Molecular mechanisms of melatonin in the reversal of LPS-induced EMT in peritoneal mesothelial cells.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritoneal fibrosis is a serious complication in patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis maintenance. Studies have shown that patients on long‑term PD have chronic inflammation. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by inflammation is a major cause of peritoneal fibrosis and dysfunction.

Significance of serum procalcitonin as biomarker for detection of bacterial peritonitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bacterial peritonitis is serious disease and remains a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Many studies have highlighted the potential usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) for identification of bacterial peritonitis, however, the overall diagnostic value of PCT remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the accuracy of PCT for detection of bacterial peritonitis.

Effects of vitamin E-coated dialyzer on oxidative stress and inflammation status in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Vitamin E-coated dialyzer may have an effect on oxidative stress and inflammation status in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to assess the anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin E-coated dialyzer in HD patients.

Methods: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of vitamin E-coated dialyzer versus conventional dialyzer for HD patients were searched from multiple databases.

Is lead chelation therapy effective for chronic kidney disease? A meta-analysis.

The heavy metal lead (Pb) is a major environmental and occupational hazard. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between lead exposure and the presence of chronic kidney injury. Some studies have suggested that chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (calcium disodium EDTA) might help decrease the progression of chronic kidney disease among patients with measurable body lead burdens.

Oxidative stress, a common molecular pathway for kidney disease: role of the redox enzyme p66Shc.

Accumulation of oxidative stress is considered to be a causative mediator of kidney disease, and oxidative stress can affect some key regulators of kidney homeostasis and control a number of signaling pathways that are relevant to kidney disease. The p66Shc adaptor protein was discovered more than two decades ago as a pivotal regulator of oxidative stress. Given the importance of oxidative stress in kidney homeostasis, several molecular and cellular studies using a p66Shc antagonist have depicted a role for p66Shc in renal pathophysiology.

HSP47 regulates ECM accumulation in renal proximal tubular cells induced by TGF-β1 through ERK1/2 and JNK MAPK pathways.

Heat shock protein (HSP)47 is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone that is essential for the biosynthesis of collagen molecules. It is likely that increased levels of HSP47 contribute to the assembly of procollagen and thereby cause an excessive accumulation of collagens in disease processes associated with fibrosis. Although HSP47 promotes renal fibrosis, the underlying mechanism and associated signaling events have not been clearly delineated.