OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors related to renal impairment in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspective of integrated Chinese and Western medicine. METHODS: Totally 492 patients with DKD in 8 Chinese hospitals from October 2017 to July 2019 were included. According to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging guidelines, patients were divided into a chronic kidney disease (CKD) 1-3 group and a CKD 4-5 group. Clinical data were collected, and logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to different CKD stages in DKD patients. RESULTS: Demographically, male was a factor related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD (OR=3.100, P=0.002). In clinical characteristics, course of diabetes >60 months (OR=3.562, P=0.010), anemia (OR=4.176, P<0.001), hyperuricemia (OR=3.352, P<0.001), massive albuminuria (OR=4.058, P=0.002), atherosclerosis (OR=2.153, P=0.007) and blood deficiency syndrome (OR=1.945, P=0.020) were factors related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD. CONCLUSIONS Male, course of diabetes >60 months, anemia, hyperuricemia, massive proteinuria, atherosclerosis, and blood deficiency syndrome might indicate more severe degree of renal function damage in patients with DKD. (Registration No. NCT03865914).
Humans ; Male ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Hyperuricemia ; Kidney ; Proteinuria ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications*

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has grown up to be an important issue of global public health because of its high incidence rate. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Therefore, early diagnosis and timely prevention and treatment of DKD are essential for the progress of DM. The clinical diagnosis and staging of DKD are mostly based on the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, clinically, DKD patients show normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (NADKD) instead of clinical proteinuria. The old NADKD concept is no longer suitable and should be updated accordingly with the redefinition of normal proteinuria by NKF/FDA (National Kidney Foundation/Food and Drug Administration). Based on the relevant guidelines of DM and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and combined with the current situation of clinical research, the review described NADKD from the aspects of epidemiology, pathological mechanism, disease diagnosis, clinical characteristics and biomarkers, to arouse the new understanding of NADKD in the medical profession and pay attention to it.
Humans ; Diabetic Nephropathies/etiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Albuminuria ; Kidney ; Proteinuria/complications*

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has grown up to be an important issue of global public health because of its high incidence rate. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Therefore, early diagnosis and timely prevention and treatment of DKD are essential for the progress of DM. The clinical diagnosis and staging of DKD are mostly based on the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, clinically, DKD patients show normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (NADKD) instead of clinical proteinuria. The old NADKD concept is no longer suitable and should be updated accordingly with the redefinition of normal proteinuria by NKF/FDA (National Kidney Foundation/Food and Drug Administration). Based on the relevant guidelines of DM and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and combined with the current situation of clinical research, the review described NADKD from the aspects of epidemiology, pathological mechanism, disease diagnosis, clinical characteristics and biomarkers, to arouse the new understanding of NADKD in the medical profession and pay attention to it.
Humans ; Diabetic Nephropathies/etiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Albuminuria ; Kidney ; Proteinuria/complications*

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main active components in Ⅲ and their targets and explore the mechanism by which Ⅲ alleviates proteinuria in chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on network pharmacology. METHODS: The active components of Ⅲ and their potential targets, along with the oral bioavailability and drug-like properties of each component were searched in the TCMSP database. The proteinuria-related targets were searched in the GeneCards database. The active component-target network was constructed using Cytoscape software, and the acquired information of the targets from ClueGO was used for enrichment analysis of the gene pathways. RESULTS: A total of 102 active components were identified from Ⅲ. These active components acted on 126 targets, among which 69 were related to proteinuria. Enrichment analysis revealed fluid shear stress- and atherosclerosisrelated pathways as the highly significant pathways in proteinuria associated with CKD. CONCLUSIONS We preliminarily validated the prescription of Ⅲ and obtained scientific evidence that supported its use for treatment of proteinuria in CKD. The findings in this study provide a theoretical basis for further study of the mechanism of Ⅲ in the treatment of proteinuria in CKD.
Biological Availability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Proteinuria ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether massive proteinuria in preeclampsia is associated with maternal and fetal complications. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 233 patients who were diagnosed with preeclampsia. We divided the preeclamptic patients into three groups based on the amount of proteinuria: massive (≥5 g/24 hr), moderate (2 to 5 g/24 hr) and mild (<2 g/24 hr) proteinuria group. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and maternal and neonatal complications among three groups. RESULTS: Gestational age at diagnosis and delivery were lower in women with massive and moderate proteinuria group than women with mild proteinuria group (31.5±3.1 vs. 32.3±3.6 vs. 34.0±3.5 weeks, P<0.001 for gestational weeks at diagnosis; 34.6±3.6 vs. 35.1±4.1 vs. 36.9±4.0 weeks, P=0.001 for gestational age at delivery). In maternal complications, the incidences of pleural effusion and retinal detachment were significantly different among three groups (29.9% vs. 22.4% vs. 9.0%, P=0.004 for pleural effusion; 11.5% vs. 3.0% vs. 1.3%, P=0.009 for retinal detachment). Creatinine levels were higher and albumin levels were lower in the massive proteinuria group than in the moderate and mild groups. However, other maternal and neonatal complications were not significantly different among three groups. CONCLUSION: Massive proteinuria might be associated with renal albumin excretion-related morbidity, such as pleural effusion, retinal detachment, and low serum albumin levels. Furthermore, it was associated with early-onset preeclampsia and early delivery.
Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pleural Effusion ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy Complications ; Proteinuria* ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Huaiqihuang Granules (, HQH), a mixture of Chinese herbs including Trametes robiniophila Murr, Fructus Lycii and Polygonatum sibiricum, on adriamycininduced nephropathy (ADRN) in rats and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSRats with ADRN were divided into four groups: the sham group, the model group (distilled water), the low-dose HQH-treated (2 g/kg) group, and the high-dose HQH-treated (4 g/kg) group. Body weight and 24-h urinary protein (Upro) were checked every week. After 5-week intervention, at the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for examination of biochemical parameters, including glomerular morphological makers, podocyte shape, cellular apoptosis, expressions of nephrin, inflammatory and apoptosis markers.

RESULTSHQH ameliorated the rat's general status, proteinuria, renal morphological appearance and glomerulosclerosis. The decreased expression of nephrin in ADRN rats was increased by HQH, as well as the impaired podocyte foot process fusion. Cytosolic levels of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα (IκBα) were decreased in ADRN rats, and recovered by the treatment of HQH. Consistently, the induced expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NFκB p65) and IκBα in ADRN were markedly suppressed by HQH. In addition, induction of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome C in ADRN rats were suppressed by HQH, indicating the amelioration of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONHQH could ameliorate renal impairments in ADRN rats by increasing nephrin expression, inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway via the down-regulation of p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα, and suppression of glomerular and tubular apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; complications ; drug therapy ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proteinuria ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and feasibility of internal spermatic vein-inferior epigastric vein (ISV-IEV) bypass surgery in the treatment of varicocele complicated by left renal vein nutcracker syndrome (NCS). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 30 cases of varicocele with left renal vein NCS treated by ISV-IEV bypass surgery in our hospital from June 2014 to February 2017. We reviewed the follow-up data and results of ultrasonography, routine urianlysis and semen routine examination. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully accomplished and postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography showed that varicocele was cured in all the cases. At 6 months after surgery, sperm concentration and the percentage of grade a+b sperm were significantly improved (［34.47 ± 8.60］ ×10⁶/ml and ［63.54% ± 9.58］ %) as compared with the baseline (［19.90 ± 8.97］ ×10⁶/ml and ［37.93 ± 8.73］ %) (P <0.05). Hematuria was cured in 23 and alleviated in 1 of the 24 cases. Proteinuria disappeared in all the 14 cases, with neither scrotal pain symptoms nor obvious complications. CONCLUSIONS ISV-IEV bypass surgery, with its advantages of safety, effectiveness, minimal invasiveness, and simple operation, deserves wide clinical application in the treatment of varicocele with left renal vein NCS.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Hematuria ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Proteinuria ; surgery ; Renal Nutcracker Syndrome ; complications ; Renal Veins ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Varicocele ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Veins ; surgery

To examine levels of M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and its antibody in the patients with hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy (HBV-MN), and to explore the correlation of PLA2R with laboratory parameters and pathological characteristics.
 Methods: A total of 49 adult patients with biopsy-proved HBV-MN were enrolled in this study. Levels of anti-PLA2R antibody in serum and PLA2R in renal tissue were detected. Patients were assigned into two groups: a positive PLA2R group and a negative PLA2R group. Differences in laboratory parameters and pathological characteristics were compared between the two groups.
 Results: Of 49 patients with HBV-MN, 17 had positive PLA2R expression in renal tissues. In the positive PLA2R group, 10 patients were positive for serum anti-PLA2R antibody. Patients with positive PLA2R expression in renal tissues showed higher levels of 24 hour urinary protein [(4.6±3.9) g/d], serum HbsAg (70.5%) and renal HbsAg expression (71%), while lower level of serum albumin [(24.1±7.5) g/L] than those of the negative group.
 Conclusion: PLA2R is expressed in the renal tissues and serum anti-PLA2R antibody can be detected in some HBV-MN patients. Positive PLA2R expression in renal tissue might be related to HbsAg deposition in serum and renal tissues. Patients with positive PLA2R expression in renal tissue have more severe glomerular sclerosis.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Autoantibodies ; genetics ; physiology ; Biopsy ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; complications ; etiology ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; adverse effects ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; chemistry ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Male ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Receptors, Phospholipase A2 ; blood ; physiology ; Serum Albumin ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between HBV DNA and the clinical manifestations, pathological types, injury severity, and prognosis with HBV-GN.

METHODS102 patients with HBV-GN were divided into 3 groups, according to the serum titer of the HBV DNA. 24-h urine protein excretion, and other parameters were measured. Renal biopsy were performed. The association between HBV DNA and the pathological stage of membranous nephropathy was analyzed in 78 patients with HBV-MN. 24-h urine protein excretion was used for the evaluation of the prognosis, and the relationship between HBV DNA and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTSSeveral findings were demonstrated with the increase of serum HBV DNA: 24-h urine protein excretion, plasma cholesterol, and triglycerides increased significantly (P%lt;0.05), while the plasma level of albumin decreased significantly (P%lt;0.05); The changes of serum creatinine, C3 and C4 were found but no statistical significance. Glomerular deposition of HBVAg increased, and the pathological injury was more severe. The clinical remission rate was lower in the high replication group after treatment as compared with the low replication group (P%lt;0.01).

CONCLUSIONWith the increase of serum HBV DNA, the urine protein excretion and the kidney injury were more severe, and the clinical remission rate was decreased.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA Replication ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; etiology ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; etiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Flos Abelmoschus manihot (Malvaceae) on type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSThe Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, Excerpta Medical Database, Chinese electronic literature databases, and the references of relevant articles were searched in March 2012 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the effects of Flos A. manihot on type 2 DN patients with overt but subnephrotic-range proteinuria (500-3,500 mg/24 h). The quality of trials was evaluated using the Cochrane-recommended method. The results were summarized as risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes or mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes.

RESULTSSeven trials (531 patients) were included. Flos A. manihot significantly decreased proteinuria [MD -317.32 mg/24 h, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-470.48, -164.17],P<0.01]. After excluding a trial that only included patients with well-preserved renal function, Flos A. manihot was associated with a significant decrease in serum creatinine (MD -11.99 μmol/L, 95% CI [-16.95, -7.04],P<0.01). Serious adverse events were not observed. The most common adverse event was mild to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort; however, patients receiving this herb did not have an increased risk for tolerated gastrointestinal discomfort (RR 1.48, 95% CI [0.39, 5.68],P=0.57).

CONCLUSIONSFlos A. manihot may be considered as an important adjunctive therapy with the first-line and indispensable therapeutic strategies for type 2 DN. High-quality RCTs are urgently needed to confirm the effect of Flos A. manihot on definite endpoints such as end-stage renal disease.

Abelmoschus ; chemistry ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; drug therapy ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Proteinuria ; complications ; Publication Bias ; Treatment Outcome