0 05).Of patients with lupus renal lesions 86% had a positive LBT (+LBT),which was significantly higher than that of patients without renal lesions(37%) ( P

Objective To evaluate whether three chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations (CKD-EPI2009Scr,CKD-EPI2012SCysC and CKD-EPI2012Scr-SCysC) are applicable in the prediction of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Chinese patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).Methods One hundred and eight patients with DN who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University with GFR being measured by dynamic renal imaging with 99mTc-DTPA from June 2012 to April 2014 were enrolled in this study.GFR measured by dynamic renal imaging with 99mTe-DTPA was used as the reference value (rGFR).GFR was estimated by the CKD-EPI2009Scr equation,the CKD-EPI2012SCySC equation,and the CKD-EPI2012Scr-SCysC equation (labeled as eGFR1,eGFR2,eGFR3).The correlation,30％ accuracy,staging consistency,deviation and diagnostic accuracy were compared among the three CKD-EPI equations.Results The rGFR in 108 DN patients was (61.78±26.51) ml· min-1· (1.73 m2)-1.The correlation between three eGFRs and rGFR was significant (all P ＜ 0.01),the correlation coefficients were 0.738,0.708,0.782.The 30％ accuracy were 74.07％,52.78％,67.59％,The 30％ accuracy of eGFR1 and eGFR3 were higher than eGFR2 (all P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between eGFR3 and eGFR1 (x2=0.874,P=0.436).The staging consistency was not ideal,Kappa values were 0.391,0.180 and 0.422.For the deviations between three eGFRs and rGFR,there was no significant difference between eGFR3 and rGFR (P ＞ 0.05),eGFR1 underestimated rGFR,eGFR2 overestimated rGFR (all P ＜ 0.01).The results of the Bland-Altman chart showed that consistencies between three eGFRs and rGFR were poor,the degree of deviation of eGFR3 was the smallest.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of three eGFRs was 0.878,0.883 and 0.915.The AUC,sensitivity,specificity,overall compliance rate and Youden index of eGFR3 were the highest.Conclusions The eGFRs predicted by the three CKD-EPI equations showed good relevance,accuracy and diagnostic accuracy with the rGFR,but poor in consistencies.Comparatively,CKD-EPI2012Scr-SCysC may be better than others,but its consistency limits exceeds the acceptable limits.Therefore,the applicability of using the three CKD-EPI equations to predict the GFR in Chinese DN patients requires a larger sample and multiple verifications as well as further improvement.

Objective To investigate the effect of losartan on tubulointerstitial fibrosis of rat unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) model, and to study whether the use of large dose could be better exert a superior renoprotective effect than conventional dose. Methods Three days after UUO, rats were randomly assigned to conventional dose and large dose of losartan group, shamoperated group and operation group. Two treatment groups were administered orally with a daily dose of losartan 50 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg by gastric gavage. Sham-operated group and operation group received the same volume of physiological saline. Rats were sacrificed 7, 14, 21 days after obstruction. Daily urinary albumin excretion(UalbV), tail-cuff pressure(TCP), the percentage of renal tubular lesions, fractional interstitial area (INT), macrophage infiltration and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mRNA were assessed and compared. Results The TCP, UalbV, percentage of tubular lesions and interstitial fibrosis, the number of interstitial macrophages and the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA were significantly increased in operation group as compared with other groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, in comparison with conventional dose, the large dose treatment significantly reduced TCP and UalbV, attenuated interstitial fibrosis and tubular lesions, suppressed macrophages infiltration and the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA. Conclusion The large dose of losartan provides superior renoprotection compared to the treatment with conventional dose in UUO model, which interrupts the positive feedback involved in the vicious cycle between inflammatory cell and Ang Ⅱ.

Objective To assess the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with prednisone in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients with positive serum phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody.Methods An open prospective study was performed on twenty-four biopsy-proven IMN patients with positive serum PLA2R antibody in Guangzhou First People''s Hospital from June 2012 to June 2016.The 24 patients were divided into two groups: MMF group in which MMF combined with prednisone was given for 12 months and CTX group in which intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) was monthly given combined with oral prednisone.Results After 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy,complete remission and partial remission rates were 25.0% vs.16.7% and 25.0% vs.25.0% in the MMF group and CTX group,respectively (P>0.05).In the MMF group and CTX group,serum PLA2R antibody in the same amount (8/12,66.7%) of patients turned negative.At the end of twelve-month treatment,all patients with negative PLA2R antibodies achieved complete or partial remission.Clinical remission (including complete and partial remission) rates in the MMF group and CTX group were both 66.7%.After immunosuppressive therapy,the levels of proteinuria and serum albumin in the two groups were significantly improved,but no significant difference were found between the two groups (proteinuria:F within-grouP=98.688,P<0.01;F between-grouP=0.133,P=0.719;F cross-grouP=1.223,P=0.304;serum albumin:F within-grouP=30.629,P<0.01;F between-grouP=0.137,P=0.715;F cros-grouP=0.455,P=0.565).At the end of six and twelve months of treatment,the proteinuria (after six months,MMF group: (2 893±2 515) mg/g vs.(6 236±2 117) mg/g,t=-3.522,P=0.002;CTX group: (2 690±2 254) mg/g vs.(5 386±2 447) mg/g,t=-2.808,P=0.010;after twelve months,MMF group:1 025(99-4 635) mg/g vs.(6 236±2 117) mg/g,Z=-3.291,P<0.0005;CTX group: (775(41-3 517) mg/g vs.(5 386±2 447) mg/g,Z=-3.118,P=0.001) and serum albumin levels (after six months,MMF group: (28.5±9.7) g/L vs.(19.8±4.4) g/L,t=2.841,P=0.012;CTX group: (29.0±7.6) g/L vs.(22.3±4.1) g/L,t=2.690,P=0.016;at the end of twelve months of treatment,,MMF group: (32.4±8.5) g/L vs.(19.8±4.4) g/L,t=4.570,P<0.0005;TX group: (32.2±7.9) g/L vs.(22.3±4.1) g/L,t=3.862,P=0.001) of the two groups were better than those prior to treatment.Conclusion For the IMN patients with positive serum PLA2R antibody,MMF combined with prednisone was as effective as conventional CTX combined with prednisone in the negative conversion of PLA2R antibody and the remission.The negative conversion of PLA2R antibody after 6 months of immunosuppressive treatment was an important indicator of predicting the remission.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of B lymphocyte stimulator (Blys) and its receptor BAFF (BAFF-R) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The expression of Blys and BAFF-R was measured by flow cytometry in 90 pa-tients with SLE,which was compared with that of 45 healthy controls. The relationships between the expression of Blys, BAFF-R and other laboratory parameters as well as disease activity were analyzed. Results The expression of Blys and BAFF-R in PBMCs from patients with SLE was significantly elevated compared to healthy controls (P <0.001), so did the active group (P < 0.001) and inactive group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). The expression of Blys in PBMCs from active SLE patients was higher than that of inactive patients (P <0.05). However,there was no statisti-cal difference of BAFF-R between the two groups. The expression of Blys in PBMCs was positively related to SLEDAI (r =0.728,P <0.001) ,IgG and IgM(r=0.691,P<0.001 and r =0.453,P<0.01) ,but negatively related to C3 and CA (r = -0.510, P < 0.001 and r = -0.312, P < 0.05). The expression of Blys in dsDNA positive group was higher than those of dsDNA negative group (P < 0.01). The expression of Blys and BAFF-R in Cl qAb positive group was higher than those of ClqAb negative group as well (P <0.01). Conclusion The expression of Blys and its receptor BAFF-R in PBMCs from SLE is elevated ,which may reflect the disease activity and is related to the pro-duction of autoantibody. They might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objective To analyze the correlation between serum anti-C1q antibody (anti-C1q Ab)and renal pathological characteristic,disease activity as well as some laboratory tests in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods Serum anti-C1q antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay ELISA) in 120 patients with systemic lupus nephritis (SLE),which included 60 LN patients and 60 non-LN patients.Renal biopsy was conduted in all LN patients.The relationships between serum anti-C1q Ab level and renal pathohistology,lupus nephritis activity,as well as some laboratory parameters were analyzed.Results The mean level of serum anti-C1q Ab in LN patients was (89+26) U/ml,significantly higher than that of nonLN patients (57±23) U/ml (P＜0.01).Twelve cases of renal biopsies were classified as WHO Class Ⅱ,fourteen cases Class Ⅲ,eighteen cases Class Ⅳ,and sixteen cases Class Ⅴ.Significant difference of serum anti-C1q Ab level between each class was found by ANOVA test,and serum anti-C1q Ab level of Class Ⅳ was the highest (P＜0.01).Renal biopsies showed a positive correlation between serum anti-C1q Ab level and activity index of renal pathohistology (P＜0.01).Renal deposition of C1q was related with the level of serum anti-C1q Ab.Serum anti-C1q Ab level was positively correlated with proteinuria (P＜0.01),and negatively correlated with levels of C3 and C4 (P＜0.01).Mean level of serum anti-C1q antibody in SLE patients with positive antidsDNA was higher than that in the patients with negative anti-dsDNA (P＜0.01).Conclusion Serum antiC1q Ab level is significantly associated with lupus nephritis activity and renal pathohistology.It is a useful marker to predict renal lesion and disease activity in lupus nephritis.

Objective To investigate the role of miR-155 in diabetic nephropathy(DN)and its mecha-nism. Methods MiR-155 expression level in kidney was detected by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. The target gene of miR-155 was predicted by bioinformatics and verified by Western Blot and double luciferase reporter activity. Western Blot was used to detect the related marker proteins of mesangial cells proliferation and mesangial matrix. Results (1)The expression of miR-155 increased in DN renal tissue and high glucose-stimulated renal cells.(2)MiR-155 was related to the regulation of Smad5 gene expression.(3)MiR-155 promoted the mesangial cells proliferation and increased extracellular matrix by down-regulating Smad5 expression. Conclusions MiR-155 can promote the mesangial cells proliferation and renal fibrosis by regulating Smad5 gene,providing a basis for further understanding the pathogenesis of DN.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for treatment of stenosis of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas in maintenance hemdialysis patients. Methods From September 2016 to August 2017, thirty patients with autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis diagnosed in Guangzhou First People′s Hospital underwent PTA under the guidance of ultrasound for the first time. The vascular diameter of AVF stenosis and the blood flow of AVF before and after operation were evaluated. During the follow-up period,the patency time and complications were recorded. Results In 93. 3%( 28/30) patients, primary ultrasound-guided PTA procedures were successfully performed. The internal diameter of the stenosis increased from (1. 62±0. 30) mm preoperatively to (3. 61±0. 66) mm postoperatively (t＝18. 205,P＜0. 001),and the natural blood flow increased from (270. 0±36. 5) ml/min preoperatively to (611. 4±46. 6) ml/min postoperatively (t＝50. 221,P＜0. 001). The post-intervention primary patency rates at 90 and 180 d were 96. 4%(27/28) and 85. 7%(24/28), respectively. There was no rupture of the vein,or other severe complication during the PTA procedure. One patient had perilesional swelling,and one patient had extravasation after the PTA procedure. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided PTA is a safe and effective method for treatment of stenosis of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas in maintenance hemdialysis patients.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus combined with prednisone for treat-ment of refractory idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)patients whose serum anti-phospholipase A2receptor (PLA2R)antibody titers were persistent high. Methods An open prospective study of 12 refractory IMN patients was performed in Guangzhou First People's Hospital between June of 2012 and June 2016.The 12 patients failed to re-spond after a standard course of 6 months in a conventional immunosuppressive therapy(cyclophosphamide,myco-phenolate mofetil or cyclosporine A)combined with prednisone and the patients'serum anti-PLA2R antibody titers were persistent high. They were divided into two groups:The tacrolimus group received tacrolimus combined with prednisone for 12 months and the control group received the same or another conventional immunosuppressive therapy for 6 months.Results At the end of the sixth month after enrollment,proteinuria and serum albumin levels in the ta-crolimus group were significantly improved as compared with those in the control group(P<0.01),and eGFR was higher in the tacrolimus group than in the control group(P<0.05).Severe proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia still re-mained in the control group,and eGFR in the control group declined significantly prior to enrollment(P<0.01).Af-ter 6-month treatment,none of the control group became negative for serum anti-PLA2R antibody,and achieved clini-cal remission. Five patients(83.3%)in the tacrolimus group became negative for serum anti-PLA2R antibody and achieved clinical remission(complete remission in two patients and partial remission in three).After 12-month treat-ment,complete remission was achieved in four patients(66.7%)in the tacrolimus group.Conclusions Persistent high serum anti-PLA2R antibody titers may be a cause of no response to a conventional immunosuppressive therapy in refractory IMN patients.For these patients,tacrolimus combined with prednisone may be an effective alternative treat-ment for disappearance of anti-PLA2R antibody and remission.