Protocol for thiamine and folic acid in the treatment of cognitive impairment in maintenance haemodialysis patients: a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre study.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) is the common complications in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. Recently, the pathogenesis of CI has been discussed and oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms in these patients. Thiamine and folic acid, which play an important role in relieving the production of reactive oxygen species, reducing homocysteine levels, improving oxidative stress in the nervous system.

Adiponectin is related to carotid artery plaque and a predictor of cardiovascular outcome in a cohort of non-diabetic peritoneal dialysis patients.

Aims: Adiponectin is an adipocytokine with antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated associations between circulating adiponectin, inflammation and cardiovascular disease in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Methods: A prospective study was performed in 59 non-diabetic patients.

[Relationship of brain natriuretic peptide to renal function and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease].

Objective: To clarify the association of brain natriuretic peptide * BNP) with renal function and cardiac dysfunction in non-dialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Fluorescence immuno-assay was used to detect the whole blood concentration of BNP in a cohort of 203 CKD patients and 16 hypertensive controls. Color ultrasonography was conducted to determine the left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

[Effects of Astragalus on expression of renal angiopoietin receptor Tie-2 in diabetic rats].

Objective: To study the expression of angiopoietin receptor Tie-2 in the renal tissue of diabetic rats and the effects of Astragalus.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, diabetes group and Astragalus-treated group. The expression of receptor Tie-2 in the renal tissue was assessed by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical method.