Caloric restriction inhibits renal artery ageing by reducing endothelin-1 expression.

Background: The renal artery plays a central role in renal perfusion and is critical for proper renal function. Ageing is an independent risk factor for both impaired renal function and vascular disorders, and associated with an increase in the expression of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1), and caloric restriction (CR) without malnutrition has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of renal dysfunction induced by ageing. The objective of this study was to determine whether CR-mediated alleviation of renal dysfunction is mediated by ET-1 expression.

[Low testosterone levels are inversely correlated with carotid artery plaque formation in elderly women].

Objective: To study the relationship between serum testosterone levels and the plaque formation of the carotid artery in a population-based cohort of independently living healthy women above 60 years of age.

Methods: Analysis of the healthy elders from a population-based cohort study in 9 communities of Beijing. Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques were determined ultrasonographically.

[Protective effect of sodium ferulate magnetic nanoparticle in septic kidney injury rats].

Objective: To investigate the renal protective effect of sodium ferulate magnetic nanoparticle targeting therapy in septic rats receives norepinephrine treatment.

Methods: First we constructed sodium ferulate magnetic nanoparticle, Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6): control group, septic group, norepinephrine treatment group (NE treatment group) and NE plus sodium ferulate magnetic nanoparticle treatment group (NE + SF group), septic rat model was reproduced by intravenous injection of lipolysaccharide (IPS) in rats in NE treatment group norepinephrine were used to elevate the blood pressure of septic rats, in NE + SF group sodium ferulate magnetic nanoparticle was injected via tail vein, magnetic field was placed near renal region. Urinary concentration of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), kidney injury molecule (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), renal tissue concentration of malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured 3 hours after treatment.

[Risk factors and short-term prognosis of acute kidney injury in elderly patients].

Objective: To explore the risk factors and short-term outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly patients.

Methods: A total of 232 elderly AKI patients at Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2008 to December 2009 were enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to their outcomes at 28 days and at 29 days to 3 months after AKI respectively.