OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of high glucose on the expression of c-met in human kidney fibroblasts in vitro, and to explore the regulation of Radix Astragali. METHODS: A cell culture system of human kidney fibroblasts was developed in vitro. The human kidney fibroblasts were divided into normal control group, high glucose group and mannitol group. Expressions of c-met and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the expressions of c-met protein were analyzed by Western blot method after 6-, 12-, 24-, 48- and 96-hour culture. The human kidney fibroblasts were also cultured with 10% Radix Astragali containing serum; the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein were detected after 24- and 48-hour culture. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, expression of c-met mRNA in the high glucose group was significantly increased after 12-hour culture (P<0.05), arriving at the peak after 24-hour culture (P<0.01). The level of TGF-beta1 mRNA was higher in the high glucose group than that in the normal control group after 24-hour culture (P<0.05), arriving at the peak after 96-hour culture (P<0.01). Forty-eight hours after treating with 10% Radix Astragali containing serum, the levels of c-met mRNA and protein in fibroblasts were increased, and were higher than those in the high glucose group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High glucose can induce the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein in earlier period, and then inhibit the expressions. Radix Astragali can up-regulate the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein of human kidney fibroblasts, which may be one of its action mechanisms in delaying the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To examine the expression of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) receptor (c-met) and investigate the changes in activity of the HGF/c-met system in human kidney fibroblast by high glucose. Methods HGF and c-met mRNA levels in fibroblast induced by high glucose were detected by RT-PCR. C-met protein was examined by Western blotting. At the same time, the expression of TGF-? and c-met in the exogenous HGF and treating with anti-c-met antibody in vitro were measured. Results Extremely rapid induction of HGF and c-met mRNA was observed at the first six hours by high glucose. On the other hand, both c-met mRNA and c-met protein were markedly increased. HGF (50 ng/ml) induced the expression of c-met ( P

Objective To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to investigate the associated problems in treatment. Methods A total of 254 PD patients in our division were enrolled in this study. CVD history, laboratory measurements, examinations of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy by ultrasonography were collected and associated factors were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 49 months. Results The overall prevalence of CVD was 37% (93/254). Diabetes, longer dialysis duration, hypertfiglyceridemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoprealbuminemia were commonly found in the patients with new CVD event. The patients without pre-existing CVD had the higher Ccr, Kt/V, D/Pr, nPCR, serum albumin level. In those with pre-existing CVD, the hypertriglyceridemia and the duration of dialysis were independent predictors of progression of CVD. Differences of LAD, LVST, LVMI and IMT were significant between with and without pre-existing CVD groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the presence of CVD was the independent risk factor of survival. Alb<330 g/L, LAD>39.6 mm and peritonitis were risk factors of CVD. Conclusion The prevalence of CVD in PD patients is quite high. CVD history should be realized, dialysis adequacy should be maintained, and peritonitis should be prevented.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term restriction of dietary protein intake (DPI) supplemented with α-keto acids on chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out.Seventeen chronic hepatitis B patients with CKD were randomized to either low DPI with α-keto acid-supplemented (sLP) or low DPI (LP) group for 3 months.Low-protein diet (LPD) was individualized with total energy intake 125.52-146.44 kJ·kg-1 ·d-1,and protein intake of 0.6-0.8 g·kg-1·d-1.α-keto acid was supplied in a dosage of 0.1 g·kg-1·d-1.Nutritional indexes were recorded and other clinical indexes were measured to evaluate the efficacy and safety respectively. Results The urine protein excretion level and microalbuminuria were significantly decreased at the end of the observation period in the sLP group compared to the basal value and the LP group [24 h urine protein:baseline (4.52±1.74) g,the 1st month (3.19±1.52) g,the 2nd month (2.19±1.1) g,the 3rd month (1.64±0.77) g,P＜0.05; microalbuminyria:baseline (2855.43±248.03) mg/L,the 1st month (2157.14±218.15) mg/L,the 2nd month (1681.57±146.18) mg/L,the 3rd month (924.29±83.33) mg/L,P＜0.05].No significant difference was found in Scr and eGFR.Nutritional indexes (SGA,serume albumin) were significantly higher at the end of 3 months in the sLP group (P＜0.05).No obvious side-effect occurred. Conclusions Short-term restriction of DPI is safe,and when combined with α-keto acids,can increase serum protein and decrease urine protein excretion in chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with CKD without significant sideeffect.

Objective To evaluate the value of urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP)as a biomarker in prediction of renal function progression in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Methods A total of 123 patients with newly diagnosed CGN by renal biopsy in Shanghai Renji Hospital between 2004 January and 2005 December were enrolled in the study,Twenty-eight healthy subjects were used as control group.Urine samples were collected before biopsy and treatment,and urinary L-FABP was measured by ELISA.The patients with follow-up every three months for 5 years were divided into progressive group and nonprogressive group.The progression of kidney function impairment was defined as a reduction of GFR ≥ 5 ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1·year-1 during follow-up.The risk factors of progressive renal function were evaluated and the Spearman correlation analysis was performed to find out the prognostic indicator of renal function deterioration. Results Urinary L-FABP level of CGN patients was significantly higher than that of healthy control group (P＜0.01).Urinary L-FABP in CGN patients was negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.565,P＜0.01) and positively correhted with proteinuria (r=0.501,P＜0.01) and Scr (r=0.601,P＜0.01).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that urinary L-FABP excretion＞76.58 μg/g·cr predicted progression of renal function.The AUC of urinary L-FABP for prognosis of CGN progression was 0.95,with 87.5％ of sensitivity and 90.5％of specificity at the cutoff value of 119.8 μg/g·cr,which revealed its great value of predicting the prognosis of CGN patients. Conclusion Urinary L-FABP can be a novel biomarker of evaluation for renal injury and early progressive renal function deterioration in patients with CGN.

Objective To differentiate proteinuria due to non-diabetic renal diseases(NDRD)from that of diabetic nephropathy(DN)in type 2 diabetic patients,and to evaluate the prevalence of NDRD.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on diabetic patients who had undergone renal biopsy between Jan 1,2003 and Dec 3 1,2006.The data including history of diabetes,cardiac color ultrasound,color Doppler ultrasound of the carotid artery,retinal changes,examination of ocular fundus,giomerular filtration rate,hepatic and renal function,lipid profile,blood glucose,HbA1c,and urine protein were collected.Results Among 46 patients,22 cases (47.8%)were distinctly diagnosed as diabetic nephropathy(DN),while the other 24(52.2%)as NDRD.Focal segmental glomeruloselerosis Was the most common lesion found in patients with NDRD.In DN group,the fasting blood glucose was higher than that of NDRD group,as well as ejection fraction,carotid plaque,and intimamedia thickness(IMT)showed significant differences between 2 groups.Patients with NDRD were less frequently associated with diabetic retinopathy.Diabetic retinopathy showed hiigh sensitivity(72.7%)and specificity (91.7%)in diagnosing DN.Conclusions Blood glucose,ejection fraction,carotid plaques and IMT,and retinopathy may be helpful in differential diagnosis of diabetic patients with overt proteinuria.Renal biopsy is an important step lo establish the diagnosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the outcome and risk factors for kidney involvement by analyzing 64 patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis.MethodsData analyzed including the demographic information,survival status,renal survival status and laboratory parameters such asserum albumin level,serum creatinine level,urinary protein excretion level,hematuria,high sensitivity C-reactive protein(CRP),ANCA titer,and the Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS).Logistic regression analysis,Cox regression analysis and ROC curve were used to evaluate the risk factors of patients with renal involvement and all-event survival.ResultsTotally 64 patients were enrolled [24 females with the average age of (59.9±2.0) years] and followed up for a median of (38±16) months.The morality rate was 14％,and the prevalence of end stage renal disease was 39％.Compared with those who had better outcomes,patients who died or with end stage renal disease had higher serum creatinine level [ (624±246),(245±127 ) μ mol/L,respectively,t=7.17,P＝0.005 ] and erythrocyte sediment rate [ (112±24),(76±48) mm/1 h,respectively,t=3.74,P＜0.01 ],but lower serum albumin level [(294±31 ),(316±42) g/L,respectively,t=-2.27,P=0.01 ] and hemoglobin level [ (79±13),(99±33) g/L,respectively,t=-3.23,P＜0.01 ] at baseline.Logistic regression analysis found that serum creatinine level and erythrocyte sediment rate at baseline were associated with poor outcome and Cox regression analysis further confirmed this result[Scrβ=1.004,95％CI1.002～1.006,P＜0.01; ESR β=l.018,95％CI 1.000～1.037,P=0.046].ROC curve analysis showed that serum creatinine and erythrocyte sediment rate were predictors for AAV patients' prognosis and their AUC were 0.95 and 0.80,the sensitivity of these parameters was both 94％,and the specificity was 93％ and 70％respectively.ConclusionThe intensity of initial treatment should be based on disease severity and activity in order to improve the prognosis of those with ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement.Increased serum creatinine and erythrocyte sediment rate may serve as predictors for poor prognosis in this patient cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of CT peritoneography for peritoneal complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: CT peritoneography in 11 CAPD patients with clinically suspected dialysis-related complications was prospectively studied. The CAPD patients were all treated in Renji Hospital from 2005 to 2007. CT images were reviewed according to the evidence of peritoneal leaks, hernias, loculate pleural fluid collections, and adhesions. RESULTS: Abnormal findings were found in 9 of 11 CAPD cases including inguinal hernias (3 cases), umbilical hernia (1 case), hydrocele (1 case), leaks in catheter tunnel (2 cases), and peritoneal adhesions (2 cases). Parts of them were confirmed by surgical operation. CONCLUSION: CT peritoneography is useful for the evaluation of complications related to CAPD, and it offers excellent tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging for assessment of the complications.

Objective To evaluate the values of urinary liver-fatty acid binding protein (uL-FABP) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) in diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by obstructive nephropathy and in the prediction of renal prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 30 patients with obstructive nephropathy were collected prospectively.uL-FABP and uNGAL were measured by ELISA at various time points.Risk factors of the renal outcome were evaluated.The patients were followed up for at least one year.Results Patients with AK1 had higher levels of uL-FABP and uNGAL compared to those without AKI [700.00(154.62-1216.14) μg/g· Cr vs 26.90 (16.77-41.38) μg/g·Cr; 1266.69 (671.57-3396.07) μg/g·Cr vs 179.12 (90.98-215.16) μg/g·Cr,all P ＜ 0.01].Positive correlations of uL-FABP and uNGAL with serum creatinine were found (r =0.552,0.553,all P ＜ 0.01).The AUCs of uL-FABP and uNGAL to detect AKI were 0.925 and 0.900.Patients with non complete renal recovery had higher levels of uL-FABP before operation and 72-hour after operation compared to those with complete renal recovery (all P ＜ 0.01).Before operation,the AUC of uL-FABP to detect renal prognosis was 0.948,sensitivity was 85.7％ and specificity was 90.9％.72-hour after operation,the AUC of uL-FABP to detect renal prognosis was 0.935,sensitivity was 85.7％ and specificity was 90.9％.Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that uL-FABP before operation over 366.57 μg/g · Cr or uL-FABP 72-hour after operation over 223.60 μg/g · Cr were closely related to the poor progression of renal function.Conclusions uL-FABP and uL-NGAL have good accuracy in detecting AKI.The level of uL-FABP before operation and 72-hour after operation is helpful to predict the renal outcome of obstructive nephropathy.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) transplantation in treatment of cerebral hemorrhage in rabbits.Methods Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were used to induce cerebral hemorrhage.Animals were divided into hAECs group and isotonic saline group according to random number table,with 15 rabbits per group.Before transplanted to rabbits,hAECs were transfected with the retrovirus carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP).Morphologic and behavioral changes in both groups were noted periodically.Survival of transplanted hAECs and expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2)in focal cerebral tissues were observed.Results In hAECs group,the rabbits obtained progressive recovery in walking,supporting and coordinated motion.Restoration period mostly ranged from 2-3 weeks.Most of the rabbits in hAECs group had limb motor function recovered to grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ,while the recovery is slow in isotonic saline group with most ranging from grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ.According to Tarlov score,limb motor function presented significant difference between hAECs group and isotonic saline group (P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical staining showed positive expressions of GFAP and MAP-2 in hAECs group,but no expressions in isotonic saline group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion hAECs transplantation effectively improves neural behavior and reduces nerve function impairment in treatment of cerebral hemorrhage in rabbits.