来氟米特联合甲泼尼龙治疗IgA肾病的疗效观察

目的评价来氟米特联合甲泼尼龙治疗IgA肾病的疗效和安全性。 方法收集2008年12月至2016年10月在中国人民解放军总医院肾脏病科诊断为IgA肾病的患者75例,分别观察吗替麦考酚酯联合甲泼尼龙(MMF组,44例)与来氟米特联合甲泼尼龙(LEF组,31例)治疗IgA肾病的疗效和安全性。 结果两组患者基线资料无统计学差异(P>0.05)。分别治疗2、6、10个月之后,患者24 h尿蛋白定量显著减低,血清白蛋白水平得到明显改善。但两组间的2、6、10个月后的缓解率(20.45% vs 29.03%、70.45% vs 77.42%、72.73% vs 83.87%)和完全缓解率(9.09% vs 6.45%、38.64% vs 45.16%、40.91% vs 48.39%)、24 h尿蛋白定量、血清白蛋白、肌酐、复发率[4例(9.09%) vs 1例(3.23%)]以及不良反应[6例(13.64%) vs 4例(12.9%)]无统计学差异的意义(P>0.05)。 结论来氟米特联合甲泼尼龙与吗替麦考酚酯结合甲泼尼龙疗效相当,是治疗IgA肾病的安全有效方案之一。     

来氟米特联合中小剂量激素治疗IgA肾病的疗效观察

目的 比较来氟米特联合中小剂量激素与足量激素治疗IgA肾病的短期与长期疗效及安全性评估。 方法 研究人群 18~65周岁,纳入标准 eGFR≥30 ml?min-1?(1.73 m2)-1且24 h尿蛋白量＞0.5 g的原发性IgA肾病患者。所有入选患者经计算机随机进入来氟米特联合中小剂量激素组（LEF组）和单用激素组（激素组）;研究的主要终点为：（1）进入ESRD或透析治疗;（2）Scr升高超过基线值的50%;次要终点为蛋白尿缓解。 结果 完成随访的患者共90例,LEF组40例,激素组50例,基线24 h尿蛋白量LEF组和激素组分别为2.00（1.10,2.88） g和1.87（1.13,3.08） g,两组患者尿蛋白在治疗6个月[分别为0.30（0.11,0.93） g,0.30（0.14,1.33） g]和12个月[分别为0.30（0.09,0.82） g,0.32（0.14,0.66） g]时较治疗前均有好转（P＜0.05）。激素组治疗后eGFR较治疗前升高[治疗前（80.39±28.56）、6个月（87.12±28.70）、12个月（88.20±30.26） ml?min-1?(1.73 m2)-1,P＜0.05],LEF组eGFR治疗前后差异无统计学意义[治疗前（87.63±27.35）、6个月（86.91±32.45）、12个月（90.06±30.00） ml?min-1?(1.73 m2)-1,P＞0.05],但治疗6个月及12个月时两组间比较尿蛋白、血肌酐、eGFR差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。治疗期间两组不良反应发生率（LEF组9/40例,激素组11/50例）差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。平均随访79个月发现两组肾脏预后差异无统计学意义。Cox回归分析提示基线血肌酐及肾脏间质炎性细胞浸润程度是IgA肾病疾病进展的独立危险因素。 结论 来氟米特联合中小剂量激素对进展性IgA肾病的疗效与足量激素相当,治疗期间未增加不良事件发生率。     

来氟米特与霉酚酸酯治疗表现为肾病综合征的过敏紫癜性肾炎的疗效比较

目的：比较来氟米特（LEF）与霉酚酸酯（MMF）治疗临床表现为肾病综合征的过敏紫癜性肾炎（HSPN）的临床疗效。方法：36例临床表现为肾病综合征的HSPN患者,分别采用激素联合LEF治疗（LEF组,n=18）,或采用激素联合MMF治疗（MMF组,n=18）。LEF或MMF正规使用6个月以上。收集治疗前及治疗6个月以后的血尿常规、尿红细胞计数、24h尿蛋白定量、肝肾功能、白蛋白及血脂等指标,同时记录不良反应。结果：（1）两组接受治疗后,尿蛋白和尿红细胞计数均明显减少（P〈0.01）,血白蛋白明显上升（P〈0.01）。（2）临床缓解率：LEF组总有效率为83.3%,MMF组总有效率为88.8%,两组之间无统计学差异;其中完全缓解率分别为50.0%和44.4%,部分缓解率分别为33.3%和44.4%,均无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。（3）两组患者均耐受良好,无明显副作用。结论：LEF和MMF联合激素治疗表现为肾病综合征的HSPN的临床缓解率相似,不良反应轻微。     

来氟米特治疗以肾病综合征为主要表现的IgA肾病的对照研究

目的探讨来氟米特治疗以肾病综合征为主要表现的IgA肾病患者的疗效及安全性。方法60例患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。治疗组应用泼尼松联合来氟米特治疗;对照组应用泼尼松联合环磷酰胺冲击治疗。观察治疗前后24h尿蛋白定量,血浆白蛋白,肝、肾功能及治疗后药物的不良反应。结果治疗组与对照组的总有效率分别为86．7％和83．3％;不良反应总发生率分别为30．0％和73．3％。结论来氟米特联合泼尼松治疗以肾病综合征为主要表现的IgA肾病疗效可靠,不良反应发生少,为临床治疗提供的一种新的方法。     

Predictors of response in patients with progressive IgA nephropathy treated with leflunomide and medium/low-dose corticosteroid

Objective To investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of leflunomide combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids in the treatment of progressive IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Methods Clinical and pathological parameters were collected retrospectively in patients of primary IgAN with proteinuria＞1.0 g/24 h and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1-3 treated with leflunomide combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids in Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University from Jan 2005 to Dec 2010. According to the treatment effects, patients were divided into complete remission group and non-complete remission group. The biochemical and pathological indexes of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 42 patients were included. The remission rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 62%, 64%, 67% and 74%, respectively. Seventeen (40.5%) and fourteen (33.3%) patients achieved complete and partial remission after one-year treatment, and the remission rate remained stable within one year after withdrawal of drugs. The 24-hour proteinuria was 1.50 (0.67, 2.66) g, which was significantly reduced compared with the baseline 2.44 (1.36, 3.74) g (P＜0.01). The decrease rate was 31.3%. There was a slight decrease in proteinuria within one year after withdrawal of drugs. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remained stable during the treatment and a year of follow-up. No serious adverse event was observed during the follow-up period. Among 31 responder patients, 6(19.4%) patients relapsed. Logistic multivariate regression analysis suggested that the degree of renal interstitial inflammatory infiltration was an independent predictor of complete remission with one-year treatment of leflunomide combined with medium / low dose corticosteroids (HR=0.067, 95%CI 0.008-0.535, P=0.011). Conclusions IgAN treated with leflunomide and medium/low dose corticosteroids can achieve remission in early stage, and the remission rate remains stable after withdrawal of drugs. It is a safe option for the treatment of IgAN. Renal interstitial inflammatory infiltration is an independent predictor of complete remission.     

来氟米特联合糖皮质激素治疗IgA肾病的临床研究

目的 观察应用来氟米特（Leflunomide,LEF）联合激素治疗IgA肾病的疗效和安全性.方法 选择IgA肾病患者63例,分为LEF合并激素治疗组（LEF组）及大剂量激素治疗组（激素组）,观察治疗前和治疗6个月、12个月后的24 h尿蛋白定量、血清白蛋白、肾小球率过滤（eGFR）、收缩压、舒张压等实验室指标的变化,并进行疗效评价.结果 LEF组和激素组治疗6个月和12个月后的24 h尿蛋白定量、收缩压、舒张压均较治疗前显著下降（P＜0.05）,血清白蛋白水平较治疗前显著升高（P＜0.05）,2组eGFR变化均无统计学差异（P＞0.05）.治疗12个月后LEF组的总有效率明显高于激素组（P＜0.05）,而完全缓解率和部分缓解率的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,2组不良反应无显著性差异（P＞0.05）.结论 LEF联合激素可以作为治疗IgA肾病的选择之一,且安全、有效.     

肠内营养添加谷氨酰胺对烧伤患者的免疫调理作用

目的 了解烧伤后早期肠内营养添加谷氨酰胺(Gln)对患者免疫调理状态的影响.方法 将24例烧伤患者随机分为2组,每组12例.标准营养(EN)组:给患者喂食标准肠内营养制剂能全力;免疫营养(EIN)组:喂食能全力+Gln.分别于伤后1、4、7、10 d清晨空腹抽血,检测血清总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、前白蛋白(PAB)、转铁蛋白(TF)和免疫球蛋白IgG、IgA、IgM的浓度以及T淋巴细胞亚群CD3+、CD4+、CD8+和CD4+/CD8+的比值.结果 伤后各时相点2组患者TP、ALB、TF、CD3+、IgM组间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).伤后4、7、10 d,EIN组患者PAB浓度分别为(90±14)、(92±16)、(106±21)mg/L,显著高于EN组(60±15)、(64±13)、(72±17)mg/L(P＜0.05).伤后7、10 d,EIN组CD4+细胞百分比为(55±5)%、(56±5)%,明显高于EN组的(45±5)%、(49±5)%(P＜0.05);CD4+/CD8+比值为1.92±0.31和2.36±0.36,明显高于EN组的1.53±0.27和1.72±0.42(P＜0.05);IgA分别为(2.8±0.6)、(3.1±0.6)g/L,IgG为(12.1±1.3)、(14.2±1.3)g/L,显著高于EN组的IgA[(2.2±0.5)、(2.5±0.5)g/L,P＜0.05]和IgG[(9.8±1.2)、(10.4±1.3)g/L,P＜0.05].结论 添加Gln的肠内营养制剂可以促进免疫球蛋白IgA、IgG的合成并增加PAB浓度,改善患者营养状况,纠正免疫功能紊乱.     

Prednisolone co-administered with losartan confers renoprotection in patients with IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for progressive IgA nephropathy are limited. METHODS: We performed a small, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of prednisolone (PSL, 30 mg/dL, gradually tapered to 5 mg/dL over two years) plus 50 mg/day of losartan (LST, an angiotensin II receptor blocker) or PSL alone on IgA nephropathy. We separated 38 patients (age, 33 +/- 11 years; creatinine clearance, 103 +/- 31 mL/min; proteinuria, 1.6 +/- 0.5 g/day) into two groups that were treated with either PSL plus LST or PSL alone, and compared the proteinuria and creatinine clearance after two years. Baseline and histopathological data did not significantly differ between the two groups. RESULTS: Two years of treatment in both groups significantly decreased proteinuria compared with baseline, and PSL plus LST (from 1.6 +/- 0.6 to 0.3 +/- 0.1 g/day, p < 0.05) was more effective than PSL alone (from 1.6 +/- 0.3 to 0.5 +/- 0.1 g/day, p < 0.05). Creatinine clearance in both groups was similar at the start of study but significantly differed at the end of the study (PSL plus LST, 104.3 +/- 36.4 to 100.4 +/- 38.9 mL/min; PSL alone, 103.4 +/- 28.5 to 84.8 +/- 34.3 mL/min, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy with PSL plus LST appears to be more effective than PSL alone in reducing proteinuria and protecting renal function in patients with IgA nephropathy.     

The effects of dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system on urinary protein and transforming growth factor-beta excretion in 2 groups of patients with IgA and diabetic nephropathy

AIMS: The therapeutic benefits of dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been inconsistent on renal function and proteinuria. To know the contribution of the heterogeneity of study subjects to such inconsistency, we evaluated the effects of dual blockade of RAS in 2 groups of selected renal diseases, IgA and diabetic nephropathy. To avoid confounding by the blood pressure-reducing effects, angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ATRAs) were added on the patients with long-term, optimally controlled blood pressure taking ACE inhibitors. Twenty-four-hour urinary protein excretion rate and urinary TGF-beta1 level were measured as surrogate markers of renal injury. METHODS: We conducted a prospective crossover trial with 14 IgA and 18 type-2-diabetic nephropathy patients showing moderate degree of proteinuria (> or = 1.0 g/day) and renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance 25 - 75/ml/min). Four to 8 mg once-daily dose of candesartan and placebo were alternatively added on ramipril dose of 5 - 7.5 mg/day for 16 weeks. RESULTS: All baseline data except for the age factor were statistically the same between the 2 disease groups. Twenty-four-hour mean arterial blood pressures were 91.2 +/- 1.6 and 92.3 +/- 1.8 mmHg in IgA and diabetic nephropathy patients respectively at baseline (p = NS). Mean arterial pressure did not change by the addition of candesartan or placebo in both groups. The addition of candesartan (combination) reduced 24-hour urinary protein excretion rate in IgA nephropathy patients with a mean change of -12.3 +/- 4.5%, which is significantly greater compared to a mean change of -0.1 +/- 3.3% after the addition of placebo (placebo) (mean difference 12.4 +/- 5.0, 95% CI 1.2 - 23.5; p < 0.05). Urinary TGF-beta1 level was reduced considerably by the combination therapy, with a -28.9 +/- 6.0% decrease, which was significantly different to that by the placebo, with +4.3 +/- 12.4% (33.3 +/- 13.5, 3.2 - 63.3; p < 0.05). In diabetic nephropathy patients, the addition of candesartan did not reduce 24-hour urinary protein excretion rate. Mean changes of 24-hour urinary protein excretion rate were -0.8 +/- 4.7% by the combination therapy and +0.5 +/- 6.1% by placebo (mean difference 1.3 +/- 4.7, 95% CI -6.8 - 13.5; p < NS). The level of urinary TGF-beta1 was reduced by the combination therapy, with -14.3 +/- 9.5% decrease, but it did not reach statistical significance compared to placebo of +0.7 +/- 15.5% (15.0 +/- 13.5, -14.4 - 44.5; p < NS). The changes in 24-hour urinary protein excretion rate and urinary TGF-beta1 level were neither correlated with each other, nor with the change in mean arterial pressure. Significant changes in the renal function were not detected during the study period. CONCLUSION: Definite beneficial effects of dual blockade of RAS on proteinuria and TGF-beta1 excretion were found in IgA nephropathy patients, which was independent of blood pressure-reducing effect. With our 16-week trial, such benefits were not observed in type 2 diabetic nephropathy. The reduction in urinary TGF-beta1 level suggests that the combination therapy may provide additional renoprotection through the antisclerosing effects. Based on our results, for a proper interpretation the therapeutic effects of the combination therapy should be evaluated separately according to the underlying renal disease.     

Efficacy of multidrug therapy combined with mizoribine in children with diffuse IgA nephropathy in comparison with multidrug therapy without mizoribine and with methylprednisolone pulse therapy

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of prednisolone, warfarin, and dipyridamole therapy combined with mizoribine (PWDM) in the treatment of diffuse immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy in comparison with prednisolone, warfarin, and dipyridamole therapy without mizoribine (PWD) and with methylprednisolone pulse therapy (PWD pulse). METHODS: We collected data on 61 patients diagnosed with diffuse IgA nephropathy, and these patients were retrospectively divided into three groups without randomization. Group A included 21 patients before 1987 who were treated with PWD for 24 months, group B included 20 patients from 1987 to 1989 who were treated with PWD pulse therapy for 24 months, and group C included 20 patients after 1990 who were treated with PWDM for 24 months. Clinical features and pathological findings in each group were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The time from initiation of therapy in group A, group B, and group C was 8.9 +/- 5.2, 8.1 +/- 3.9, and 7.7 +/- 3.8 years, respectively. At the latest follow-up examination, the mean urinary protein excretion (mg/m2/h) was 17 +/- 10 in group A, 22 +/- 20 in group B, and 6 +/- 6 in group C and had decreased significantly in group C as compared with the other groups. The activity index in all three groups was lower at the second biopsy than that at the first biopsy (5.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 6.5 +/- 2.1 in group A, p < 0.05; 5.6 +/- 0.9 vs. 6.6 +/- 1.7 in group B, p < 0.01, and 4.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.9 in group C, p < 0.01). The chronicity index in groups A and B at second biopsy was higher than at first biopsy (7.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.0 in group A, p < 0.01, and 8.1 +/- 2.0 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.9 in group B, p < 0.01), but was unchanged in group C. At the latest follow-up examination, 1 patient (4.8%) in group A, 3 patients (15%) in group B, and none (0%) in group C had renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PWDM appears to be more effective than PWD or PWD pulse in ameliorating proteinuria and histological severity of patients with IgA nephropathy.     

Polymorphs infiltrate glomeruli in mesangial IgA glomerulonephritis

During episodes of macroscopic hematuria, patients with IgA nephropathy commonly have polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as well as fibrin and mononuclear cells in glomerular capillaries. We quantitated PMN and macrophage infiltration in glomeruli of 54 patients with IgA nephropathy in whom renal biopsies were obtained within 30 days of macroscopic hematuria. Control biopsies (N = 22) were from patients with IgA nephropathy and urinary erythrocyte counts below 50,000/ml. PMN monocyte/macrophages were quantitated using the monoclonal antibodies FMC10 and HAM56, respectively. In patients with heavy hematuria, 45.9 +/- 3.4% (mean +/- SE) of glomeruli were positive for PMNs (control 10.5 +/- 2.8%, P = 0.001) with a mean PMN count/glomerulus of 1.10 +/- 0.20 (control 0.13 +/- 0.03, P = less than 0.001). 65.6 +/- 9.7%. Of the glomeruli were positive for monocytes in the heavy hematuria group (control 40.0 +/- 8.4, P less than 0.05) with the mean monocyte count per glomerulus being 1.6 +/- 0.2 (control 0.6 +/- 0.1, P less than 0.01). We conclude that, in the acute phase of mesangial IgA nephropathy, PMN and monocytes are present and presumably participate in glomerular injury.     

Neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor polymorphism as a prognostic predictor in Japanese patients with IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Neuropeptide Y exhibits a vasoconstricting action and regulates systemic blood pressure as well as noradrenalin. There are 5 types of NPY receptors, Y1 - Y5, which were introduced by pharmacological differences. Recently, a single point mutation in the first intron of the NPY Y1 receptor (NPYY1R) was reported. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the relationship between NPYY1R gene polymorphism and clinical characteristics in patients with IgA nephropathy using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Distribution of the NPYY1R genotypes which were defined as YY, Yy and yy genotypes, did not differ between 60 normal control subjects and 68 patients with IgA nephropathy (15 : 36 : 9 versus 21 : 40 : 7, respectively). In IgA nephropathy patients, the incidence of hypertension and the rate of urinary protein excretion were slightly higher in the non-YY genotype than in the YY genotype group (23% versus 5% and 1.1 +/- 1.2 versus 0.6 +/- 0.4 g/24 h, p = 0.09 and p = 0.05, respectively). The reciprocal of the serum creatinine level was estimated to determine the deterioration in renal function during follow-up after the renal biopsy. The level was lower in the non-YY genotype than in the YY genotype group (-0.002 +/- 0.064 vs 0.033 +/- 0.053/month, respectively, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis for the reciprocal of the serum creatinine level revealed that the NPYY1R genotype was an effective variable (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we propose that the NPYY1R gene polymorphism may be a novel prognostic predictor in patients with IgA nephropathy.     

尿激酶联合缬沙坦对IgA肾病尿检异常型的疗效分析

目的小剂量尿激酶联合缬沙坦治疗IgA肾病尿检异常型的临床疗效。方法将60例经肾脏组织活体检查并结合临床诊断为原发性IgA肾病尿检异常的患者,分为尿激酶联合缬沙坦治疗组（治疗组）和单用缬沙坦治疗组（对照组）,每组各30例。比较2组的临床疗效。结果治疗组尿红细胞（RBC）计数与24h尿蛋白定量在第3、6及12个月均较治疗前明显下降（P〈0.05）,而对照组尿RBC计数与24h尿蛋白定量在治疗前后比较虽有下降,但无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论通过尿激酶联合缬沙坦治疗,能有效减少IgA肾病尿检异常患者的蛋白尿和镜下血尿。     

Mycophenolate mofetil alleviates persistent proteinuria in IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is increasingly used to treat primary glomerulopathies. Its effectiveness in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) remains unclear. METHODS: Forty IgAN patients with persistent proteinuria (>1 g/24 hours) despite conventional treatment with blockers of the renin-angiotensin system were randomized to receive MMF for 24 weeks (group 1) or continue conventional therapy (group 2), and followed for 72 weeks. The primary end point was reduction of proteinuria by 50% or more over entry level. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (80%) in group 1 versus six patients (30%) in group 2 reached the primary end point (P= 0.0019). Time-averaged change in proteinuria showed a significant decline in group 1, while control subjects displayed a modest rise (P= 0.003). By 72 weeks, the mean proteinuria was 62.0 +/- 7.7% (P= 0.003) and 120.5 +/- 14.1% (P= 0.351) that of the corresponding baseline value in group 1 and group 2, respectively. There was concomitant increase in serum albumin and decrease in serum IgA levels in group 1 but not group 2 patients. Baseline histologic grades, blood pressure control, and the rates of change in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were not different between the two groups. Normalization in binding of polymeric IgA to cultured mesangial cells and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, which sustained to study end, was observed in group 1 but not group 2 subjects. CONCLUSION: In selected patients with IgAN, MMF is effective in lowering proteinuria and ameliorating some of the putative pathogenetic abnormalities.     

进展性IgA肾病患者血清IL-18水平及来氟米特对其的影响

目的：观察进展性IgAN患者的血清白细胞介素-18（IL-18）水平,及来氟米特（LEF）治疗前后对其的影响。方法：将进展性IgAN患者随机分为来氟米特（LEF）组和激素组,使用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测其治疗前后的血清IL-18水平。结果：共36例患者完成为期12个月的随访,来氟米特联合激素治疗后可使蛋白尿水平显著降低,肾功能维持稳定。患者治疗前血清IL-18水平较对照组显著升高[（360.3±25.2）vs（51.2±8.9）ng/L,P〈0.01],治疗显效者其水平显著降低。Logistic回归显示治疗前血清IL-18水平是预测进展性IgAN患者疗效的独立危险因素（β=-0.582,P=0.001）。结论：来氟米特可作为进展性IgA肾病的有效治疗方案,治疗前IL-18可能成为IgAN发病预测、疗效预判的一个无创指标。     

Effect of losartan and amlodipine on proteinuria and transforming growth factor-beta1 in patients with IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is the major profibrotic cytokine involved in many renal diseases, and urinary TGF-beta1 reflects intrarenal TGF-beta1 production. Urinary TGF-beta1 excretion is reported to be significantly increased in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of losartan and amlodipine on proteinuria, as well as on serum and urine TGF-beta1 levels in IgA nephropathy patients with hypertension and proteinuria. METHODS: The initial 4 week washout period was followed by 12 weeks of active treatment, in which patients were randomized to once-daily treatment with losartan 50 mg (group 1, n=20) or amlodipine 5 mg (group 2, n=16). Urinary protein and TGF-beta1 excretion, serum TGF-beta1 and other clinical parameters were determined at baseline and during 12 weeks of active treatment. RESULTS: Both treatments controlled blood pressure (BP) to a similar degree, and renal function and other biochemical parameters did not change during the study period. Urinary protein and TGF-beta1 excretions were significantly elevated in IgA nephropathy patients. Losartan significantly reduced urinary protein (from 2.3+/-1.5 g/day at baseline to 1.2+/-1.5 g/day at 12 weeks, P<0.05) and urinary TGF-beta1 excretion (from 31.2+/-14.0 pg/mg creatinine at baseline to 22.1+/-13.5 pg/mg creatinine at 12 weeks, P<0.05). In contrast, amlodipine had no affect on urinary protein and TGF-beta1 excretion. Both losartan and amlodipine failed to reduce serum TGF-beta1 levels. CONCLUSION: Losartan and amlodipine, with similar control of BP, showed different effects on urine protein or TGF-beta1 excretion. Whereas losartan improved both urinary parameters, amlodipine did not. These differences might be important for the management of IgA nephropathy.     

Evaluating the clinical course and prognostic factors of posttransplantation immunoglobulin A nephropathy

INTRODUCTION: Previous reports have suggested that posttransplantation immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy displays a relatively benign course, hardly ever affecting graft function. However, more recent studies with longer follow-up have shown that posttransplantation IgA nephropathy may be a significant contributor to graft loss. Additionally, there may be other clinical or pathological factors that affect long-term graft outcome. We retrospectively analyzed 30 kidney transplant recipients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy in their allografts to determine the clinical course and prognostic factors in posttransplantation IgA nephropathy. The median duration of follow-up was 36 months (range, 1 month-17 years). The median onset of IgA nephropathy was 33.6 months posttransplantation (range, 5 days-103 months). The most common presentation was an abnormal urine examination (96.6%). Fifteen (50%) displayed microscopic hematuria with proteinuria more than 1 g/d. Fifteen patients (50%) lost their grafts at a median time of 24 months after the onset of disease (range, 1-93 months). Allograft loss was associated with a high serum creatinine level at the time of diagnosis (3.68 +/- 2.23 vs 1.79 +/- 0.34 mg/dL; P = .006), a greater level of proteinuria at the time of diagnosis (2.43 +/- 0.76 vs 1.29 +/- 1.07 g/d; P = .003), and more than 50% extracapillary proliferation (P = .05). Fibrinoid necrosis on allograft pathology impacted 1-year allograft survival (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Posttransplantation IgA nephropathy worsens allograft outcomes among patients with increased serum creatinine level or significant proteinuria at presentation or significant glomerular inflammation and/or tubulointerstitial damage.     

Sole Use of Dexmedetomidine Has Limited Utility for Conscious Sedation during Outpatient Colonoscopy

Background: This study evaluated the ability of dexmedetomidine to provide analgesia and sedation for outpatient colonoscopy, examining outcomes including cardiorespiratory variables, side effects, and discharge readiness.

Methods: Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment regimens. In group D, patients received 1 [mu]g/kg dexmedetomidine over 15 min followed by an infusion of 0.2 [mu]g [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] h-1. Group P received meperidine (1 mg/kg) with midazolam (0.05 mg/kg), and group F received fentanyl (0.1-0.2 mg intravenous) on demand. The assessment included measurements of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, quality of sedation/analgesia, and an evaluation of the recovery time.

Results: The study was terminated before the planned 90 patients had been recruited because of adverse events in group D. In all groups, negligible hemoglobin oxygen saturation and respiratory rate variations were observed. In group D, there was a significantly larger decrease in heart rate (to approximately 40 beats/min in 2 of 19 cases) and blood pressure (to less than 50% of the initial value in 4 of 19 patients). Supplemental fentanyl was required in 47% of patients receiving dexmedetomidine to achieve a satisfactory level of analgesia (vs. 42.8% of patients in group P and 79.2% of patients in group F). Vertigo (5 patients), nausea/vomiting (5 patients), and ventricular bigeminy (1 patient) were observed only in group D. Time to home readiness was longest in group D (85 +/- 74, 39 +/- 21, and 32 +/- 13 min in groups D, P and F, respectively; P = 0.007).     

益元保肾方配合福辛普利治疗早期糖尿病肾病的临床研究

目的:探讨益元保肾方配合福辛普利治疗气阴两虚夹瘀型早期2型糖尿病肾病的临床疗效.方法:选择90例早期2型糖尿病肾病气阴两虚夹瘀证患者,采用随机对照的原则分为治疗组、中药组及西药组,在基本降糖治疗基础上,分别给予益元保肾方配合福辛普利、益元保肾方及福辛普利治疗2月,观察治疗前后早期糖尿病肾病及中医证候疗效,并对尿白蛋白排泄率、血脂及血液流变学等指标进行比较.结果:益元保肾方配合福辛普利治疗早期2型糖尿病肾病总有效率为89.3%,中医证候改善率为96.4%,并可降低尿白蛋白排泄率及血脂,改善血液流变学指标,均显著优于中药组及西药组(P<0.05).结论:益元保肾方配合福辛普利是治疗气阴两虚夹瘀型早期2型糖尿病肾病的有效方法.     

Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein: discrimination between IgA nephropathy and thin basement membrane nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Microscopic hematuria without proteinuria is a common clinical finding in cases of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and of thin basement membrane nephropathy. Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in renal proximal tubules and is reported to be a useful marker of the progression of chronic glomerulonephritis. AIM: To assess urinary L-FABP levels for differential diagnosis in patients with microscopic hematuria but without proteinuria. METHODS: This was a multi-center retrospective study. Thirty adult patients who underwent renal biopsy for microscopic hematuria and 20 healthy adult volunteers were included in this study. Urinary L-FABP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared, particularly between those diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and those diagnosed with thin basement membrane nephropathy. RESULTS: Twelve (40%) patients had IgA nephropathy, 6 (20%) had thin basement membrane nephropathy and 12 (40%) had normal biopsy findings. The urinary L-FABP level was significantly higher in patients with IgA nephropathy (38.4 +/- 26.8 microg/g Cr) than in healthy subjects (5.8 +/- 4.0 microg/g Cr) (p < 0.01); however, the level in patients with thin basement membrane nephropathy or normal biopsy results was comparable to that in healthy subjects. Follow-up data were available for 11 of the 12 patients with IgA nephropathy who initially had no proteinuria. After 24 months, 4 of the 11 were found to have proteinuria, and the urinary L-FABP level had increased from 40.6 +/- 30.5 microg/g Cr to 58.8 +/- 40.5 microg/g Cr (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the urinary L-FABP level can be used to discriminate between IgA nephropathy and thin basement membrane nephropathy in patients with microscopic hematuria.