Over-expression of Liver X Receptor-alpha(LXR alpha by TO901317 Exaggerated the Production of Mesangial Matrix / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: To provide the insight into the role of LXR alpha on the progression of diabetic nephropathy, we measured the production of extracellular matrix in the cultured mesangial cells treated with the LXR agonist. METHODS: With the mesangial cells extracted from C57BL6 mice, we cultured them in the presence of 25 mM glucose with or without TO901317, an agonist of LXRalpha We transfected siRNAs of SREBP1 and LXR alpha into the mesangial cell to suppress the activity of the two genes. RESULTS: TO901317 increased expressions of LXR alpha, SREBP-1, TGF beta-1, and collagen IV and triglyceride amount in mesangial cells cultured in 25mM glucose. These effects of TO901317 were attenuated by inhibiting transcription of LXR alpha or SREBP-1 with transfection of siRNAs. In mesangial cells transfected with siRNA of SREBP-1, changes by TO901317 were attenuated regardless of increased expression of LXR alpha. That suggested the activation of SREBP-1, an downstream gene of LXR alpha, would be more important to induce changes in mesangial cells by TO901317. CONCLUSION: The TO901317, an agonist of LXR alpha, increases extracellular matrix, collagen IV, and TGF beta-1 production in cultured mesangial cells. The SREBP-1 as well as dyslipidemia in mesangial cells enhanced by LXR agonist would be the important mechanism to induce those changes.

The Mildly Elevated Serum Bilirubin Level is Negatively Associated with the Incidence of End Stage Renal Disease in Patients with IgA Nephropathy

Oxidative stress plays various roles in the development and progression of IgA nephropathy, while bilirubin is known as a potent antioxidant. We therefore hypothesized that serum bilirubin would be associated with renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy. The study subjects comprised 1,458 adult patients with primary IgA nephropathy in Korea. We grouped patients according to the following quartile levels of bilirubin: 0.8 mg/dL (Q4). The outcome data were obtained from the Korean Registry of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Eighty patients (5.5%) contracted ESRD during a mean follow-up period of 44.9 months. The ESRD incidences were 10.7% in Q1, 8.2% in Q2, 2.8% in Q3, and 2.8% in Q4 (p<0.001). The relative risk of ESRD compared to that in Q1 was 0.307 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.126-0.751) in Q3 and 0.315 (95% CI, 0.130-0.765) in Q4. The differences of ESRD incidence were greater in subgroups of males and of patients aged 35 yr or more, with serum albumin 4.0 g/dL or more, with normotension, with eGFR 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or more, and with proteinuria less then 3+ by dipstick test. In conclusion, higher bilirubin level was negatively associated with ESRD incidence in IgA nephropathy.

A Case of Ankylosing Spondylitis in a Patient with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura / 대한류마티스학회지

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory arthritis that affects the axial skeleton, causing characteristic inflammatory back pain, which can lead to structural and functional impairments and a decrease in quality of life. The disease can be accompanied by extraskeletal manifestations, such as acute anterior uveitis, inflammation in the colon or ileum, aortic insufficiency, cardiac conduction defects, fibrosis of the upper lobes of the lungs, neurologic involvement, or renal (secondary) amyloidosis. We report the case of a 19 year-old man who developed Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) and subsequently AS. It has been recognized that AS may be associated with cutaneous vasculitis and IgA nephropathy, but the association of HSP with AS has not been reported. This association of IgA nephropathy or HSP with AS raises the possibility of a common or related pathogenesis.

The Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with End Stage Renal Disease at the Initiation of Dialysis and the Accuracy of Noninvasive Tests / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality in chronic dialysis patients, and often occurs within the first year of dialysis. However, there is little evidence based on prospective trials in incident dialysis patients, and nobody knows which noninvasive test is best for screening the CAD in these patients. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine the prevalence of CAD and the accuracy of noninvasive tests that we can easil do for detection of CAD in incident dialysis patients. METHODS: We evaluated the prevalence of CAD using resting ECG, 2D echocardiography, 99m Tc tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) and the accuracy of these non-invasive screening tests in all 84 incident dialysis patients from March 2005 to September 2006 at the Hallym University SH Hospital in Korea. RESULTS: Of eighty-four patients, 23 (27.4%) had significant CAD. Fifteen (18.9%) patients had ischemic ECG change, and its positive predictive value and sensitivity were 66.7% and 45.0%, respectively. Resting 2D echocardiography had positive predictive value of 77.3%, sensitivity of 63.6% and lower specificity of 50.0%. 99m Tc tetrofosmin SPECT had positive predictive value of 73.3% and sensitivity of 73.3%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CAD in patients at the initiation of dialysis was 27.4%. 99m Tc tetrofosmin SPECT may be helpful for diagnosing CAD with ECG and 2D-echocardiography because of high sensitivity and positive predictive value.

The Changes of Renal Function in Apparent Healthy Individuals with a Simple Renal Cyst / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Simple cysts are a common structural abnormality in seemingly healthy individuals, but their clinical significance, especially on changes of renal function, remains unknown. We examined whether sporadic cysts can influence changes of renal function in apparent healthy individuals. METHODS: The records from 424 people who underwent two ultrasonographic examinations in a routine check-up at our health promotion center from 2000 to 2003 were reviewed. Patients who had a medical disease were excluded. The healthy individuals (n=199) were divided into two groups according to whether they had renal cysts (cyst group, n=61), or not (control group, n=138). Renal function was evaluated by serum creatinine level (Scr), creatinine clearance (Ccr), using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), using the MDRD equation. RESULTS: Individuals in the cyst group were significantly older (44.18+/-7.55, 41.02+/-7.06, p=0.013) and more likely to be male (90.16%, 72.46%, p=0.006) than those without cysts. Compared with the control group, the cyst group had no significant differences in Scr (1.03+/-0.15 mg/dL, 1.08+/-0.11 mg/dL, respectively, p=0.06), in Ccr (82.34+/-13.26 ml/min, 81.00+/-12.6 ml/min, respectively, p=0.56) nor in GFR (84.35+/-11.65 ml/min/1.73m2, 82.47+/-10.27 ml/min/1.73m2, respectively, p=0.38). Furthermore, the parameters for changes of renal function were not significant over three years. Conclusions:The presence of renal cysts was associated with neither renal dysfunction nor a reduction in renal function over three years in Korean individuals without apparent renal disease.

A Case of Castleman's Disease with Kidney Involvement / 대한신장학회지

Castleman's disease is a rare disorder of unknown etiology that results in the unregulated growth of lymphoid tissue. It can be classified as unicentric and multicentric based on clinical and radiological findings, and also as hyaline vascular and plasma cell type based on histopathology. Castleman's disease may present as an asymptomatic involvement of one lymph node group or as a multicentric disease with systemic features. However, renal involvement is very rare. Here we report a 50-year old male patient with histopathologically proven multicentric plasma cell type of Castleman's disease who presented with weight loss, palpable cervical lymphadenopathy, azotemia and proteinuria. The finding of a percutaneous needle renal biopsy was compatible with plasma cell type of Castleman's disease. After treated with systemic corticosteroid, azotemia and proteinuria disappeared.

The Efficacy of Once Weekly Compared with Two or Three Times Weekly Subcutaneous Epoetin Alfa (Espogen(R)) / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Compared with the practice of administrating subcutaneous erythropoietin injection two or three times a week in end-stage renal failure, a weekly administration reduces the frequency of injection and the workload in renal units. We investigated whether subcutaneous epoetin alfa administered weekly was as effective as the same weekly dosage given in two or three divided doses. METHODS: Eighty-three patients were randomized to treatment with subcutaneous epoetin alfa either once a week (n=44), or to their original dosage two or three times a week (control, n=39) for 12 weeks. If hemoglobin was out of range (9.0-12.0 g/dL), the dosage was changed. RESULTS: Mean hemoglobin levels at randomization and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks were 10.7, 11.1, 11.3 and 11.0 g/dL, respectively, in the once weekly group compared with 10.5, 11.3, 11.5 and 11.3 g/dL, respectively, in the control group. The mean weekly epoetin alfa dosage at randomization and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks were 142.8, 123.0, 116.7 and 112.3 IU/kg, respectively, in the once-a-week group compared with 128.4, 119.3, 103.5 and 101.2 IU/kg, respectively, in the control group. No statistically significant differences between the groups were apparent in changes in hemoglobin levels or epoetin alfa dosages at week 12. There was no significant difference between the groups in number of patients who maintained stable hemoglobin levels without epoetin alfa dose increases. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a weekly subcutaneous administration of epoetin alfa is as effective and safe as injecting it two or three times a week administration in maintaining hemoglobin levels in stable hemodialysis patients.

Significance of Peritoneal Albumin Excretion in New Peritoneal Dialysis Patients / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: High peritoneal transport status is known to be related with the cardiovascular risk. One of the hypotheses that explain the relationship between peritoneal permeability and atherosclerosis is chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Microalbuminuria is a well-known marker of endothelial dysfunction and a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that peritoneal albumin excretion, like microalbuminuria, may be related to the cardiovascular events and chronic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: We enrolled eighty-five patients who started PD. Pre-existing CVD was defined as angina, history of MI, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral arterial disease. Modified peritoneal equilibration test was performed within 2 months. At that time, peritoneal albumin excretion, serum and dialysate IL-6, CRP were measured. RESULTS: The age was 49.5+/-14 years and male-to-female ratio was 1 to 3. Diabetes mellitus and CVD were present in 40% and 28%, respectively. The dialysate-to-plasma albumin (D/Palb) was correlated with D/P4 Cr (r= 0.552, p<0.001), and was higher in HA/H group than in LA/L group (0.19+/-0.008 vs. 0.12+/-0.005, p<0.001). D/Palb was closely correlated with the dialysate IL-6 (r=0.432, p< 0.001), but not with the serum IL-6 and CRP. There were no differences in the peritoneal albumin excretion with respect to the diabetic status or pre-existing CVD. CONCLUSION: The peritoneal albumin excretion was associated with peritoneal small solute transport and dialysate IL-6 in the new PD patients. Prospective studies will follow in order to verify the role of peritoneal albumin excretion as a predictor of cardiovascular events.

Factors Related to Baseline Peritoneal Solute Transport Rate in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients:Results from Modified Peritoneal Equilibration Test Using 3.86% Glucose Solution / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND:The present study was designed to determine factors related to baseline peritoneal small solute transport rate (PSTR) from incident Korean peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients using modified peritoneal equilibration test (PET). METHODS:Incident PD patients whose duration of PD is between 4 weeks and 6 months were enrolled from four major university hospitals in Seoul. Modified PET with 3.86% glucose solution and adequacy test were performed. RESULT: 1) Our PET result from incident Korean PD patients showed results similar to that from the Caucacian patients. 2) The patients were divided into four groups based on the PSTR:serum albumin at time of PET, dip dialysate/plasma sodium, dialysate/plasma albumin ratio and peritoneal albumin excretion were significantly different among the four transport types (p<0.05). 3) D/PAlb was significantly higher in the high transport group than in the low transport. Serum albumin concentration before the onset of PD was not different among the four groups but was significantly different at the time of PET. 4) There was no difference of D/PCr4 between the diabetic (0.72+/-0.10) and the non-diabetic (0.72+/-0.11) groups. 5) PSTR in incidental PD patients was correlated with D/PAlb and dip D/P(Na). CONCLUSION:Our PET results from incidental Korean PD patients turned out to be showed results similar to those from Caucacian patients. There were no differences in age, BSA, BMI, nutrition index, CRP, residual renal function among four transport types in incidental PD patients. PSTR in incidental PD patients was correlated with D/PAlb and dip D/P(Na).

Arterial Stiffness, Malnutrition and Inflammation in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: In ESRD patients, malnutrition and atherosclerosis are strongly associated with inflammation resulting in MIA (Malnutrition-Inflammation-Atherosclerosis) syndrome. As compared with atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis or arterial stiffening is another important cardiovascular risk factor. Therefore, we speculated on the presence of new MIA syndrome, which is composed of malnutrition, inflammation and arteriosclerosis, and evaluated causal relations among them in 70 chronic hemodialysis patients (age 53+/-13 years, male 53%, diabetes 40%). METHODS: As an indicator of arterial stiffness, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured using a plethysmography. PWV index (measured PWV/nomogram based theoretical PWV) was then calculated to adjust confounding effects of age, blood pressure, and gender by using the PWV nomogram obtained in nonuremic population with same age, blood pressure, and gender. Nutritional status was assessed by serum albumin level, subjective global assessment (SGA) and normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR). Extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid volume ratio (ECF/ICF) were determined using bioimpedance analysis. The presence of an inflammation was assessed by serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) level. RESULTS: PWV index correlated positively with log transformed CRP (LnCRP) level, ECF/ICF and negatively with SGA, nPCR and serum albumin level. Serum albumin level correlated positively with nPCR, BUN, hemoglobin level and negatively with LnCRP level, age and ECF/ICF. Diabetic patients had higher PWV index and lower albumin level than non-diabetic patients. In multiple regression analysis, only LnCRP level was a significant common determinant of the both PWV index (R2=0.419; p >0.001) and serum albumin level (R2=0.543; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased CRP levels are independently associated with arterial stiffening and hypoalbuminemia. Inflammation might be a linking mechanism of arterial stiffening and malnutrition in chronic hemodialysis patients.

The Relationship between the G395A Polymorphism in Promoter of the KLOTHO Gene with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Bone Mineral Metabolism in Korean Women

BACKGROUND: A novel gene, termed klotho, has been identified as a suppressor of several aging phenotypes, a genetic defect in klotho in mice resulted in a syndrome resembling human aging, i.e., arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis, but the relationship between KLOTHO gene with cardiovascular system and bone metabolism in human populations is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the KLOTHO polymorphism with cardiovascular risk factors and bone metabolism in Korean women. METHODS: In 243 women(mean age, 51.2+/-6.9 yr), cardiovascular risk factors and bone turnover markers were measured using standard methods. Bone mineral densities(BMD) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The genotyping of the KLOTHO G395A polymorphism were performed by allelic discrimination using a 5' nuclease polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: Allele frequencies were 0.829 for the G allele and 0.171 for the A allele, which was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Mean systolic blood pressure(BP) was significantly higher in A allele carriers compared with non-carriers. In logistic regression analysis with the cardiovascular risk factors as the independent variable, only systolic BP was identified as a significant variable for A allele carriers. Mean lumbar spine BMD was significantly lower in A allele carriers compared with non-carriers. This difference became marginally significant after adjustment for age and BMI. CONCLUSION: We observed that the KLOTHO G395 polymorphism is related with BP in Korean women. Also, these data suggest that the KLOTHO G395 polymorphism was marginally associated with lumbar spine BMD in Korean women.

The Relationship between the G395A Polymorphism in Promoter of the KLOTHO Gene with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Bone Mineral Metabolism in Korean Women

BACKGROUND: A novel gene, termed klotho, has been identified as a suppressor of several aging phenotypes, a genetic defect in klotho in mice resulted in a syndrome resembling human aging, i.e., arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis, but the relationship between KLOTHO gene with cardiovascular system and bone metabolism in human populations is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the KLOTHO polymorphism with cardiovascular risk factors and bone metabolism in Korean women. METHODS: In 243 women(mean age, 51.2+/-6.9 yr), cardiovascular risk factors and bone turnover markers were measured using standard methods. Bone mineral densities(BMD) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The genotyping of the KLOTHO G395A polymorphism were performed by allelic discrimination using a 5' nuclease polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: Allele frequencies were 0.829 for the G allele and 0.171 for the A allele, which was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Mean systolic blood pressure(BP) was significantly higher in A allele carriers compared with non-carriers. In logistic regression analysis with the cardiovascular risk factors as the independent variable, only systolic BP was identified as a significant variable for A allele carriers. Mean lumbar spine BMD was significantly lower in A allele carriers compared with non-carriers. This difference became marginally significant after adjustment for age and BMI. CONCLUSION: We observed that the KLOTHO G395 polymorphism is related with BP in Korean women. Also, these data suggest that the KLOTHO G395 polymorphism was marginally associated with lumbar spine BMD in Korean women.

Measurement of Serum Ionized Magnesium in Dialysis Patients / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Direct measurements of ionized magnesium (iMg) in serum by ion-selective electrodes have recently become available in clinical practice, and its usefulness needs to be investigated in dialysis patients because chronic renal failure is associated with disturbances in magnesium metabolism. METHODS: We measured serum iMg in 29 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 24 peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients using an ion-selective electrode. The results were compared with those from 30 age- matched control patients who were admitted due to non-renal diseases and were confirmed to have normal serum total magnesium (tMg) levels. RESULTS: Serum tMg was significantly higher in both HD (0.95 [0.81-1.06] mmol/L) and CAPD (0.86 [0.74-0.99] mmol/L) patients compared with the controls (0.74 [0.70-0.78] mmol/L). Serum iMg was significantly higher in HD patients (0.65 [0.60-0.72] mmol/L) compared with the controls (0.55 [0.51-0.57] mmol/L), but was not higher in CAPD patients (0.54 [0.50-0.60] mmol/L). Thus, the ionized fraction of serum magnesium (iMg/tMg) was significantly lower in CAPD patients (65.3 [58.8-68.2]%), but not in HD patients (68.7 [63.6-77.0]%), compared with the controls (72.2 [67.2-78.3]%). In dialysis patients, iMg/ tMg was significantly lower in those with residual renal function than in anuric patients (67.5 [63.6-74.8]% vs. 61.4 [56.4-70.7]%). CONCLUSION: In current practice, true hypermagnesemia may exist frequently in HD patients (at predialysis), but not in CAPD patients. The ionized fraction of serum magnesium may be reduced in CAPD patients, but not in HD patients.

A Case of IgA Nephropathy with Systemic Lupus Nephritis / 대한신장학회잡지

Renal involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The typical lupus nephropathy demonstrates polyclonal immunoglobulin immune deposits with predominance of IgG, usually heavy polytypic complement factors C1q, C3 and C4. In SLE patients, the superimposition and occurrence of non- lupus nephropathy have rarely been reported. We describe a 28-year-old, 15 weeks pregnant women affected by SLE and IgA nephropathy. She was admitted to our hospital due to generalized edema and arthralgia. The ANA titer was 1: 640, anti-ds DNA levels were 354.2 U/mL and other blood tests included thrombocytopenia and hypoclomplementemia. These clinical and laboratory data allowed the diagnosis of SLE. Renal biopsy showed modest segmental mesangial hypercellularity. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed distinct mesangial IgA and C3 with absence of IgG, IgM, C1q, and C4. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of electron-dense deposits throughout the mesangium. These features were consistent with the coexistence of IgA nephropathy. A course of prednisolone (50 mg/day) was given for six months and she responded well with resolution of proteinuria. At the present follow- up time point (48 months), she continues to be treated with prednisolone (5 mg/day); proteinuria and ANA are undetectable.

Treatment of Catheter-related Bacteremia with an Antibiotic Lock Protocol in Hemodilaysis Patients / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bacteremia is a frequent complication among hemodialysis patients using a tunneled cuffed catheter. The standard therapy of catheter-related bacteremia involves both systemic antibiotics and catheter replacement. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of antibiotic lock therapy in conjugation with systemic antibiotics without catheter removal on catheter-related bacteremia. METHODS: Thirty six chronic hemodialysis patients with tunneled cuffed catheter were monitored for infection between July 2001 and July 2005. We analyzed the efficacy of antibiotic lock protocol compared with systemic antibiotics alone. RESULTS: Twenty-nine episodes of catheter-related bacteremia occurred in 27 patients during the study periods. The incidence of catheter-related bacteremia was 1.5 episodes/1000 catheter-days. A single gram-positive coccus grew in the 16 cases (55.2 %), and gram-negative organisms grew in the 69 cases (31.0%). Sixteen of 18 patients (88.9%) treated with antibiotic lock protocol had successful catheter salvage versus only 6 of the 11 patients (54.5%) treated with systemic antibiotics alone (p=0.05). Three patients with Burkholderia pickettii and a patient with Acinetobactor calcoaceticus-baumannii complex were treated with antibiotic lock protocol with systemic ciprofloxacin and imipenem, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that antibiotic lock protocol in eradicating catheter-related bacteremia is effective treatment without requiring catheter replacement.

Empiric Therapy with Cefazolin and Ceftazidime (or Aminoglycoside) is Effective as the Initial Choice for the Treatment of Peritoneal Dialysis Related Peritonitis / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: This study aims to verify the effectiveness of initial empirical antibiotic choice recommended by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) guideline for PD related peritonitis among the Korean PD population. METHODS: 227 episodes of PD-related peritonitis from January 2000 to June 2003 in two tertiary care hospitals were reviewed retrospectively for the antibiotic resistance pattern and their clinical outcome after treatment based on the ISPD guideline. RESULTS: There was 349 prevalent patients during this period. The incidence of peritonitis was 1 episode/41.3 patient-month. For 173 episodes, the etiologic organism was identified. Among the isolates, 99 (43.6%) were gram positive organisms and 57 (25.1%) were gram negative organisms. Among gram positive bacterial peritonitis, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that antibiotic resistance was not a risk factor for treatment failure (OR=0.84, p=0.79). Among the 45 cases with Staphylococcus- associated peritonitis, and empirical cefazolin and ceftazidime (or aminoglycoside) administration, 27 were methicillin-sensitive (MS) and 18 were methicillin-resistant (MR). There was no significant difference in the rate of relapse, catheter removal and death and successful treatment. Patients in the MR group were more likely to change antibiotics during the therapy than MS group (55.6% vs 7.4%, p=0.01) CONCLUSION: Despite a high rate of antibiotic resistance, initial empirical therapy with cefazolin and ceftazidime (or aminoglycoside) based on ISPD guideline is effective as the initial antibiotics choice for gram positive bacterial peritonitis.

A Case of Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis Associated with Hepatitis C Virus / 대한신장학회잡지

Chronic HCV infection has been reported to be associated with several extrahepatic conditions such as cryoglobulinemia, lymphoma, lichen planus, porphyria cutanea tarda, autoimmune thyroiditis, and renal disease. Glomerular disease may occur in patients with chronic HCV infection. The most common patterns are membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and less frequently, membranous nephropathy, fibrillary glomerulonephritis and immunotactoid glomerulopathy. Few crescentic glomerulonephritis has been reported in association with HCV infection, and no case was reported in Korea yet. We experienced one case of rapidly progressive glomeruloinephritis with the pathology of crescentic glomerulonephritis complicated in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a patient with HCV infection.

A Case of Tunneled Cuffed Catheter Dysfunction Treated with Fibrin Sheath Stripping / 대한신장학회잡지

With the increasing proportion of elderly and diabetic dialysis patients, permanent dual lumen catheters are becoming popular. One of the most frequent causes for the failure of hemodialysis in CRF patients with the tunneled cuffed catheter is the catheter dysfunction. It is thought to be due to encasement of the catheter by fibrin sleeve or fibrin sheath, kinking or malposition of the catheter. Catheter dysfunction due to fibrin sheath formation could sometimes be managed by reversal of arterial and venous lines, urokinase lock or infusion, and catheter exchange. Recently percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping (PFSS) became another modality of salvaging failing tunneled cuffed catheter before attempting catheter exchange. There was no report of applying PFSS to salvage the permanent dual lumen catheter in Korea. Authors recently experienced a case of successful application of PFSS to extend the life of catheter in a CRF patients as a last resort after failure of repeated urokinase trials. It is thought that PFSS is a simple and effective procedure which extends the longevity of permanent dual lumen catheter.

A case of jejunal hemorrahage from metastatic renal cell carcinoma / 대한내과학회지

A 68-year-old man who had suffered left nephrectomy 6 years previously for renal cell carcinoma presented with a 6-week history of melena episodes. Physical examination and laboratory data were irrelevant. Gastroduodenoscopy and colononoscopy could not reveal a bleeding focus. An angiography was undertaken, which confirmed the presence of an abnormal tumor staining at the jejunum. For the preoperative evaluation, a small bowel study showed an about 2 cm sized eccentric filling defect at mesenteric side wall of distal jejunum in the left lower quadrant. A CT scan also showed a heavily enhancing bowel wall thickening. Small bowel resection was performed, and a 3 X 3 cm ulceroinfiltrating jejunal lesion was found which microscopically consisted of a proliferation of trabeculated clear cells. He had an unremarkable postoperative recovery. A follow-up CT scan at 3 months later showed no evidence of recurrence.

The Number of NKT and NK Cells in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is Decreased: Association with the Pathogenesis for SLE / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of chronic autoimmune diseases of which the central pathophysiologic derangement has not been yet established. Recently, it has been suggested that immune-regulatory cells might affect the development of autoimmune diseases such as SLE and RA. NKT cells were reported to be strong candidate for regulatory cells to regulate immune responses in vivo. To elucidate the roles of immune regulatory cells in the pathogenesis of SLE, we investigated the fractional distribution and functional status of NK and NKT cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of SLE patients and healthy volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-two SLE patients and 18 age-matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. The analysis for NK and NKT cells fraction in PBMCs of patients and normal controls were performed by flow cytometric analysis. In addition, to explore the functional status of these cells in SLE patients, we stimulated PBMCs using phorbol ester and ionomycin and measured cytoplasmic IL-4 and IFN-gamma by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The number (percentage) of NK cells was lower in SLE patients (CD3-CD56+: 4.93+/-1.30%, CD3-CD94+: 4.03+/-1.00%) than in controls (11.28+/-1.77%, 8.15+/-1.40%; p< 0.01, respectively). Peripheral NK cell numbers negatively correlated with anti-dsDNA Ab levels (r=-0.431, p< 0.05) and ESR (r= -0.475, p< 0.05). However, the percentage of these cells was not correlated with renal activity or corticosteroid doses. SLE patients showed, compared with controls, significantly decreased numbers of NKT cells (CD3+CD56+: 1.79+/-0.42% vs 5.04+/-0.44%, CD3+CD94+: 1.21+/-0.27% vs 4.39+/-0.45%; p< 0.01, respectively). The cytoplasmic expression of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in NK and NKT cells of SLE patients stimulated using phorbol ester and ionomycin were almost similar to those of normal controls, suggesting the NKT cells from SLE patients are functionally intact. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the decreased numbers of immune regulatory cells were associated with the immune dysregulation of SLE patients. The cellular replacement of NKT cells may be one of useful therapeutic approaches for autoimmune diseases such as SLE.