转化生长因子-β和碱性成纤维细胞因子在儿童原发性局灶节段性肾小球硬化肾组织中的表达

目的：通过检测转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）在儿童原发性局灶节段性肾小球硬化（FSGS）肾组织中的表达情况,并分析其与肾小管间质病理变化的关系,以了解TGF-β与bFGF在原发性FSGS发生发展中的作用。方法：选择肾活检明确诊断为原发性FSGS患儿的肾组织共43例,其中不伴有肾小管间质病变的FSGS肾组织共16例,设为实验1组;伴有肾小管间质病变的FSGS肾组织共27例,为实验2组。另将同期因孤立性血尿入院肾活检证实为非FSGS、病理改变较轻的肾组织作为对照组,共17例。采用免疫组化法检测细胞/生长因子TGF-β、bFGF在各组中的表达。通过方差分析（ANOVA）和相关分析法分析细胞/生长因子的表达与FSGS肾组织病理变化的关系以及细胞/生长因子之间的相互作用关系。结果：TGF-β、bFGF在各组肾组织中均有表达,表达量在对照组、实验1组和实验2组中依次升高,各组间的差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;且TGF-β和bFGF的表达与肾小管间质指数呈正相关,相关系数依次为0.763和0.661。此外,TGF-β和bFGF两者的表达量经相关分析也显示呈正相关,相关系数为0.587。结论：TGF-β和bFGF在原发性FSGS患儿肾组织中高表达;随着FSGS的发展,它们在肾组织中表达量不断增加,促使肾小管间质向纤维化发展,而且两者在促进肾脏纤维化具有一定的协同作用。     

The cysteinyl leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist montelukast for the treatment of interstitial cystitis

PURPOSE: The presence of leukotriene D4 receptors in human detrusor myocytes and increased urinary leukotriene E4 in patients with interstitial cystitis and detrusor mastocytosis imply a role for cysteinyl containing leukotrienes as proinflammatory mediators in this disease. We examined the efficacy of the cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist montelukast for treating patients with interstitial cystitis and detrusor mastocytosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten women in whom interstitial cystitis was diagnosed according to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria and who also had detrusor mastocytosis with a minimum of 28 mast cells per mm.2 muscle tissue were included in this study. Patients received a single dose of montelukast daily for 3 months. The efficacy of treatment was determined by 24-hour urinary frequency, nocturia and pain using visual analog scales. RESULTS: After 1 month of montelukast treatment there was a statistically significant decrease in 24-hour urinary frequency, nocturia and pain which persisted during the 3 months of treatment. After 3 months 24-hour urinary frequency had decreased from 17.4 to 12 voidings (p = 0.009), nocturia had decreased from 4.5 to 2.8 (p = 0.019) and pain had decreased from 46.8 to 19.6 mm. on a visual analog scale (p = 0.006). No side effects were observed during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Montelukast treatment resulted in significant improvement in urinary frequency and pain. Its efficacy for decreasing urinary frequency and pain imply a role of leukotriene receptor antagonists for managing interstitial cystitis but further placebo controlled clinical studies are needed.     

Effect of interstitial laser hyperthermia in a murine model of colorectal liver metastases

Interstitial laser hyperthermia (ILH) is an in situ ablative technique used for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. At present, few data exist concerning the optimum power settings required to maximize tissue necrosis.The aim of this study was to establish the dose-response relationship between the laser power setting and the extent of tissue necrosis produced in liver and tumor tissue, as well as the pattern of necrosis in a murine model of liver metastases. An intrasplenic induction model of liver metastases in 4- to 6-week-old male inbred CBA mice was used. Laser hyperthermia was applied to liver and tumor tissue using a bare optical quartz fiber from a Laserex SLY500 Nd:YAG surgical laser generator. Two-watt and 5-watt power settings were used at specific time intervals. The livers were then excised, fixed in formalin, and the extent and degree of necrosis were measured. Results were expressed as mean ? standard deviation and were normally distributed. Analysis of variance was performed, and the least significant difference was used for post hoc tests. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Interstitial laser hyperthermia at 5 watts of power produced larger diameters of necrosis than did 2 watts for specific exposure times in normal liver tissue. However, when the total energy applied was compared, there was no significant difference in the diameters of tissue necrosis produced by the two power settings. The diameter of tissue necrosis in the normal liver increased from 2 mm at 10 joules to 8 mm at 600 joules of energy. Within tumor tissue, ILH at 2 and 5 watts produced similar diameters of necrosis for specific exposure times. When amounts of total energy applied were compared, ILH at the lower power setting (2 watts) produced a significantly larger diameter of necrosis than the higher power setting (5 watts). The diameter of necrosis achieved in tumor tissue was significantly larger than that in normal liver tissue at both power settings, for an equivalent amount of applied energy. The difference was more pronounced when ILH was performed at the lower power setting. The maximum diameter of necrosis achieved was 6.8 ± 0.7 mm in normal liver tissue and 7.7 ± 0.8 mm in tumor tissue. Charring of the fiber tip was delayed when the lower power setting was used, occurring after 20 seconds of exposure, compared to 5 seconds at the higher power setting. Similarly, cavitation occurred initially at 50 seconds at 5 watts of power and was delayed until 90 seconds of exposure at 2 watts of power. Histopathologic findings revealed an elliptical area of homogeneous necrosis, with a central acellular coagulum surrounded by intact but nonviable tissue. ILH is capable of producing highly reproducible, uniform, and complete tissue necrosis. The diameter of necrosis is related to the total energy applied. At low-power settings at any given amount of applied energy, a significantly larger diameter of tissue necrosis was achieved in tumor tissue compared to normal liver tissue.     

Repeat renal biopsy in a girl with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome

A Japanese girl aged 8 years who presented with a 2-month history of uveitis subsequently developed tubulointerstitial nephritis. A percutaneous renal biopsy revealed massive interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrates consisting of CD4-positive T cells. Despite administration of topical corticosteroids, the ocular symptoms persisted. Systemic corticosteroid therapy dramatically reduced the ocular symptoms and urinary β₂-microglobulin (β 2MG) concentration. However, reducing the prednisolone dosage induced recurrence of uveitis associated with increased levels of urinary β 2MG. The CD4-positive T cell infiltration persisted in the second renal biopsy performed 6 months after the first renal biopsy. These observations suggest that the interstitial cell infiltration persists for a relatively long time in a proportion of patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU). Although the renal outcome of TINU has been reported to be favorable, prolonged interstitial cell infiltration may affect long-term renal outcome. Selected patients with TINU should be followed with close observation. Received: 7 February 2001 / Revised: 8 June 2001 / Accepted: 27 June 2001     

Clinicopathological correlation in biopsy-proven atherosclerotic nephropathy: implications for renal functional outcome in atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) is commonly associated with renal failure. It is now recognized that intrarenal damage, (ischaemic or atherosclerotic nephropathy) is a major contributor to the renal impairment in these patients. In this study the impact of histological changes upon renal functional outcome was investigated in patients with atherosclerotic nephropathy. METHODS: The Hope Hospital renal biopsy database (1985-1998) was interrogated for patients with histology compatible with atherosclerotic nephropathy. Case-note review enabled the assessment of several clinical parameters and outcomes, including change in creatinine clearance per year (DeltaCrCl (ml/min/year)), blood pressure control, dialysis need, and death. Renal parenchymal damage was analysed by morphometric analysis (of interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis) and a semi-quantitative chronic damage score (score 0-3 (normal-severe) for each of glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and arteriolar hyalinosis; maximum=12). Patients were stratified into two groups who had either deteriorating (group 1) or stable (group 2) renal function during follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (age 64.7+/-10.5, range 43-83 years; 17 male, eight female) were identified. Sixteen patients had undergone angiography; two had significant (>50%) renal artery stenosis. Mean follow-up was 25.6+/-14.8 (range 5-50) months. Group 1 patients had DeltaCrCl -7.4+/-6.8 ml/min/year, n=14 and group 2 patients had DeltaCrCl 4.8+/-7.0 ml/min/year, n=11. Four patients in group 1 developed end-stage renal disease and five patients died (three in group 1 and two in group 2). At study entry, group 1 patients had worse renal function (CrCl 27.6+/-17.6 vs 36.0+/-33.9, NS), greater proteinuria (1.2 vs 0.5 g/24 h, NS), and higher systolic blood pressure (167.1+/-30.8 mmHg vs 150.6+/-37.8, NS) compared with group 2 patients. Group 1 patients showed more glomerulosclerosis (51.6 vs 24.9%, P:<0.01), greater proportional interstitial volume (44.9 vs 33.9%, P:<0.02), and higher overall chronic damage score (P:<0.05) than those in group 2. There was a significant correlation between renal functional outcome and chronic damage score, glomerulosclerosis and proportional interstitial volume for the entire patient cohort. CONCLUSION: In patients with atherosclerotic nephropathy the severity of histopathological damage is an important determinant and predictor of renal functional outcome.     

Specific changes in plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, TIMP-1 and TGF-beta1 in patients with distinct types of primary glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulated renal expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP) and TGF-beta1 contribute to the development of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis characteristic of progressive forms of primary glomerulonephritis (GN). There is little information on the circulating levels of these proteins in human GNs. Here, we assessed whether different histopathological GN types could be associated with distinct plasma patterns of MMPs and regulatory proteins. METHODS: Protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TGF-beta1 and TIMP-1 were measured by ELISA in plasma from venous blood of 108 untreated patients with various types of primary GN defined by kidney biopsy, namely IgAN (n=63), membranous GN (MN, n=26), minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS, n=12) and focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS, n=7), and were compared with levels in 50 healthy subjects. Plasma samples were assayed for gelatinolytic activity (zymography). RESULTS: Zymography detected the proforms of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Compared with controls, IgAN patients exhibited a significant, parallel decrease in plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TGF-beta1. In MN patients, decreased MMP-9 level contrasted with a high MMP-2 level and a normal TGF-beta1 level. In the MCNS/FSGS group, increased MMP-2 level contrasted with unchanged MMP-9 and decreased TGF-beta1 levels. Plasma concentration of TIMP-1 was elevated in all GN groups. There was no correlation between baseline MMP-2/MMP-9/TIMP-1/TGF-beta1 levels and the degree of renal dysfunction or with progression toward ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TGF-beta1 significantly differed between the various histopathological types of primary GNs, thus suggesting the involvement of different underlying mechanisms in the regulation of glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in these renal diseases.     

Pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a chronic pain syndrome whose causes remains elusive with no generally accepted treatment. A hallmark of functional pain syndromes such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is pain in the absence of demonstrable pathology of the viscera or associated nerves. Patients with chronic pain experience a greater impairment in quality of life than healthy controls. In addition, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome symptoms can frequently overlap with other conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety disorders, and a number of other syndromes not directly related to the urinary bladder. Because of the complex pathophysiology, a number of animal models have been studied over the years to better understand mechanisms underlying patient symptoms. These models can include: bladder centric, complex mechanisms and psychological and physical stress models. Such animal models can aid in the investigation of aspects of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome that cannot be pursued in humans as well as to develop and test potential therapies. In addition, the search for urinary factors that may be a cause of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome has resulted in the discovery of a number of potential targets that could serve as predictive biomarkers which can aid in early diagnosis and treatment of this chronic disorder.     

Nutrition‐related factors associated with waiting list mortality in patients with interstitial lung disease: A retrospective cohort study

Japanese patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) sometimes die waiting for lung transplantation (LTx) because it takes about 2 years to receive it in Japan. We evaluated nutrition‐related factors associated with waiting list mortality. Seventy‐six ILD patients were hospitalized in Kyoto University Hospital at registration for LTx from 2013 to 2015. Among them, 40 patients were included and analyzed. Patient background was as follows: female, 30%; age, 50.3 ± 6.9 years; body mass index, 21.1 ± 4.0 kg/m²; 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD), 356 ± 172 m; serum albumin, 3.8 ± 0.4 g/dL; serum transthyretin (TTR), 25.3 ± 7.5 mg/dL; and C‐reactive protein, 0.5 ± 0.5 mg/dL. Median observational period was 497 (range 97‐1015) days, and median survival time was 550 (95% CI 414‐686) days. Survival rate was 47.5%, and mortality rate was 38.7/100 person‐years. Cox analyses showed that TTR (HR 0.791, 95% CI 0.633‐0.988) and 6MWD (HR 0.795, 95% CI 0.674‐0.938) were independently correlated with mortality and were influenced by body fat mass and leg skeletal muscle mass, respectively. It is suggested that nutritional markers and exercise capacity are important prognostic markers in waitlisted patients, but further study is needed to determine whether nutritional intervention or exercise can change outcomes.     

水蛭素对单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾间质损伤及MCP-1、ICAM-1的干预效应研究

[目的]观察水蛭素对单侧输尿管梗阻（UUO）大鼠肾间质纤维化的干预作用,并探索其作用机制。[方法]健康雄性SD大鼠120只,随机分为假手术组24只和造模组96只。造模组再分为模型组24只、水蛭素高剂量组24只、水蛭素低剂量组24只、贝那普利组24只。各组于术后第3、7、14天分批随机处死。取梗阻侧肾组织行逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）、蛋白免疫印迹（Western Blot）分子技术,检测梗阻侧肾组织单核细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）、细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）的分子表达变化。[结果]苏木精-伊红（HE）染色显示,与模型组相比：各用药组肾间质损伤及纤维化程度均有不同程度改善。RT-PCR显示,与模型组相比：水蛭素高剂量组各时间点及水蛭素低剂量组第7、14天ICAM-1相对表达量均明显降低（P<0.05）;水蛭素高剂量组第7、14天MCP-1表达显著降低（P<0.01）;水蛭素高剂量组第3天及水蛭素低剂量组各时间点MCP-1表达量明显降低（P<0.05）。Western Blot显示,与模型组相比：水蛭素高剂量组第7天ICAM-1蛋白表达量显著减少（P<0.01）;水蛭素高剂量组第3、14天及水蛭素低剂量组第14天各时间点ICAM-1蛋白表达均明显降低（P<0.05）;水蛭素高剂量组第14天MCP-1蛋白表达显著降低（P<0.01）;水蛭素高剂量组第3、7天MCP-1蛋白表达明显降低（P<0.05）。[结论]水蛭素能不同程度地改善UUO大鼠肾间质损伤程度,延缓间质纤维化进展,其机制可能与水蛭素干预了UUO大鼠肾间质MCP-1、ICAM-1 mRNA及蛋白质的表达有关。