Pharmacokinetic Properties of Dapagliflozin in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors attenuate incident cardiovascular outcomes, irrespective of baseline GFR, in conservatively managed CKD. As this condition inexorably progresses to demanding KRT, drug withdrawal is supported by the current lack of evidence of safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in dialysis. METHODS: This study was a prospective, single-center, open-label trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05343078 ) aimed at assessing the pharmacokinetic properties and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with kidney failure on regular dialysis regimens compared with those with type 2 diabetes and age- and sex-matched controls with normal kidney function. Peripheral blood samples were collected from both groups every 30 minutes for 4 hours and again after 48 hours after ingestion of dapagliflozin 10 mg, which occurred immediately before dialysis session initiation in the kidney failure group. This protocol occurred in drug-naïve patients and again after six daily doses of dapagliflozin to assess whether the drug had accumulated. The plasma and dialysate levels of dapagliflozin at each time point were determined by liquid chromatography and used to calculate pharmacokinetics parameters (peak concentration [C max ] and area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve) for each participant. RESULTS: Dapagliflozin C max was 117 and 97.6 ng/ml in the kidney failure and control groups, respectively, whereas the corresponding accumulation ratios were 26.7% and 9.5%. No serious adverse events were reported for either group. Dapagliflozin recovered from dialysate corresponded to 0.10% of the administered dose. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with kidney failure on dialysis, dapagliflozin was well tolerated, was slightly dialyzable, and had nonaccumulating pharmacokinetic properties. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER: Pharmacokinetics and Dialyzability of Dapagliflozin in Dialysis Patients (DARE-ESKD 1), NCT05343078.

Rationale and design of the Brazilian diabetes study: a prospective cohort of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Optimal control of traditional risk factors only partially attenuates the exceeding cardiovascular mortality of individuals with diabetes. Employment of machine learning (ML) techniques aimed at the identification of novel features of risk prediction is a compelling target to tackle residual cardiovascular risk. The objective of this study is to identify clinical phenotypes of T2D which are more prone to developing cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The Brazilian Diabetes Study is a single-center, ongoing, prospective registry of T2D individuals. Eligible patients are 30 years old or older, with a confirmed T2D diagnosis. After an initial visit for the signature of the informed consent form and medical history registration, all volunteers undergo biochemical analysis, echocardiography, carotid ultrasound, ophthalmologist visit, dual x-ray absorptiometry, coronary artery calcium score, polyneuropathy assessment, advanced glycation end-products reader, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. A 5-year follow-up will be conducted by yearly phone interviews for endpoints disclosure. The primary endpoint is the difference between ML-based clinical phenotypes in the incidence of a composite of death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke. Since June/2016, 1030 patients (mean age: 57 years, diabetes duration of 9.7 years, 58% male) were enrolled in our study. The mean follow-up time was 3.7 years in October/2021. CONCLUSION: The BDS will be the first large population-based cohort dedicated to the identification of clinical phenotypes of T2D at higher risk of cardiovascular events. Data derived from this study will provide valuable information on risk estimation and prevention of cardiovascular and other diabetes-related events. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT04949152.

Metformin arrests the progression of established kidney disease in the subtotal nephrectomy model of chronic kidney disease.

Metformin, an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, has been shown in previous studies to reduce kidney fibrosis in different models of experimental chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, in all of these studies, the administration of metformin was initiated before the establishment of renal disease, which is a condition that does not typically occur in clinical settings. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the administration of metformin could arrest the progression of established renal disease in a well-recognized model of CKD, the subtotal kidney nephrectomy (Nx) model. Adult male Munich-Wistar rats underwent either Nx or sham operations. After the surgery (30 days), Nx rats that had systolic blood pressures of >170 mmHg and albuminuria levels of >40 mg/24 h were randomized to a no-treatment condition or to a treatment condition with metformin (300 mg·kg-1·day-1) for a period of either 60 or 120 days. After 60 days of treatment, we did not observe any differences in kidney disease parameters between Nx metformin-treated and untreated rats. However, after 120 days, Nx rats that had been treated with metformin displayed significant reductions in albuminuria levels and in markers of renal fibrosis. These effects were independent of any other effects on blood pressure or glycemia. In addition, treatment with metformin was also able to activate kidney AMPK and therefore improve mitochondrial biogenesis. It was concluded that metformin can arrest the progression of established kidney disease in the Nx model, likely via the activation of AMPK.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulation in skin: relations with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, main causes related with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and bone mineral disorder (CKD-BMD). Uremic toxins, as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), are non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor and play a role on development of CKD-BMD in CKD. The measurement of skin autofluorescence (sAF) is a noninvasive method to assess the level of AGEs in tissue, validated in CKD patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is analyze AGEs measured by sAF levels (AGEs-sAF) and its relations with CVD and BMD parameters in HD patients. METHODS: Twenty prevalent HD patients (HD group) and healthy subjects (Control group, n = 24), performed biochemical tests and measurements of anthropometric parameters and AGEs-sAF. In addition, HD group performed measurement of intact parathormone (iPTH), transthoracic echocardiogram and radiographies of pelvis and hands for vascular calcification score. RESULTS: AGEs-sAF levels are elevated both in HD and control subjects ranged according to the age, although higher at HD than control group. Single high-flux HD session does not affect AGEs-sAF levels. AGEs-sAF levels were not related to ventricular mass, interventricular septum or vascular calcification in HD group. AGEs-sAF levels were negatively associated with serum iPTH levels. CONCLUSION: Our study detected a negative correlation of AGEs-sAF with serum iPTH, suggesting a role of AGEs on the pathophysiology of bone disease in HD prevalent patients. The nature of this relation and the clinical application of this non-invasive methodology for evaluation AGEs deposition must be confirmed and clarified in future studies.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulation in skin: relations with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder / Acúmulo dos produtos finais da glicação avançada (AGEs) na pele: relações com o distúrbio mineral e ósseo na doença renal crônica

Abstract Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, main causes related with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and bone mineral disorder (CKD-BMD). Uremic toxins, as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), are non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor and play a role on development of CKD-BMD in CKD. The measurement of skin autofluorescence (sAF) is a noninvasive method to assess the level of AGEs in tissue, validated in CKD patients. Objective: The aim of this study is analyze AGEs measured by sAF levels (AGEs-sAF) and its relations with CVD and BMD parameters in HD patients. Methods: Twenty prevalent HD patients (HD group) and healthy subjects (Control group, n = 24), performed biochemical tests and measurements of anthropometric parameters and AGEs-sAF. In addition, HD group performed measurement of intact parathormone (iPTH), transthoracic echocardiogram and radiographies of pelvis and hands for vascular calcification score. Results: AGEs-sAF levels are elevated both in HD and control subjects ranged according to the age, although higher at HD than control group. Single high-flux HD session does not affect AGEs-sAF levels. AGEs-sAF levels were not related to ventricular mass, interventricular septum or vascular calcification in HD group. AGEs-sAF levels were negatively associated with serum iPTH levels. Conclusion: Our study detected a negative correlation of AGEs-sAF with serum iPTH, suggesting a role of AGEs on the pathophysiology of bone disease in HD prevalent patients. The nature of this relation and the clinical application of this non-invasive methodology for evaluation AGEs deposition must be confirmed and clarified in future studies.

Resumo Introdução: A doença renal crônica (DRC) apresenta elevadas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade, sendo a doença cardiovascular (DCV) e o distúrbio mineral e ósseo da DRC (DMO-DRC) complicações frequentes. As toxinas urêmicas, dentre elas os produtos finais da glicação avançada (AGEs), são fatores de risco cardiovascular não tradicionais e se encontram envolvidas no desenvolvimento do DMO-DRC na DRC. A medida da autofluorescência da pele (sAF) é método não invasivo para quantificação do acúmulo tecidual de AGEs validado em pacientes portadores de DRC. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as relações entre os AGEs medidos por sAF (AGEs-AF) e parâmetros de DCV e DMO-DRC em pacientes em hemodiálise (HD). Métodos: 20 pacientes em HD (grupo HD) e 24 indivíduos hígidos (grupo controle) foram submetidos à análise bioquímica sérica, medidas antropométricas e de sAF. O grupo HD realizou medida de hormônio intacto da paratireoide (PTHi), ecocardiograma transtorácico e radiografias de pelve e mãos para pesquisa de calcificação vascular. Resultados: Os níveis de AGEs-sAF foram elevados para a idade nos grupos HD e controle, porém mais elevados no grupo HD. Sessão única de HD de alto-fluxo não afetou os níveis de AGEs-sAF. Os níveis teciduais de AGEs não se correlacionaram com massa ventricular, espessura de septo interventricular ou calcificação vascular no grupo HD. Os níveis de AGEs-sAF se correlacionaram negativamente com os níveis séricos de PTHi. Conclusão: Nosso estudo detectou correlação negativa entre os níveis de AGEs-sAF e os níveis séricos de PTHi, sugerindo que os AGEs estejam envolvidos na fiosiopatologia da doença óssea em pacientes em HD. A natureza desta relação e a aplicação clínica deste método não invasivo de avaliação do acúmulo tecidual de AGEs deve ser confirmada e elucidada por estudos futuros.

Patient in chronic hemodialysis with right atrial mass: thrombus, fungal endocarditis or atrial myxoma?

We present the case report of a 19-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease due to chronic glomerulonephritis, in hemodialysis (HD) by central catheter, with the incidental finding of a mass of 28x16 mm in right atrium (RA). The diagnosis of thrombus, infective endocarditis or myxoma were considered. Given the context of immunosuppression and difficult access vascular therapeutic practice has proved complex. Although Doppler echocardiography suggested thrombus in RA, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated for the diagnosis of myxoma in RA. In both conditions, the proposed surgical approach was limited by intense immunosuppression history and the risk of infectious complications. Throughout the treatment, the general state of K.M.F. remained satisfactory and revealed no signs or symptoms related to atrial dysfunction. The absence of fever and negative blood cultures excluded infective endocarditis. Prior echocardiogram report without masses in the RA decreased the chance of cardiac myxoma. The therapeutic response to anticoagulation confirmed the diagnosis of thrombosis. After 180 days of anticoagulation, there was significant reduction in mass. The patient developed asymptomatic. The diagnosis of mass in RA can be a challenge and only the evolution of the case was able to guide the appropriate conduit. While MRI has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma, the interpretation of images can be subjective. Controversial point is the removal of the catheter in such cases, which is subject discussed throughout the report.

Patient in chronic hemodialysis with right atrial mass: thrombus, fungal endocarditis or atrial myxoma? / Paciente em hemodiálise crônica com massa em átrio direito: trombo, endocardite fúngica, ou mixoma atrial?

Abstract We present the case report of a 19-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease due to chronic glomerulonephritis, in hemodialysis (HD) by central catheter, with the incidental finding of a mass of 28x16 mm in right atrium (RA). The diagnosis of thrombus, infective endocarditis or myxoma were considered. Given the context of immunosuppression and difficult access vascular therapeutic practice has proved complex. Although Doppler echocardiography suggested thrombus in RA, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated for the diagnosis of myxoma in RA. In both conditions, the proposed surgical approach was limited by intense immunosuppression history and the risk of infectious complications. Throughout the treatment, the general state of K.M.F. remained satisfactory and revealed no signs or symptoms related to atrial dysfunction. The absence of fever and negative blood cultures excluded infective endocarditis. Prior echocardiogram report without masses in the RA decreased the chance of cardiac myxoma. The therapeutic response to anticoagulation confirmed the diagnosis of thrombosis. After 180 days of anticoagulation, there was significant reduction in mass. The patient developed asymptomatic. The diagnosis of mass in RA can be a challenge and only the evolution of the case was able to guide the appropriate conduit. While MRI has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma, the interpretation of images can be subjective. Controversial point is the removal of the catheter in such cases, which is subject discussed throughout the report.

Resumo Apresentamos o relato de caso de uma paciente de 19 anos com doença renal crônica devido à glomerulonefrite crônica e em hemodiálise (HD) por cateter central, com o achado incidental de uma massa de 28x16 mm em átrio direito (AD). Foram considerados os diagnósticos de trombo, endocardite infecciosa ou mixoma. Devido ao contexto de imunossupressão e dificuldade de acesso vascular, a condução terapêutica revelou-se complexa. Apesar de Ecodopplercardiograma sugerir trombo em AD, imagens de ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) apontaram para o diagnóstico de mixoma em AD. Nas duas condições a proposta de abordagem cirúrgica esteve limitada pelo histórico de imunossupressão intensa e o risco de complicações infecciosas. Ao longo do tratamento, o estado geral de K.M.F. manteve-se satisfatório e não foram observados sinais ou sintomas relacionados a disfunção atrial. A ausência de febre e hemoculturas negativas excluíram endocardite infecciosa. O relato de ecocardiograma prévio sem massas em AD tornou menor a possibilidade de mixoma cardíaco. A resposta terapêutica à anticoagulação confirmou o diagnóstico de trombo. Após 180 dias de anticoagulação, houve redução significativa da massa. A paciente evoluiu assintomática. O diagnóstico de massa em AD pode ser um desafio e somente a evolução foi capaz de guiar a conduta apropriada. Apesar da RNM ter elevada sensibilidade e especificidade para o diagnóstico de mixoma cardíaco, a interpretação de imagens pode ser subjetiva. Ponto controverso é a retirada de cateter nesses casos, que é assunto discutido ao longo do relato.

The use of green tea polyphenols for treating residual albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy: A double-blind randomised clinical trial.

Prior research has shown that in experimental diabetes mellitus, green tea reduces albuminuria by decreasing podocyte apoptosis through activation of the WNT pathway. We investigated the effect of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on residual albuminuria of diabetic subjects with nephropathy. We conducted a randomised, double-blind study in 42 diabetic subjects with a urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) >30 mg/g, despite administration of the maximum recommended dose of renin-angiotensin (RAS) inhibition. Patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups to receive either GTP (containing 800 mg of epigallocatechin gallate, 17 with type 2 diabetes and 4 with type 1 diabetes) or placebo (21 with type 2 diabetes) for 12 weeks. Treatment with GTP reduced UACR by 41%, while the placebo group saw a 2% increase in UACR (p = 0.019). Podocyte apoptosis (p = 0.001) and in vitro albumin permeability (p < 0.001) were higher in immortalized human podocytes exposed to plasma from diabetic subjects compared to podocytes treated with plasma from normal individuals. In conclusion, GTP administration reduces albuminuria in diabetic patients receiving the maximum recommended dose of RAS. Reduction in podocyte apoptosis by activation of the WNT pathway may have contributed to this effect.

Theobromine increases NAD⁺/Sirt-1 activity and protects the kidney under diabetic conditions.

Reduction in sirtuin 1 (Sirt-1) is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in the diabetic kidney. Theobromine may reduce kidney ECM accumulation in diabetic rats. In the current study, we aimed to unravel, under diabetic conditions, the mechanism of kidney ECM accumulation induced by a reduction in Sirt-1 and the effect of theobromine in these events. In vitro, we used immortalized human mesangial cells (iHMCs) exposed to high glucose (HG; 30 mM), with or without small interfering RNA for NOX4 and Sirt-1. In vivo, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were rendered diabetic by means of streptozotocin and studied after 12 wk. The effects of treatment with theobromine were investigated under both conditions. HG leads to a decrease in Sirt-1 activity and NAD(+) levels in iHMCs. Sirt-1 activity could be reestablished by treatment with NAD(+), silencing NOX4, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) blockade, or with theobromine. HG also leads to a low AMP/ATP ratio, acetylation of SMAD3, and increased collagen IV, which is prevented by theobromine. Sirt-1 or AMPK blockade abolished these effects of theobromine. In diabetic SHR, theobromine prevented increases in albuminuria and kidney collagen IV, reduced AMPK, elevated NADPH oxidase activity and PARP-1, and reduced NAD(+) levels and Sirt-1 activity. These results suggest that in diabetes mellitus, Sirt-1 activity is reduced by PARP-1 activation and NAD(+) depletion due to low AMPK, which increases NOX4 expression, leading to ECM accumulation mediated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 signaling. It is suggested that Sirt-1 activation by theobromine may have therapeutic potential for diabetic nephropathy.

Changes in pulmonary function and parasite burden in rats infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis concomitant with induction of allergic airway inflammation.

The prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma has increased markedly over the past few decades. To evaluate the possible mutual influence of helminth infection and allergy, the combined effects of experimental allergic airway inflammation and infection with Strongyloides venezuelensis on various parasitological and inflammatory indices were evaluated in the rat. A challenge of immunized rats with aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) resulted in eosinophilic inflammation that peaked 48 h after the challenge and was accompanied by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to an intravenous acetylcholine challenge. S. venezuelensis infection concomitant with an OVA challenge of immunized rats resulted in prolonged pulmonary inflammation with increased eosinophil infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but not in the lung tissue. These rats also showed a significant parasite burden reduction, especially during parasite migration through the lungs. However, the fecundity rates of worms that reached the intestine were similar in allergic and nonallergic animals. Despite airway inflammation, the increased responsiveness of the airways in the experimental asthma model was suppressed during parasite migration through the lungs (2 days). In contrast, parasite-induced AHR was unchanged 5 days after infection in immunized and challenged rats. In conclusion, infection with S. venezuelensis interfered with the onset of AHR following an antigen challenge of immunized rats. The ability of parasites to switch off functional airway responses is therapeutically relevant because we may learn from parasites how to modulate lung function and, hence, the AHR characteristic of asthmatic patients.