Hepcidin-25 in diabetic chronic kidney disease is predictive for mortality and progression to end stage renal disease.

Background: Anemia is common and is associated with impaired clinical outcomes in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). It may be explained by reduced erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis, but recent data suggest that EPO-resistance and diminished iron availability due to inflammation contribute significantly. In this cohort study, we evaluated the impact of hepcidin-25--the key hormone of iron-metabolism--on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with CKD along with endogenous EPO levels.

Endogenous erythropoietin and the association with inflammation and mortality in diabetic chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objectives: Anemia and inflammation are prevalent in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The role of endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) in the pathophysiology of anemia in chronic diseases and its relationship to clinical outcomes remain uncertain. In this cohort study, we aimed to identify factors associated with endogenous EPO levels and investigate their relation to all-cause mortality.

Ischemic acute renal failure in the rat: effects of L-arginine and superoxide dismutase on renal function.

Background: Regulation of renal hemodynamics -- especially intraglomerular hemodynamics -- is closely related to the L-arginine (L-Arg)/nitric oxide (NO) pathway, both under basal conditions and in acute renal failure (ARF). Also, superoxide anions -- which may react with NO -- play a role in ischemic ARF. L-Arg not only has beneficial effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but also reduces O2(-) production and prevents NO synthase isoform I up-regulation.

Advanced renal insufficiency in a 34-year-old man with Lowe syndrome.

Lowe syndrome, or oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL), is a rare X-chromosomal disorder characterized by renal dysfunction, congenital cataract, and, in the majority of cases, mental retardation. Although gradual loss of renal function has been seen in most patients, age of onset of deterioration in renal function and its severity and course over time in adult patients have not been documented in detail. We report a 34-year-old man with OCRL without histological changes in renal tissue at the ages of 5 and 8 years, whereas at the age of 29 years, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy were found.

Inflammation and cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients.

Background: Chronic inflammation, as evidenced by increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients in short-term studies. Whether CRP is also predictive in the long-term follow-up is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a 4-year follow-up of a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 280 stable hemodialysis patients.

L-arginine deficiency and supplementation in experimental acute renal failure and in human kidney transplantation.

Background: The "L-arginine paradox" refers to situations where L-arginine (L-Arg) supplementation stimulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, despite saturating intracellular concentrations. This paradox is frequently observed in acute renal failure (ARF). First, the effects of L-Arg on renal function of rats with ARF were studied.