Up-regulation of urinary markers predict outcome in IgA nephropathy but their predictive value is influenced by treatment with steroids and azathioprine.

Objective: Steroids and immunosuppressants can delay progression of renal function in IgAN, but their possible effect in local cytokines has not been studied.

Material And Methods: Histology in 53 IgAN patients (M/F 35/18 age 40.5 years (17 - 65)) was evaluated using the Oxford classification system.

Dogma disputed: postdialysis increase of aminotransferase values cannot be attributed to an inhibitor removal by hemodialysis.

The objective of this study was to assess changes of aspartate aminotransferase (AST [serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase]) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT [serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase]) values after a hemodialysis (HD) session. Aspartate aminotransferase and ALT serum values were measured before and after a 4 h HD session in 37 stable patients (group A), before and after a 3.5 h isovolemic HD (IVHD, with a zero ultrafiltration rate) session in eight patients (group B), as well as before and after a session of "isolated ultrafiltration" (IUF) in eight more patients (group C).

Detection of multiple cytokines in the urine of patients with focal necrotising glomerulonephritis may predict short and long term outcome of renal function.

Background: Detection of urinary cytokines in pauci-immune focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis (FSNGN) may provide valuable information about disease pathogenesis and prognosis.

Methods: Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA, and Interleukins, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP1β) by a multiplex cytokine assay, in 38 patients with FSNGN. Their levels were correlated with severity of histological findings and renal function outcome in short and long term.

Impact of aldosterone synthase gene C-344T polymorphism on IgA nephropathy.

Aim: In the past years, aldosterone has been identified as an important mediator of renal injury. In this study, we evaluated the influence of C-344T polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene, associated with serum aldosterone levels and the development of arterial hypertension, on IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods: We studied n = 143 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN followed up for 7.

Potential genetic risk factors in angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor-induced angio-oedema.

Aims: The pathophysiology of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)-induced angio-oedema remains unclear. We have investigated the impact of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in combination with serum ACE activity as well as the bradykinin B2 receptor 2/3 and c.C181T polymorphisms.

Is presence of ANCA in crescentic IgA nephropathy a coincidence or novel clinical entity? A case series.

Background: There are few anecdotal reports of circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCAs) in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting & Participants: We studied 8 patients with crescentic IgA nephropathy associated with ANCAs against myeloperoxidase (n = 5) and proteinase 3 (n = 3) followed up for 2.

Urinary levels of epidermal growth factor, interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 may act as predictor markers of renal function outcome in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Aim: Urinary cytokine excretion may reflect histological changes in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), and their measurement can give information about disease outcome.

Methods: Thirty-three IgAN patients were prospectively followed for 5.6 +/- 3.

Influence of interleukin-10 gene G-1082A polymorphism on recurrent IgA nephropathy.

Background: The G-1082A polymorphism of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene has been associated with modified gene expression and the progression of primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In the present study, we evaluated its influence on recurrent IgAN after renal transplantation.

Methods: We studied 103 patients who suffered from IgAN and underwent renal transplantation, followed up for 5.

Influence of cytokine gene polymorphisms on IgA nephropathy.

Aims. Recently, polymorphisms of cytokine genes have been associated with altered gene expression and modified cytokine production. We evaluated the impact of TGF-beta1 gene Arg(25)-->Pro, TNFalpha gene G-308A and IL-6 gene G-174C polymorphisms on the clinical manifestations of IgA nephropathy.

Carotid atherosclerosis and endothelial cell adhesion molecules as predictors of long-term outcome in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background/aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality for hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive values of carotid artery atherosclerotic lesions and endothelial adhesion molecule levels for long-term outcome in non-diabetic HD patients.

Methods: 112 HD patients (60 male, mean age 59 years) consecutively entered the study.

Influence of cytokine genes polymorphisms on long-term outcome in renal transplantation.

Background: Recently, polymorphisms of cytokine genes have been associated with modified gene expression and increased cytokine production. We evaluated the influence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene G-1082A, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene G-308A and IL-6 gene G-174C polymorphisms on the rejection rate, renal function and long-term outcome in renal transplantation.

Patients And Methods: We studied n = 224 consecutive patients, who underwent renal transplantation at our centre from 1998 to 2001 (cadaveric: n = 175, living related: n = 49) followed up for 4.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene G-308A polymorphism is a risk factor for the development of membranous glomerulonephritis.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine. Recently, the G-308A polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene has been associated with modified gene expression and increased TNF-alpha production in the -308A allele. We evaluated its influence on the incidence and clinical course of membranous glomerulonephritis.

Influence of beta3 integrin gene Leu/Pro33 polymorphism on primary glomerulonephritis.

Background: Beta3 integrin subunit is expressed as alpha(IIb)beta3 integrin on platelets and as alpha(v)beta3 integrin on a variety of cells including renal endothelial, mesangial and tubular cells. Leu33/Pro33 polymorphism of beta3 integrin has been associated with altered platelet functions, cardiovascular complications and the incidence of acute rejection episodes in renal transplantation. We investigated its influence on IgA nephropathy (IgAN), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN).

Influence of cytokine gene polymorphisms on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Background: Recently, polymorphisms of cytokine genes have been associated with modified gene expression and increased cytokine production. We evaluated the influence of TGF-beta(1) gene Arg(25)-->Pro, TNF alpha gene G-308A and IL-6 gene G-174C polymorphisms on the clinical manifestations of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

Methods: The clinical course of 71 patients with biopsy-proven primary FSGS followed up for 6.

Association of interleukin-10 gene G-1082A polymorphism with the progression of primary glomerulonephritis.

Background: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine with immunosuppressive properties. We evaluated the influence of G-1082A polymorphism in the IL-10 gene promoter, which has been associated with modified IL-10 production, on the two most common forms of primary glomerulonephritis: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

Methods: We studied Caucasian patients (N= 191) with biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis (IgAN: N= 123, FSGS: N= 68) followed-up for 6.