Objective To investigate the serum leptin levels of chronic hemodialysis patients and its relation to their nutritional status.Methods Twenty-nine maintenance hemodialysis patients were included in the study.TSF(triceps skin fold),BMI(body mass index) and FAT%(content of fat),lymphocyte count,serum albumin,globulin,total iron binding capacity,BUN,creatinine,cholesterol,triglyceride and leptin were measured.Malnutrition-inflammation score(MIS) was used to assess the patients nutritinal status.Results Levels of leptin were positively correlated with BMI,FAT%,TSF and MIS(P

Objective To investigate the effect of leflunomide and prednisone in treating refractory nephropathy syndrome.Methods The 60 refractory nephropathy patients in our hospital from Oct,2000 to May,2003 were divided into two groups at random.Paients in test group received leflunomide and prednisone.Patients in control group received mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone.Clinical data were observed in the 2nd,4th,6th,8th,12th,16th,20th,24th and 28th week.Results After receiving leflunomide therapy in the test group,the proteinuria was decreased significantly(P0.05),but rate of showing efficacy in 12th week in Leflunomide group was higher than mycophenolate mofetil group(P

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil combined with methylprednisolone and lamivudine on the treatment of hepatitis B virus associated glomerulonephritis(HBV-GN).Methods Twenty-four patients with hepatitis B virus associated glomerulonephritis were confirmed by renal biopsy and immunohistochemistry,these participant patients were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from Jan,1999 to Jan,2004.They were treated by MMF combined with methylprednisolone and lamivudine.The initial dosage of MMF was 1.0~1.5 g/d.Methylprednisolone at the dosage of 0.4 mg/(kg?d)was used at the beginning of the combined treatment.Lamivudine was in the dosage of 0.1 g/d.The duration of the treatment was six months.Regular test was conducted every two weeks.Results Nine cases had fully remission,11 cases had partial remission and 4 cases had no efficiency;no patient deterioration.Renal and hepatic function remained stable,blood cell didn't decrease and the reproduction of HBV didn't increase during the treatment.Conclusion MMF combined with methylprednisolone and lamivudine is an effective and safe method for HBV-GN.

Objective To investigate whether high glucose can induce endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in glomerular endothelial cells and the role of TGF-β in the process.Methods Rat glomerular endothelial cells were divided into five groups:normal glucose (NG,5.5mmol/L),high glucose (HG,15,30 mmol/L),TGF-β inhibition (HG+ LY36,30 mmol/L glucose + 10 μmol/L LY364947),hyperosmotic control (M,5.5 mmol/L glucose+25.5 mmol/L mannitol) and solvent control (D,5.5 mmol/L glucose + 1 ml/L DMSO).Western blotting was performed to detect relative protein quantities of endothelial marker claudin 5 and mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR.Vascular endothelial marker VE-cadherin and mesenchymal marker α-SMA were detected by immunofluorescent stain and observed by confocal microscopy.Results Compared with NG,the expression of claudin5 protein in HG (15 or 30 mmol/L) was up-regulated while expression of α-SMA protein was down-regulated (P ＜0.05).Both TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA levels increased as well (P ＜ 0.05).However,when compared with HG,the claudin 5 levels increased while α-SMA decreased in TGF-β inhibition group.No significant changes were observed in hyperosmotic or solvent control group.Confocal microscopy showed the transformation of cells from a cobblestone-liked shape to a spindle one,and a decreasing expression of VE-cadherin while an increasing α-SMA in HG group (P ＜ 0.05),whereas TGF-β inhibition partly attenuated those changes in both morphological and protein levels.Conclusions High glucose treatment of glomerular endothelial cells results in an increase in the level of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA and leads to endothelial-mesenchymal transiton.Inhibition of TGF-β partly prevents this process,indicating that TGF-β plays a crucial role in high-glucose-induced glomerular endothelial-mesenchymal transiton.

Objective To explore the features and influencing factors of ambulatory blood pressure in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.Methods A total of 540 CKD patients from May 2010 to May 2012 in our department were enrolled in this study.Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was carried out.Blood pressure (BP),proteinuria and other clinical parameters were measured regularly.Ultrasonography was used to evaluate cardiac structure and function,carotid intima-media thickness and plaque.Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to examine the association between BP and clinical parameters.Results 63.9％ of CKD patients was non-dipper BP pattern,and 36.1％ was dipper BP pattern.As compared to dipper BP patients,those with non-dipper BP had higher ratio of nighttime/daytime proteinuria (0.51±0.29 vs 0.42±0.21,P ＜ 0.01),lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [(56.2±48.2) vs (75.5±56.5) ml· min 1 · (1.73 m2)-1,P ＜ 0.01],higher serum cystatin C[(2.8±2.0) mg/L vs (2.1±2.0) mg/L,P ＜ 0.01],higher left ventricular mass index [(53.7±23.2) vs (45.1± 16.3) g/m2,P ＜ 0.01] and severely damaged left ventricular diastolic function and higher carotid intima-media thickness [(0.7±0.3) vs (0.6±0.2) mm,P＜ 0.01].Nighttime blood pressure was independent predictor for proteinuria,eGFR and left ventricular mass index.Conclusions Nondipper blood pressure pattern is very common in CKD patients.Nighttime pressure is closely associated to renal damage and cardiovascular injuries.

Objective To present the baseline characteristics of serum uric acid level in patients with chro-nic kidney disease(CKD). Methods A cross-sectional study on CKD patients was carried out in our hospital for 9 months. Results 713 patients were enrolled. The top three causes of CKD in these patients were primary glomerular disease(61.2%, 436/713), essential hypertensive kidney disease (7. 2%, 51/713 ) and diabetic nephropathy (5.8% ,41/713). Serum uric acid level and the incidence of hyperuricemia were associated with the stage of CKD (F = 73. 569, P = 0. 000;χ2= 138. 156, P = 0.000). A significantly negative correlation was discovered between ser-um uric acid level and the level of glomerular filtration rate(RR = - 1. 045 ,P =0. 000). A significantly positive cor-relation of serum uric acid level was found with diastohc blood pressure, proteinuia level, smoking and BMI ( RR = 1.400,15. 149,37. 696,and 3.421 ,P <0.05 ,respectively). Conclusions The cross-sectional study of serum uric acid level in patients with CKD will help to determine the dynamic changes of serum uric acid level in Chinese CKD patients and lay a solid basis for the prevention and treatment of CKD and its complications.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the applicability of glomerular filtration rate estimation equations in elderly Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD). MethodsA total of 103 elderly CKD patients were investigated. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by Coekcroft -Gault equation, MDRD1 equation, abbreviated MDRD equation, Jellife 1973 equation, Mawer equation, Hull equation, Jellife 1971 equation, plasma creatinine reciprocal equation, Gate equation and Bjornsson equation. The accuracy of estimated GFRs was compared with that of GFR estimated by 99mTe-DTPA-GFR (sGFR)in elderly CKD patients. ResultsBland-Altman analysis demonstrated that GFRs evaluated by Cockcroft -Gault equation, Bjornsson equation and Hull equation were more consistent with sGFR than the other equations. But all the equations were not well consistent with sGFR. Linear regression showed that the slopes of Jellife 1973 equation and Cockcroft-Gault equation were closer to the identical line. Bias of MDRD1 equation was smaller. Accuracy of Bjornsson equation, Jellife 1973 equation and Cockcroft-Gault equation were higher than the other equations. When comparing the bias as well as accuracy of estimated GFRs with sGFR in different stages of CKD, GFR estimated by Bjornsson equation, Coekcroft-Gault equation and Jellife1973 equation showed better Results . ConclusionsWhen plasma creatinine is checked by enzymatic method, GFR estimating equations may show great bias in elderly Chinese CKD patients.

Objective To evaluate the applicability of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) caJcuated by Cock-croft-Gault equation, MDRD1 equation and abbreviated MDRD equation in the chronic glomerulonephritis. Methods 143 chronic kidney disease(CKD) patients diagnosed in our hospital from January 2005 to December 2007 were investigated. Glomerular filtration rate(GFR) was estimated with Cockcroft-Gault equation, MDRD1 equation and ab-breviated MDRD equation. The accuracy of estimated GFRs was compared with 99Tcm-DTPA-GFR in chronic glomer-ulonephritis patients. Results Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that Cockcroft-Gault equation was more consist-ent with GFR and sGFR than the other equations. Linear regression analysis showed that the slopes of Cockcroft-Gault equation were closer to the identical line,with a smaller bias and higher accuracy . When compared, the bias as well as accuracy of estimated GFRs with sGFR in different stages of CKD,Cockcroft-Gault equation showed good results. Condusion When plasma creatinine is checked with enzymatic method, Cockcroft-Gault equation is more appropriate than MDRD1 equation and abbreviated MDRD equation for estimating renal function in chronic glomeru-lonephritis patients.

Objective To present the baseline characteristics of serum uric acid level in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)in single.centre nephrology clinic and judge the risk factor for decreased renal function of CKD Datients.Methods A cross-sectional study on CKD patients in clinic was carried out for 9 months.Results 780 CKD cases were enrolled in the study.The top four causes of CKD in these patients were primary glomerular disease(59.0%),essential hypertension(7.6%),lupus nephritis(6.4%)and diabetic nephropathy(6.3%).The average age was 41.9.The distribution of CKD stage was 47.8%of CKD1,18.7%of CKD2,14.0%of CKD3,8.1% of CKD4 and 11.4%of CKD5.Multivariate Logistic regression regression analysis indicated that age,proteinuria,hypertension were independently correlated with decreased renal function.Conclusion This is the largest cross-sectional study of CKD in China,which will help to determine the basic status of Chinese CKD patients,laying a basis for further followup.

Objective To investigate the effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the disruption of tight junctions in rat glomerular endothelial cells (rGEnCs) and the role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in this pathological procedure.Methods Primary cultured rGEnCs were incubated with AGEs at concentrations of 20 mg/L,40 mg/L and 80 mg/L,for 6 h,12 h and 24 h respectively.The cells were treated with captopril (1 mmol/L) or valsartan (10 μ mol/L)to block RAS.The endothelial permeability was investigated by transendothelial electrical resistance and the flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin.The expression of AGEs receptor (RAGE),tight junction proteins [occludin,claudin-5,junctional adhesion molecules A (JAM-A) and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1)]and RAS components [angiotensinogen,renin and angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1)]were detected by Western blotting.Immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate the disruptions of the tight junction proteins.The activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was evaluated by UV spectrophotometry.Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ ) was measured by enzyme immunoassay.Results The monolayer permeability,the expression of RAGE,the activity of ACE,the concentration of Ang Ⅱ and the expression of AT1 of rGEnCs were increased after induced by AGEs.Meanwhile,AGEs decreased the expression of occludin,claudin5 and JAM-A and induced disruption of tight junction proteins.Pretreatment with anti-RAGE antibody (100 mg/L),captopril or valsartan could attenuate the detrimental effect of AGEs.Conclusion The changes of permeability induced by AGEs in glomerular endothelial cells are partly mediated by RAS through RAGE.