Rapid deterioration of preexisting renal insufficiency after autologous mesenchymal stem cell therapy.

Administration of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to improve renal function and histological findings in acute kidney injury (AKI) models. However, its effects in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are unclear, particularly in the clinical setting. Here, we report our experience with a CKD patient who was treated by intravenous infusion of autologous MSCs derived from adipose tissue in an unknown clinic outside of Korea.

Low prealbumin levels are independently associated with higher mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Prealbumin, a sensitive marker for protein-energy status, is also known as an independent risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis patients. We investigated the impact of prealbumin on survival in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: In total, 136 incident PD patients (mean age, 53.

Impact of dialysis modality on technique survival in end-stage renal disease patients.

Background/aims: This study analyzed the risk factors for technique survival in dialysis patients and compared technique survival rates between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in a prospective cohort of Korean patients.

Methods: A total of 1,042 patients undergoing dialysis from September 2008 to June 2011 were analyzed. The dialysis modality was defined as that used 90 days after commencing dialysis.

The Korean Clinical Research Center for End-Stage Renal Disease Study Validates the Association of Hemoglobin and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Dose with Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Anemia is an important risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, higher hemoglobin (Hb) is not necessarily better, as seen in several studies. This study aimed to validate the clinical use of an Hb target of 10-11 g/dL in Korean HD patients.

Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a potential predictor of adverse renal outcomes in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Background/aims: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a well-known biomarker of acute kidney injury. We evaluated the value of plasma NGAL (pNGAL) as an independent predictor of prognosis in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods: In total, 91 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN at a single center were evaluated.

Successful treatment of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with a low dose rituximab in a kidney transplant recipient.

Recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a major therapeutic challenge in kidney transplantation (KT). Although intensive plasmapheresis and high-dose rituximab have been introduced to treat recurrent FSGS, the most effective dosage and regimen of rituximab have not been determined. Herein we reported the first case of successful treatment of recurrent FSGS with a low-dose rituximab.

CYP3A and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tacrolimus and its metabolites (M-I and M-III).

Background: We prospectively studied renal transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus to determine the relationship between the CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms and the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of tacrolimus and its metabolites.

Methods: Renal transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus were genotyped for CYP3A4*4, CYP3A4*5, CYP3A4*18, CYP3A5*3, ABCB1 c.1236C→T, ABCB1 c.

A case of transient central diabetes insipidus after aorto-coronary bypass operation.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is characterized by excessive urination and thirst. This disease results from inadequate output of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the pituitary gland or the absence of the normal response to ADH in the kidney. We present a case of transient central DI in a patient who underwent a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).