Growth Hormone Improves Adipose Tissue Browning and Muscle Wasting in Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Cachexia.

Cachexia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been linked to GH resistance. In CKD, GH treatment enhances muscular performance. We investigated the impact of GH on cachexia brought on by CKD.

Differential Effects of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D versus 1α 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D on Adipose Tissue Browning in CKD-Associated Cachexia.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have low serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)D. We investigated the differential effects of 25(OH)D versus 1,25(OH)D repletion in mice with surgically induced CKD. Intraperitoneal supplementation of 25(OH)D (75 μg/kg/day) or 1,25(OH)D (60 ng/kg/day) for 6 weeks normalized serum 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)D concentrations in CKD mice, respectively.

A pegylated leptin antagonist ameliorates CKD-associated cachexia in mice.

Elevated serum leptin levels correlate with inflammation and predict changes in lean body mass in patients with CKD, and activation of the melanocortin system by leptin signaling mediates the pathophysiology of CKD-associated cachexia. We tested whether treatment with a pegylated leptin receptor antagonist (PLA) attenuates cachexia in mice with CKD. CKD and Sham mice received vehicle or PLA (2 or 7 mg/kg per day).

The effect of vitamin D status on risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin-D-related pathways are implicated in various endocrine, inflammatory and endothelial functions. An estimated 1 billion people in the world have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, and undiagnosed vitamin D deficiency is common. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with substantial increases in the incidence of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as in diseases such as chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Ghrelin and leptin pathophysiology in chronic kidney disease.

Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone with additional effects on the regulation of inflammation and the cardiovascular system. It may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cachexia/protein-energy wasting (PEW), inflammation and cardiovascular complications in chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are three circulating gene products of ghrelin, namely, acyl ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and obestatin, each with individual distinct functions.

Is obesity a risk factor for chronic kidney disease in children?

There is a rapid increase worldwide in the prevalence of obesity in adults and children. Obesity is not only a comorbidity for chronic kidney disease (CKD) but may also be a risk factor for CKD. Epidemiological correlations and pathophysiological changes have been observed associating obesity with CKD.

A case of pulmonary embolism and stroke in a 16-year-old girl.

A 16-year-old girl arrived intubated to the emergency department. She had shortness of breath and cough for 2 days with leg pain. On arrival, she was hemodynamically stable with an unremarkable physical exam.