Young Kunming mice were fed with the food containing mercuric chloride, lithium carbonate, lead acetate or cadmium chloride for 45 days. It was found that these 4 salts of metals could all result in different degrees of functional and structural damages of the kidneys of the mice. In the mercuric chloride and lead acetate groups. the liver and the duodenum were also severely damaged besides the renal damages and the mice suffered a high mortality during the period of taking the toxicants. In the lithium carbonate group, the mortality was also very high but the histological damages of the kidneys were less severe. In the cadmium chloride group, the renal damages were more severe than in the other 3 groups, the mortality of the mice was relatively low, the histology of the heart, the liver and the duodenum was essentially normal, and the renal damages became worse even the toxicant was stopped. It is concluded that cadmium chloride is the agent of choice to establish the mouse model of chronic renal failure.

Objective To investigate the effects of different growth factors to perfused kidney in vitro at room temperature. Methods 25 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups, Each group had 5 rabbits. Perfusion was carried out in vitro on rabbits′ kidney with different culture media containing hepatocellular growth factor(HGF) in high or low dosage, epidermal growth factor(EGF) in high or low dosage, and growth factors-free. On the 65th hour after perfusion, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity, the concentration of sodium and potassium in kidney vein effluent and ?-N-acetyl amino glucosaminidase in urine (NAG) activity in each group were respectively detected to observe the renal function. Renal histological changes under light microscope and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of renal tissue were also examined to observe the renal morphological changes and the lesion degrees of renal tissue. Results The preservation effect of the culture media containing HGF in high dosage was the best among all 5 groups. In this group, LDH activity, the concentration of potassium in kidney vein effluent and NAG activity in urine were significantly lower than that of other 4 groups; the concentration of sodium of kidney vein effluent was notably higher than any other group. Renal histological changes under light microscope and PCNA stain of renal tissue showed that the renal morphological damage and the lesion of renal tissue were lighter than any other group. Conclusion HGF in high dosage could markedly improve the effect of perfusion preservation and protect the function and morphology structure of perfused rabbits′ kidneys better.

Objective To investigate the induced expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in epithelial cells of cultured human proximal renal tubule under the stimulation of interferon-?(IFN-?)in vitro.Methods The expression of IDOmRNA in epithelial cells of human proximal renal tubule under normal and different dosage or time of IFN-? stimulation were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR,the expression of IDO protein under normal and 2000U/ml IFN-? stimulation for 24h were assayed by immunocytochemistry,and the activity of IDO under different dosage of IFN-? stimulation was assessed by the special kynurenine metabolizable ratio in culture medium detected by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Results No expression of IDO mRNA or IDO was found in the epithelial cells of human proximal renal tubule under normal culture conditions.IDO mRNA expression increased significantly after IFN-? stimulation in a dose dependent manner compared with that of control group(P

72 h), the lowest increase of kidney weight ( P

Objective To analyze the correlation between the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and the clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy .Methods A total of 168 patients diagnosed as IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy in Xinqiao hospital from Janu‐ary 2011 to December 2013 were divided into high expression of dual‐positive Snail and a‐SMA group (Group A ,117 cases) and low expression of dual‐positive Snail and a‐SMA group (Group B ,51 cases) according to results of immunohistochemical method .The clinical parameters (age ,gender ,course of disease ,BMI and chemical indicators) and renal pathology grade were compared by statis‐tical analysis .Results There were difference between group A and group B in the course of disease and BMI(P<0 .05) .There were differences between group A and group B in the incidences of creatinine ,blood urea nitrogen ,serum triglycerides and 24‐hour urine protein amount (P<0 .05) .The percentage of Lee′s grade Ⅰ ,Ⅱ ,Ⅲ in group B was significant ,while percentage of Lee′s gradeⅣ + Ⅴin group A was significant .The expression of Snail and a‐SMA in grade Ⅳ + Ⅴ was more than that in grade Ⅰ + Ⅱ (40 .2%vs .9 .4% ) ,and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (P< 0 .05) .Conclusion The expression of Snail and‐SMA were related with 24‐hour urine protein amount and kidney function in IgA nephropathy ;and Lee′s grade was severe in patients with high expression of Snail and‐SMA .

Objective To investigate the effects of the serum from chronic renal failure (CRF) rats on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and activation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) of rat arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) cultured in vitro and explore the possible mechanism. Methods The rat model of CRF was established by 5/6 nephrectomy. ASMCs were incubated in the media with 10% or 20% serum of CRF rats cultured in vitro. ATF4 nuclear translocation were analyzed by immunofluorescence. GRP78 (glucose regulated protein 78), p-PERK (pancreatic ER kinase) and ATF4 proteins in response to the CRF serum in ASMCs were determined by Western blot. The ATF4-DNA binding activity was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results The CRF serum could significantly promote the expression of GRP78 of ASMCs in dose-dependent manner. Under the stimulation of 20% CRF serum, nuclear translocation of ATF4 in ASMCs was found. Compared with control serum group, the expression of ATF4 and p-PERK of CRF serum group was increased significantly (P<0.01). The CRF serum could increase the ATF4-DNA binding activity. Conclusion The CRF rat serum can effectively induce ERS of ASMCs and activate the pathway of PERK-ATF4.

Objective To investigate the effects of resistin on mesangial cells proliferation induced by high glucose and subsequent change of p38MAPK signal pathway. Methods Human macrophrages were cultured and treated with adenovirus encoding for resistin (Ad-resistin) for 48 h and were then co-cultured with human mesangial cells stimulated by high glucose for another 48 h. Mesangial ceils were harvested and their proliferation was measured by 3H-TdR. Activator protein 1 (AP-1) was examined by immunocytochemistry and laminin of excellular matrix was observed with immuofluorescence. Protein levels of p38MAPK and TGF-β1 were measured by Western blot. Smad2 phosphatase activity was aslo detected by Western blot. Results The mRNA and protein levels of resistin were significantly higher in Ad-resistin treated macrophages than those in Ad treated cells (P<0.01). Over-expression of resistin up-regulated p38MAPK protein levels of human mesangial cells(P<0.05). Resistin also promoted the proliferation of mesangial cells (P<0.01) and the synthesis of laminin stimulated by high glucose. The expression of TGF-β1 and phosphorylation of Smad2 were up-regulated in the mesangial cells (P< 0.05). Conclusion Macrophage cytokine resistin may promote mesangial cells proliferation and abnormal accumulation of excellular matrix stimulated by high glucose via activating p38MAPK signal passway.

AIM: To explore the expression changes of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and its receptors (BMPR-Ⅱ, ALK-2, ALK-3, ALK-6) in the renal tubulo-interstitial lesions induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). METHODS: Rats were divided into normal control, sham operation and UUO groups, and sacrificed at postoperative day 1, 3, 7 and 14. The mRNA levels of BMP-7, BMPR-Ⅱ, ALK-2, ALK-3 and ALK-6 were examined by RT-PCR. The protein expression site and level of BMP-7 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: Compared to sham operation group, the mRNA levels of BMP-7, BMPR-Ⅱ, ALK-2 and ALK-3 were significantly decreased, but the change of ALK-6 mRNA was not marked in UUO rats. The reduction of mRNA expression levels of BMP-7, BMPR-Ⅱ, ALK-2 and ALK-3 in the kidney tissue aggravated along with the delayed post-operated days. The results of immunohistochemistry staining indicated that BMP-7 mainly expressed in renal tubular and interstitial, rarely in glomeruli. In UUO rats, the protein expression of BMP-7 decreased in varying degrees according to the post-operated days. CONCLUSION: The loss of BMP-7 and its receptors (BMPR-Ⅱ, ALK-2, ALK-3) were observed in the early phase of fibrotic process and this may play a very important role in mediating the renal tubulointerstital fibrosis.

Objective To compare the effect of hemodiafiltration(HDF) on the incidence rate of intradialytie hypotension. Methods We followed up eighteen patients with symptomatic hypotension history and divided them into group A and group B.Group A was treated with conventional hemodialysis(CHD) and HDF, Group B adopted HDF with low temperture hemodialysis. The number of hypotensive episodes, blood temperature during cardiopulmonary bypass, energy transfer rates were assessed. Results The incidence of symptomatic hypotension of patients was found lower in CHD (40%) than in HDF (6%),P<0.01. Energy transfer rates were founded higher in CHD than in HDF and low temperture hemodialysis, P<0.01. Conclusions HDF significantly reduced hemodialysis-related side effects and increased the tolerance ability of patients.

Objective To observe the stressor characteristic of patients with maintained hemodialy-sis (MHD). Methods The Chinese version of bemodialysis stressor seale(HSS) was adopted among 436 bemodialysis participants and the results underwent analysis. Results Among 436 patients psychological stressors> physiological stressers > social stressors, the most severe stressors included the requirement of long-term dialysis, the rest showed sequence from high to low: medical cost, concerning about the future,changes in family responsibility and decrease in sexuality. The slightest stressors included decreased ability to procreate, being limited in some styles of clothing, arterial and venous stick, reversal in family role with the children and changes in body appearance. Significant differences existed in patients with different age,gender, education background, working status and economic status, it manifested as follows: the more elder-ly, the more severity of stress, male patients had more severe stress than the female, patients with higher e-ducation background showed lower stress level, patients who kept working had lower level of stress, pa-tients who had better economic status showed lower stress level. Conclusions MHD patients often expe-rience high stress levels. Some measures should be taken to help MHD patients to cope better with stress.