Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure Induces Acute Kidney Injury in an Experimental Model of Congestive Heart Failure.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) entails a complex interaction between the heart and the kidney that represents a clinical entity called cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). One of the mechanisms underlying CRS includes increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). We examined the effect of elevated IAP on kidney function in rats with low- and high-output CHF.

Effects of carnitine on oxidative stress response to intravenous iron administration to patients with CKD: impact of haptoglobin phenotype.

Background: Anemia is a common disorder in CKD patients. It is largely attributed to decreased erythropoietin (EPO) production and iron deficiency. Therefore, besides EPO, therapy includes iron replenishment.

Early treatment with everolimus exerts nephroprotective effect in rats with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical state characterized by massive proteinuria and excessive fluid retention. The effects of early versus late treatment with low or high doses of oral everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, on proteinuria in NS have not been previously described.

Methods: The effects of early treatment (2 days prior to NS induction) versus late treatment (beginning 2 weeks following the establishment of NS) with a low (20 mg/L) or high (100 mg/L) dose of everolimus for 5-7 weeks on proteinuria and nephrin/podocin abundance were assessed in male adult SD rats with adriamycin-induced NS.

Renal and systemic effects of endothelin-1 in diabetic-hypertensive rats.

The Cohen-Rosenthal Diabetic Hypertensive rat (CRDH) is a unique animal model in which genetic hypertension and diabetes developed after crossbreeding of Cohen diabetic rats sensitive substrain (CDR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The present study examined: 1) The acute effects of ET-1 on the systemic and renal hemodynamics in CRDH rats, CDR, and SHR; 2) The expression of ET-1 and its receptors in the renal tissue of CRDH rats. Intravenous injection of ET-1 (1.

Pneumoperitoneum aggravates renal function in cases of decompensated but not compensated experimental congestive heart failure: role of nitric oxide.

Purpose: Congestive heart failure is associated with impaired renal function. Previously we noted that increased intra-abdominal pressure (pneumoperitoneum) in normal rats induced renal dysfunction. In this study we investigated the renal effects of pneumoperitoneum in rats with compensated (urinary Na(+) excretion greater than 1,200 μEq per 24 hours) and decompensated (urinary Na(+) excretion less than 200 μEq per 24 hours) congestive heart failure, and the possible involvement of nitric oxide in these effects.

Urinary excretion of endothelin receptors ET A and ET B in hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects.

Background/aims: Endothelin (ET)-1 is produced by most renal cell types. Renal tubular and vascular cells express both the ET receptors ET(A) and ET(B). Since significant amounts of ET-1 of renal origin were detected in human urine, urinary ET-1 has been used as an index for the capacity of renal ET-1 production.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibition aggravates the adverse renal effects of high but not low intraabdominal pressure.

Background: Previously, the authors demonstrated that an intraabdominal pressure (IAP) of 14 mmHg in normal rats reduced kidney function/hemodynamics. These adverse effects are related to interference with the nitric oxide (NO) system. This study was designed to compare the effects of NO synthase (NOS) inhibition on kidney function/hemodynamics during increases in IAP from 0 mmHg to 7, 10, and 14 mmHg.

Hyperimmune gammaglobulin for the treatment of West Nile virus encephalitis.

Background: West Nile virus, the etiologic agent of West Nile fever, is an emerging mosquito-borne disease. WNV was recognized as a cause of severe human meningoencephalitis in elderly patients during outbreaks in various parts of the world.

Objectives: To analyze WNV encephalitis therapy and its outcome after prescribing hyperimmune gammaglobulin therapy.

Impact of pneumoperitoneum on renal perfusion and excretory function: beneficial effects of nitroglycerine.

Background: Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) (pneumoperitoneum) during laparoscopic surgery may result in adverse effects on kidney function. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not been fully determined.

Objective: The present study was designed to: (1) investigate the effects of incremental increases in IAP on renal function in normal rats and (2) evaluate whether the nitric oxide (NO) system is involved in renal dysfunction characterizing pneumoperitoneum.

Glomerular abundance of nephrin and podocin in experimental nephrotic syndrome: different effects of antiproteinuric therapies.

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical state characterized by massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and eventual edema formation. Although the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not yet fully clarified, it is well accepted that nephrin and podocin are involved in the development of proteinuria. The effects of early treatment with various antiproteinuric therapies on proteinuria and glomerular staining of nephrin and podocin in rats with experimental NS have not been previously studied.

Comparative study of response to treatment with supraphysiologic doses of B-vitamins in hyperhomocysteinemic hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a well-recognized risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Objectives: To examine the effects of two doses of vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid on homocysteine levels in hemodialysis patients and assess the functional impact of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype on the response to treatment.

Methods: In a randomized prospective study, we assessed the effects of folic acid and two doses of B-vitamins in 50 hemodialysis patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

[Therapeutic implications of endothelin antagonists for cardiovascular diseases].

The endothelin system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of a variety of cardiovascular diseases including: congestive heart failure, essential and pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, and cerebrovascular disease. The biological effects of endothelin-1 on its target organs are mediated by two receptors: ETA and ETB. It is widely accepted that the vascular, cardiac, and renal adverse effects of ET-1 are mediated by ETA, while activation of ETB receptors leads to beneficial effects such as: attenuating the vascular and cardiac hypertrophic effects of ET-1 as well as the vasodilatory action of this peptide.