Assessing the Impact of Losmapimod on Proteinuria in Idiopathic Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.

Introduction: Idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome and end-stage renal disease. In preclinical models and biopsies of human FSGS kidneys, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has demonstrated enhanced activity; and p38 MAPK inhibition has improved disease markers. This proof-of-concept trial aimed to assess efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of losmapimod, an oral p38 MAPK inhibitor, in humans with FSGS.

Rosuvastatin and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Background: Statins reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients at high cardiovascular risk. However, a benefit of statins in such patients who are undergoing hemodialysis has not been proved.

Methods: We conducted an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, prospective trial involving 2776 patients, 50 to 80 years of age, who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Vitamin D insufficiency and treatment with oral vitamin D3 in northern-dwelling patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in people living at northern latitudes and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied persons with both of these risk factors to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were affected by oral vitamin D3 supplementation.

Methods: This was a prospective controlled trial of 128 patients with stage 3-5 non-dialysis dependent CKD.

Intravenous C.E.R.A. maintains stable haemoglobin levels in patients on dialysis previously treated with darbepoetin alfa: results from STRIATA, a randomized phase III study.

Background: Extending the administration interval of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) represents an opportunity to improve the efficiency of anaemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, effective haemoglobin (Hb) maintenance can be challenging with epoetin alfa and epoetin beta administered at extended intervals. C.

Evaluation of an anemia algorithm in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Although anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease, practice variability in its management continues to exist. In an effort to standardize management, the Northern Alberta Renal Program implemented an anemia algorithm, the "Anemia Protocol." A cohort design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Anemia Protocol" in 98 patients three months pre-implementation and three and six months post- implementation.