Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers effect in chronic kidney disease progression in hypertensive elderly patients without proteinuria: PROERCAN trial / Efecto de los bloqueantes del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona en la progresión de enfermedad renal crónica en pacientes hipertensos añosos sin proteinuria: ensayo clínico Progresión de Enfermedad Renal Crónica en Ancianos

Introduction: Evidence about nefroprotective effect with RAAS blockers in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) without proteinuria is lacking. The primary outcome of our study is to evaluate the impact of RAAS blockers in CKD progression in elderly patients without proteinuria. Materials and methods: Multicenter open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial including patients over 65 year-old with hypertension and CKD stages 3–4 without proteinuria. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive RAAS blockers or other antihypertensive drugs and were followed up for three years. Primary outcome is estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline at 3 years. Secondary outcome measures include BP control, renal and cardiovascular events and mortality. Results: 88 patients were included with a mean age of 77.9±6.1 years and a follow up period of 3 years: 40 were randomized to RAAS group and 48 to standard treatment. Ethiology of CKD was: 53 vascular, 16 interstitial and 19 of unknown ethiology. In the RAAS group eGFR slope during follow up was −4.3±1.1ml/min, whereas in the standard treatment group an increase on eGFR was observed after 3 years (+4.6±0.4ml/min), p=0.024. We found no differences in blood pressure control, number of antihypertensive drugs, albuminuria, potassium serum levels, incidence of cardiovascular events nor mortality during the follow up period. Conclusions: In elderly patients without diabetes nor cardiopathy and with non proteinuric CKD the use of RAAS blockers does not show a reduction in CKD progression. The PROERCAN (PROgresión de Enfermedad Renal Crónica en ANcianos) trial (trial registration: NCT03195023). (AU)

Introducción: Actualmente no existe suficiente evidencia sobre el efecto nefroprotector de los bloqueantes del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (BSRAA) en pacientes añosos con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) sin proteinuria y sin cardiopatía. El objetivo es evaluar el efecto de los BSRAA en la progresión de la ERC en este grupo poblacional. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado, que compara la eficacia de los BSRAA vs. otros tratamientos antihipertensivos en la progresión renal en personas mayores de 65 años con ERC estadios 3 y 4 e índice albúmina/creatinina<30mg/g. Aleatorización 1:1 BSRAA o tratamiento antihipertensivo estándar. Se recogieron cifras tensionales y parámetros analíticos de un año previo a la aleatorización y durante el seguimiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron 88 pacientes seguidos durante tres años con edad media de 77,9±6,1 años. De estos, se aleatorizaron 40 al grupo BSRAA y 48 al estándar. La etiología de ERC fue: 53 vascular, 16 intersticial y 19 no filiada. En el primer grupo se observó una progresión de la ERC con una caída del filtrado glomerular estimado (FGe) de -4,3±1,1mL/min, mientras que en el grupo estándar un aumento del FGe durante el seguimiento de 4,6±0,4mL/min, p=0,024. No se apreciaron diferencias entre ambos en el control tensional, el número de antihipertensivos, la albuminuria, los niveles de potasio, la incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares ni la mortalidad durante el seguimiento. Conclusiones: En pacientes añosos no diabéticos con ERC no proteinúrica y sin cardiopatía el uso de BSRAA no añade beneficio en la progresión de la ERC. Ensayo clínico Progresión de Enfermedad Renal Crónica en Ancianos (PROERCAN) (NCT03195023). (AU)

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers effect in chronic kidney disease progression in hypertensive elderly patients without proteinuria: PROERCAN trial.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence about nefroprotective effect with RAAS blockers in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) without proteinuria is lacking. The primary outcome of our study is to evaluate the impact of RAAS blockers in CKD progression in elderly patients without proteinuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial including patients over 65 year-old with hypertension and CKD stages 3-4 without proteinuria. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive RAAS blockers or other antihypertensive drugs and were followed up for three years. Primary outcome is estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline at 3 years. Secondary outcome measures include BP control, renal and cardiovascular events and mortality. RESULTS: 88 patients were included with a mean age of 77.9±6.1 years and a follow up period of 3 years: 40 were randomized to RAAS group and 48 to standard treatment. Ethiology of CKD was: 53 vascular, 16 interstitial and 19 of unknown ethiology. In the RAAS group eGFR slope during follow up was -4.3±1.1ml/min, whereas in the standard treatment group an increase on eGFR was observed after 3 years (+4.6±0.4ml/min), p=0.024. We found no differences in blood pressure control, number of antihypertensive drugs, albuminuria, potassium serum levels, incidence of cardiovascular events nor mortality during the follow up period. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients without diabetes nor cardiopathy and with non proteinuric CKD the use of RAAS blockers does not show a reduction in CKD progression. The PROERCAN (PROgresión de Enfermedad Renal Crónica en ANcianos) trial (trial registration: NCT03195023).

Prevalencia de anemia en población gestante / Anaemia prevalence in pregnant population

Introducción:La anemia gestacional, que tiene unos valores de referencia de hemoglobina específicos en cada trimestre de gestación, aumenta el riesgo de mortalidad materna y de complicaciones fetales y neonatales. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los niveles de hemoglobina en las gestantes de nuestra población y conocer la prevalencia de anemia gestacional.Material y métodos:Estudio retrospectivo de los hemogramas solicitados en los controles de gestación durante el año 2019.Resultados:Se revisaron 9.995 hemogramas de gestación correspondientes a 5.507 embarazadas, 1134 pacientes tuvieron el control evolutivo completo en 2019. Los datos de prevalencia de anemia fueron de un 1,8%, 11,8% y 13,2% en cada trimestre respectivamente. La prevalencia global fue de un 22,6%.Conclusiones:La prevalencia de anemia gestacional en nuestra población es algo superior a la consultada en la bibliografía y varía en función del cálculo del límite inferior de normalidad (hemoglobina media poblacional y criterios de normalidad clásico y de Beutler&Waalen). Esto nos pone en alerta sobre la existencia de un margen de mejora en nuestros protocolos clínicos actuales. (AU)

Introduction:Gestational anaemia, which has specific haemoglobin (Hb) reference values in each trimester of gestation, increases the risk of maternal mortality and complications both in pregnancy and in the first months of the newborn's life. The objective of this study is to evaluate haemoglobin levels in pregnant women in our population, to determine the prevalence of gestational anaemia and to propose reference values specific to them.Material and methods:Retrospective study of all blood counts requested in pregnancy and postpartum controls during 2019.Results:9995 gestation haemograms corresponding to 5507 pregnant women were reviewed. Of these, 1134 patients underwent complete follow-up in 2019. The prevalence data for anaemia were 1.8%, 11.8% and 13.2% in each trimester respectively, and the global prevalence in pregnancy was 22.6%. Regarding postpartum anaemia, its prevalence with respect to all pregnant women was 2.99%, increasing to 38.2% in those patients with complications during delivery.Conclusions:The prevalence of gestational anaemia in our population is somewhat higher than in countries like ours. Therefore, there is room for improvement in our current clinical protocols. It is important to assess updating analytical controls with other more adequate parameters to determine iron reserves, as this is the main cause of anaemia. (AU)

[Anaemia prevalence in pregnant population]. / Prevalencia de anemia en población gestante.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational anaemia, which has specific haemoglobin (Hb) reference values in each trimester of gestation, increases the risk of maternal mortality and complications both in pregnancy and in the first months of the newborn's life. The objective of this study is to evaluate haemoglobin levels in pregnant women in our population, to determine the prevalence of gestational anaemia and to propose reference values specific to them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of all blood counts requested in pregnancy and postpartum controls during 2019. RESULTS: 9995 gestation haemograms corresponding to 5507 pregnant women were reviewed. Of these, 1134 patients underwent complete follow-up in 2019. The prevalence data for anaemia were 1.8%, 11.8% and 13.2% in each trimester respectively, and the global prevalence in pregnancy was 22.6%. Regarding postpartum anaemia, its prevalence with respect to all pregnant women was 2.99%, increasing to 38.2% in those patients with complications during delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of gestational anaemia in our population is somewhat higher than in countries like ours. Therefore, there is room for improvement in our current clinical protocols. It is important to assess updating analytical controls with other more adequate parameters to determine iron reserves, as this is the main cause of anaemia.

COVID-19 vaccination among Spanish nephrologists: Acceptance and side effects.

INTRODUCTION: Four vaccines against Covid-19 have been approved to date. Their acceptance and safety have not been addressed on healthcare workers. The aim of the present study is to evaluate vaccination rates and side effects among Spanish nephrologists. METHODS: All the Spanish nephrologists were invited to participate in this survey. Data on demographics, Covid-19 infection status, received vaccine doses and side effects were collected. Acceptance and side effects were analyzed for Covid-19 vaccination. Factors associated to vaccination were assessed and a multivariate adjusted model was constructed to determine independent predictors for Covid-19 vaccine side effects. RESULTS: A total of 708 nephrologists answered the survey (460 [65%] women, mean age 44±11 years). Six-hundred and eight (86%) had received the first dose and 513 (72%) were fully vaccinated. Most of the subjects (565, 93%) received BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech®) vaccine. Among vaccinated nephrologists, 453 (75%) presented any side effect; the most frequent was local reaction (68%), followed by myalgia (44%), tiredness (39%) and headache (34%). Age (OR 0.97, 95%CI [0.95-0.99], p<0.0001) and prior Covid-19 infection (OR 2.37, 95%CI [1.27-4.42], p=0.007) were independent predictors for developing side effects with Covid-19 vaccine. Overall side effects were similar with both vaccines, being myalgia (p=0.006) and tiredness (p=0.032) more frequent with the Pfizer-BioNTech® one. CONCLUSION: Age and prior Covid-19 infection were predictors of vaccination side effects among Spanish nephrologists.

Obesity related risk for chronic kidney disease progression and cardiovascular disease after propensity score matching / Riesgo relacionado con la obesidad para la progresión de insuficiencia renal crónica y enfermedad cardiovascular tras emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión

Introduction: Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. It carries a markedly increased risk for multiple diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). To complicate an already difficult topic a new subtype of obesity has been defined lately, the metabolically healthy obese. Our study aimed to clarify the association between obesity, metabolic syndrome and kidney disease progression. Methods: Observational retrospective single centre study including 212 patients with stage 3–4 CKD with no previous history of rapid kidney disease progression. Patients were divided according to BMI status and presence of metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory data were collected to follow-up. Propensity score matching was performed for age, albuminuria and baseline renal function. During follow-up renal and cardiovascular events were recorded. Results: After a mean follow-up of 88.44±36.07 months a total of 18 patients reached the renal outcome in the non-obese group and 21 in the obese group. Differences were not statistically significant (log rank=0.21: p=0.64). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed that obesity was not predictor for worse renal outcomes [HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.45–2.24; p=0.97]. When stratifying the sample according to baseline metabolic syndrome and obesity presence there was no difference in renal survival (log rank=0.852; p=0.35) (AU)

Introducción: La obesidad es un problema mayor de salud a nivel mundial. Comporta un considerable incremento del riesgo de múltiples enfermedades tales como diabetes mellitus tipo 2, hipertensión, enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) e insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC). Para complicar un tema ya difícil, se ha definido recientemente un nuevo subtipo de obesidad: el obeso metabólicamente sano. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue aclarar la asociación entre obesidad, síndrome metabólico y progresión de la enfermedad renal. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo unicéntrico que incluyó a 212 pacientes con IRC estadio 3 a 4, sin antecedentes de progresión rápida de la enfermedad renal. Se dividió a los pacientes conforme a su situación de índice de masa corporal (IMC) y presencia de síndrome metabólico (SM). Durante el seguimiento se recopilaron los datos antropométricos, clínicos y de laboratorio. Se realizó el emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión (Propensity score matching) para edad, albuminuria y función renal nasal. Durante el seguimiento se registraron los episodios renales y cardiovasculares. Resultados: Tras un seguimiento medio de 88,44 ± 36,07 meses, un total de 18 pacientes logró el resultado renal en el grupo de no obesos, y 21 en el grupo de obesos. Las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas (log rank=0,21: p = 0,64). El análisis de regresión múltiple de Cox mostró que la obesidad no era un factor predictivo para peores resultados renales [HR 1,01, IC95% 0,45–2,24; p 0,97]. Al estratificar la muestra con arreglo a síndrome metabólico basal y presencia de obesidad no existió diferencia en cuanto a la supervivencia renal (log rank = 0,852; p = 0,35). (AU)

Patient-specific iPSC-derived cellular models of LGMDR1.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy recessive 1 (LGMDR1) represents one of the most common types of LGMD in the population, where patients develop a progressive muscle degeneration. The disease is caused by mutations in calpain 3 gene, with over 500 mutations reported to date. However, the molecular events that lead to muscle wasting are not clear, nor the reasons for the great clinical variability among patients, and this has so far hindered the development of effective therapies. Here we generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from skin fibroblasts of 2 healthy controls and 4 LGMDR1 patients with different mutations. The generated lines were able to differentiate into myogenic progenitors and myotubes in vitro and in vivo, upon a transient PAX7 overexpressing protocol. Thus, we have generated myogenic cellular models of LGMDR1 that harbor different CAPN3 mutations within a human genetic background, and which do not derive from muscular biopsies. These models will allow us to investigate disease mechanisms and test therapies. Despite the variability found among iPSC lines that was unrelated to CAPN3 mutations, we found that patient-derived myogenic progenitors and myotubes express lower levels of DMD, which codes a key protein in satellite cell regulation and myotube maturation.

Obesity related risk for chronic kidney disease progression and cardiovascular disease after propensity score matching.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. It carries a markedly increased risk for multiple diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). To complicate an already difficult topic a new subtype of obesity has been defined lately, the metabolically healthy obese. Our study aimed to clarify the association between obesity, metabolic syndrome and kidney disease progression. METHODS: Observational retrospective single centre study including 212 patients with stage 3-4 CKD with no previous history of rapid kidney disease progression. Patients were divided according to BMI status and presence of metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory data were collected to follow-up. Propensity score matching was performed for age, albuminuria and baseline renal function. During follow-up renal and cardiovascular events were recorded. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 88.44±36.07 months a total of 18 patients reached the renal outcome in the non-obese group and 21 in the obese group. Differences were not statistically significant (log rank=0.21: p=0.64). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed that obesity was not predictor for worse renal outcomes [HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.45-2.24; p=0.97]. When stratifying the sample according to baseline metabolic syndrome and obesity presence there was no difference in renal survival (log rank=0.852; p=0.35) A total of 48 cardiovascular events were registered: seventeen in the non-obese group and thirty-one in the obese group. Differences in event-free time between both groups were statistically significant (log rank=4.44;p=0.035), especially after four years of follow-up. After stratifying for MS and obesity presence at baseline the event-free time differences where again statistically significant (log rank=16.86;p=0.001), specially for the obese patients with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity has little impact on chronic kidney disease progression despite the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in a cohort matched for age, baseline renal function and albuminuria. Obesity conferred greater cardiovascular risk when combined with metabolic syndrome.

The effect of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockers on the progression of chronic kidney disease in hypertensive elderly patients without proteinuria: PROERCAN study. Rationale and design / Efecto de los bloqueantes del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona en la progresión de la enfermedad renal crónica en pacientes añosos sin proteinuria: ensayo clínico PROERCAN. Diseño y justificación del estudio

INTRODUCTION: Blood pressure (BP) control is fundamental to the care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is relevant at all stages of CKD. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers have shown to be effective, not only in BP control but also in reducing proteinuria and slowing CKD progression. However, there is a lack of evidence for recommending RAAS blockers in elderly patients with CKD without proteinuria. The primary outcome of the present study is to evaluate the impact of RAAS blockers on CKD progression in elderly patients without proteinuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PROERCAN trial (trial registration, NCT03195023) is a multicentre open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial with 110 participants over 65 years-old with hypertension and CKD stages 3-4 without proteinuria. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive RAAS blockers or other antihypertensive drugs, and will be followed up for three years. Primary outcome is the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline at 3 years. Secondary outcomes include BP control, renal and cardiovascular events, and mortality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The design of this trial is presented here. The results will show if antihypertensive treatment with RAAS blockers has an impact on CKD progression in elderly patients without proteinuria. Any differences in BP control, cardiovascular events, and mortality with each antihypertensive treatment will be also clarified

INTRODUCCIÓN: El control de la presión arterial (PA) es fundamental para los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) y es relevante en todos los estadios de ERC. Los bloqueantes del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (BSRAA) han demostrado su efectividad no solo en el control de la PA sino también en la reducción de la proteinuria y de la progresión de la ERC. Sin embargo, no existe evidencia para recomendar el uso de BSRAA en pacientes añosos con ERC sin proteinuria. El objetivo principal del estudio es evaluar el impacto de los BSRAA en la progresión de ERC en pacientes añosos sin proteinuria. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El estudio PROERCAN (NCT03195023) es un ensayo clínico multicéntrico, abierto, aleatorizado de 110 pacientes hipertensos, mayores de 65 años con ERC estadios3 y4 sin proteinuria. Los pacientes son aleatorizados 1:1 a recibir tratamiento con BSRAA u otros antihipertensivos y el seguimiento será de 3años. La variable principal es el descenso del filtrado glomerular estimado durante el tiempo de seguimiento. Las variables secundarias incluyen las cifras de PA, eventos renales y cardiovasculares y mortalidad. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIÓN: El diseño del ensayo clínico se desarrolla en el presente artículo. Los resultados determinarán si el tratamiento antihipertensivo con BSRAA tiene un impacto en la progresión de la ERC en pacientes añosos sin proteinuria. Así mismo, se aclararán las diferencias en el control de la PA, los eventos cardiovasculares y la mortalidad con los distintos tratamientos antihipertensivos

The effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers on the progression of chronic kidney disease in hypertensive elderly patients without proteinuria: PROERCAN study. Rationale and design.

INTRODUCTION: Blood pressure (BP) control is fundamental to the care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is relevant at all stages of CKD. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers have shown to be effective, not only in BP control but also in reducing proteinuria and slowing CKD progression. However, there is a lack of evidence for recommending RAAS blockers in elderly patients with CKD without proteinuria. The primary outcome of the present study is to evaluate the impact of RAAS blockers on CKD progression in elderly patients without proteinuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PROERCAN trial (trial registration, NCT03195023) is a multicentre open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial with 110 participants over 65 years-old with hypertension and CKD stages 3-4 without proteinuria. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive RAAS blockers or other antihypertensive drugs, and will be followed up for three years. Primary outcome is the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline at 3 years. Secondary outcomes include BP control, renal and cardiovascular events, and mortality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The design of this trial is presented here. The results will show if antihypertensive treatment with RAAS blockers has an impact on CKD progression in elderly patients without proteinuria. Any differences in BP control, cardiovascular events, and mortality with each antihypertensive treatment will be also clarified.

Progresión de la enfermedad renal crónica en pacientes con hipertensión resistente sometidos a 2 estrategias terapéuticas: intensificación con diuréticos de asa vs. antagonistas de la aldosterona / Chronic kidney disease progression in patients with resistant hypertension subject to 2 therapeutic strategies: Intensification with loop diuretics vs aldosterone antagonists

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la actualidad, existen pocos datos sobre la evolución de la función renal en pacientes con hipertensión arterial (HTA) resistente y enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), así como de la influencia de diferentes tipos de tratamiento en dicha progresión. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la progresión de la ERC en pacientes con ERC e HTA resistente tratados mediante 2 estrategias terapéuticas diferentes: tratamiento con espironolactona vs. furosemida. MÉTODOS: Incluimos a 30 pacientes (21 H, 9M) con una edad media de 66,3 ± 9,1 años, FGe 55,8 ± 16,5 ml/min/1,73 m2, PAS 162,8 ± 8,2 y PAD 90,2 ± 6,2 mmHg: 15 tratados con espironolactona y 15 con furosemida, seguidos durante un tiempo medio de 32 meses (28-41). RESULTADOS: El descenso medio anual del FGe fue de -2,8 ± 5,4 ml/min/1,73 m2. En el grupo de espironolactona fue de -2,1 ± 4,8ml/min/1,73 m2 y en el de furosemida -3,2 ± 5,6 ml/min/1,73 m2, p < 0,01. En los pacientes con espironolactona la PAS disminuyó 23 ± 9 mmHg vs. 16 ± 3mmHg en el grupo de furosemida (p < 0,01). La PAD se redujo 10 ± 8 mmHg y 6 ± 2 mmHg, respectivamente (p < 0,01). El tratamiento con espironolactona redujo la albuminuria de una mediana de 210 (121-385) mg/g a 65 (45-120) mg/g al final del seguimiento, p < 0,01. En el grupo de furosemida la albuminuria no descendió. La progresión más lenta en la enfermedad renal se asoció con una menor PAS (p = 0,04), mayor FGe basal (p = 0,01), menor albuminuria (p = 0,01), no tener diabetes mellitus (p = 0,01) y recibir tratamiento con espironolactona (p = 0,02). El tratamiento con espironolactona (OR 2,13; IC 1,89-2,29) y la menor albuminuria (OR 0,98; IC 0,97-0,99) mantienen su poder predictivo independiente en un modelo multivariante. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento con espironolactona reduce más la presión arterial y la albuminuria en pacientes con HTA resistente comparado con la furosemida y esto se asocia con una progresión más lenta de la ERC a largo plazo

INTRODUCTION: Actualy, there are few data about glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) drop in patients with resistant hypertension and how diferent therapies can modify chronic kidney disease progression (CKD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CKD progression in patients with resistant hypertension undergoing 2 diferent therapies: treatment with spironolactone or furosemide. METHODS: We included 30 patients (21 M, 9 W) with a mean age of 66.3 ± 9.1 years, eGFR 55.8 ± 16.5 ml/min/1.73 m2, SBP 162.8 ± 8.2 and DBP 90.2 ± 6.2 mmHg: 15 patients received spironolactone and 15 furosemide and we followed up them a median of 32 months (28-41). RESULTS: The mean annual eGFR decrease was -2.8 ± 5.4 ml/min/1.73 m2. In spironolactone group was -2.1 ± 4.8 ml/min/1.73 m2 and in furosemide group was -3.2 ± 5.6 ml/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.01. In patients received spironolactone, SBP decreased 23 ± 9 mmHg and in furosemide group decreased 16 ± 3 mmHg, P<.01. DBP decreased 10 ± 8 mmHg and 6 ± 2mmHg, respectively (P<.01). Treatment with spironolactone reduced albuminuria from a serum albumin/creatine ratio of 210 (121-385) mg/g to 65 (45-120) mg/g at the end of follow-up, P<.01. There were no significant changes in the albumin/creatinine ratio in the furosemide group. The slower drop in kidney function was associated with lower SBP (P=.04), higher GFR (P=.01), lower albuminuria (P=.01), not diabetes mellitus (P=.01) and treatment with spironolactone (P=.02). Treatment with spironolactone (OR 2.13, IC 1.89-2.29) and lower albuminuria (OR 0.98, CI 0.97-0.99) maintain their independent predictive power in a multivariate model. CONCLUSION: Treatment with spironolactone is more effective reducing BP and albuminuria in patients with resistant hypertension compared with furosemide and it is associated with a slower progression of CKD in the long term follow up

Chronic kidney disease progression in patients with resistant hypertension subject to 2 therapeutic strategies: Intensification with loop diuretics vs aldosterone antagonists. / Progresión de la enfermedad renal crónica en pacientes con hipertensión resistente sometidos a 2 estrategias terapéuticas: intensificación con diuréticos de asa vs. antagonistas de la aldosterona.

INTRODUCTION: Actualy, there are few data about glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) drop in patients with resistant hypertension and how diferent therapies can modify chronic kidney disease progression (CKD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CKD progression in patients with resistant hypertension undergoing 2diferent therapies: treatment with spironolactone or furosemide. METHODS: We included 30 patients (21M, 9W) with a mean age of 66.3±9.1 years, eGFR 55.8±16.5ml/min/1.73 m2, SBP 162.8±8.2 and DBP 90.2±6.2mmHg: 15 patients received spironolactone and 15 furosemide and we followed up them a median of 32 months (28-41). RESULTS: The mean annual eGFR decrease was -2.8±5.4ml/min/1.73 m2. In spironolactone group was -2.1±4.8ml/min/1.73 m2 and in furosemide group was -3.2±5.6ml/min/1.73 m2, P<0.01. In patients received spironolactone, SBP decreased 23±9mmHg and in furosemide group decreased 16±3mmHg, P<.01. DBP decreased 10±8mmHg and 6±2mmHg, respectively (P<.01). Treatment with spironolactone reduced albuminuria from a serum albumin/creatine ratio of 210 (121-385) mg/g to 65 (45-120) mg/g at the end of follow-up, P<.01. There were no significant changes in the albumin/creatinine ratio in the furosemide group. The slower drop in kidney function was associated with lower SBP (P=.04), higher GFR (P=.01), lower albuminuria (P=.01), not diabetes mellitus (P=.01) and treatment with spironolactone (P=.02). Treatment with spironolactone (OR 2.13, IC 1.89-2.29) and lower albuminuria (OR 0.98, CI 0.97-0.99) maintain their independent predictive power in a multivariate model. CONCLUSION: Treatment with spironolactone is more effective reducing BP and albuminuria in patients with resistant hypertension compared with furosemide and it is associated with a slower progression of CKD in the long term follow up.

Mis-splicing of Tau exon 10 in myotonic dystrophy type 1 is reproduced by overexpression of CELF2 but not by MBNL1 silencing.

Tau is the proteinaceous component of intraneuronal aggregates common to neurodegenerative diseases called Tauopathies, including myotonic dystrophy type 1. In myotonic dystrophy type 1, the presence of microtubule-associated protein Tau aggregates is associated with a mis-splicing of Tau. A toxic gain-of-function at the ribonucleic acid level is a major etiological factor responsible for the mis-splicing of several transcripts in myotonic dystrophy type 1. These are probably the consequence of a loss of muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) function or gain of CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 1 (CELF1) splicing function. Whether these two dysfunctions occur together or separately and whether all mis-splicing events in myotonic dystrophy type 1 brain result from one or both of these dysfunctions remains unknown. Here, we analyzed the splicing of Tau exons 2 and 10 in the brain of myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients. Two myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients showed a mis-splicing of exon 10 whereas exon 2-inclusion was reduced in all myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients. In order to determine the potential factors responsible for exon 10 mis-splicing, we studied the effect of the splicing factors muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1), CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 1 (CELF1), CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 2 (CELF2), and CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 4 (CELF4) or a dominant-negative CUGBP1 and ETR-3 like factor (CELF) factor on Tau exon 10 splicing by ectopic expression or siRNA. Interestingly, the inclusion of Tau exon 10 is reduced by CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 2 (CELF2) whereas it is insensitive to the loss-of-function of muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1), CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 1 (CELF1) gain-of-function, or a dominant-negative of CUGBP1 and ETR-3 like factor (CELF) factor. Moreover, we observed an increased expression of CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 2 (CELF2) only in the brain of myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients with a mis-splicing of exon 10. Taken together, our results indicate the occurrence of a mis-splicing event in myotonic dystrophy type 1 that is induced neither by a loss of muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) function nor by a gain of CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 1 (CELF1) function but is rather associated to CUGBP1 and ETR3-like factor 2 (CELF2) gain-of-function.

Daño renal en pacientes con síndrome metabólico que consultan en atención primaria / Renal damage in primary care patients with metabolic syndrome

Introducción. Estudiar en condiciones de práctica clínica real el daño renal, la prevalencia y grado de control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con síndrome metabólico atendidos en atención primaria. Material y método. Estudio observacional realizado a pacientes con síndrome metabólico (criterios ATP III). Realizado en centros de atención primaria de la Región de Murcia y Asturias. Se incluyó a 485 pacientes. Los datos recogidos fueron edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal (IMC), presión arterial, presión de pulso, glucosa, hemoglobina glucosilada, perfil lipídico, factores de riesgo cardiovascular, tratamiento, componentes de síndrome metabólico y datos de afectación renal. Resultados. De los 458 pacientes, el filtrado glomerular es < 90ml/min en 375 (77,5%). La microalbuminuria ha sido positiva en 94 pacientes (22%). Las cifras medias de presión arterial fueron 143,6±16,0mm de Hg para la sistólica y 82,8±10,2mm de Hg para la diastólica. El LDL colesterol (LDLc) medio fue de 129,88±36,77mg/dl y la hemoglobina glucosilada, de 6,47±1,45g/dl. El fármaco más utilizado para el control de la diabetes fue la metformina en el 33,6% de los diabéticos. Respecto a la hipertensión arterial (HTA) los fármacos más utilizados fueron los bloqueantes del sistema renina angiotensina en el 41,1% de los hipertensos y para el control lipídico fueron las estatinas en el 63,1% de los dislipidémicos. Conclusiones. Se detecta afectación renal en un alto porcentaje de los pacientes. Es necesario lograr un alto grado de control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estos pacientes (AU)

Introduction: To study, under routine clinical practice conditions, renal damage, prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome treated in Primary Care centres in Spain. Material and methods: An observational study in patients with metabolic syndrome (ATP III criteria) was conducted in Primary Care Centres in Murcia and Asturias. A total of 485 patients were included. The data collected were: age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse pressure, glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, lipid profile, cardiovascular risk factors, treatment, components of metabolic syndrome and data on renal involvement. Results: Of the 485 patients, 375 (77.5%) had a glomerular filtration rate of < 90 ml/min. Microalbuminuria was positive in 94 patients (22%). The means of blood pressure were 143.6±16.0 mmHg for systolic, and 82.8±10.2 mmHg for diastolic. The mean LDL cholesterol was 129.88±36.97 mg/dL and for glycosylated haemoglobin it was 6.47±1.45 g/dL. The drug most used for the control of the diabetes was metformin in 33.6% of the diabetics. With respect to hypertension the drugs more used were the renin-angiotensin system blockers in 41.1% of the hypertensive patients. Statins were used for lipid control in 63.1% of the patients. Conclusions: Renal damage was detected in a high percentage of the patients. An increased level of control of cardiovascular risk factors is required in these patients (AU)

Influence of two vaccination campaigns on genetic diversity of invasive Neisseria meningitidis isolates in northern Spain (1997-2008).

BACKGROUND: Neisseria meningitidis diversifies rapidly, due to its high recombination rates. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible impact of two vaccination campaigns (a once-off A/C polysaccharide vaccination campaign in people aged 18 months to 20 years old in 1997, and a meningococcal C conjugate vaccination campaign in children aged < or = 6 years old from 2000 to 2008) on diversification of the population of invasive isolates obtained between 1997 and 2008. All of the 461 available isolates were included (2, 319, 123, 11 and 6 belonging to serogroups A, B, C, Y and W-135, respectively). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The isolates were analyzed for diversity using multilocus sequence typing, eBURST and the S.T.A.R.T.2 program. One hundred and seven sequence types (ST) and 20 clonal complexes were obtained. Five different STs (ST11, ST8, ST33, ST1163 and ST3496) included 56.4% of the isolates. With the exception of ST11, all other STs were associated with a specific serogroup. Epidemic circulation of serogroup C ST8 isolates was detected in 1997-1998, as well as epidemic circulation of ST11 isolates (serogroups B and C) in 2002-2004. The epidemic behavior of serogroup B ST11 (ST11_B:2a:P1.5) was similar, although with lesser intensity, to that of ST11 of serogroup C. Although clonality increased during epidemic years, the overall diversity of the meningococcal population did not increase throughout the 12 years of the study. CONCLUSION: The overall diversity of the meningococcal population, measured by the frequency of STs and clonal complexes, numbers of alleles, polymorphic sites, and index of association, remained relatively constant throughout the study period, contradicting previous findings by other researchers.

Characterization of novel CAPN3 isoforms in white blood cells: an alternative approach for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2A diagnosis.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CAPN3 gene. Its definitive diagnosis is laborious, since the clinical phenotype is often similar to other types of muscular dystrophy and since the CAPN3 gene encompasses a large genomic region with more than 300 pathogenic mutations described to date. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 25% of the cases with a phenotype suggestive of LGMD2A do not have mutations in the CAPN3 gene and that, in up to 22% of the cases, only one mutation is identified. In the present work, we have characterised CAPN3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in peripheral blood, and we have performed a retrospective diagnostic study with 26 LGMD2A patients, sequencing a transcript of CAPN3 present in white blood cells (WBCs). The 25% of the mutations presented in this paper (7/28) act modifying pre-mRNA splicing of the CAPN3 transcript, including the first deep-intronic mutation described to date in the CAPN3 gene. Our results determine that the sequencing of CAPN3 transcripts present in WBCs could be applied as a new approach for LGMD2A diagnosis. This method improves and simplifies diagnosis, since it combines the advantages of mRNA analysis in a more accessible and rapidly regenerated tissue. However, the lack of exon 15 in the CAPN3 isoforms present in blood, and the presence of mRNA degradation make it necessary to combine mRNA and DNA analyses in some specific cases.

Molecular characterization of putative modulatory factors in two Spanish families with A1555G deafness.

The aim of this work is to characterize possible modifying factors in 2 large families carrying the A1555G mitochondrial mutation. The heteroplasmy of the mutation, the presence of aminoglycosides, the cosegregation with other mitochondrial mutations, the proposed linkage in chromosome 8 and the association with TRMU and MTO1 genes were studied. None of the mentioned modifying factors were related with the phenotype presentation of A1555G mutation. However, TRMU G28T single nucleotide polymorphism is present in 1 of the studied families.

Minimizing creatine kinase variability in rats for neuromuscular research purposes.

Rat serum or plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity is widely used to evaluate myopathic processes, to test the myotoxicity of different drugs, or to analyse the benefits of emerging gene therapies in some neuromuscular disorders. However, great variability is found in this determination. The aim of this study has been to control some factors of variation in order to reduce variability and increase the reproducibility of analytical data. 8-10-week-old Wistar-Han rats were used. The study consisted of four sequential phases. Phase I aimed to analyse the effect of ether and isoflurane as anaesthetic drugs. The objective of Phase II was to evaluate bleeding rats via retro-orbital sinus vs. tail vein. Phases III and IV were designed as two separate, repeated measure experiments on two factors: habituation to laboratory handling procedures in Phase III and gender in Phase IV. The repeated factor was the storage temperature of blood sample prior to centrifugation. Ether did not significantly increased the CK value. Using isoflurane, getting rats accustomed to laboratory handling procedures and whole blood refrigeration prior to centrifugation and serum separation resulted in statistically significant reduction in CK value and variability. Male rats showed significantly higher values than female rats. In the light of our findings, CK value and variability in rats may be minimized by choosing tail vein as site of bleeding, getting rats accustomed to laboratory handling procedures and maintaining whole blood refrigerated until centrifugation and serum separation.