Objective To investigate the expression of inflammatory mediators in renal tubular epithelial cells in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and to explore the possible clinicopathological significance. Methods Twenty-three patients with DN diagnosed by renal biopsy and 10 patients with renal cell carcinoma undergone nephrectomy were allocated into DN group and control group, respectively. The renal expression of NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65 mRNA, MCP-1, OPN, α-SMA, and FN was detected by immunohistochemical or in situ hybridization assay. Serum creatinine, urinary N-acetylglucosaminedase (NAG), urinary albumin and 24-hour urinary protein were detected. The correlation between these inflmmnatory markers and clinicopathological data were analyzed. Results (1)Among all the 23 DN patients, granular degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium, focal tubular atrophy, infiltration of inflammatory cells and interstitial fibrosis were apparent, and none of these were found in control group. (2) Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization assay showed that, compared with control group, expression of these factors increased significantly in renal tubular cells or interstitium in DN patients, and expression of α-SMA or FN was not found in tubular epithelial cells. (3)Statistics assay showed the tubular NF-κB p65 protein expression was correlated with all of the following factors: NF-κB p50 protein (r=0.792) and NF-κB p65 mRNA (r=0.763), tubular MCP-1 (r=0.825) and OPN (r=0.869) expression, interstitial α-SMA (r=0.327) and FN (r=0.432) expression, proteinuria(r=0.710), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r=-0.728), and urinary NAG (r= 0.930), P<0.01 respectively. Conclusion Tubular inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of DN.

Objective To examine the changes of histological parameters of radial artery in uremia,and to explore their effects on arterial stiffness.Methods Sixty uremic patients underwent arteriovenous fistula surgery for hemodialysis and 20 healthy subjects received healthy examination were collected as uremia group and control group, respectively.Segments of radial arteries were obtained from all of uremic subjects and were evaluated by HE, Masson, van Kossa staining and electron microscopy.The expressions of osteopontin (OPN), α-SMA and elastin in arterial wall were detected by immunostaining, and apoptotic cells were determined by TUNEL assay.All of the subjects in the two groups received brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) examination and the results were compared.The associations among histological parameters and baPWV were analyzed.Results More than one half (34/60) of artery samples presented uniformly thickening intima, in which most of cells expressed α-SMA and a few cells underwent apoptosis.The subendothelial matrix was abundant in collagen fibers, and no calcium deposition was found.The media thickened obviously, with increased collagen fibers, reduced elastin, unchanged α-SMA expression, and a few apoptotic smooth muscle cells.Two thirds uremic arteries expressed OPN, of which only one half had significant calcium deposition.The adventitia thickened and no calcium deposition was found.The baPWV level in uremic subjects was ( 18.5 ± 3.2 ) m/s, far greater than that in control subjects ( P ＜ 0.001 ).Statistical analysis showed that baPWV value was correlated with media thickness, calcification degree, and collagen content positively, and with elastin expression negatively.For diabetic uremic subjects, the OR values of vascular calcium deposition and remarkably-elevated baPWV value were 3.1, 2.3, respectively.Conclusions Radial arterial intima often presents hyperplasia which is not related with baPWV increment in uremia.Arterial media calcification and collagen content incremental are the most two protuberant characteristics in uremia, especially in ones accompanied with diabetes.Medical calcification, collagen accumulation, and e]astin reduction may contribute to the increased arterial stiffness in uremia.