Profiling cytokines in peritoneal effluent through a targeted multiplex cytokine panel provides novel insight into the localized proinflammatory processes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Objectives: The number of relevant markers indicating local intraperitoneal inflammation in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the compatibility of peritoneal effluent (PE) for proteomic analysis and assess its potential utility in immunoprofiling studies.

Methods: This pilot study included six PD patients from the Peritoneal Dialysis Center, Department of Nephrology, Transplantology, and Internal Medicine in Szczecin, Poland.

Osteoprotegerin and Inflammation in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family involved in processes in many inflammatory states. OPG concentration is enhanced in the majority of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and those undergoing renal replacement therapy. The aim of the study was to assess the relation of OPG and chronic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and to evaluate whether OPG concentrations in plasma and dialysate were related to plasma and dialysate levels of proinflammatory mediators (interleukin 6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 33 (IL-33) and interleukin 1 receptor-like 1IL-1RL1 (IL-1RL1, sST2)).

An Unusual Case of Vulvar Involvement in the Course of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare autoimmune disease with the presence of c-ANCA in most cases. It involves necrotizing inflammation in small and medium-sized vessels with multiple granulomas. The disease can affect many systems, but the typical triad of attacked systems are the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys, with varying degrees of severity.

Repeat exit site infection in peritoneal dialysis patient with polycythemia vera - a case report.

Background: Infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis (PD) remain a common cause of catheter loss and discontinuation of PD. Exit site infection (ESI) constitutes a significant risk factor for PD-related peritonitis and determination of predisposing states is relevant. We here present a case of repeat ESI due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a PD patient with skin changes in the course of polycythemia vera (PV).

Copeptin is independently associated with vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease stage 5.

Background: Vascular calcification (VC) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) present in 30-70% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Copeptin is a sensitive surrogate marker of arginine vasopressin (AVP), which is involved in many pathophysiologic processes in CKD. The aim of the present study was to explore the association of copeptin with VC in CKD stage 5.

Dialysate copeptin and peritoneal transport in incident peritoneal dialysis patients.

Purpose: Systemic and intraperitoneal inflammation are characteristic features of patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its surrogate marker copeptin play important roles in many pathophysiological processes in chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to assess if copeptin concentrations in plasma and dialysate were related to peritoneal transport parameters and residual renal function (RRF) in incident PD patients.

Current epidemiology and practice patterns in prevention and treatment of PD-related infections in Poland.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections are associated with technique failure and mortality. The aim of this multicentre study was to examine epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of PD-related infections in Poland as well as practice patterns for prevention of these complications in the context of current ISPD recommendations.

Methods: A survey on PD practices in relation to infectious complications was conducted in 11 large Polish PD centres.

The role of eicosanoids in renal diseases - potential therapeutic possibilities.

Eicosanoids are biologically active molecules that are created in the process of oxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) which is a constituent of the cell membrane phospholipids. Throughout the years it was evidenced by experiments that the lipid and lipid-derived metabolites play an important role in physiological and pathological processes in the kidneys. They are being considered as biomarkers in detecting acute kidney injury, nephrotoxicity, glomerulonephritis and early stages of diabetic nephropathy because of their participation in inflammatory processes and in oxidative stress.

End-Stage Renal Disease, Inflammation and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Despite marked improvements in renal replacement therapy during the last 30 years, the age-adjusted mortality rate in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is still unacceptably high and comparable to that of many malignancies. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients. However, traditional risk factors can only partially explain the high premature cardiovascular burden in this population.

Prognostic Value of Copeptin in Chronic Kidney Disease: From General Population to End-Stage Renal Disease.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is released in response to osmotic and non-osmotic stimuli and plays a key role in many physiologic and pathologic processes. The main function of AVP is the control of fluid homeostasis by inducing water conservation by the kidney, but it also stimulates arteriolar vasoconstriction and the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). These actions are mediated by different AVP receptors located on various target cells.

Bioactive lipids derived from arachidonic acid metabolism in different types of renal replacement therapy.

Introduction: Metabolism and plasma concentration of lipids and lipid-derived compounds play an important role in kidney physiology and pathological processes. The component of membrane phospholipids - arachidonic acid (AA) and its active derivatives - eicosanoids are involved in the development of hypertension, diabetes, inflammation and may contribute to progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of the study was to determine, whether the type of renal replacement therapy has an effect on eicosanoids metabolism.

Birth defects in juvenile Wistar rats after exposure to immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy.

Introduction: Immunosuppressive drugs and their active metabolites can cross the placental barrier and enter fetal circulation. The adverse effects on the fetus include chromosomal aberrations, structural malformations, organ-specific toxicity and intrauterine growth retardation. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of "safe" and "contraindicated" immunosuppressive drugs on birth defects in juvenile Wistar rats after exposure of pregnant female rats to these drugs.

The Role of Klotho Protein in Chronic Kidney Disease: Studies in Animals and Humans.

The identification of Klotho gene was a major discovery as the gene encodes a protein regulating multiple functions. A defect in Klotho gene expression in mice results in a phenotype of premature aging including shortened life span, growth retardation, hypogonadism, skin and muscle atrophies, vascular calcification, cognition impairment, motor neuron degeneration and others. This phenotype is associated with phosphate balance disorders and underlines the major function of Klotho in mineral metabolism.

The influence of exposure to immunosuppressive treatment during pregnancy on renal function and rate of apoptosis in native kidneys of female Wistar rats.

Pregnancy puts a significant additional strain on kidneys. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on changes in native kidneys in female Wistar rats after exposure during pregnancy. The study was conducted on 32 dams, subjected to immunosuppressive regimens commonly used in the therapy of human kidney transplant recipients (cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone; tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone; cyclosporine A, everolimus and prednisone).

The influence of intrauterine exposure to immunosuppressive treatment on changes in the immune system in juvenile Wistar rats.

Background: In our study, we assessed the impact of immunosuppressive drug combinations on changes in the immune system of juvenile Wistar rats exposed to these drugs during pregnancy. We primarily concentrated on changes in two organs of the immune system - the thymus and the spleen.

Methods: The study was conducted on 40 (32+8) female Wistar rats administered full and half dose of drugs, respectively, subjected to regimens commonly used in therapy of human kidney transplant recipients ([1] cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone; [2] tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone; [3] cyclosporine A, everolimus, and prednisone).

Effect of Immunosuppressive Therapy on Proteinogram in Rats.

BACKGROUND It has been observed that the use of immunosuppressive drugs in patients after transplantation of vascularized organs may be associated with changes in the concentration of certain fractions of plasma proteins. The concentration of these proteins was correlated with an increased risk of occurrence of stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). This article examines the effect of the most commonly used immunosuppressive drugs on the concentration of plasma proteins in Wistar rats.

Wegener's granulomatosis and pyoderma gangrenosum--rare causes of facial ulcerations.

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is caused by immune system dysfunction, and particularly improper functioning of neutrophils. At least half of all PG patients also suffer from autoimmunological diseases, one of which is Wegener granulomatosis (WG). The purpose of this article was to compare cases of patients with WG and PG in terms of their clinical course, histopathology, and applied treatment.

Does Immunosuppressive Therapy Affect Markers of Kidney Damage?

Background: Markers currently used to detect kidney damage are effective in both early (KIM-1, NGAL) and late (MCP-1, MMP, TIMP) stages of renal tubular damage, indicating the progression of chronic kidney disease. Immunosuppressive drugs may damage the transplanted organ through their direct toxic effects and by contributing to the development of chronic fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The aim of this study was to determine if immunosuppressive drugs per se affect the concentration of kidney damage markers, by using concentrations and doses of immunosuppressive within therapeutic, not toxic, levels in rat blood.

The activity of antioxidant enzymes in blood platelets in different types of renal replacement therapy: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The changes in redox status characterise physiological platelet activation. Increased oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with uremic toxicity and procedures of renal replacement therapy leads to the impairment of antioxidant properties of platelets. It may contribute to thrombosis and cardiovascular complications increasing morbidity and mortality among the CKD patients.

Platelet - derived CD154 antigen in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: CD154 is a surface glycoprotein present on activated platelets, lymphocytes and mast cells. It mediates the transmission of information between cells and initiates an inflammatory response. The interaction of CD154 with its receptor CD40 leads to increase in concentrations of soluble forms of both molecules (sCD154, sCD40), which has an important prognostic value in cardiovascular complications.

Association of kidney and cysts dimensions with anthropometric and biochemical parameters in patients with ADPKD.

The aim of the study was to evaluate an association between kidney and cyst dimensions and anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. Forty-nine adults, ADPKD-diagnosed patients aged 36 ± 11 years, and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT with 75 g of glucose) was performed and venous blood was collected to measure biochemical parameters and various ion concentrations.

Oxidative stress and antioxidative enzyme activities in chronic kidney disease and different types of renal replacement therapy.

The incidence and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the rise all over the world. CKD is related to ageing of the society and high morbidity due to lifestyle diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. CKD is associated with increased oxidative stress generated by uremic toxicity, chronic inflammatory state, lack of vitamins and microelements, parenteral iron administration, and dialysis procedure itself.

[Nutritional status of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis].

Introduction: The main causes of death in patients undergoing dialysis are cardiovascular diseases. Their presence is related to the nutritional status of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis, and has a predicted value in this kind of patient. Long-term therapy entails unfavourable changes, from which a clinically significant complication is protein-energy malnutrition and intensification of inflammatory processes.

Prooxidative-antioxidative balance of cells in different types of renal replacement therapy.

Background: Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) are exposed to increased oxidative stress and disturbances manifesting in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative defence system. The object of the research was to assess the differences between conservative treatment, peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis in moderating cellular antioxidative agents.

Methods: The group examined comprised 145 patients.