Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is currently the most common complication of diabetes. It is considered to be one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and affects many diabetic patients. The pathogenesis of DN is extremely complex and has not yet been clarified; however, in recent years, increasing evidence has shown the important role of innate immunity in DN pathogenesis. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are important components of the innate immune system and have a significant impact on the occurrence and development of DN. In this review, we classify PRRs into secretory, endocytic, and signal transduction PRRs according to the relationship between the PRRs and subcellular compartments. PRRs can recognize related pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), thus triggering a series of inflammatory responses, promoting renal fibrosis, and finally causing renal impairment. In this review, we describe the proposed role of each type of PRRs in the development and progression of DN.
Alarmins/physiology* ; C-Reactive Protein/physiology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/etiology* ; Endocytosis ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Mannose-Binding Lectin/physiology* ; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition/physiology* ; Serum Amyloid P-Component/physiology* ; Signal Transduction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of prostaglandin analogues on the corneal thickness of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: This study included 130 eyes of 65 patients who were diagnosed with POAG or NTG. All patients were divided into two groups; one group received prostaglandin analogues, while the other group received alternative ocular hypotensive eyedrops. Corneal thickness, best corrected visual acuity, and flare in the anterior chamber were measured and compared before treatment and at least 24 months (mean: 27 months) after treatment. RESULTS: The mean decrease in corneal thickness was statistically significant in the group using prostaglandin analogues, but not in the control group. Among the various prostaglandin analogues used, travoprost and latanoprost decreased mean corneal thickness, but bimatoprost had no effect. Best corrected visual acuity, refraction power, and flare in the anterior chamber did not change significantly in either group of patients when ocular hypotensive eyedrops were used. CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandin analogues lower intraocular pressure and decrease corneal thickness if used over a 24 months.
Amides ; Anterior Chamber ; Cloprostenol ; Eye ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic ; Prostaglandins, Synthetic ; Visual Acuity ; Bimatoprost ; Travoprost

Eprex used to treat anemia and improves quality of life, assessment and exercise capacity in predialysis patients. There are two groups of predialysis patients with Hemoglobin <100 g/dl, follow up 5 months in our study: group A (n=17; Eprex- treated predialysis patients) for the treatment by Eprex with 2000 UI x 2 time/week x 2 months, and continuous 2000 UI/week x 3 months; group B non anemia treatment (n=11 non Eprex - treated predialysis patients). The results after 5 months follow up: group A receiving Eprex had higher RBC, Hb and Ht levels than those non receiving Eprex (group B) with P<0.001. The Eprex - treated predialysis patients in group A for a duration of 5 months and observed no accelerated decline in renal function compared with non - Eprex treated predialysis patients, treatment of anemia might improved energy level and physical function.
Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Epoetin Alfa

Defatted dabai peel contains a high amount of anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are known to prevent several types of disease, including cardiovascular-related complications. This study aimed to describe the effects of different doses of defatted dabai peel extract by histopathological analyses on lesions in the liver, kidney, heart and aorta. Histopathology methods were applied to determine the protective effects of defatted dabai peel extracts against hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative damages to animal organs. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was applied for histopathology examination for liver, kidney, heart and aorta. Data showed that a high dose of defatted dabai extract (3000 mg per day) applied to hypercholesterolemic rabbits for eight weeks had mild protective effect, especially reducing the severity of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis of the renal medulla. The high dose of extract supplementation also reduced inflammation of aorta and formation of atherosclerosis plaque in the cell wall of right ventricle of the heart. The high dose of defatted dabai peel extract could be a protective agent against oxidative stress.
Anthocyanins

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are conservative molecules associated with groups of pathogens or their products. These molecules are recognized by relevant receptors. PAMPs induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines through the signal cascade. The role of PAMPs in the initiation and development of periodontitis is recently attracting attention. PAMPs induce the expression of inflammatory mediators after they are recognized in the periodontium. This process damages the periodontal soft tissue and osseous tissue, thus resulting in periodontitis. The results of this study will provide an excellent resolution for the treatment of periodontitis by blocking the pathogenic pathway of PAMPs.
Cytokines ; Humans ; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules ; Periodontitis ; Periodontium

No abstract available.
Hyperpigmentation* ; Hypertrichosis* ; Travoprost

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to examine whether differences exist in the hemoglobin variability according to the types of erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from 72 patients on maintenance hemodialysis who were using darbepoetin alfa (n=27), epoetin beta (n=27), and epoetin alpha (n=18). As parameters of hemoglobin variability, hemoglobin cycling, the variance of hemoglobin and the SD/mean of hemoglobin were analyzed. Hemoglobin cycling was defined as the presence of cycles with an amplitude >1.5 g/dL and lasting more than 2 months. RESULTS: Hemoglobin cycling was present in 53 (73.6%) out of 72 HD patients. Hemoglobin cycling in patients receiving darbepoetin alfa had greater frequency (1.63+/-0.93 vs. 1.00+/-0.88 times/year, p<0.05), amplitude (2.88+/-1.48 vs. 1.88+/-1.60 g/dL, p<0.05), and velocity (1.21+/-0.74 vs. 0.73+/-0.66 g/dL/month, p<0.05) than that in patients receiving epoetin beta. The variance of hemoglobin in patients receiving epoetin beta (0.79+/-0.53 g/dL) was smaller than that in patients receiving darbepoetin alfa (1.29+/-0.70 g/dL, p<0.05) and epoetin alfa (1.08+/-0.52 g/dL, p<0.05). Also, the ratio of SD/mean of hemoglobin in patients receiving epoetin beta (8.20+/-2.59%) was lower than that in patients receiving darbepoetin alfa (10.81+/-2.10%, p<0.05) and epoetin alfa (10.30+/-2.10%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin variability is differential according to various ESAs, and it may be less with epoetin beta compared with darbepoetin alpha and epoetin alpha.
Anemia ; Erythropoiesis ; Erythropoietin ; Hematinics ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Darbepoetin alfa ; Epoetin Alfa

PURPOSE: We aim to compare the erythropoietic effects of epoetin-alpha (EA, 4000 IU SC thrice a week) with those of darbepoetin-alpha (DA, 60ug IV weekly, conversion rate to EA=200:1). METHODS: Forty one stable hemodialysis patients were enrolled in this randomized crossover study. After a washout period of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA), the patients with hemoglobin (Hb) level of < or =11.0 g/dL were randomly assigned to DA or EA and we measured Hb and reticulocyte levels. When Hb reached >11.0 g/dL, we stopped ESA. When Hb level decreased to < or =11.0 g/dL again, we switched to alternative ESA and repeated the rest of the steps. RESULTS: Thirty six patients (M:F=20:16, age 62+/-11 years, Kt/V 1.65, nPCR 1.13 g/kg/day) completed the study. No significant differences were observed in baseline parameters between DA and EA during the period of the clinical trial. The rate of Hb level increase (EA 0.29 g/dL/week, DA 0.30 g/dL/week, p=0.76) and decrease (EA 0.45 g/dL/week, DA 0.38 g/dL/week, p=0.14) were not different between two periods. After ESA stopped, the duration of decreased Hb level of < or =11.0 g/dL was not significantly different (4 weeks in EA vs. 3.9 weeks in DA, p=0.86). Erythropoietin resistance index was 10.59 in the EA period. It was not significantly different from 10.97 in DA period (p=0.49). Nine patients (25%) showed a >30% change in EA efficiency relative to DA efficiency. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in erythropoietic parameters for both EA and DA.
Anemia ; Cross-Over Studies ; Erythropoietin ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; Renal Dialysis ; Reticulocytes ; Darbepoetin alfa ; Epoetin Alfa

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of latanoprost, bimatoprost, travoprost and timolol in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted at a tertiary-care centre. One hundred and forty patients with newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma were randomly assigned to treatment with latanoprost (0.005%), bimatoprost (0.03%), travoprost (0.004%) or timolol gel (0.5%); 35 patients were assigned to each group. All patients were followed for 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The main outcome measure studied was the change in IOP at week 12 from the baseline values. Safety measures included recording of adverse events. RESULTS: The mean IOP reduction from baseline at week 12 was significantly more with bimatoprost (8.8 mmHg, 35.9%) than with latanoprost (7.3 mmHg, 29.9%), travoprost (7.6 mmHg, 30.8%) or timolol (6.7 mmHg, 26.6%) (ANOVA and Student's t-tests, p < 0.001). Among the prostaglandins studied, bimatoprost produced a maximum reduction in IOP (-2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.25 to -3.18) followed by travoprost (-1.27; 95% CI, -0.81 to -1.27) and latanoprost (-1.25; 95% CI, -0.79 to -1.71); these values were significant when compared to timolol at week 12 (Bonferroni test, p < 0.001). Latanoprost and travoprost were comparable in their ability to reduce IOP at each patient visit. Ocular adverse-events were found in almost equal proportion in patients treated with bimatoprost (41.3%) and travoprost (41.9%), with a higher incidence of conjunctival hyperemia (24.1%) seen in the bimatoprost group. Timolol produced a significant drop in heart rate (p < 0.001) at week 12 when compared to the baseline measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost showed greater efficacy when compared to the other prostaglandins, and timolol was the most efficacious at lowering the IOP. Conjunctional hyperemia was mainly seen with bimatoprost. However, the drug was tolerated well and found to be safe.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Bimatoprost/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure/drug effects ; Female ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Heart Rate/drug effects ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure/drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Timolol/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Tonometry, Ocular ; Travoprost/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity/drug effects ; Visual Field Tests ; Visual Fields/drug effects

PURPOSE: To evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of bimatoprost-induced periocular skin hyperpigmentation. METHODS: The chart analyses of 16 patients in whom cosmetically noticeable periocular skin hyperpigmentation developed after starting bimatoprost therapy were reviewed. Data collated included age, medication history, dates of starting and stopping bimatoprost treatment, and the subjective assessment of the periocular hyperpigmentation at initial detection as well as follow-up visits. Periocular hyperpigmentation was graded using an arbitrary scale from 0 to 3. The number of days to the onset of hyperpigmentation and to pigment resolution was determined and their associations to demographic and other clinical parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients had variable grades of periocular hyperpigmentation at presentation (mean, 1.53+/-0.66). Bimatoprost-induced periocular hyperpigmentation appeared 1-10 (mean, 4.3+/-2.6) months after initiation of bimatoprost therapy. Resolution of skin hyperpigmentation was noted 2-10(mean 6.8+/-1.9) months after stopping bimatoprost treatment. There was a minor correlation(R=+0.19) between the number of days to resolution of hyperpigmentation and the number of days when bimatoprost was used. At 12 months after stopping bimatoprost treatment, 12 of the 13 patients had complete resolution of periocular hyperpigmentation. However, weak hyperpigmentation remained in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost-induced hyperpigmentation is benign and reversible.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation* ; Skin* ; Bimatoprost