and 0.917, respectively. The cutoff value for this combination in MN diagnosis was 0.34. The established diagnostic model that combined multiple factors shows a potential for broad clinical applications in differentiating primary MN from other kidney diseases and provides reliable evidence supporting the feasibility of noninvasive diagnosis of kidney diseases.

Analysis of pathological data of renal biopsy at one single center in China from 1987 to 2012 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In China, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease has increased significantly. Many studies shows that the spectrum of kidney disease had changed in recent years. We retrospectively analyzed the pathological types of renal biopsy and its spectrum change at the General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from December 1987 to December 2012, in order to offer new supporting evidences for further specifying the distribution of renal pathological types in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the "Revised Protocol for the Histological Typing of Glomerulopathy" (WHO, 1995), pathological diagnosis of renal biopsy was classified, detection rate of each pathological type was summarized (i.e., percentage of total renal biopsy cases), study period was divided at an interval of 5 years, and age-stratified distribution change of main pathological types was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proportion of pathological types in 11 618 cases of renal biopsy was as follows: primary glomerulonephritis (PGN, 70.7%), secondary glomerulonephritis (SGN, 20.7%), tubular-interstitial nephropathy (4.0%), hereditary/rare nephropathy (0.3%), end-stage renal disease (0.9%), and unclassified renal disease (3.3%). Among PGN, there was IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 37.0%), membranous nephropathy (MN, 11.8%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN, 8.9%), minimal change disease (MCD, 6.6%), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (3.9%). Among SGN there was lupus nephritis (LN, 5.5%), Henoch-Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis (5.3%), hepatitis B virus-associated nephritis (HBVAN, 3.03%), diabetic nephropathy (2.2%), and hypertension/malignant hypertension-associated renal damage (1.9%). Pathological data were analyzed from 1987-1992 to 2008-2012 (after age adjustment). Detection rate of IgAN tended to rise (P < 0.001). Detection rates of MN and MCD rose significantly (P < 0.001), but detection rate of MsPGN dropped significantly (P < 0.001). Among SGN, detection rate of HBVAN tended to drop (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In China, PGN was the most common glomerulopathy (mostly IgAN), LN was the most common SGN, and detection rate of MN and MCD rose significantly.</p>

Effects of TIMP-1 on PTEN expression on renal tubular epithelial cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in regulating both angiogenesis and the expressions of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/Flk-1 expression in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HKC cells were transfected with two recombinant plasmids containing sense and antisense full-length TIMP-1 cDNA (TIMP-1S-pcDNA3.0 and TIMP-1AS-pcDNA3.0, respectively) constructed previously, or treated with 100 µmol/L MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor III (with similar cellular enzyme suppression activity with sense TIMP-1 plasmid). The mRNA expression of TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, PTEN, VEGF and Flk-1 were examined by RT-PCR. In each group, the expression of PTEN, VEGF and Flk-1 were also detected using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with non-transfected cells and cells transfected with the empty vector, sense TIMP-1-transfected cells showed obviously upregulated PTEN expression (P<0.05) and significantly lowered gelatinase activity (P<0.05) and VEGF and Flk-1 expressions (P<0.05). Transfection with the antisense TIMP-1 plasmid produced the reverse results (P<0.05). MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor III did not obviously affected the expression of PTEN, VEGF or Flk-1 as compared with the non-transfected or empty vector-transfected cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the aging progress, the renal tissues express high levels of TIMP-1 to upregulate PTEN expression via a MMP-independent pathway, and subsequently down-regulates the expression of VEGF and Flk-1 to cause aging-related impairment of renal angiogenesis. These findings provide new evidence for understanding the role of TIMP-1 in renal aging.</p>

Effect of rapamycin on the proliferation and apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of different concentrations of rapamycin on the proliferation and apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and to investigate the mechanism. Methods GMCs were treated with different concentrations of rapamycin(1 μg/L,2 μg/L,4 μg/L,8 μg/L,16 μg/L).After treatment for 24 h,48 h and 72 h,cell proliferation was assessed bv MTT colorimetric assay and the growth curve was traced.After treatment for 72 h,the cell cycle distribution and the apoptotic rate of GMCs in different concentrations of rapamycin were analyzed bv flow cytometry.The effects of different concentrations of rapamycin on the mRNA and protein expression of p27 and p53 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectivelyResult The low dose of rapamycin(1 μ/L)could signiticanfly inhibit the proliferation of GMCs and showed no effect on apoptosis.The high dose of rapamycin (8-16 μg/L)could significantly increase the apoptotic rate of GMCs.Rapamycin could increase the mRNA and protein expression of p27 and p53. Conclusion Rapamycin can inhibit GMCs proliferation and promote GMCs apoptosis by increasing the expression of p27 and p53.

Study on the changes of mammalian target of rapamycin with aging in rat kidneys / 中华老年医学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in mammalian target of rapamyein (mTOR) with aging in rat kidneys.MethodsMale Wistar rats at the ages of 3, 12, 24 months were used for this study. Therenaltissuesandmesangialcellswereprocessedfor senescenceassociated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The expression and location of roTOR in kidneys and mesangial cells were studied by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of the roTOR and p-roTOR were detected by Western blot assay and RT-PCR,respectively.ResultsThe expression of neutral β-galactosidase activity was increased in kidneys and mesangial cells with advancing age. Percentages of SA-β-gal staining positive ceils were (11.9±3.6)% versus ( 39.0±4.0)% versus ( 86.9±7.4) % in young, middle and aging glomerular mesangial cells (P<0.05). The mTOR staining appeared in the mesangial matrix and interstitium in kidneys, while the mTOR protein showed localization in cytoplasm and nucleus in mesangial cells. The staining intensity of mTOR in kidneys and mesangial cells in aged rats was markedly increased as compared to that in young and middle aged rats (P<0.05). The mRNA level of roTOR was significantly increased in kidneys and mesangial cells of agedrats versus young and middle aged rats,meanwhile, the roTOR and p-mTOR protein expressions were dramatically increased with advancing age (P<0.05 ).ConclusionsmTOR expression is increased with aging, which may play an important role in the aging process of kidneys.

Clinicopathological features of IgA nephropathy associated with malignant hypertension and their correlation to renal vascular lesions / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To explore the clinicopathological features of IgA nephrolpathy associated with malignant hypertension (IgAN-MHT) and to analyze their correlation with renal vascular lesions. Methods Twenty-nine patients of IgAN-MHT were screened from 2000 biopsy-proven eases with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in our department from April 1997 to May 2007. Data of clinicopathology and follow-up of these 29 patients were collected. Semi- quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the pathological changes. Inner lumen, outer lumen, intimal thickness, tunica media-to-internal lumen ratio of 436 arterioles, 124 interlobular arteries and 5 arcuate arteries were measured. The primary endpeint was the composite of a doubling of serum creatinine level and ESRD. Correlations of renal vascular lesions with clinical manifestation, pathological change and prognosis were examined by Spearman and Cox methods. Results 1.5% of all the IgAN patients presented malignant hypertension. The common clinical features were renal failure (100%), hyperurieacidemia (62.7%) and hypertriglyceridemia (51.7%). The average amount of urine protein excretion was 2.8 g/d. The common pathological changes were moderate mesangial proliferation, severe global sclerosis, severe interstitial inflammation and severe interstitial- tubular fibrosis. The small arteries (arcuate arteries and interlobular arteries) and arterioles (afferent arterioles) were both involved in IgAN-MHT. The characteristic lesions of intrarenal arteries included vascular occlusion, media thickening, proliferative endarteritis (onionskin lesion, musculomucoid intimal hyperplasia), hyaline arteriosclerosis, but mainly vascular occlusion (86.2%). The arteriole lesion was negatively correlated with age and total protein level; vascular occlusion was positively correlated with uric acid level. The average foUow-up period was 21.1 months. Forteen patients reached the endpoint. The arteriole lesion was the main independent risk factor for the progression of IgAN-MHT (RR=10.21, 95%CI=1.16～89.67). Conclusions The main clinical feature of IgAN-MHT is renal failure. The main histological feature of intrarenal vascular lesions is occludes arterioles. Arteriole lesion is the main independent risk factor for the progression of IgAN-MHT.

Aging changes of gelatinase activity in kidney tissue of autoimmune MRL/lpr mice / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine whether increased expressions of gelatinases occur with aging in vivo in kidney tissue of autoimmune MRL/lpr mice by in situ zymography.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MRL/lpr mice at the age of 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 24 weeks were investigated. Kidney protein extracts were compared for activities of MMP-2/9 by gelatin zymography. Immunohistochemistry and SDS-PAGE gelatin zymography were used to determine the expressions and activities of gelatinase A (MMP-2) and gelatinase B (MMP-9). To determine the net gelatinase activities in murine lupus kidney, in situ zymography was used with autoradiographic emulsion as substrate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both gelatinase A and B were seldom detected in the kidney tissue in 8 week old mice, Increased expressions of both latent and activated form enzymes of MMP-2/9 were identified in kidney extraction by SDS-PAGE gelatin zymography and immunohistochemical staining showed both MMP-2 and MMP-9 were obviously up-regulated within glomerulus as well as tubular-interstitium in mice at the age of 16 and 24 weeks. In situ zymography showed markedly increased gelatinase activities in kidney tissue consistent with the results of immunohistochemical staining, it is mainly derived from MMPs and inhibited by EDTA but not by PMSF or aprotinin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These in vivo results suggested that MMP-2/-9 expressions were significantly up-regulated with aging in murine lupus nephritis, which may play an important role in promoting the remodeling formation of ECM and thus contribute to the progression of renal damage in this model.</p>

THROMBIN ACTIVATION AND FIBRIN DEPOSITION IN MURINE LUPUS NEPHRITIS:INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF "SHENLE / 解放军医学杂志

To determine thrombin activation and fibrin deposition in the development of lupus nephritis in MRL lpr/lpr mice and the inhibitory effects of "shenle". "Shenle" (4g/(kg?d) orally) was administered daily to MRL lpr/lpr mice at the age of 8 weeks. After treatment for 20 weeks, we compared thrombin receptor (Protease Activated Receptor-1, PAR-1) expression with immunohistochemistry and fibrin deposition with MSB(Martius-Scarlet-Blue)staining in renal sections. PAR-1 mRNA expression was analyzed with RT-PCR method in the two groups. With the development of murine lupus nephritis, we observed an increase in thrombin receptor mRNA and severe fibrin deposition in renal tissue in the control group, while thrombin receptor protein expression was strikingly downregulated, suggesting its continuous activation and degradation. "Shenle" inhibited PAR-1 activation significantly and it was correlated with reduced fibrin deposition. These results suggested that thrombin activation may play an important role in the development of glomerulonephritis in MRL-lpr mice. "Shenle" ameliorated the murine renal lesions probably by inhibiting thrombin receptor activation and fibrin deposition.

EFFECTS OF " SHENLE" ON THE EXPRESSIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF GELATINASE A AND B IN AUTOIMMUNE MRL/lpr MICE / 解放军医学杂志

To determine whether increased expressions of gelatinase A(MMP-2) and gelatinase B(MMP-9) occur in vivo in autoimmune MRL/lpr mice model and to investigate the modulation effects of "shenle." Shenle (4g?kg -1 ?d -1 ,orally) or methylprednisolone(MPS,25mg?kg -1 ?d -1 ,ip)was administered daily to MRL/lpr mice at the age of 8 weeks. The activities of MMP-2/9 by gelatin zymography were compared in kidney protein extracts and urine. After treatment for 20 weeks, a progressive reduction in positive proteinuria number/total mice (40% vs.33 3% vs.80%, proteinuria over 300 mg/dl as positive) and an elevated survival rate (70% vs.80% vs. 50%) were found in "shenle" and MPS groups compared with the control group. Histological analysis of kidney tissues indicated that both "shenle" and MPS could inhibit the mesangial proliferation and renal sclerosis. Using SDS-PAGE gelatin zymography, we have identified increased expressions of both latent and activated form enzymes of MMP-2/9 in urine and kidney extraction. Immunohistochemical staining showed both MMP-2 and MMP-9 were obviously up-regulated within glomerulus in control group. "Shenle" as well as MPS suppressed the expression of both latent and activated form of MMP-2/9. These in vivo results suggested that MMP-2/9 expressions might play an important role in murine lupus nephritis. "Shenle" delayed the development of glomerulonephritis and improved survival in MRL/lpr mice probably by suppressing the expressions and activities of MMP-2/9.

Complications of chronic kidney disease:current management and challenge / 中国实用内科杂志

Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is increasingly recognized as a global public health problem.Uncontrolled complications of CKD,especially cardiovascular diseases,contribute greatly to the premature death and unfavorable prognosis.Recent evidence shows that CKD complications may occur earlier than previously thought.CKD complications deserve early detection and active treatment.Periodical follow-up and regular check should be done to adjust the therapeutic condition.Clinical practice guideline or recommendation based on evidence-based medicine is essential for management of CKD complications.Personalized treatment should be considered to improve survival and quality of life,and to make patient return to society.

Influence of inhibiting the expression of integerin-linked kinase on the expression of connexin 43 in rat mesangial cells / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of the expression of integerin-linked kinase (ILK) on connexin 43 (Cx 43) in rat mesangial cells (RMCs). Methods RMCs were divided into three different groups (6 for each group): RMC group, ILK-con siRNA group and ILK-siRNA group. ILK siRNA was synthesized, and then transfected into RMCs by LipofectAMIN 2000. RMCs were transiently transfected with ILK-con siRNA, ILK-siRNA and lysed 24h later, and mRNA was then extracted and detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis using ILK and Cx43-specific primers, and an aliquot of protein from each sample was subjected to western blot analysis using ILK and Cx43 antibodies. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (2?103 cells/well) and then transfected with ILK-con siRNA and ILK-siRNA. After incubation for 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively, 20?l of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) (5mg/ml) was added into each well and incubated for 4 hours. Subsequently, 150?l of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added to each well to dissolve the formazan crystals, and the absorption at 492nm was measured. Results ILK mRNA and protein levels decreased by 30%-50% after being transiently transfected with ILK-siRNA, while Cx 43 mRNA and protein levels increased by 30%-40% and 60%-70%, respectively. The viabilities in ILK-siRNA infected RMCs at 24, 48 and 72 hours were significantly higher than that in ILK-con siRNA infected RMCs. Conclusion Inhibition of ILK pathway will up-regulate the expression of Cx 43 and the viability of RMCs, implying that the regulation of connexin 43 might possibly be achieved via ILK pathway.

Changes in activation of thrombin receptor in renal tissues of senile rats / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To determine the changes in expressions of thrombin receptor and fibrin deposit in glomeruli during the process of senility. Method Rats were divided into 3 groups (8 rats in each group): 3-month-old group (3m), 12-month-old group (12m) and 24-month-old group (24m). Fibrin deposition was detected by Martius-Scarlet-Blue staining and direct immunofluorecence method. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to detect the expression of thrombin receptor (PAR-1) and transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?). Semi-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the changes in PAR-1 mRNA expression. A quantitative analysis of the expressions was performed by image analysis system. Result Significant pathological changes were found in glomeruli during the process of senility. Fibrin deposition was not observed in glomeruli in different groups. Significant expression of PAR-1 was found in glomerular endothelial cells, mesangial cells and epithelial cells in 3m rats. On the contrary, in 24m rats, PAR-1 expression in glomeruli was significantly decreased. Expression of TGF-? was increased with senility in glomeruli. PAR-1 gene expression, barely detectable in control tissue, was strikingly increased in 24m rats. Conclusion Thrombin receptor activation could be found in glomeruli of senile rat, and it is independent of fibrin deposition. Activation of PAR-1 may play an important role in the process of renal senility.