Targeting Kidney Inflammation After Brain Death and Cold Storage: Investigating the Potential of an NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitor (MCC950) for Preconditioning Donor Kidneys.

Background: Brain death (BD) and cold storage (CS) are critical factors that induce inflammation in donor kidneys, compromising organ quality. We investigated whether treating kidneys from BD rats with an inflammasome Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inhibitor (MCC950) followed by CS could reduce kidney inflammation.

Methods: BD rats were assigned to MCC950-treated or nontreated (NT) groups.

Analysis of COVID-19 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was responsible for higher morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTx). The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on RTx in a single center in Brazil.

Methods: A cohort of 135 RTx was evaluated between December 2019 and June 202l, and demographics, clinical, and laboratory profiles were analyzed from deceased donors with COVID-19.

Different Patterns of Foxp3 Gene Expression in Pre-and Post-Transplantation Kidney Biopsies and the Effect of Use Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors.

Background: Trafficking of regulatory T cells (Tregs) modulates the inflammatory response after kidney transplantation (KTx). There is scarce information on whether circulating and intragraft Tregs are similarly affected by immunosuppressive drugs and the type of deceased kidney donor.

Methods: FOXP3 gene expression was measured in the pretransplant kidney biopsies (PIBx) from donors who met extended (ECD) and standard (SCD) criteria donors.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kidney Transplant and on Chronic Dialysis Patients.

Background: The reported fatality rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients receiving maintenance dialysis or kidney transplant are higher than in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in chronic dialysis patients (DPs) compared with kidney transplant recipients (KTxRs).

Methods: A study evaluating 266 COVID-19-positive patients (112 DPs and 154 KTxRs) was conducted in a single center from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Distinct global DNA methylation and NF-κB expression profile of preimplantation biopsies from ideal and non-ideal kidneys.

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms may affect the ideal and non-ideal kidneys selected for transplantation and their inflammatory gene expression profile differently and may contribute to poor clinical outcomes.

Objective: Study the Global DNA methylation and the expression profiles of the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in preimplantation kidney biopsies from ideal and non-ideal kidneys (expanded criteria donor (ECD) and with KDPI > 85%).

Methods: In a sample consisting of 45 consecutive pre-implantation biopsies, global DNA methylation levels were detected by LINE-1 repeated elements using bisulfite pyrosequencing.

Kidney complications of parasitic diseases.

Parasitic agents have been known to cause human disease since ancient times and are endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Complications of parasitic diseases, including kidney involvement, are associated with worse outcomes. Chagas disease, filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis are important parasitic diseases that can damage the kidney.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy associated with the Osaka/Kurashiki APOE variant: two cases identified in Latin America.

Background: Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in APOE, the gene which encodes apolipoprotein E. LPG mainly affects Asian individuals, however occasional cases have also been described in Americans and Europeans. Herein we report two unrelated Brazilian patients with LPG in whom genetic analyses revealed the APOE-Osaka/Kurashiki variant.

Angiotensin involvement in kidney injury induced by rheumatoid arthritis in rat.

Renal injury induced by rheumatoid arthritis is not clear and may be related to the angiotensin II. We aim to investigate the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) injury in rat kidney, focusing the angiotensin II/AT pathway. Male Wistar rats were allocated in to three groups: Control, AIA and AIA plus losartan.

Therapeutic potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells and renal progenitor cells in experimental chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem. Cell therapy using pluripotent stem cells represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of CKD.

Methods: We transplanted mitomycin C (MMC)-treated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and renal progenitor cells (RPCs) into a CKD rat model system.

Impact of Cold Ischemia Time on Kidney Transplant: A Mate Kidney Analysis.

Introduction: Longer cold ischemia time (CIT) is a deleterious factor for kidney transplant (KTx) outcomes and may lead Tx teams to graft discard. Because the CIT in Brazil is overall very high, the objective of this study was to compare outcomes among mate recipients of KTx with distinct CIT.

Methods: We studied 106 mate recipients of KTx in a single center followed for 1-year post-Tx.

Clinical and laboratorial profiles of dengue virus infection in kidney transplant recipients: Report of a single center.

Dengue infection (DI) is the most important arboviral infection in the world. The majority of immunocompetent patients will have asymptomatic or mild infections, but the degree of dengue severity in kidney transplant recipients (KTx) is unknown. In this study, we report the clinical profile and outcomes of 39 dengue cases in KTx.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reduce Progression of Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease but Develop Wilms' Tumors.

The therapeutic effect of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSs) on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, we sought to assess whether treatment with iPSs retards progression of CKD when compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Untreated 5/6 nephrectomized rats were compared with CKD animals receiving BMSCs or iPSs.

Validation of an Experimental Model to Study Less Severe Chronic Renal Failure.

Purpose: The 5/6 nephrectomy, mimics the stages of human chronic renal failure (CRF), but the procedure causes severe renal functional and morphological damage that could interfere with the evaluation of therapies for slowing the progression of the disease. This study summarizes the results of renal function, histology, and immunohistochemical findings in rats undergoing a 2/3 nephrectomy.

Methods: The rats were distributed in groups according to the type of nephrectomy: CRF5/6: induced by a 5/6 renal mass reduction and CRF2/3: less severe CRF.

Comparative effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in distinct stages of chronic renal failure.

Background: The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of chronic diseases is becoming increasingly evident. In the present study, we sought to assess whether treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) efficiently retards progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) when administered to experimental models of less severe CRF.

Methods: We used two renal mass reduction models to simulate different stages of CRF (5/6 or 2/3 mass renal reduction).

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and experimental tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity.

Objectives: Calcineurin inhibitors are effective immunosuppressive agents, but associated adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity may limit efficacy. Dietary fish oil may minimize nephrotoxicity caused by long-term use of calcineurin inhibitors. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity in rats that had normal kidney function or chronic kidney failure.

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the treatment of experimental chronic renal failure.

Purpose: A diet with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has been reported to reduce renal and cardiac diseases. This study sought to elucidate whether PUFAs derived from plant or marine oils could have beneficial effects on the progression of experimental chronic renal failure (CRF).

Methods: Experimental CRF was achieved by a 5/6 nephrectomy model.

Effect of cyclosporine a on glucose interstitial concentration in renal cortex and medulla from rats.

Aim: To standardize microdialysis in rat kidneys and address cyclosporine A (CsA) effects on renal cortex and medulla interstitial glucose.

Methods: Munich-Wistar rats were treated with vehicle or CsA (15 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Glucose was assessed by spectrophotometry in dialysate samples from cortex, medulla and arterial plasma.