Evaluation of renal microperfusion in hyperuricemic nephropathy by contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Diagnostic tools for the early detection of renal injury caused by hyperuricemia are still lacking. Here, we investigated whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be used as a diagnostic tool for hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN). In the HN rat model, CEUS detected a significant decline in renal cortical perfusion compared with that in control rats.

Clinical and Histological Predictors of Renal Survival in Patients with Biopsy-Proven Diabetic Nephropathy.

Introduction: Clinical indicators or pathological features alone cannot reliably predict renal survival in patients with biopsy-confirmed diabetic nephropathy (DN). Therefore, this analysis sought to develop and validate a predictive model incorporating both clinical and pathological markers to predict renal outcomes in patients with biopsy-confirmed DN.

Methods: A predictive nomogram was developed based upon data pertaining to 194 patients with biopsy-confirmed DN.

Nicotinamide retains Klotho expression and ameliorates rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury.

Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication of rhabdomyolysis that significantly increases mortality. Unfortunately, the therapeutic approach is limited. Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, which is a potential therapeutic target.

Dl-3-n-butylphthalide pretreatment attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) has become a growing concern in clinical practice with high morbidity and mortality rates. There is currently no effective prophylactic regimen available to prevent its occurrence and to improve its clinical prognosis. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) has been used for stroke treatment in China for years.

Incorporation of Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Computed Tomography Quantification to Predict Acute Kidney Injury and In-Hospital Death in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients is high, with poor prognosis. Early identification of COVID-19 patients who are at risk for AKI and may develop critical illness and death is of great importance.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a prognostic model of AKI and in-hospital death in patients with COVID-19, incorporating the new tubular injury biomarker urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based chest computed tomography (CT) analysis.

Wnt5a promotes renal tubular inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by binding to CD146 through noncanonical Wnt signaling.

Immune and inflammatory factors have emerged as key pathophysiological mechanisms in the progression of diabetic renal injury. Noncanonical Wnt5a signaling plays an essential role in obesity- or diabetes-induced metabolic dysfunction and inflammation, but its explicit molecular mechanisms and biological function in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remain unknown. In this study, we found that the expression of Wnt5a and CD146 in the kidney and the level of soluble form of CD146 (sCD146) in serum and urine samples were upregulated in DN patients compared to controls, and this alteration was correlated with the inflammatory process and progression of renal impairment.

Sitagliptin ameliorates renal tubular injury in diabetic kidney disease via STAT3-dependent mitochondrial homeostasis through SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway.

Mitochondrial abnormalities play critical roles in diabetic tubular injury progression. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors are widely used antihyperglycemic agents that exert renal protective and positive effects against mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, their underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Poor Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Biopsy-Proven Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Despite the high mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetic patients with renal injury, few studies have compared cardiovascular characteristics and outcomes between patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD).

Methods: A total of 326 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with renal biopsy were assigned to DN and NDRD groups. Echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound were performed to evaluate left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and peripheral atherosclerosis disease (PAD).

Comparison of Kidney Transcriptomic Profiles of Early and Advanced Diabetic Nephropathy Reveals Potential New Mechanisms for Disease Progression.

To identify the factors mediating the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), we performed RNA sequencing of kidney biopsy samples from patients with early DN, advanced DN, and normal kidney tissue from nephrectomy samples. A set of genes that were upregulated at early but downregulated in late DN were shown to be largely renoprotective, which included genes in the retinoic acid pathway and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor. Another group of genes that were downregulated at early but highly upregulated in advanced DN consisted mostly of genes associated with kidney disease pathogenesis, such as those related to immune response and fibrosis.

Ischemic Duration and Frequency Determines AKI-to-CKD Progression Monitored by Dynamic Changes of Tubular Biomarkers in IRI Mice.

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the pathogenesis and biomarkers predicting the progression of IRI-induced AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unclear. A side-by-side comparison between different IRI animal models with variable ischemic duration and episodes was performed.

Activation of the Nrf2-ARE Pathway Ameliorates Hyperglycemia-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Podocytes Partly Through Sirt1.

Background/aims: Previously we have shown that activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) attenuated hyperglycemia-induced damage in podocytes, but the molecular mechanism remains unknown.

Methods: Tert-butylhydroquinone (t-BHQ) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to regulate Nrf2 expression, while nicotinamide and siRNAs were used to regulate sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) activity and expression, respectively. Mitochondrial superoxide, membrane potential and ATP levels were measured to assess changes in mitochondrial function.

Prognostic Effect of Isolated Nocturnal Hypertension in Chinese Patients With Nondialysis Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) has been studied among the general population and hypertensive patients. However, little insight is available on the prognostic effect of INH in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study investigated the prognostic effect of INH in a cohort of Chinese patients with nondialysis CKD.

High Prevalence of Hyperhomocysteinemia and Its Association with Target Organ Damage in Chinese Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the prevalence of HHcy and its role in association with target organ damage in patients with chronickidney disease (CKD) are not well understood. This cross-sectional study included 1042 CKD patients who were admitted to our hospital.

Prognostic Value of Reverse Dipper Blood Pressure Pattern in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients not Undergoing Dialysis: Prospective Cohort Study.

The "reverse dipping" blood pressure (BP) pattern has been studied among the general population and in individuals suffering from hypertension. However, the prognosis of this pattern in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is not known. We monitored BP throughout the day and followed health outcomes in 588 CKD patients admitted to our hospital.

Prevalence of Homocysteine-Related Hypertension in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with both hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia, termed H-type hypertension, have a high risk for cardiocerebrovascular diseases. However, little is known about the prevalence of H-type hypertension or its role in target organ damage in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The authors recruited 1042 patients with CKD who were admitted to their hospital division.

Prevalence, determinants, and clinical significance of masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension have been studied among the general population and in hypertensive patients. However, little insight is available on masked and white-coat hypertension among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: We recruited 1322 CKD patients admitted to our hospital division.

High prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) has been studied among the general population and hypertensive patients. However, little insight is available on the prevalence of INH and its role in target-organ damage among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods And Results: We recruited 1282 CKD patients admitted to our hospital division.

Nocturnal Hypertension Correlates Better With Target Organ Damage in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease than a Nondipping Pattern.

Both nocturnal hypertension and nondipping pattern are associated with target organ damages (TODs); however, no data exist with respect to Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The authors recruited 1322 patients with CKD admitted to our hospital division and referred with data in this cross-sectional study. Patients with nocturnal systolic hypertension had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) compared with patients with normal nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SPB; all, P<.