Plasma C1q/TNF-related protein 9: a promising biomarker for diabetic renal vascular injury.

Background: Adipocytokines are associated with the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: We analyzed the relationship between levels of the plasma C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9) and other adipocytokines or the endothelial function in patients with T2DM, and analyzed their trending manner.

Results: CTRP9 was detected in plasma from 14 out of a total of 28 patients.

Secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in an adolescent born with a very low birth weight.

A 17-year-old man presented with a decreased renal function (creatinine clearance 66.0 ml/min/1.73 m2) and proteinuria (1.

Diminished complement-activating capacity through the classical pathway in sera from type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Complement-activating capacity through the classical pathway in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was examined in the context of free sialic acid as a potential modulator of complement activation. Complement-activating capacity was investigated in an incubation study of heat-aggregated IgG (HAG) and sera from 42 T2DM patients. The study demonstrated diminished in-vitro complement-activating capacity through the classical pathway in T2DM.

Complement-mediated chronic inflammation is associated with diabetic microvascular complication.

Background: Chronic inflammation is characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity-activated adipocytes release adipocytokines, which induce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in vascular endothelial dysfunction and organ injury. C3a is a candidate to induce tissue inflammation.

Effects of cyclosporine on bone mineral density in patients with glucocorticoid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in remission.

Purpose: Cyclosporine (CsA) is often prescribed to patients with glucocorticoid (GC)-dependent nephrotic syndrome. Although it is well known that long-term administration of GC causes osteoporosis, the effects of CsA on bone metabolism are not fully established. Therefore, we examined the effects of CsA on bone metabolism in patients with GC-dependent nephrotic syndrome in remission.

A case of ANCA-associated vasculitis with glomerular eosinophilic infiltration: a possible pathogenic implication.

We present a 58-year-old male patient with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. He failed to fulfill the common American College of Rheumatology criteria for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and was tentatively diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis. Kidney biopsy showed pauci-immune crescentic necrotizing glomerulonephritis with neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration.

Oligomeganephronia in an adult without end stage renal failure.

A 23 year-old male was investigated for hypertension, moderate renal insufficiency, persistent proteinuria and bilateral small kidneys. The renal pathological features were diagnostic with greatly enlarged glomeruli (the mean diameter was 325 μm, which was approximately two times larger than normal glomeruli), indicating oligomeganephronia (OMN). He also showed malrotated kidneys, expanded extrarenal pelvis, and hearing loss.

Molecular and functional characterization of choline transporter in rat renal tubule epithelial NRK-52E cells.

Homeostatic regulation of the plasma choline concentration depends on the effective functioning of a choline transporter in the kidney. However, the nature of the choline transport system in the kidney is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the molecular and functional characterization of choline uptake in the rat renal tubule epithelial cell line NRK-52E.

Two novel genotypes of the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (SLC12A3) gene in patients with Gitelman's syndrome.

Gitelman's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder marked by salt wasting and hypokalaemia resulting from loss-of-function mutations in the SLC12A3 gene that codes for the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter. Gitelman's syndrome is usually distinguished from Bartter's syndrome by the presence of both hypomagnesaemia and hypocalciuria. Although recent advances in molecular genetics may make it possible to both diagnose and differentiate these diseases, the phenotypes sometimes overlap.

A case report of hemodialysis intolerance with eosinophilia.

We report the case of a patient who developed eosinophilia during hemodialysis and became intolerant to dialysis therapy. The patient, a 40-year-old woman, was initiated on hemodialysis for end-stage renal failure caused by chronic glomerulonephritis. After starting on dialysis, her eosinophil count gradually increased.