Hypocitraturia is present when renal function is impaired in diverse nephropathies and is not related with serum bicarbonate levels.

BACKGROUND: In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) it is frequently found a reduction in urinary citrate of unknown origin. It has been suggested that it could be a marker of acid retention in chronic kidney disease. Our aim was to compare urinary citrate in ADPKD with other nephropathies and to show its relation with serum bicarbonate. METHODS: We determined urinary citrate in patients with several nephropathies and varied renal function. We included 291 patients, 119 with glomerular diseases, 116 with ADPKD, 21 with other nephropathies, and 35 patients with normal renal function. RESULTS: Urinary citrate was higher in women and in patients with normal renal function. ADPKD patients showed similar values of urinary citrate to patients with glomerular diseases and with other nephropathies. We observed a progressive reduction in urinary citrate with renal impairment, in a comparable way among patients with ADPKD and glomerular diseases. We did not observe a relationship with serum bicarbonate. Serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in patients with glomerular diseases than in ADPKD patients, even after correction with the degree of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Hypocitraturia is not specific of ADPKD but it is also present in all tested nephropathies and is related with renal impairment and not with serum bicarbonate. It could be interesting to study urinary citrate as a marker of renal function and as a prognostic factor.

Urinary citrate as a marker of renal function in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is frequent to find low urinary citrate levels. Recently, it has been suggested that urinary citrate could be a marker of covert metabolic acidosis in chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze relationship between urinary citrate levels, renal function, and serum bicarbonate in ADPKD patients. METHODS: We determined citrate in 24-h collected urine from ADPKD patients and correlated with glomerular filtration rate (CKD-EPI equation) and serum bicarbonate concentration. RESULTS: We included 120 patients, 60% men, eGFR was 71 ± 32 mL/min/1.73 m2. Urinary citrate/creatinine ratio was 195 ± 152 mg/gCr (range 1.2-689) with levels significantly higher in females. Urinary citrate lower than 300 mg/gCr was present in 75% of patients and when considering chronic kidney stages (CKD), we observed reduced levels in 48.8% in CKD1 stage, in 79.4% in CKD2 stage, in 96.2% in CKD3 stage, and in 94.7% of patients in CKD4 stage. Urinary citrate was correlated with serum creatinine (r = - 0.61, p < 0.001) and eGFR (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) in both gender. We did not find any correlation with serum bicarbonate. Using a general linear modeling analysis, we found as predictors of urinary citrate/creatinine ratio to glomerular filtration rate, gender, and age. Lower levels of urinary citrate were accompanied by a decline in urinary osmolality and in renal excretion of calcium and uric acid. In a subgroup of patients, we measured total kidney volume and we found an inverse correlation with urinary citrate levels that disappeared when it was corrected with glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary citrate is very frequently reduced in ADPKD patients being present from very early CKD stages. Their levels in urine are inversely correlated with glomerular filtration rate and it is not related with serum bicarbonate concentration. We think that it would be interesting to study urinary citrate as a marker of chronic kidney disease in ADPKD patients.

Low positive rate of serum autoantibodies in colorectal cancer patients without systemic rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is useful for screening, diagnosis and follow-up of patients with systemic rheumatic diseases. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells is the gold standard for ANA testing. However, ANA have also been detected in patients with different cancer types but without any autoimmune disease. To overcome these shortcomings, different automated solid-phase assays have been developed. AIM: To determine the positive rate of a new ANA detection method (EliA CTD Screen, Phadia, Germany), in CRC patients without systemic rheumatic diseases. Additionally, we compare this method with IIF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained before a colonoscopy procedure in a patient cohort (n = 186) with a high clinical suspicion of CRC. Samples for ANA detection in CRC patients were processed in parallel by IIF on HEp-2 and the solid-phase fluoroenzymeimmunoassay EliA CTD Screen (Phadia, Germany) on the Phadia 250 instrument (Phadia GmbH, Freiburg, Germany). Positive samples by IIF and/or CTD were tested with EliA single ANA assays (Phadia, Germany) on the Phadia 250 instrument (Phadia GmbH, Freiburg, Germany). RESULTS: Forty-five patients diagnosed with CRC were included. Four cases were positive by CTD and 23 by IIF. Of the four positive patients by CTD, two were positive and one indeterminate for anti-dsDNA antibodies. Of the 23 positive by IIF, one patient was positive and another indeterminate for anti-dsDNA antibodies, and a third patient was positive for anti-U1RNP antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The CTD assay shows a low false positive rate for detecting autoantibodies in a clinical context of CRC.

Encefalomielitis y presencia de anticuerpos anti-Hu en paciente con cáncer de pulmón oculto / Encephalomyelitis and anti-Hu antibodies in occult lung cancer patient

Los síndromes paraneoplásicos neurológicos son un grupo de trastornos poco frecuentes y heterogéneos que afectan al sistema nervioso y que ocurren en pacientes con una neoplasia maligna, generalmente oculta. Presentamos el caso de una mujer diagnosticada de encefalitis límbica paraneoplásica con presencia de anticuerpos anti-Hu que permitió diagnosticar un cáncer de pulmón oculto (AU)

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are a group of disorders, rare and heterogeneous, affecting the nervous system and usually occur in occult cancer patients. We report the case of a woman diagnosed with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis and presence of anti-Hu antibodies that allowed to detect occult lung cancer (AU)

Plasma Tumor M2-Pyruvate Kinase Levels in Different Cancer Types.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tumor M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) is up-regulated in proliferating tissues. It has been shown that tumor M2-PK is detectable and quantifiable in the stool and plasma of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Tumor M2-PK has been extensively studied in gastrointestinal tumors but its role in other cancer types has not yet been deeply evaluated. The aim of the study was to determine and compare plasma tumor M2-PK levels in different cancer types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing diagnostics for cancer at our Hospital during 2011 were included in the study (n=139). Plasma tumor M2-PK concentration was analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The different cancer types found in the study were: 60 colorectal, 43 breast, 8 lung, 5 prostatic, 4 ovarian and the remaining 19 cases were other uncommon tumor types. Most tumors had high concentrations of tumor M2-PK; prostatic, pharyngeal and testicular tumors had levels lower than or near the cut-off. Plasma tumor M2-PK levels were significantly higher in patients with distant metastases and stage IV by TNM. CONCLUSION: Plasma tumor M2-PK is not a specific marker for CRC and is elevated in many other types of cancers, including breast, lung, ovarian, and thyroid. Small amounts are found in prostatic, pharyngeal and testicular tumors.

Estudio sobre las concentraciones sèricas de vitamina B 12 y ácido fólico en el primer trimestrede embarazo en el Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén / Vitamin B 12 and folic acid levels in the first trimester of pregnancy in a hospital in Jaen (Spain)

Introducción. Durante el primer trimestre de embarazo es muy importante, para el correcto desarrollo del feto, unas concentraciones sèricas adecuados de vitamina B12 y ácido fólico. Un déficit de estas vitaminas produce, entre otros efectos, defectos del tubo neural del feto. Por tanto, durante el primer trimestre del embarazo, se suplementan porque aumentan las necesidades de estas vitaminas. Métodos. Según el Proceso Asistencial Integrado de embarazo, parto y puerperio del Servicio Andaluz de Salud se indica la quimioprofilaxis de 0,4 mg/día de ácido fólico hasta la semana 12 de gestación, para prevenir los defectos del tubo neural ¿Sería necesario aumentar los estudios para modificar esta dosis en la actualidad? ¿Influye la edad de la gestante en la dosis de ácido fólico a tomar? Por otro lado, el Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén determina, en la décima semana de gestación, el riesgo prenatal de síndrome de Down, entre otras cromosomopatías, mediante una analítica a todas las embarazadas de nuestro medio. ¿Conocemos cómo son las concentraciones sèricas de ácido fólico y vitamina B12 en las embarazadas recientes de nuestro medio? ¿Hay diferencias con respecto a la edad de las gestantes? Resultados. Según nuestros resultados, la mayoría de las gestantes de nuestro estudio tienen concentraciones sèricas de vitamina B12 y ácido fólico en sangre por debajo de lo recomendado, un 82 y un 70% respectivamente. Además no existen diferencias en cuanto a la edad de las gestantes (AU)

Introduction. Adequate levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy is very important for the proper development of the foetus. A deficiency of these vitamins causes neural tube defects in the foetus, as well as having other effects. Therefore, these vitamins are supplemented during the first trimester of pregnancy due to increasing needs. Methods. According to the Integrated Care Process of pregnancy and childbirth of Andalusian Health Service, chemoprophylaxis of 0.4 mg/day of folic acid is indicated until the 12th week of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. Are more studies needed to determine if this dose should now be modified? Does age of the mother have an effect on the dose of folate to take?. Furthermore, in the tenth week of pregnancy Jaen Hospital tests for the prenatal risk of Down's syndrome, including chromosomal abnormalities, on all pregnant women in its catchment area. Do we know how the levels of folate and B12 in early pregnancy in our area? Are there differences regarding the age of the pregnant woman?. Results. According to our results the majority of pregnant women in our study have vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in the blood below that recommended, 82 and 70%, respectively. There are no differences in the ages of the pregnant women (AU)

Tratamiento con hemodiálisis larga con filtros de alto cut-off en la nefropatía por cilindros del mieloma: nuestra experiencia / Treatment by long haemodialysis sessions with high cut-off filters in myeloma cast nephropathy: our experience

El mieloma múltiple (MM) consiste en la proliferación incontrolada de células plasmáticas con producción de cantidades variables de inmunoglobulinas o sus cadenas. La insuficiencia renal aguda puede ser un síntoma del MM, y a veces su forma de presentación. Las cadenas ligeras libres circulantes (CLL) pueden dar lugar al fallo renal por la precipitación intratubular de ellas, causando una nefropatía por cilindros. El tratamiento del mieloma, una adecuada hidratación y la eliminación de CLL mediante técnicas de aféresis son los tratamientos admitidos actualmente para esta entidad. Se han intentado diversas técnicas de aféresis para intentar eliminar las CLL, siendo la hemodiálisis de larga duración con filtros para eliminar dichas cadenas ligeras (alto cut-off) la que se postula como el tratamiento más eficaz para la nefropatía del mieloma. MÉTODOS: Presentamos cinco casos de nefropatía de mieloma: tres con nefropatía por cilindros (NC) diagnosticada por biopsia renal y dos con alta probabilidad de NC (niveles de CLL > 500 mg/l) tratados con hemodiálisis larga con membrana de alto cut-off. Todos presentaban insuficiencia renal aguda, en cuatro de ellos con necesidad de terapia sustitutiva y uno en situación de insuficiencia renal avanzada. En todos ellos los niveles de CLL fueron muy elevados. Recibieron tratamiento específico para el mieloma más hemodiálisis de alto cut-off hasta alcanzar niveles de CLL < 500 mg/l. RESULTADOS: Cuatro de los cinco pacientes recuperaron función renal, quedando independientes de diálisis. El tiempo de evolución del mieloma desde el inicio de la clínica fue variable (1-6 m). El número de sesiones varió entre 8-16. El paciente de más tiempo de evolución precisó más sesiones y no recuperó función renal. CONCLUSIONES: La hemodiálisis larga con filtros de alto cut-off más tratamiento con quimioterapia del mieloma parece ser un tratamiento eficaz en la insuficiencia renal aguda debida a nefropatía del mieloma. La precocidad en el inicio del tratamiento puede ser un factor determinante de la respuesta

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells with variable amounts of production of immunoglobulin or their chains. Acute renal failure can be a symptom of MM, and it is sometimes their presentation form. Circulating free light chains (FLC) could led to renal failure by intratubular precipitation of themselves causing a cast nephropathy. Myeloma's treatment, an adequate hydration and FLC's elimination by aphaeresis treatments are currently eligible therapy for this entity. Several aphaeresis techniques have been tried to eliminate the FLC being long-term hemodialysis with filters to remove these light chains (High Cut-Off filters). This treatment is postulated as the most effective treatment for myeloma nephropathy. METHODS: We report 5 cases of myeloma nephropathy: three of them with cast nephropathy (CN) diagnosed by renal biopsy and another two with high probability of NC (FLC levels >500mg/L). All of them were treated by hemodialysis with membrane high Cut-Off. The five patients had had an acute renal failure; in four of them need replacement renal therapy. The fifth patient only had an advanced renal failure. In all patients, FLC levels were very high. All patients received specific treatment for myeloma in addiction on hemodialysis high Cut-Off until the FLC levels were <500mg/ L. RESULTS: Four of the five patients recovered renal function, being independent of dialysis. The evolution time of myeloma since the first symptoms appeared was variable (1-6 months). The number of treatment sessions ranged from 8-16. The patient whose evolution time was the longest one required more sessions and did not recovered the renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Length hemodialysis with filters high cut-off plus specific myeloma chemotherapy seems to be an effective treatment in acute renal failure due to cast myeloma. The early initiation of treatment could be an important factor for the response

Treatment by long haemodialysis sessions with high cut-off filters in myeloma cast nephropathy: our experience.

UNLABELLED: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells with variable amounts of production of immunoglobulins or their chains. Acute renal failure can be a symptom of MM, and it is sometimes its form of presentation. Circulating free light chains (FLC) could lead to renal failure due to their intratubular precipitation, causing a cast nephropathy. The treatment of myeloma, adequate hydration and the removal of FLC by apheresis techniques are currently the treatments that are accepted for this disease. Several apheresis techniques have been attempted for the removal of FLC, with long haemodialysis sessions with filters for the removal of these light chains (high cut-off filters) being proposed as the most effective treatment for myeloma nephropathy. METHODS: We report 5 cases of myeloma nephropathy: three had cast nephropathy (CN) diagnosed by renal biopsy and the other two had a high probability of CN (FLC levels >500 mg/l). They were treated with long haemodialysis sessions with a high cut-off membrane. All patients had suffered acute renal failure; four required renal replacement therapy and one patient had advanced renal failure. In all patients, FLC levels were very high. They received specific treatment for myeloma in addition to high cut-off haemodialysis until they achieved FLC levels of <500 mg/l. RESULTS: Four of the five patients recovered renal function, and became independent of dialysis. The progression time for myeloma from the time the first symptoms appeared varied (1-6 months). The number of treatment sessions ranged from 8-16. The patient with the longest progression time required more sessions and did not recover renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Long haemodialysis sessions with high cut-off filters in addition to specific myeloma chemotherapy seems to be an effective treatment for acute renal failure due to myeloma nephropathy. The early initiation of treatment could be a determining factor for the response.