[Cyclosporin A versus cyclophosphamide in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in children].

Background: The majority of cases of nephrotic syndrome in children is corticosensitive, however in some individuals aggressive cytotoxic therapy is necessary. Cyclosporin A and cyclophosphamide are widely used; however their relative effectiveness in maintaining remission of childhood nephrotic syndrome remains controversial.

Methods And Results: Effectiveness of long-term cytotoxic therapy (mean follow-up 7.

Enalapril treatment of proteinuria in normotensive children.

A retrospective study was performed in 48 normotensive proteinuric children to evaluate the effect of enalapril (n = 17), a combination of enalapril and prednisone (n = 11) and prednisone alone (n = 20) on urinary protein excretion and systemic blood pressure. Enalapril treatment was associated with significant and persistent diminution of proteinuria from 1.32 +/- 0.

[Relation between metabolism of trace elements and the antioxidant defense system in chronic nephropathies].

Background: Trace elements--zinc, copper and selenium are part of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GHPx). In renal diseases changes in the trace element metabolism may influence the equilibrium in the antioxidant defence system and enhance the toxic effect of reactive oxygen molecules.

Methods And Results: The authors examined in 53 children with chronic neprophathies (34 with chronic glomerulonephritis, 11 with chronic renal failure and 8 children included in a chronic dialyzation programme) zinc and selenium in blood and urine and antioxidant enzymes SOD and GHPx in red blood cells.

[Will administration of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids reduce the use of nonsteroidal antirheumatic agents in children with chronic juvenile arthritis?].

Background: An increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the diet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has a favourable effect on the course of the disease. The objective of the present work was to assess the effect of such a diet on the daily consumption of non-steroid antirheumatic drugs in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

Methods And Results: A group of 23 children with the diagnosis of chronic juvenile arthritis was divided by the method of random numbers into two groups.

[Antioxidant enzyme activity in erythrocytes in children with kidney diseases].

Background: An important place is ascribed to the formation and action of free oxygen radicals in the pathogenesis of some kidney diseases. The objective of the present work was to examine the antioxidant enzyme defence mechanism in children with different nephropathies.

Methods And Results: In a group of 58 children (32 boys and 26 girls, mean age 13.