Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

Introduction: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is an acquired disorder of hemopoiesis and is characterized by recurrent episodes of intravascular hemolysis due to an increased sensitivity to complement-mediated hemolysis. Systemic lupus erythematosus with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is very rare. We report a case of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria that developed in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis.

Fatty acid composition of plasma and kidney in rats with anti-Thy1.1 nephritis.

Background: n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are reported to ameliorate atherosclerotic and inflammatory diseases because they compete with arachidonic acid and reduce its inflammatory metabolites. In the present study, the fatty acid composition of plasma and kidney in rats with anti-Thy1.1 nephritis was investigated.

Nephrotic syndrome associated with interferon-beta-1b therapy for multiple sclerosis.

A 43-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) had nephrotic syndrome 21 months after starting treatment with interferon (IFN)-beta-1b (subcutaneous administration). She had taken no drug except for the IFN-beta-1b. Because nephrotic syndrome may be induced by IFN therapy, the IFN was stopped.

Losartan, an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist, retards the progression of advanced renal insufficiency.

Chronic renal disease with elevated level of serum creatinine (Cr) often progresses to end-stage renal disease. Although blockade of the renin-angiotensin system has been shown to slow the progression of chronic renal disease, it remains uncertain whether one could expect such a renoprotective effect even when the treatment is initiated late in the course of renal disease. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of losartan, an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist, on the progression of advanced renal insufficiency.

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acids on oxidative stress and plasma fatty acid composition in patients with lupus nephritis.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is one of the major components of fish oil, which was reported to have antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory and immune suppressive effects. In the present study, highly purified EPA was administered to patients with lupus nephritis and the effects of EPA on urinary 8-isoprostane, a reliable marker of oxidative stress, were investigated in these patients. Six outpatients (1 man and 5 women), with lupus nephritis diagnosed by renal biopsy, were entered in the study.

Thrombin stimulates production of fibronectin by human proximal tubular epithelial cells via a transforming growth factor-beta-dependent mechanism.

Background: Tubulointerstitial fibrosis contributes to the progression of many forms of glomerular disease and to end-stage renal failure. Inflammatory mediators generated during glomerular injury may induce tubulointerstitial lesions by stimulating tubular cells. Thrombin has multiple biological functions in addition to its role in haemostasis and has been detected in the urine of patients with glomerular diseases.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor production by human proximal tubular epithelial cells in culture.

Fibrin deposition in the peritubular capillaries and along the tubular basement membrane is commonly observed in several renal diseases and suggests the involvement of blood coagulation in tubulointerstitial damage. It has been demonstrated that tissue factor (TF) is present in tubular epithelial cells of animal models of nephritis. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) regulates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation through its ability to inhibit TF activity and it is now thought to be produced mainly by the vascular endothelial cells.

Effects of eparlestat on plasma levels of advanced glycation end products in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are produced by a nonenzymatic reaction between glucose and proteins in the plasma of diabetic patients. Recently, AGE have been reported to promote and accelerate diabetic complications and atherosclerosis. The activity of aldose reductase (AR) is increased in diabetic patients.