OBJECTIVETo examine changes in expression of tight junction protein claudin-2 in the renal tissues of children with acute kidney injury (AKI), and to investigate the relationship of claudin-2 expression with renal pathological lesion and renal functional lesion.

METHODSTwenty-four children who were diagnosed with AKI and had renal biopsies between December 2009 and December 2011 were included in the study. These patients were divided into mild AKI (n=7) and severe AKI groups (n=17). Children with isolated hematuria whose renal biopsy showed minor glomerular lesion were selected as the control group. Serum creatinine levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. Tubulointerstitial damage was evaluated by renal pathological scores and expression of claudin-2 was examined by immunohistochemistry. The correlations of claudin-2 expression with renal pathological score and serum creatinine level were assessed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe mild and severe AKI groups had significantly higher serum creatinine levels than the control group (190 ± 68 μmol/L and 477 ± 128 μmol/L vs 29 ± 7 μmol/L, P<0.01), and the severe AKI group had a significantly higher serum creatinine level than the mild AKI group (P<0.01). The tubulointerstitial damage score was significantly lower in the mild AKI group than in the severe AKI group (10.4 ± 1.7 vs 14.0 ± 1.5; P<0.05). The mild and severe AKI groups had significantly smaller areas of claudin-2 expression than the control group (5.0 ± 0.5% and 3.7 ± 0.7% vs 8.0 ± 0.7%; P<0.01), and the severe AKI group had a significantly smaller area of claudin-2 expression than the mild AKI group (P<0.01). The area of claudin-2 expression was negatively correlated with serum creatinine level and tubulointerstitial damage score (r=-0.809 and -0.903; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere are changes in the distribution and expression of claudin-2 in proximal tubular epithelial cells among children with AKI, and claudin-2 expression is closely related to renal pathological lesion and renal functional lesion.

Acute Kidney Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Claudin-2 ; analysis ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the nephropathy in rats with type 1 diabetes.

METHODSA murine model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, the diabetic group (DM), the group treated with low-dosage PNS (PNS-L), the group treated with high-dosage PNS (PNS-H) and the group treated with catopril. Rats in the PNS-L and PNS-H groups were given different dosages of PNS while rats in the catopril group were given catopril through gastrogavage every day for the next four consecutive weeks. Serum creatinine (Cr) levels, endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr), and 24-h urinary microalbumin (UAlb) were examined and calculated. Meanwhile, immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in the kidney tissue.

RESULTSThe levels of Cr, Ccr, and UAlb were all elevated significantly in the DM group (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF protein was increased but BMP-7 protein was decreased in the kidney tissue (P<0.01). However, the above items decreased in the PNS-L, PNS-H and catopril groups compared with the DM group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the PNS-L, PNS-H and catopril groups, the expression of VEGF protein was decreased but BMP-7 protein was increased in the kidney tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPNS shows protective effects on the kidney in type 1 diabetic rats at the early stage. The protective mechanism might be closely related to its role of inhibiting the expression of VEGF protein and enhancing the expression of BMP-7 protein in the kidney.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hypertrophy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Panax ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Proteinuria ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The potential physiologic roles of Klotho in acute kidney injury (AKI) have recently been demonstrated in animal models. However, to date, there have been no human studies investigating the expression of renal Klotho in AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively collected biopsy specimens and clinical data of AKI patients between January 2001 and December 2012. Klotho expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining, and the clinical-pathological correlation was examined. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis or acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, 21 patients without chronic histological lesions were included. The mean age was 37.3 +/- 18.5 years and the mean peak creatinine level was 8.2 +/- 5.5 mg/dL. In total, 10 patients (47.6%) received temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT); however, 17 patients (81%) showed functional recovery with creatinine levels of < 1.3 mg/dL after 1 month. The intensity of Klotho expression was scored as a percentage of Klotho-positive area. The renal Klotho score showed a significant negative correlation with the initial or peak creatinine level. When the patients were divided into three groups according to the Klotho score (low, middle, high), the low group had a significantly higher peak creatinine level and a more frequent requirement for RRT. However, the Klotho score was not a significant predictor of renal recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that renal Klotho expression in humans decreased significantly according to the severity of AKI, regardless of the etiology, and that low expression was associated with a poor short-term outcome.
Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis/etiology/*metabolism/physiopathology/therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers/analysis ; Biopsy ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Glucuronidase/*analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney/*chemistry/pathology/physiopathology ; Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute/diagnosis/etiology/*metabolism/physiopathology/therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Recovery of Function ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the experiential compound prescription Shenshuai compound medicine (SSCM) on acute renal failure (ARF) rats, and expose its mechanism.

METHODMale SD rats were allocated into four groups at random. Except normal group, the others were injected glycerin into the musculi to induce a model of ARF. At the same time, rats in normal and model groups were given a dose (10 mL x kg(-1)) of normal saline; rats in the other two groups were given verapamil (Vp) 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and SSCM 22.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) respectively by gastric gavages. In this way they were killed at 24 h after injecting glycerin.

RESULTIn contrast with model group, SSCM and Vp could ameliorate the renal function of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) rats markedly, in a way protect the renal inherent cell ultrastructure such as tubular epithelial cell etc at ATN early-stage; especially SSCM could enhance NO contents in serum, and was reduce ET levels inplasma, evidently cut down TNF-alpha contents in serum, and was partly superior to Vp.

CONCLUSIONIt is indicated that SSCM can adjust thebalance of contract and stretch blood vessal active substance and clear away initiate inflammatory medium, consequently alleviate renal pathological changes, prevent and treat ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelins ; blood ; Epithelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Glycerol ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanism of Yishenjiangyafang, a prescription of Chinese traditional herbs used for renal hypertension, on blood pressure and protecting renal function of RPH rats.

METHODThe 5/6 kidney of rat was resected to set up the RPH rat model. Blood pressure, Cr(creatinine), Ccr(creatinine clearance) and BUN(urea nitrogen) were measured dynamically. After eight weeks treatment, plasma content of PAR A II TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 were measured. At same time, The change of renal pathology was observed.

RESULTYishenjiangyafang could reduce blood pressure Cr, but had no effect on BUN of RPH rat. The indexes of PAR, A II of each different dosage group of Yishenjiangyafang were decreased. At the same time, it reduced plasma content of TXB2, and increased 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Glomerulosclerosis and atrophy of renal tubule in Yishenjiangyafang group RPH rats were better than those of the contrast group and the Capten group.

CONCLUSIONYishenjiangyafang can reduce blood pressure of RPH rats and has protective effects on its kidney. Yishenjiangyafang can perform its effects of reducing blood pressure and protecting kidney by influencing the RAS of RPH rats.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Renal ; blood ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether total triterpene acids (TTAs), isolated from Cornus Fructus, attenuates renal function by reducing oxidative stress and down-regulating the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).

METHODSDiabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg intravenously). Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, diabetic model group and TTAs treatment group (50 mg/kg, intragastrically) administrated for 8 weeks from 5th to 12th week. All rats were anaesthetized and then were killed to remove kidneys. The renal function and redox enzyme system parameters were tested. Glomerular morphology was observed by a light microscopy. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were employed to determine the protein levels of TGF-β1.

RESULTSTTAs attenuated the levels of urinary protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, although it did not significantly reduce the level of glucose. In addition, TTAs decreased the malondialdehyde while increased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxide activities in diabetic rats. The renal pathological changes in TTAs treatment group were ameliorated. Furthermore, TTAs also ameliorated the expression of TGF-β1.

CONCLUSIONTTAs improved renal function via reducing oxidative stress and down-regulation the expression of TGF-β1 in diabetic rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cornus ; chemistry ; Creatinine ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Disease Progression ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hypertrophy ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo examine inhibition action of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on infiltration of inflammatory cell in glomeruli with anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis (anti-Thy1.1 GN), and to clarify its effects on inflammatory in vitro.

METHODTwo types of anti-Thy1.1 GN were induced in rats by a single or two intravenous injections with 500 microg of anti-Thy1.1 mAb 1-22-3. Rats were randomly divided into two groups, the GTW group and control group, and sacrificed on day 7 or on day 42 after induction of anti-Thy1.1 GN. Daily oral administration of different dose of GTW and distilled water as a control was started from 3 days before injection or at the same time of injection till the day of sacrifice. Proteinuria was determined during days 7 or during days 42. Infiltration of macrophage and T lymphocyte in glomeruli and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in renal tissue were examined.

RESULTIncrease of infiltration of macrophage in reversible anti-Thy1.1 GN model, glomerular macrophage infiltration and IL-2 mRNA expansion were attenuated by higher dose of GTW (75 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and increased accumulation of activated macrophage and T lymphocyte in irreversible anti-Thy1.1 GN model, accumulation of macrophage and T lymphocyte in glomeruli and mRNA expansion of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were decreased by middling dose of GTW (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) as well. Proteinuria was significantly ameliorated after GTW administration.

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggested that different dose of GTW can ameliorate infiltration of inflammatory cell in glomeruli with anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis in vitro by decreasing the expression of IL-2 and IFN-gamma.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glomerulonephritis ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Interferon-alpha ; genetics ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

No abstract available.
Aged, 80 and over ; Ascorbate Oxidase/*metabolism ; Ascorbic Acid/administration & dosage/blood/*chemistry ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology ; Cholesterol/*blood ; *Colorimetry ; Enzyme Assays ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intestine, Small/surgery ; Kidney/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palliative Care ; Recurrence

Some plants have proven efficacy in the management of diabetes mellitus, of which Costus afer is one. This study was designed to evaluate the cytological and biochemical properties, and comparative ameliorating effects, of an aqueous extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. (Costaceae) leaf and glibenclamide (GBM), in liver, kidney, and pancreatic injury induced by alloxan. Thirty male albino rats were divided into six weight-matched groups. Group one served as the negative control (non-induced and non-treated, control), while groups 2-6 were alloxan-induced diabetic groups. Group 2 served as a positive control (induced and non-treated, IC), groups 3-5 were treated with different doses of the extract (375, 750, and 1,125 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide, respectively. Body weight, absolute and relative organ weights, food and fluid intake, levels of serum glucose and liver enzymes and kidney parameters were calculated and compared. Hepatocytes, renal tubules, and pancreatic cells of diabetic rats, in diabetic non-treated and treated rats were harvested and examined histopathologically. There was dose dependent amelioration on the injuries induced by alloxan on both hepatocytes, renal tubules, and pancreatic cells after treatment with Costus afer. The glucose level was reduced significantly in the Costus afer treated diabetic rats compared with the non-treated diabetic group. Costus afer leaves seem to be effective against diabetic cell injury induced in rat liver, kidney, and pancreas.
Alloxan ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Costus ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between renal tubular cells transdifferentiation and chronic renal interstitial fibrosis induced by Fangchi Extract in rat.

METHODThe chronic renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was made by giving Radix Aristolochiae Fangchi extract (RAFE) and aristolichic acid (AA) respectively to rats through infusing stomach about 22 weeks discontinuously. Through immunnal histochemistry methods, investigating the expression of symbol proteins: Cytokine( CK) , alpha-Smooth muscle actin ( alpha-SMA) and Vimentin, and also the important fibrosis inducing factor-Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta1 )on renal tubular cells.

RESULTIn RAFE and AA Groups, the expression of CK on renal tubular cells is declined comparing with the Control Group, and the enhanced expression of alpha-SMA and Vimentin can be observed on tubular cells. The expression of TGF-beta1 on renal tubular cells stronglhy increased, too.

CONCLUSIONPart of the renal tubular cells was transdifferentiated into myofibroblasts. Renal tubular cells may participate the occurance of chronic renal interstitial fibrosis, TGF-beta1 may accelerate the transdifferentiation of tubular cells.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism