ABSTRACT
Objective·To investigate the effects of insulin-like peptide 6 (Insl6) on renal fibrosis and calcification in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice. Methods·Twenty-four SPF male mice with genotypic background of C57BL/6 were divided into Sham (n=8), UUO+saline (n=8) and UUO+Insl6 (n=8) groups randomly. Mice were sacrificed 10 days after operation and renal tissues of surgical side were obtained. Sirus red staining, Masson staining and alizarin red S staining were used to verify the level of collagen and calcium deposition. TGF-β1 expression was determined by Western blotting. Realtime-PCR was used for determining TGF-β1, BMP2, Col1a1, and Col2a1 mRNA expression. Results·Compared with sham group, fibrotic area especially collagen Ⅰ , calcium deposition, TGF-β1 protein, and TGF-β1, BMP2, Col1a1, and Col2a1 mRNA expression in UUO+saline group significantly increased (all P<0.05). As compared with UUO+saline group, fibrotic area especially collagen Ⅰ, calcium deposition, TGF-β1 protein, and TGF-β1, BMP2, Col1a1, and Col2a1 mRNA expression in UUO+Insl6 group significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Conclusion·Insl6 inhibits UUO-induced renal fibrosis and calcification, which may be related to regulation of TGF-β1, collagen Ⅰ , BMP2 and collagen Ⅱ expression levels.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objectives To identify a clinical profile and laboratory findings of a cohort of hypoparathyroidism patients and determine the prevalence and predictors for renal abnormalities. Materials and methods Data from medical records of five different visits were obtained, focusing on therapeutic doses of calcium and vitamin D, on laboratory tests and renal ultrasonography (USG). Results Fifty-five patients were identified, 42 females and 13 males; mean age of 44.5 and average time of the disease of 11.2 years. The most frequent etiology was post-surgical. Levels of serum calcium and creatinine increased between the first and last visits (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively); and serum levels of phosphate decreased during the same period (p < 0.001). Out of the 55 patients, 40 had USG, and 10 (25%) presented with kidney calcifications. There was no significant difference in the amount of calcium and vitamin D doses among patients with kidney calcifications and others. No correlation between serum and urinary levels of calcium and the presence of calcification was found. Urinary calcium excretion in 24h was significantly higher in patients with kidney calcification (3.3 mg/kg/d) than in those without calcification (1.8 mg/kg/d) (p < 0.05). Conclusions The reduction of hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia suggest an effectiveness of the treatment, and the increase in serum creatinine demonstrates an impairment of renal function during follow-up. Kidney calcifications were prevalent in this cohort, and higher urinary calcium excretion, even if still within the normal range, was associated with development of calcification. These findings suggest that lower rates of urinary calcium excretion should be aimed for in the management of hypoparathyroidism.