Complement terminal pathway inhibition reduces peritoneal injuries in a rat peritonitis model.

Peritonitis and the resulting peritoneal injuries are common problems that prevent long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy in patients with end-stage kidney diseases. Previously, we have analyzed the relationship between the complement system and progression of peritoneal injuries associated with PD, particularly focusing on the early activation pathways and effects of the anaphylatoxins. We here utilized a novel mAb 2H2 that blocks assembly of the membrane attack complex (MAC) to investigate roles of the complement terminal pathway in PD-associated peritoneal injury.

Effect of Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis for Nephrotic Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy as Initial Induction Therapy.

Low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-A) has been used for nephrotic syndrome (NS) caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Japan. Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) can also cause treatment-resistant NS. Therefore, we investigated the effect of LDL-A during initial induction for it.

Factors associated with severity of sleep apnoea syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), prevalence of sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS) is reported to be markedly high. However, the factors associated with severity of SAS in such patients rarely have been reported. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 100 stable non-dialysis patients with CKD who attended a CKD educational programme from April 2014 to August 2015.

Ferrokinetics is associated with the left ventricular mass index in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have the complication of anaemia. Usage of an erythropoietin-stimulating agent accelerates iron deficiency because it promotes iron utilization. Recently, iron administration was reported to be effective for patients with cardiac failure.

Two Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia Who Were Successfully Weaned from Low-density Lipoprotein Apheresis after Treatment with Evolocumab.

Two elderly patients (a 76-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman), who had been previously diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (at 58 and 48 years of age, respectively) underwent long-term treatment with oral therapy and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis. As their LDL cholesterol levels remained high (>150 mg/dL and >120 mg/dL, respectively) and their familial hypercholesterolemia was complicated with angina pectoris, we added evolocumab to their prescription. Thereafter, their LDL cholesterol levels decreased rapidly, and the patients were successfully weaned from LDL apheresis.

Association between 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and left atrial diameter in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients .

Objective: To investigate the correlation between serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) levels and left atrial diameter (LAD) using echocardiography in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Subjects And Methods: From an initial population of 487 patients (109 met the exclusion criteria), a total of 378 patients with CKD stage 3a - 5 who had not undergone dialysis or kidney transplantation were included in the study. The relationship between serum 1,25D levels and LAD was examined.

Association between Plaque Score of the Carotid Artery and the Severity of Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Recently, sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) has been associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and death. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher rates of SAS, atherosclerotic complications and death than do patients without CKD. Although the relationship between SAS and atherosclerosis is well known, few papers have described this relationship in humans, especially in CKD patients.