Rho kinase inhibition by fasudil attenuates cyclosporine-induced kidney injury.

It has been shown that the inhibition of the Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway prevents tubulointerstitial fibrosis and ameliorates renal function in various progressive renal disorders. The present study was to determine whether fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, has a protective effect on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephropathy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with CsA (n = 10, 20 mg · kg(-1) day(-1) s.

Paricalcitol attenuates cyclosporine-induced kidney injury in rats.

Despite its benefits, the clinical use of cyclosporine A (CsA) is limited by its nephrotoxic properties. Because paricalcitol (19-nor-1,25-hydroxyvitamin D(2)) has renoprotective effects, we tested whether it can blunt renal dysfunction and fibrosis in a rat model of CsA-induced nephropathy. Treatment with CsA decreased creatinine clearance, increased monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines within the kidney.

Rosiglitazone prevents the progression of renal injury in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

This study was designed to evaluate the possible renoprotective effects of rosiglitazone (RGT), a peroxisome proliferator-activated subtype gamma receptor agonist, in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension and its role in endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) production and renal fibrosis associated with inflammation. Rats were implanted with DOCA strips (200 mg kg(-1)) at 1 week after unilateral nephrectomy. DOCA-salt rats received control diet with or without RGT (10 mg kg(-1) per day).

Decreased Expression of Na/K-ATPase, NHE3, NBC1, AQP1 and OAT in Gentamicin-induced Nephropathy.

The present study was aimed to determine whether there is an altered regulation of tubular transporters in gentamicin-induced nephropathy. Sprague-Dawley male rats (200~250 g) were subcutaneously injected with gentamicin (100 mg/kg per day) for 7 days, and the expression of tubular transporters was determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression of OAT was also determined.

Altered renal expression of aquaporin water channels and sodium transporters in rats with two-kidney, one-clip hypertension.

Aims: To determine whether the renal regulation of aquaporin (AQP) water channels and sodium transporters are altered in 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) hypertension.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. They were made 2K1C hypertensive for 1 week.

Renoprotective effect of rosuvastatin in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

Background: Pleiotropic effects of statins represent potential mechanisms for the treatment of end organ damage in hypertension. This study has investigated the effects of rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) on renal function impairment, glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive (DSH) rat.

Methods: Rats were implanted with DOCA strips (200 mg/kg) on 1 week after unilateral nephrectomy.

Water and sodium regulation in heart failure.

Heart failure is the pathophysiological state characterized by ventricular dysfunction and associated clinical symptoms. Decreased cardiac output or peripheral vascular resistance lead to arterial underfilling. That is an important signal which triggers multiple neurohormonal systems to maintain adequate arterial pressure and peripheral perfusion of the vital organs.

Renoprotective effects of paricalcitol on gentamicin-induced kidney injury in rats.

Vitamin D is thought to exert a protective effect on renal disease progression, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. We investigated whether paricalcitol ameliorates tubular dysfunction and fibrosis in gentamicin (GM)-induced renal injury. Two groups of rats were treated with GM (100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), one of which was cotreated with paricalcitol (0.

Changes of atrial natriuretic Peptide system in rats with puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrotic syndrome.

Sodium retention is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome. We investigated whether sodium retention is associated with changes of natriuretic peptide system at different stages (i.e.

Altered regulation of renal nitric oxide, atrial natriuretic peptide and cyclooxygenase systems in aldosterone escape in rats.

The present study was aimed to determine whether there is an altered role of local nitric oxide (NO), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cyclooxygenase (COX) systems in the kidney in association with the aldosterone escape. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Aldosterone (200 microg/day) was infused through entire time course.

Altered regulation of renal sodium transporters and natriuretic peptide system in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

Although deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension is a volume dependent model of hypertension, it shows polyuria and natriuresis. It is expected that dysregulation of aquaporin water channels (AQPs) and sodium transporters associated with natriuretic peptide (NP) system may play an escape role in sodium retaining state. One week after left unilateral nephrectomy, rats were subcutaneously implanted with silastic DOCA (200 mg/kg) strips.

alpha-Lipoic acid prevents cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Background: Cisplatin-induced nephropathy has been related to increased lipid peroxide formation and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes in the kidney. The present study aimed to examine whether treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) prevents the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods: Two groups of rats were treated with cisplatin, one of which being cotreated with alpha-LA.

Increased renal expression of nitric oxide synthase and atrial natriuretic peptide in rats with glycyrrhizic-acid-induced hypertension.

The present study aimed to examine whether there is an altered regulation of local hormonal systems in the kidney following the treatment of glycyrrhizic acid (GA), the active ingredient in licorice. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with GA for 3 weeks. The expression of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) was determined in the kidney by immunoblotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Continuous renal replacement therapy for the treatment of acute kidney injury.

Background/aims: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has been widely used for treating critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Whether CRRT is better than intermittent hemodialysis for the treatment of AKI remains controversial. We sought to identify the clinical features that can predict survival for the patients who are treated with CRRT.

Effects of rosiglitazone on heat shock protein and the endothelin system in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats.

The deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt rat is known as a model of volume dependent hypertension and characterized by increased cardiac endothelin-1 (ET-1) content. Recently, it has been reported that rosiglitazone (RGT), a peroxisome proliferator-activated subtype gamma receptor agonist, shows blood pressure lowering effect. We investigated whether DOCA-salt hypertension is associated with altered expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) and ET-1 in the heart, aorta, and kidney, and whether RGT changes HSP expression and ET-1 in association with its blood pressure lowering effect.

Effects of volume depletion and NaHCO3 loading on the expression of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, Na+: HCO3- cotransporter type 1 and nitric oxide synthase in rat kidney.

1. The effects of volume depletion and NaHCO(3) loading on the expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3), Na(+) : HCO(3)(-) cotransporter type 1 (NBC1) and neuronal (n) and inducible (i) isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were determined in rat kidney. 2.

Altered Regulation of type 3 Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, type 1 Na(+)/HCO3 (-) cotransporter, and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in the Kidney of Rats with Experimental Rhabdomyolysis.

Metabolic acidosis was shown to correlate with deterioration of renal function in patients with rhabdomyolysis. The present study was aimed to investigate whether the changes of type 3 Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE3), type 1 Na(+)/HCO3 (-) cotransporter (NBC1), and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase α1 subunit may play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic acidosis in glycerol-induced experimental rhabdomyolysis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were deprived of fluid intake for 24 hours, and then were injected with 50% glycerol in normal saline (10 mL/kg, intramuscularly).

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal dysfunction in rats.

We investigated whether alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA), an antioxidant, attenuates the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced dysregulation of these transporters. Both renal pedicles of male Sprague-Dawley rats were clamped for 40 min. alpha-LA (80 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally before and immediately after induction of ischemia.

Altered regulation of renin-angiotensin, endothelin and natriuretic peptide systems in rat kidney with chronic unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Background: The present study was designed to investigate the role of the local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), endothelin (ET) and the natriuretic peptide system (NPS) for the development of renal fibrosis and progressive renal disease in experimental unilateral ureteral obstructed (UUO) rats.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-200 g) were unilaterally obstructed by ligation of the proximal ureters for 14 days. Control rats were treated in the same way, except that no ligature was made.

SIADH associated with prostate cancer.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is the most common disease leading to hyponatremia, and it is characterized by an inappropriately elevated serum ADH level relative to serum osmolality. This syndrome may occur in a variety of clinical settings including malignancies. However, it is rarely observed in association with prostate cancer.

A case of malignant otitis externa caused by Candida glabrata in a patient receiving haemodialysis.

A 74-y-old male receiving haemodialysis presented with right-sided otalgia, otorrhoea and diffuse swelling on the right external auditory canal. Following an initial successful treatment with prolonged intravenous antibiotics, the patient relapsed with a secondary infection in the same site due to Candida glabrata. We report an unusual case of malignant otitis externa caused by the fungus C.

Gentamicin decreases guanylyl cyclase activity in rat glomerulus.

Background: Effects of gentamicin (GM) on the local natriuretic peptide (NP) and nitric oxide (NO) systems in the kidney were investigated.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-200 g) were intramuscularly injected with GM (100 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. The expression of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms was determined by Western blot analysis, and that of NPs by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Increased renal expression of aquaporin-3 in rats inhibited type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Aims: To investigate whether the regulation of aquaporin (AQP) channels is altered by inhibition of type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD2).

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with glycyrrhizic acid (GA, 2 g/l drinking water) for 7 days. The expression of AQP2 and AQP3 was determined in the kidney by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

A case of hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Escherichia coli O104:H4.

A 29-year-old woman presented with bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. She was diagnosed with Escherichia coli O104:H4-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and treated with plasmapheresis and hemodialysis for 3 weeks. She recovered without sequelae.