Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance (MGRS): Prospects for Treatment in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a pathological state which presents with a spectrum of renal lesions. MGRS is characterized by pathogenic monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains produced by a premalignant plasma cell or B cell clone. In view of inadequate understanding in the past, the low detection rate of MGRS often results in poor outcomes and reduces quality of life of patients. Thus, MGRS stands for a group of clinical refractory renal diseases. To date, no standard treatment strategy for MGRS is available. Current consensus suggests a clone-directed approach that aims to eradicate the offending clone, but its long-term prognosis is not clear. In this article, we discuss the diagnostic methods, highlight treatment advances, and introduce integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the management of MGRS.

Effects of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecular-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: a blank group, a model group, a Simvastatin group, and high-, medium-, and low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced carotid artery endothelium injury in conjunction with the high-cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all animals were euthanized to evaluate levels of IL-6 and ICAM-1 expressions (by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and of MCP-1 (by immunohistochemistry staining).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were significantly increased in all groups except the blank group (P<0.05). However, the rabbits in the Wenxiao Decoction groups and the Simvastatin group showed significantly lower levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 expression than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in the highdosage Wenxiao Decoction group and the Simvastatin group were lower than those in the low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group (P<0.05). The expression of MCP-1 in medium-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group was lower than that in the low-dosage group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High, medium, and low doses of Wenxiao Decoction can inhibit the expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which may prevent and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct relationship between dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Wenxiao Decoction.</p>

Increased glycated albumin and decreased esRAGE concentrations are associated with in-stent restenosis in Chinese diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact of glycated albumin (GA) and endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end products (esRAGE) and RAGE polymorphisms on occurrence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Four hundred nineteen patients with diabetes were divided, based upon the presence or absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ISR, into Group I (205 patients without CAD), Group II (128 patients with CAD but without ISR) and Group III (86 patients with ISR). One hundred fifty-two normal subjects were served as controls. Serum concentrations of GA and esRAGE were measured, and RAGE polymorphisms (-374T>A, -429T>C and G82S) were analyzed. RESULTS: Serum GA concentration was higher and, in contrast, esRAGE concentration was lower in Group III than in the other groups (P<0.05). These two protein concentrations correlated closely with loss index (all P<0.01), and were independent risk factors for ISR in diabetic patients (P=0.01 and P=0.025, respectively). However, there were no differences in the allele and genotype frequencies in the 3 polymorphisms of RAGE gene between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased GA and decreased esRAGE concentrations, but not -374T>A, -429T>C and Gly82Ser polymorphisms of RAGE gene, are associated with ISR in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.