Regulation of Type IV Collagen alpha Chains of Glomerular Epithelial Cells in Diabetic Conditions

An early feature of diabetic nephropathy is the alteration of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), which may result in microalbuminuria, subsequent macroproteinuria, and eventual chronic renal failure. Although type IV collagen is the main component of thickened GBM in diabetic nephropathy, cellular metabolism of each alpha chains of type IV collagen has not been well studied. To investigate the regulation of alpha(IV) chains in diabetic conditions, we examined whether glucose and advanced glycosylation endproduct (AGE) regulate the metabolism of each alpha(IV) chains in the diabetic tissue and glomerular epithelial cells (GEpC). Glomerular collagen alpha3(IV) and alpha5(IV) chains protein were higher and more intense in immunofluorescence staining according to diabetic durations compared to controls. In vitro, mainly high glucose and partly AGE usually increased total collagen protein of GEpC by [3H]-proline incorporation assay and each alpha(IV) chain proteins including alpha1(IV), alpha3(IV), and alpha5(IV) in time-dependent and subchain-specific manners. However, the changes of each alpha(IV) chains mRNA expression was not well correlated to the those of each chain proteins. The present findings suggest that the metabolism of individual alpha(IV) chains of GBM is differentially regulated in diabetic conditions and those changes might be induced not only by transcriptional level but also by post-translational modifications.

Familial Gitelman Syndrome in Sisters / 대한신장학회잡지

Gitelman syndrome is a hereditary renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. This syndrome is caused by the genetic mutation of SLC12A3 gene encoding thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride symporters in the apical membrane of distal convoluted tubular cells. Even though Gitelman syndrome is very similar to Bartter syndrome, it might be differentiated by hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, older onset age and higher prevalence rate. However, the precise diagnosis is made by gene variation through molecular genetic study. Herein, we report two cases of Gitelman syndrome in sisters diagnosed by familial genetic study.

The Effect of Steroid on Renal Involvement in Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

PURPOSE: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura(HSP) is a self-limited systemic small vessel vasculitis, however, renal involvement is considered to contribute to the outcome of this disease. Therefore, identifying the renal risk factors in HSP and prevention of renal involvement are important. The aim of this study is to investigate whether early steroid administration in HSP could reduce the rate of renal involvement. METHODS: We retrospectively studied two hundred children with HSP. We had administrated steroids orally to resolve of severe abdominal pain, joint and scrotal symptoms. We analyzed the relationship between the steroid therapy to relieve systemic symptoms and the subsequent renal involvement in HSP. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence and duration of renal involvement according to steroid administration and its duration. In HSP patients with renal manifestations, steroid administration group showed a tendency of hematuria and steroid non-administration group showed a tendency of proteinuria, however, we could not find statistically significant differences in each group. There was no significant difference in the duration of purpura presence according to steroid administration. However, persistent purpura increased the incidence and the duration of renal involvement. CONCLUSION: Early steroid administration did not reduce the risk of renal involvement, therefore, steroid could not prevent delayed nephritis in children with HSP. On the other side, persistent purpura, known to be not related to steroid therapy, was associated with renal involvement. We suggest that early steroid administration could not be useful in preventing the renal involvement in HSP.

Growth promoting effect of combined gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue and growth hormone therapy in early pubertal girls with predicted low adult heights / 소아과

PURPOSE: Recent reports pointed out that gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy alone is not so promising for improving adult height in precocious puberty. So, that we studied the growth promoting effect of combined therapy with GnRHa and growth hormone (GH) in early pubertal girls. METHODS: Twenty three early pubertal girls (9.73+/-1.59 yr) with predicted adult heights (PAH) below -2 standard deviation score (SDS) were included. They were divided into two groups as follows; Group I before menarche (n=19) and Group II after menarche (n=4). After combined therapy, various growth parameters were compared between two groups and between the before and after therapy. RESULTS: Between the two groups before therapy, chronologic age (CA), growth velocity (GV), body mass index (BMI), target height (TH), PAH and serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 were not different, but BA, height and difference between bone age (BA) and CA were significantly higher and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was marginally higher in group II. After therapy, BA still remained higher in group II, but other parameters were not different. In both groups, after therapy, the difference between BA and CA, the ratio of BA over CA, and GV were significantly decreased, but PAH, height SDS and BMI were significantly increased. Regarding IGF-1 level, a significant increase was noted in group I, but not in group II. CONCLUSION: With combined therapy of GnRHa and GH, PAH in early pubertal girls might be improved significantly and even approach TH. Among them, those who were before menarche might have greater potential for the height gain than those after menarche in view of IGF-1 changes during therapy.

Umbilical venous line-related pleural and pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade in a premature neonate: A case report / 소아과

Cardiac tamponade with pleural and pericardial effusion is a rare but life-threatening complication of umbilical venous catheterization in the newborn. It requires a timely diagnosis and urgent treatment, such as pericardiocentesis, to save lives of affected patients. Recently, we experienced a 7 day-old, very low birth weight infant, who developed a cardiac tamponade with pleural and pericardial effusions complicated by umbilical venous catheterization. The patient was successfully treated with pleural and pericardial drainages. Here, we report this case with a review of literature, since there has been no such previous case reported in Korea.