Genetic polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin system and progression of interstitial nephritis.

Genes of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are involved in the progression of renal failure. Among them, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) genes are of particular interest. We examined polymorphisms of these three genes for association with the development of interstitial nephritis and progression to end-stage renal failure.

Large-scale phenotypic analysis--the pilot project on yeast chromosome III.

In 1993, a pilot project for the functional analysis of newly discovered open reading frames, presumably coding for proteins, from yeast chromosome III was launched by the European Community. In the frame of this programme, we have developed a large-scale screening for the identification of gene/protein functions via systematic phenotypic analysis. To this end, some 80 haploid mutant yeast strains were constructed, each carrying a targeted deletion of a single gene obtained by HIS3 or TRP1 transplacement in the W303 background and a panel of some 100 growth conditions was established, ranging from growth substrates, stress to, predominantly, specific inhibitors and drugs acting on various cellular processes.

[The response to the hepatitis B virus vaccine in patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis--personal experience].

In 55 hemodialyzed and 15 patients on CAPD the presence of hepatitis B and C markers was estimated before the beginning of the vaccination series against hepatitis B with Engerix B vaccine. The initial anti-H Bs antibody titres was also estimated in these patients. The patients without H Bs Ag who have the anti-Hbs titres below 10 IU/I were qualified for this vaccination.

The effect of sulphinpyrazone and alpha-tocopherol on platelet activation and function in haemodialysed patients.

In 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis treatment the platelet activity and function were studied before and during antiplatelet therapy with alpha-tocopherol and sulphinpyrazone. In both kinds of treatment a significant decrease of ADP-induced and spontaneous aggregation was observed. Sulphinpyrazone exerts an inhibitory effect not only on platelet aggregation but also on platelet factor 3 and provokes a significant prolongation of the bleeding time.