Clinicopathological features, diagnosis, and treatment of IgA nephropathy with minimal change disease related to exposure to mercury-containing cosmetics: a case report
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AIM: Membranous nephropathy and minimal change disease (MCD) have been involved in mercury-induced nephrotic syndrome. IgA nephropathy is not known to be a common pathological type. In the present article, we report a case of IgA nephropathy with MCD following exposure to mercury-containing skin lightening cream. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient was a 39-year-old woman who presented with nephrotic syndrome. She had a 6-month history of using as many as 8 kinds of skin-lightening creams, and urinary mercury excretion was high. Renal biopsy revealed IgA nephropathy with MCD. The use of cosmetics was stopped and chelation therapy was given. After 4 courses (1 month) of chelation therapy, there was a complete remission of proteinuria and hematuria, and urine tests remained normal during the 5-year follow-up period. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The unique clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy with MCD had raised the controversial question of whether MCD and IgA deposition are separate entities or a common pathophysiology. Repeated renal biopsy and similar cases were helpful and should be carried out as far as possible.
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Corrigendum to "Irbesartan Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing the RANKL-RANK-NF-κB Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2016/1405924.].

Metadherin facilitates podocyte apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy.

Apoptosis, one of the major causes of podocyte loss, has been reported to have a vital role in diabetic nephropathy (DN) pathogenesis, and understanding the mechanisms underlying the regulation of podocyte apoptosis is crucial. Metadherin (MTDH) is an important oncogene, which is overexpressed in most cancers and responsible for apoptosis, metastasis, and poor patient survival. Here we show that the expression levels of Mtdh and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are significantly increased, whereas those of the microRNA-30 family members (miR-30s) are considerably reduced in the glomeruli of DN rat model and in high glucose (HG)-induced conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes (MPC5). These levels are positively correlated with podocyte apoptosis rate. The inhibition of Mtdh expression, using small interfering RNA, but not Mtdh overexpression, was shown to inhibit HG-induced MPC5 apoptosis and p38 MAPK pathway, and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 expression. This was shown to be similar to the effects of p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). Furthermore, luciferase assay results demonstrated that Mtdh represents the target of miR-30s. Transient transfection experiments, using miR-30 microRNA (miRNA) inhibitors, led to the increase in Mtdh expression and induced the apoptosis of MPC5, whereas the treatment with miR-30 miRNA mimics led to the reduction in Mtdh expression and apoptosis of HG-induced MPC5 cells in comparison with their respective controls. Our results demonstrate that Mtdh is a potent modulator of podocyte apoptosis, and that it represents the target of miR-30 miRNAs, facilitating podocyte apoptosis through the activation of HG-induced p38 MAPK-dependent pathway.

Cyclopropanyldehydrocostunolide LJ attenuates high glucose-induced podocyte injury by suppressing RANKL/RANK-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

AIMS: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of cyclopropanyldehydrocostunolide (also named LJ), a derivative of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), on high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury and the associated molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Differentiated mouse podocytes were incubated in different treatments. The migration and albumin filtration of podocytes were examined by Transwell filters. The protein and mRNA levels of MCP-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR). Protein expression and phosphorylation were detected by western blot, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB was performed with a confocal microscope. The gene expression of the receptor activator for NF-κB (RANK) was silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA). RESULTS: Our results showed that HG enhanced migration, albumin filtration and MCP-1 expression in podocytes. At the molecular level, HG promoted the phosphorylation of NF-κB/p65, IKKß, IκBα, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the nuclear translocation of p65. LJ reversed the effects of HG in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, our data provided the first demonstration that the receptor activator for NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and its cognate receptor RANK were overexpressed in HG-induced podocytes and were downregulated by LJ. RANK siRNA also attenuated HG-induced podocyte injury and markedly inhibited the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: LJ attenuates HG-induced podocyte injury by suppressing RANKL/RANK-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Irbesartan Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy by Suppressing the RANKL-RANK-NF-κB Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice.

The receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and its receptor RANK are overexpressed in focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and membranous nephropathy (MN). However, the expression and the potential roles of RANKL and RANK in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remain unclear. Irbesartan (Irb) has beneficial effects against diabetes-induced renal damage, but its mechanisms are poorly understood. Our present study investigated the effects of Irb in DN and whether the renal protective effects of Irb are mediated by RANKL/RANK and the downstream NF-κB pathway in db/db mice. Our results showed that db/db mice revealed severe metabolic abnormalities, renal dysfunction, podocyte injury, and increased MCP-1; these symptoms were reversed by Irb. At the molecular level, RANKL and RANK were overexpressed in the kidneys of db/db mice and Irb downregulated RANKL and RANK and inhibited the downstream NF-κB pathway. Our study suggests that Irb can ameliorate DN by suppressing the RANKL-RANK-NF-κB pathway.

Hypochlorite-Modified Albumin Upregulates ICAM-1 Expression via a MAPK-NF-κB Signaling Cascade: Protective Effects of Apocynin.

Hypochlorite-modified albumin (HOCl-alb) has been linked to endothelial dysfunction, which plays an important role in the development of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. However, whether HOCl-alb induces endothelial dysfunction via vascular inflammation and whether a signaling pathway is involved are unknown and have not been investigated. HOCl-alb was found to upregulate ICAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. HOCl-alb time-dependently phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38(MAPK). HOCl-alb also activated NF-κB. ICAM-1 expression was dose-dependently inhibited by U0126 (a specific inhibitor of MEK1/2, a signal upstream from ERK1/2), SB203580 (a specific inhibitor of p38(MAPK)), and SN50 (a specific inhibitor of NF-κB). U0126 and SB203580 both counteracted the activation of NF-κB, whereas the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38(MAPK) was not blocked by SN50. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was blocked by U0126 but not by SB203580, and p38(MAPK) activity was reduced by SB203580 but not by U0126. Apocynin, a specific NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor, inhibited ICAM-1 expression and the activity of ERK1/2, p38(MAPK), and NF-κB. These results indicate that HOCl-alb-induced ICAM-1 expression is caused by the activation of a redox-sensitive intracellular signal cascade involving ERK1/2 and p38(MAPK), culminating in the activation of NF-κB and involving NOXs among the upstream signals.

Time-averaged serum potassium levels and its fluctuation associate with 5-year survival of peritoneal dialysis patients: two-center based study.

The time-averaged serum potassium was more comprehensive to reflect the all-time changes of serum potassium levels during peritoneal dialysis (PD). However, the association of fluctuation of time-averaged serum potassium level with long-time survival of PD patients remains unknown. In this retrospective study, we included 357 incident PD patients in 2 centers from January 1, 2007 to October 31, 2012 with follow-up through October 31, 2014. Our data demonstrated that it was the lower time-averaged serum potassium level rather than baseline of serum potassium level that was associated with high risk of death. Patients with higher standard deviation (SD) had significantly poorer all-cause (p = 0.016) and cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.041). Among the patients with time-averaged serum potassium levels below 4.0 mEq/L, a lower mean value was more important than its SD to predict death risk. In contrast, the patients with time-averaged serum potassium levels above 4.0 mEq/L, those with serum potassium SD < 0.54 mEq/L, exhibited a higher 3-year and 5-year survival rate for both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared to the control groups. Our data clearly suggested both time-averaged serum potassium and its fluctuation contributed disproportionately to the high death risk in PD patients.

Sesquiterpene lactones inhibit advanced oxidation protein product-induced MCP-1 expression in podocytes via an IKK/NF-κB-dependent mechanism.

Inflammation is a relevant factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes nephropathy (DN). Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), originally isolated from Tanacetum parthenium, have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects but few studies have examined their effects on DN. To determine whether advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) can induce the expression of chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein- (MCP-) 1 in cultured mouse podocytes and to explore the mechanisms of the potential renoprotection of SLs, we treated podocytes with AOPPs and SLs (parthenolide and its derivatives micheliolide, compound 1, and compound 2). MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression were tested using quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively, and the protein levels of IKKß, phospho-IKKß, IκBα, NF-κB p65, phospho-NF-κB p65, and tubulin were analyzed by Western blotting. AOPPs activated the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner, activated IKKß and NF-κB p65, and promoted IκBα degradation. The IKK/NF-κB inhibitor parthenolide decreased AOPP-induced MCP-1 expression. Pretreatment with SLs inhibited MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression and suppressed IKKß and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and IκBα degradation. Taken together, these findings provide a novel explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of SLs that will ultimately benefit DN and potentially other inflammatory and immune renal diseases.

Effect of spinal cord extracts after spinal cord injury on proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem cells and Notch signal pathway in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the spinal cord extracts (SCE) after spinal cord injuries (SCIs) on the proliferation of rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) and the expressions of mRNA of Notch1 as well as of Hes1 in this process in vitro. METHODS: The experiment was conducted in 4 different mediums: NSCs+PBS (Group A-blank control group), NSCs+SCE with healthy SD rats (Group B-normal control group), NSCs+SCE with SD rats receiving sham-operation treatment (Group C-sham-operation group) and NSCs+ SCE with SCIs rats (Group D-paraplegic group). Proliferative abilities of 4 different groups were analyzed by MTT chromatometry after co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d, respectively. The expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA were also detected with RT-PCR after co-culture for 24 and 48 h, respectively. RESULTS: After co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d respectively, the MTT values of group D were significantly higher than those of group A, group B and group C (P<0.05). However, there were no significantly differences regarding MTT values between group A, group B and group C after co-culture for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 d, respectively (P>0.05). Both the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA of group D were significantly higher than those of other 3 groups after co-culture for 24 h and 48 h as well (P<0.05). But there was no difference oin expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA among group A, group B and group C after co-culture for 24 h and 48 h (P>0.05). There was no difference in expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA between 24 h and 48 h treatment in group D. CONCLUSIONS: SCE could promote the proliferation of NSCs. It is demonstrated that the microenvironment of SCI may promote the proliferation of NSCs. Besides, SCE could increase the expression of Notch1 and Hes1 mRNA of NSC. It can be concluded that the Notch signaling pathway activation is one of the mechanisms that locally injured microenvironment contributes to the proliferation of ENSC after SCIs. This process may be performed by up-regulating the expressions of Notch1 and Hes1 gene.

AOPPs induce MCP-1 expression by increasing ROS-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway in rat mesangial cells: inhibition by sesquiterpene lactones.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in extracellular matrix accumulation through macrophage recruitment and activation in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, this study examined whether advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are involved in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in mesangial cells (MCs) and evaluated the effects of derivatives of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) on AOPP-induced renal damage. METHODS: MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in MCs were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by flow cytometry. The protein expression of tubulin, P47, NF-κB p65, phospho-NF-κB p65, IκB, phospho-IκB, IKKß and phospho-IKKß was evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: AOPPs caused oxidative stress in MCs and activated the NF-κB pathway by inducing IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. Inhibition of ROS by SOD (ROS inhibitor) blocked the AOPP-mediated NF-κB pathway. Moreover, the inhibition of AOPP-induced overproduction of MCP-1 mRNA and protein was associated with inhibition of IκBα degradation by SLs. CONCLUSION: AOPPs induce MCP-1 expression by activating the ROS/NF-κB pathway and can be inhibited by SLs. These findings may provide a novel approach to treat inflammatory and immune renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy.

Sesquiterpene lactones and their derivatives inhibit high glucose-induced NF-κB activation and MCP-1 and TGF-ß1 expression in rat mesangial cells.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and serious chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, however, no efficient clinical drugs exist for the treatment of DN. We selected and synthesized several sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), and then used the MTT assay to detect rat mesangial cells (MCs) proliferation, ELISA to measure the expression level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß1) and fibronectin(FN), real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR analysis to measure the MCP-1 and TGF-ß1 gene expression, western blot to detect the level of IκBα protein and EMSA to measure the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). We discovered that SLs, including parthenolide (PTL), micheliolide (MCL), arglabin, and isoalantolactone (IAL), as well as several synthetic analogs of these molecules, could effectively attenuate the high glucose-stimulated activation of NF-κB, the degradation of IκBα, and the expression of MCP-1, TGF-ß1 and FN in rat mesangial cells (MCs). These findings suggest that SLs and their derivatives have potential as candidate drugs for the treatment of DN.

Exploring the host parasitism of the migratory plant-parasitic nematode Ditylenchus destuctor by expressed sequence tags analysis.

The potato rot nematode, Ditylenchus destructor, is a very destructive nematode pest on many agriculturally important crops worldwide, but the molecular characterization of its parasitism of plant has been limited. The effectors involved in nematode parasitism of plant for several sedentary endo-parasitic nematodes such as Heterodera glycines, Globodera rostochiensis and Meloidogyne incognita have been identified and extensively studied over the past two decades. Ditylenchus destructor, as a migratory plant parasitic nematode, has different feeding behavior, life cycle and host response. Comparing the transcriptome and parasitome among different types of plant-parasitic nematodes is the way to understand more fully the parasitic mechanism of plant nematodes. We undertook the approach of sequencing expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from a mixed stage cDNA library of D. destructor. This is the first study of D. destructor ESTs. A total of 9800 ESTs were grouped into 5008 clusters including 3606 singletons and 1402 multi-member contigs, representing a catalog of D. destructor genes. Implementing a bioinformatics' workflow, we found 1391 clusters have no match in the available gene database; 31 clusters only have similarities to genes identified from D. africanus, the most closely related species to D. destructor; 1991 clusters were annotated using Gene Ontology (GO); 1550 clusters were assigned enzyme commission (EC) numbers; and 1211 clusters were mapped to 181 KEGG biochemical pathways. 22 ESTs had similarities to reported nematode effectors. Interestedly, most of the effectors identified in this study are involved in host cell wall degradation or modification, such as 1,4-beta-glucanse, 1,3-beta-glucanse, pectate lyase, chitinases and expansin, or host defense suppression such as calreticulin, annexin and venom allergen-like protein. This result implies that the migratory plant-parasitic nematode D. destructor secrets similar effectors to those of sedentary plant nematodes. Finally we further characterized the two D. destructor expansin proteins.

[Effect of nitrotyrosine on renal expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-ß1 in rats with diabetic nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of nitrotyrosine on renal expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Rat DN models established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) were randomly allocated into model group, nitrotyrosine group and ebselen group, with untreated rats as the normal control group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs for 8 weeks, and after the last administration, the 24-h urinary protein level was measured and the kidneys of the rats were harvested for detecting the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-ß1 with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidneys were assessed microscopically. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the 24-h urinary protein level and expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-ß1 mRNA and protein in the renal tissues were significantly increased by nitrotyrosine treatment, which also caused worsened renal pathology, while treatment with ebselen significantly ameliorated these changes. CONCLUSION: Nitrotyrosine can up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-ß1 and aggravate the inflammatory reaction in the renal tissue of DN rats to promote the progression of DN.

[A retrospective analysis of the six-year data of peritoneal dialysis in a single center].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology, peritoneal dialysis (PD) related complications and survival outcomes of 236 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our center from January, 2004 to November, 2009. METHODS: The data including patient gender, age, time of PD initiation, addresses, types of medical reimbursement, primary diseases, modes of PD catheter placement surgery, types of PD catheter, PD-related complications, and time of drop out were retrospectively analyzed. PD catheter migration rate, peritonitis rate, drop out rate (DOR), length of the time of PD therapy (TOT), and survival rate were calculated and compared with those of patients in other PD centers. RESULTS: The number of newly introduced patients increased gradually in the years from 2004 to 2009. The mean age of newly introduced patients was 47-/+16 years, and patients with age below 60 years accounted for 77.96%. Patients who paid for their own expenses accounted for 67.37% of all, and the rate of these patients decreased gradually. Similar to that in Asian-Pacific region, chronic glomerulonephritis was the most frequent cause of ESRD followed by diabetic nephropathy. The number of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis or obstructive nephropathy as the primary diseases was greater in this center than that reported in the Asian-Pacific region, accounting for 54.66% and 11.02% of all patients, respectively. In contrast, the patients with diabetic nephropathy or benign arteriolar renal sclerosis were less, accounting for 12.29% and 10.17% of all, respectively. PD catheter migration rate (8.05%) and peritonitis rate (1:44.22 patient-months) were both lower than those reported. The patient survival rates at 1, 2, 3 years were 83.65%, 51.59% and 29.81%, respectively, lower than those of other centers in the developed countries but higher than the mean levels in China. DOR decreased gradually to 11.56% in 2009, and TOT increased to 23.61 months. CONCLUSION: The above characteristics of the patients are related to many factors, including the "PD first" principle, high prevalence of urinary calculosis in the primary source regions of most patients, preventive partial omentum resection in some patients, education and follow-up for patients, and increased expense cover by medical insurance.

[Effects of Shenkangwan on renal expressions of angiotensin II and its type I receptor in rats with early diabetic nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Shenkangwan on the expressions of angiotensin II (AngII) and its type I receptor (AT(1)R) and the renalprotection mechanism of Shenkangwan in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: The rat models of DN established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan and irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quality in 24 h and plasma and renal contents of AngII were measured. The expressions of AT1R at the protein and mRNA levels in the kidney tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidney were observed microscopically. RESULTS: In DN rats, Shenkangwan reduced the urinary protein quantity in 24 h and the contents of AngII in the plasma and kidney tissues, decreased the renal expressions of AT(1)R protein and mRNA, and alleviated the morphological damage of the kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Shenkangwan offers renalprotection against DN probably by reducing the contents of AngII in the plasma and kidney tissues and inhibiting renal AT(1)R expressions.

[Frequent peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: clinical characteristics, risk factors and treatments].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors of frequent peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in the peritonitis patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our hospital. Frequent PD-related peritonitis was defined by two or more onsets in one year, and the patients with only one onset served as the control group. The clinical and laboratory data of the two groups were compared and the risk factors of PD-related peritonitis analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-four episodes of peritonitis were recorded in the 16 patients with frequent PD-related peritonitis, as compared to 53 episodes in the 45 control patients. Compared with those in the control group, the patients with frequent peritonitis had significantly higher blood pressure (P0.05). Variables identified to be associated with an increased likelihood of frequent PD-related peritonitis included hemoglobulin<70 g/L (OR=0.135, P

[Effects of irbesartan on renal advanced glycation end products and their receptor in rats with early diabetic nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of irbesartan on the renal expressions of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGEs) in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the renoprotection mechanism of irbesartan. METHODS: Rat DN models established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into the model group and irbesartan treatment group. With normal rats as the control, all the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The 24-h urinary protein excretion and contents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues were measured. The expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs protein and mRNA in the kidney tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidney were also assessed microscopically. RESULTS: Irbesartan significantly reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the contents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues of DN rats, resulting also in decreased expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs protein and mRNA levels in the kidney. The treatment obviously alleviated the pathological changes in the kidney of the DN rats. CONCLUSION: Irbesartan offers renoprotection against DN possibly by reducing the serum and renal contents of AGEs and inhibiting the renal mRNA expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs.

[Effects of alpha-keto acid on the expression of neuropeptide Y in malnutrition rats with chronic renal failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of alpha-keto acid on the expression of neuropeptide Y in malnutrition rats with chronic renal failure. METHODS: SD rats received 5/6 nephrectomy and were fed with 4% casein to establish models of malnutrition with chronic renal failure. Serum albumin, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, type-1 insulin like growth factor and body weight of the rats were measured. The rat models were randomized into chronic renal failure group, alpha-keto acid group and normal control group, and after a 4-week treatment as indicated, neuropeptide Y mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were measured by RT-PCR in rats with surgically induced renal failure (two-stage subtotal nephrectomy). The blood neuropeptide Y of the rats were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Malnutrition occurred in chronic renal failure rats at the end of 10 weeks. Compared with those in the chronic renal failure group, the plasma neuropeptide Y concentrations in alpha-keto acid group were significantly lowered with substantially elevated neuropeptide Y mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. CONCLUSION: alpha-keto acid capsule can improve malnutrition in rats with renal insufficiency possibly by up-regulating neuropeptide Y mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and reducing the level of blood neuropeptide Y.

[Protective effects of Shenkangwan against podocyte injury in rats with early diabetic nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological changes and expressions of desmin and podocin in podocytes of rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and renal protection mechanism of Shenkangwan. METHODS: DN model was established in rats by a single injection of streptozotocin. The rats were then randomly divided into model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan plus irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control group. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quantity in 24 h were detected, and the morphological changes of the kidneys were observed with optic and transmission electron microscopes. The expressions of desmin and podocin in the podocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Shenkangwan and irbesartan reduced the urinary protein quantity in 24 h and alleviated the renal damage in DN rats, and the expression of desmin was significantly attenuated while podocin expression increased in the podocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Shenkangwan can provide renal protection against DN in rats and alleviate the structural and functional damages of podocytes possibly by reducing desmin expression and increasing podocin expression in the podocytes.

[Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on rat podocyte injury in early diabetic nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate nephrin and desmin expression in rat podocytes in early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the rale of angiotensin II receptor antagonist in renal protection. METHODS: Rat models of DN established by a injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) were randomized into model group and irbesartan group, with rats without STZ injection as the normal control group. The rats in irbesartan group were subjected to daily intragastric irbesartan administration for 8 consecutive weeks, while those in the model group received only saline in the same manner. Upon completion of the treatment, the rats were sacrificed and pathological changes of the kidney were examined with optical and transmission electron microscope. Nephrin and desmin expressions in the podocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In rats with DN, irbesartan administration alleviated podocyte injury and significantly lowered the expression of nephrin and desmin (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Angiotensin II receptor antagonist may offer renal protection against DN by alleviating structural and functional podocyte damage through decreasing nephrin expression in the podocytes.