Nitric oxide and superoxide in rat mesangial cells: modulation by C-reactive protein.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been linked to cardiovascular and renal disease. We evaluated the effects of CRP on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide by rat mesangial cells (RMC) and the impact on cell function.

Methods And Results: RMC were incubated with cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, and LPS) and CRP (10-100 microg/ml) for 24-72 h.

Meprin-alpha in chronic diabetic nephropathy: interaction with the renin-angiotensin axis.

Meprin (MEP) A is a metalloendopeptidase that is present in the renal proximal tubule brush-border membrane (BBM) and that colocalizes with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The MEP beta-chain gene locus on chromosome 18 has been linked to a heightened risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated 1) whether MEP-alpha and MEP-beta gene and protein expression are altered in db/db mice before the onset of DN and 2) the role of MEP-alpha in the pathogenesis of DN and the impact of the renin-angiotensin system on this interaction in two experimental models of diabetes.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy in children with Alport syndrome: effect on urinary albumin, TGF-beta, and nitrite excretion.

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are routinely prescribed to patients with chronic kidney disease because of their known renoprotective effects. We evaluated the effect of short-term therapy with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, in early Alport syndrome, defined as disease duration less than 10 years and a normal glomerular filtration rate.

Methods: 11 children with early Alport syndrome were investigated.

Chronic diabetic nephropathy: role of inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional mediator that has been implicated in the short-term hemodynamic alterations that occur in acute streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. We investigated the role of NO produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in chronic STZ diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 and iNOS knockout (KO) mice with two intraperitoneal injections of STZ, 100 mg/kg.