Placental growth factor deficiency initiates obesity- and aging-associated metabolic syndrome.

Obesity often leads to inadequate angiogenesis in expanding adipose tissue, resulting in inflammation and insulin resistance. We explored the role of placental growth factor (PlGF) in metabolic syndrome (MS) using mice models of type 2 diabetes, high-fat diet, or aging. Reduced serum PlGF levels were associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and development of MS features.

Xanthine oxidoreductase inhibition ameliorates high glucose-induced glomerular endothelial injury by activating AMPK through the purine salvage pathway.

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) contributes to reactive oxygen species production. We investigated the cytoprotective mechanisms of XOR inhibition against high glucose (HG)-induced glomerular endothelial injury, which involves activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Human glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) exposed to HG were subjected to febuxostat treatment for 48 h and the expressions of AMPK and its associated signaling pathways were evaluated.

Atypical post-infectious glomerulonephritis with c-ANCA positivity followed by endocarditis.

Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN), an uncommon variety of glomerulonephritis (GN), is characterized by emergence of nephritic syndrome within a few weeks following an infectious event. PIGN typically presents as a mild condition and tends to resolve by the time of diagnosis for GN. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans belongs to the HACEK group of bacteria, which constitutes less than 3% of bacteria responsible for community-acquired infective endocarditis.

Frequency of Fabry disease in chronic kidney disease patients including patients on renal replacement therapy in Korea.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficient activity of α-galactosidase (α-Gal A), affecting multiple organs including kidney. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of FD in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) including those on renal replacement therapy in Korea.

Methods: This is a national, multicenter, observational study performed between August 24, 2017 and February 28, 2020.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitor ameliorates senescent changes of renal interstitial pericytes in aging kidney.

Pericytes are mesenchymal cells that surround endothelial cells, playing a crucial role in angiogenesis and vessel maturation. Additionally, they are associated with interstitial fibrosis as a major contributor to renal myofibroblasts. In this study, we aim to investigate whether the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, pentoxifylline (PTX), can ameliorate aging-related functional and histological deterioration in the kidney.

Oxidative Stress Induced by Lipotoxicity and Renal Hypoxia in Diabetic Kidney Disease and Possible Therapeutic Interventions: Targeting the Lipid Metabolism and Hypoxia.

Oxidative stress, a hallmark pathophysiological feature in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), arises from the intricate interplay between pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants. While hyperglycemia has been well established as a key contributor, lipotoxicity emerges as a significant instigator of oxidative stress. Lipotoxicity encompasses the accumulation of lipid intermediates, culminating in cellular dysfunction and cell death.

Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Attenuates Hepatic Oxidative Stress in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through the Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Activation.

Oxidative stress is key in type 2 diabetes-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We explored whether extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to enhance antioxidant synthesis and lipid metabolism in NAFLD. Human recombinant EC-SOD (hEC-SOD) was administered to 8-week-old male C57BLKS/J / mice through intraperitoneal injection once a week for 8 weeks.

Salvage treatment of forearm arteriovenous fistula with small caliber inflow distal artery by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: Dysfunctional distal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with small caliber distal inflow arteries theoretically require percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) throughout the entire arterial length. However, in clinical practice, whole distal inflow arterial PTA is not frequently performed due to concerns about possible arterial rupture. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of this procedure at our center, comparing it with the standard venous PTA.

Safety and durable patency of tunneled hemodialysis catheter inserted without fluoroscopy.

Background: A tunneled hemodialysis (HD) catheter is preferred due to its lower incidence of infection and malfunction than non-tunneled ones. For safer insertion, fluoroscopic guidance is desirable. However, if the patient is unstable, transfer to the fluoroscopy may be impossible or inappropriate.

Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase Protects against Diabetic Kidney Disease through the Amelioration of Oxidative Stress via VEGF/VEGFR Axis and NOX-FoxO3a-eNOS Signaling Pathway.

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an important source of reactive oxygen species. This study investigated whether XO inhibition exerts renoprotective effects by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Febuxostat (5 mg/kg) was administered to streptozotocin (STZ)-treated 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice via intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks.

Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Blood pressure (BP) control can reduce the risks of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity, mortality, and kidney disease progression. Recently, the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines have suggested the implementation of a more intensive BP control with a target systolic BP (SBP) of <120 mmHg based on the evidence that the CV benefits obtained is outweighed by the kidney injury risk associated with a lower BP target.

The Protective Effect of Zebularine, an Inhibitor of DNA Methyltransferase, on Renal Tubulointerstitial Inflammation and Fibrosis.

Renal fibrosis, the final pathway of chronic kidney disease, is caused by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Although DNA methylation has drawn attention as a developing mechanism of renal fibrosis, its contribution to renal fibrosis has not been clarified. To address this issue, the effect of zebularine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, on renal inflammation and fibrosis in the murine unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model was analyzed.

Prognostic value of chronicity grading on renal outcomes in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Many studies have shown that chronic changes are strong predictors of renal outcomes in various kidney diseases, including IgA nephropathy. The Mayo Clinic/Renal Pathology Society suggested a glomerulonephritis reporting system with a proposal for standardized grading of chronic changes. The purpose of this study was to predict renal outcomes in patients with IgA nephropathy using chronicity grading in comparison to the Oxford classification which did not include global sclerosis.

Adiponectin receptor agonist ameliorates cardiac lipotoxicity via enhancing ceramide metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice.

Accumulation of lipids and their metabolites induces lipotoxicity in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Lowering ceramide concentration could reduce the impact of metabolic damage to target organs. Adiponectin improves lipotoxicity through its receptors (AdiopRs), which have sequence homology with ceramidase enzymes.

Role of Aberrantly Activated Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 1 Signaling Mediated Inflammation in Renal Aging.

The increasing load of senescent cells is a source of aging, and chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in cellular senescence. In addition, senescent renal tubular epithelial cells are closely associated with renal aging. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid mainly produced by the catalytic action of autotaxin (ATX), and its ligation to LPA receptor-1 (LPAR1) is associated with chronic inflammation and renal fibrosis; however, its role in renal aging is unclear.

Renal Outcome of IgM Nephropathy: A Comparative Prospective Cohort Study.

Immunoglobulin M nephropathy (IgMN) is an idiopathic glomerulonephritis characterized by diffuse deposits of IgM in the glomerular mesangium. However, its renal prognosis remains unknown. We compared renal outcomes of IgMN patients with those of patients with minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), or mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) from a prospective observational cohort, with 1791 patients undergoing native kidney biopsy in eight hospitals affiliated with The Catholic University of Korea between December 2014 and October 2020.

Fabry disease exacerbates renal interstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction via impaired autophagy and enhanced apoptosis.

Background: Fabry disease is a rare X-linked genetic lysosomal disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene encoding alpha-galactosidase A. Despite some data showing that profibrotic and proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress could be involved in Fabry disease-related renal injury, the pathogenic link between metabolic derangement within cells and renal injury remains unclear.

Methods: Renal fibrosis was triggered by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice with Fabry disease to investigate the pathogenic mechanism leading to fibrosis in diseased kidneys.

Clinical predictors of recurrent cephalic arch stenosis and impact of the access flow reduction on the patency rate.

Objective: Despite the widespread use of conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), recurrence of cephalic arch stenosis (CAS), and low patency rate after PTA remain challenging problem. We aimed to identify the clinical predictors of recurrence of CAS and evaluate the effect of the access flow reduction on the fistula patency rate in patients with recurrent CAS.

Methods: In 1118 angiographies of 220 patients with CAS, access circuit patency rates after PTA and potential clinical predictors of recurrence of CAS were assessed.

Catalytic Antioxidants in the Kidney.

Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species are highly implicated in kidney injuries that include acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, hypertensive nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, antioxidant agents are promising therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases. Catalytic antioxidants are defined as small molecular mimics of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, and some of them function as potent detoxifiers of lipid peroxides and peroxynitrite.