Analysis of the impact of obesity on the prognosis of IgA nephropathy according to renal function and sex.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have observed the direct effect of obesity on renal prognoses in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) or separately evaluated its effects according to sex. We aimed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of obesity on the renal outcomes of IgAN and observe these effects separately according to renal function and sex. METHODS: We extracted patients with body mass index (BMI) descriptions from a multicenter retrospective cohort analysis in Japan, and excluded those with < 30 days of follow-up, diabetes mellitus, and steroid treatment. Patients were divided into normal (n = 720; 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25) and obese (n = 212; BMI ≥ 25) groups, which were then compared. The endpoints were a 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine levels and the initiation of renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: The obese group was older, included more males, and was more likely have hypertension, dyslipidemia, proteinuria, tubular atrophy, and lower renal function than the normal group. Patients with an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 had well-matched characteristics between the groups; however, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia were more common in the obese group. Obesity contributed to tubular atrophy, even when adjusted for renal function. In addition, it contributed to proteinuria only in females. However, obesity itself was not a significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Although no independent effect on renal prognosis was observed during the study period, the obese group had more risk factors for IgAN progression and obesity contributed to tubular atrophy and female proteinuria. Our results suggest that separately analyzing the prognostic effect of obesity according to sex is important.

Initiation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and first complete remission in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) effect in reducing urinary protein levels in patients with nephrotic syndrome is insufficient. We determined whether RASis can induce complete remission (CR) in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: This cohort study included 84 adults (median age, 65 years; males, 57%) with primary nephrotic syndrome (excluding minimal change disease) not receiving RASis during enrollment in the Japanese Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study from January 2009 to December 2010, and were followed up for 5 years. Exposure and outcome were RASi initiation and first CR, respectively. Marginal structural models and Poisson regression were used to account for time-varying covariates and estimate causal effects of RASis on CR. RESULTS: Overall, 51 (61%), 73 (87%), and 55 (66%) patients had membranous nephropathy, were prescribed immunosuppressive agents at baseline (1-month post-renal biopsy and/or at start of immunosuppressive therapy), and were prescribed RASis during the study period, respectively. Sixty-five patients experienced first CR (incidence rate, 5.05/100 person-months). RASi use was associated with a higher (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-4.84), and lower (aIRR: 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.68) first CR in patients with membranous nephropathy and other pathologies, respectively. CONCLUSION: RASis are beneficial as adjuvant therapy for inducing remission in patients with membranous nephropathy.

Effect of Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis on Quality of Life in Patients with Diabetes, Proteinuria, and Hypercholesterolemia.

INTRODUCTION: Treating diabetic nephropathy with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis reduces proteinuria and improves prognosis. However, its impact on patients' quality of life (QoL) is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of LDL apheresis on QoL in patients with diabetes, proteinuria, and hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: In this nationwide multicenter prospective study, we enrolled 40 patients with diabetes. Inclusion criteria were proteinuria (defined as an albumin/creatinine ratio ≥3 g/g), serum creatinine levels <2 mg/dL, and serum LDL ≥120 mg/dL despite drug treatment. LDL apheresis was performed 6-12 times within 12 weeks. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to analyze QoL. RESULTS: The study enrolled 35 patients (27 men and 8 women; mean age 58.9 ± 11.9 years). A comparison of baseline SF-36 values with those at the end of the course of apheresis found an improvement in the mean physical component summary (37.9 ± 11.4 vs. 40.6 ± 10.5, p = 0.051) and a significant increase in the mean mental component summary (MCS) (49.4 ± 8.4 vs. 52.5 ± 10.9, p = 0.026). A multivariable linear regression analysis revealed a history of coronary heart disease negatively correlated with the MCS increase at the end of the course of apheresis (ß coefficient -6.935, 95% confidence interval, 13.313 to-0.556, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that LDL apheresis may improve the mental and physical QoL in patients with diabetes, proteinuria, and hypercholesterolemia.

A nationwide analysis of renal and patient outcomes for adults with lupus nephritis in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) has improved following the introduction of effective immunosuppressive therapy and progress in supportive care. This study examined recent renal and patient prognosis for adults with LN in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study of LN patients who received a renal biopsy between 2007 and 2012 that were registered in the Japan Renal Biopsy Registry. Of 623 registered adults with LN from 25 institutions and their affiliated or community hospitals, 489 were eligible for this study. RESULTS: The median age at renal biopsy was 39 years, and 82.2% of patients were female. Renal biopsies were performed in 348 patients with new-onset LN, 106 with relapse LN, and 35 with refractory LN. The distribution of ISN/RPS 2003 Classes was as follows: I 1.6%; II 5.3%; III (± V) 27.0%; IV (± V) 47.0%; V 18.4%; VI 0.6%. During the median observation period of 63.8 months, 36 patients (7.3%) reached a doubling of serum creatinine or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and 28 patients (5.7%) died. The 5 year renal and patient survival rates were 93.9% and 94.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were independent risk factors for a doubling of serum creatinine in ESKD. Age and eGFR were independent risk factors for death. CONCLUSION: Recent prognosis for adults with LN are relatively good in Japan. Risk factors for impaired renal function are BMI and eGFR at renal biopsy, while age and eGFR are risk factors for death.

Deep learning analysis of clinical course of primary nephrotic syndrome: Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS).

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of nephrotic syndrome has been evaluated based on pathological diagnosis, whereas its clinical course is monitored using objective items and the treatment strategy is largely the same. We examined whether the entire natural history of nephrotic syndrome could be evaluated using objective common clinical items. METHODS: Machine learning clustering was performed on 205 cases from the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, whose clinical parameters, serum creatinine, serum albumin, dipstick hematuria, and proteinuria were traceable after kidney biopsy at 5 measured points up to 2 years. The clinical patterns of time-series data were learned using long short-term memory (LSTM)-encoder-decoder architecture, an unsupervised machine learning classifier. Clinical clusters were defined as Gaussian mixture distributions in a two-dimensional scatter plot based on the highest log-likelihood. RESULTS: Time-series data of nephrotic syndrome were classified into four clusters. Patients in the fourth cluster showed the increase in serum creatinine in the later part of the follow-up period. Patients in both the third and fourth clusters were initially high in both hematuria and proteinuria, whereas a lack of decline in the urinary protein level preceded the worsening of kidney function in fourth cluster. The original diseases of fourth cluster included all the disease studied in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Four kinds of clinical courses were identified in nephrotic syndrome. This classified clinical course may help objectively grasp the actual condition or treatment resistance of individual patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Effects of LDL apheresis on proteinuria in patients with diabetes mellitus, severe proteinuria, and dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes mellitus and severe proteinuria present with poor renal prognoses, despite improvements in diabetes and kidney disease therapies. In this study, we designed a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol apheresis treatment for patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN)/diabetic kidney disease and severe proteinuria. This was a multicenter prospective LICENSE study to confirm the impact of LDL apheresis on proteinuria that exhibited hyporesponsiveness to treatment. In addition, we sought to determine the efficacy and safety of LDL apheresis by comparing the outcomes to those of historical controls in patients with diabetes, refractory hypercholesterolemia, and severe proteinuria. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter study, including 40 patients with diabetes, severe proteinuria, and dyslipidemia. LDL apheresis was performed 6-12 times over a 12-week period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a decrease in proteinuria excretion of at least 30% in the 6 months after starting therapy. The secondary endpoints included serum creatinine levels and laboratory variables, which were evaluated 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after therapy initiation. RESULTS: LDL apheresis was performed on 40 registered patients with diabetes. The proportion of cases in which proteinuria decreased by 30% or more after 6 months of LDL apheresis was 25%, which was similar to that of historical controls. The overall survival and end-stage kidney disease-free survival rates were significantly higher in the LICENSE group compared to those in historical controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that LDL apheresis may be effective and safe for patients with diabetes, proteinuria, and dyslipidemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: jRCTs042180076.

Better remission rates in elderly Japanese patients with primary membranous nephropathy in nationwide real-world practice: The Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS).

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to clarify the prevalence of immunosuppressive drug use and outcomes in elderly and non-elderly patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) in nationwide real-world practice in Japan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2010, 374 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome were enrolled in the cohort study (The Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, JNSCS), including 126 adult patients with MN. Their clinical characteristics were compared with those of nephrotic patients with primary MN registered in a large nationwide registry (The Japan Renal Biopsy Registry, J-RBR). Outcomes and predictors in the elderly (≥ 65 years) and non-elderly groups were identified. RESULTS: Similar clinical characteristics were observed in JNSCS patients and J-RBR patients (n = 1808). At the early stage of 1 month, 84.1% of patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapies. No significant differences were observed in therapies between age groups. However, elderly patients achieved complete remission (CR) more frequently than non-elderly patients, particularly those treated with therapies that included corticosteroids. No significant differences were noted in serum creatinine (sCr) elevations at 50 or 100%, end-stage kidney disease, or all-cause mortality between age groups. Corticosteroids were identified as an independent predictor of CR (HR 2.749, 95%CI 1.593-4.745, p = 0.000) in the multivariate Cox's model. sCr levels, hemoglobin levels, immunosuppressants, clinical remission, and relapse after CR were independent predictors of sCr × 1.5 or × 2.0. CONCLUSION: Early immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids for primary MN showed better remission rates in elderly patients in a nationwide cohort study.

Incidence of remission and relapse of proteinuria, end-stage kidney disease, mortality, and major outcomes in primary nephrotic syndrome: the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS).

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in immunosuppressive therapy for patients with primary nephrotic syndrome, its effectiveness and safety have not been fully studied in recent nationwide real-world clinical data in Japan. METHODS: A 5-year cohort study, the Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study, enrolled 374 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome in 55 hospitals in Japan, including 155, 148, 38, and 33 patients with minimal change disease (MCD), membranous nephropathy (MN), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and other glomerulonephritides, respectively. The incidence rates of remission and relapse of proteinuria, 50% and 100% increases in serum creatinine, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), all-cause mortality, and other major adverse outcomes were compared among glomerulonephritides using the Log-rank test. Incidence of hospitalization for infection, the most common cause of mortality, was compared using a multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Immunosuppressive therapy was administered in 339 (90.6%) patients. The cumulative probabilities of complete remission within 3 years of the baseline visit was ≥ 0.75 in patients with MCD, MN, and FSGS (0.95, 0.77, and 0.79, respectively). Diabetes was the most common adverse events associated with immunosuppressive therapy (incidence rate, 71.0 per 1000 person-years). All-cause mortality (15.6 per 1000 person-years), mainly infection-related mortality (47.8%), was more common than ESKD (8.9 per 1000 person-years), especially in patients with MCD and MN. MCD was significantly associated with hospitalization for infection than MN. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MCD and MN had a higher mortality, especially infection-related mortality, than ESKD. Nephrologists should pay more attention to infections in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome.

Low-dose atrial natriuretic peptide for prevention or treatment of acute kidney injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Theoretically, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), especially low-dose ANP, is beneficial in acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we examined whether low-dose ANP is effective in preventing or treating AKI by conducting an updated systematic review for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHOD: We searched the Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), PubMed, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases for RCTs that compare the effects of low-dose ANP (≤ 50 ng/kg/min) with a placebo or conventional therapy in at-risk patients or patients with AKI. The primary outcome was the incidence of new AKI (in prevention RCTs), while the secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality rate, renal replacement therapy (RRT) requirement, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, incidence of hypotension, and peak serum creatinine levels. The risk-of-bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used for each outcome of interest. RESULTS: A total of 18 RCTs (16 prevention and two treatment trials) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. In prevention RCTs, the incidence of new AKI was significantly low in the low-dose ANP group (relative risk [RR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36-0.72; P = 0.0001) compared to the control group. In addition, the low-dose ANP group showed a significantly reduced RRT requirement in both prevention (RR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.04-0.64; P = 0.009) and treatment (RR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.20-0.93; P = 0.03) RCTs. Among secondary outcomes, in some cases, low-dose ANP was associated with a reduction in ICU and in-hospital stay. The risk-of-bias assessment and TSA results indicated that the sample sizes and qualities of the RCTs were insufficient to conclude the efficacy of low-dose ANP. CONCLUSION: Low-dose ANP might be effective in preventing or treating AKI. However, the evidence accumulated so far is not strong enough to demonstrate ANP's beneficial effects. The next step is to elucidate the effects of low-dose ANP by conducting multicenter, high-quality, large-sample RCTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registry CRD42017068568 . Registered 20 June 2017.

Crescentic poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis accompanied by small vessel vasculitis: case report of an elderly male.

BACKGROUND: Poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) in the elderly tends to have a severe clinical course and often presents with crescentic necrotizing glomerulonephritis in the renal biopsy. However, vasculitis lesions are unusual. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 71-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for a recurrent gout attack with a rapid decline of renal function. Low C3 levels and a high anti-streptolysin O titer were observed, while myeloperoxidase- and proteinase 3- antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) were negative. In addition to cellular crescent and necrosis lesions, diffuse peritubular capillaritis and venulitis as well as small arteriole vasculitis in the glomerular hilus were also apparent. Although granular C3c deposits in the capillary wall and hump lesions were not found, immunofluorescent staining for nephritis-associated plasmin receptor (NAPlr) and in situ zymography for plasmin activity were both positive. We thus diagnosed PSAGN accompanied by small vessel vasculitis. Steroid therapy gradually improved the patient's renal function, and hemodialysis was discontinued after 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: In our case, streptococcus infection might have concurrently provoked vasculitis, and NAPlr staining was useful for confirming diagnosis.

Outcome From a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial　- Improvement of Peripheral Arterial Disease by Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor-Mobilized Autologous Peripheral-Blood-Mononuclear Cell Transplantation (IMPACT).

BACKGROUND: The clinical usefulness of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cell (MNC) transplantation in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), especially in those with mild-to-moderate severity, has not been fully clarified.Methods and Results:A randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized PBMNC transplantation in patients with PAD (Fontaine stage II-IV and Rutherford category 1-5) caused by arteriosclerosis obliterans or Buerger's disease. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). In total, 107 subjects were enrolled. At baseline, Fontaine stage was II/III in 82 patients and IV in 21, and 54 patients were on hemodialysis. A total of 50 patients had intramuscular transplantation of PBMNC combined with standard of care (SOC) (cell therapy group), and 53 received SOC only (control group). PFS tended to be improved in the cell therapy group than in the control group (P=0.07). PFS in Fontaine stage II/III subgroup was significantly better in the cell therapy group than in the control group. Cell therapy-related adverse events were transient and not serious. CONCLUSIONS: In this first randomized, large-scale clinical trial of G-CSF-mobilized PBMNC transplantation, the cell therapy was tolerated by a variety of PAD patients. The PBMNC therapy was significantly effective for inhibiting disease progression in mild-to-moderate PAD.

The features in IgA-dominant infection-related glomerulonephritis distinct from IgA nephropathy: a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: IgA-dominant infection-related glomerulonephritis (IgA-IRGN) is a unique form of IRGN, which needs to be distinguished from IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: Thirteen patients with IgA-IRGN (IgA-IRGN group) and 122 with IgAN (IgAN group) were selected from 1788 patients who underwent kidney biopsy between 2000 and 2015 in Kitano Hospital. Data selected included clinical and serological parameters; light and electron microscope findings; immunofluorescence findings; and prognostic parameters like renal and overall survival and creatinine increase by > 50%. In addition, a 26-patient IgAN cohort (matching-IgAN), matching with IgA-IRGN group with respect to age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria was segregated for comparison. RESULTS: Compared to IgAN group, IgA-IRGN group were older, had lower hemoglobin, higher CRP, lower eGFR, heavier proteinuria, lower serum albumin, and higher serum IgG and IgA levels (p < 0.05). Endocapillary hypercellularity, deposition of immune complexes along the glomerular capillary wall, and subendothelial and subepithelial electron dense deposits were more frequently observed (p < 0.05); and they were more susceptible to renal dysfunction and poorer prognosis. After propensity score-matching, serum albumin was significantly lower in the IgA-IRGN group. Significantly subendothelial and subepithelial deposits were frequently observed in this group. Matching-IgAN group showed relatively advanced sclerotic lesions with more global sclerosis and fibrous crescent. CONCLUSION: Local inflammation involved glomerular capillary wall in IgA-IRGN, in contrast to relatively chronic and sclerotic renal lesion in IgAN, might result in poorer prognosis in former, even under indistinguishable condition of deteriorated renal function and proteinuria.

The Japanese clinical practice guideline for acute kidney injury 2016.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome which has a broad range of etiologic factors depending on different clinical settings. Because AKI has significant impacts on prognosis in any clinical settings, early detection and intervention is necessary to improve the outcomes of AKI patients. This clinical guideline for AKI was developed by a multidisciplinary approach with nephrology, intensive care medicine, blood purification, and pediatrics. Of note, clinical practice for AKI management which was widely performed in Japan was also evaluated with comprehensive literature search.

Rationale and study design of a clinical trial to assess the effects of LDL apheresis on proteinuria in diabetic patients with severe proteinuria and dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in the world. Although various types of treatment for diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia have improved prognosis and quality of life in patients with diabetic nephropathy, there still exist some diabetic patients with severe proteinuria showing poor prognosis. This clinical trial, LICENSE, aims to confirm the impact of LDL apheresis on proteinuria exhibiting hyporesponsiveness to treatment. METHODS: This ongoing trial is a multicenter, prospective study of diabetic patients with severe proteinuria. The objective is to examine the impact of LDL apheresis on proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The other subject is to investigate safety of LDL apheresis in these patients. RESULTS: The subjects consist of diabetic patients with serum creatinine (Cr) levels below 2 mg/dL who present severe proteinuria above 3 g/g Cr or 3 g/day and LDL cholesterol above 120 mg/dL. The target number of registered patients will be 35 patients. Urinary protein excretion and renal function will be observed for 24 weeks after the treatment of LDL apheresis. CONCLUSION: This study will determine the effectiveness and safety of LDL apheresis for diabetic nephropathy patients with severe proteinuria and dyslipidemia.

Regional variations in immunosuppressive therapy in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome: the Japan nephrotic syndrome cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The lack of high-quality clinical evidences hindered broad consensus on optimal therapies for primary nephrotic syndromes. The aim of the present study was to compare prevalence of immunosuppressive drug use in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome across 6 regions in Japan. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2010, 380 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome in 56 hospitals were enrolled in a prospective cohort study [Japan Nephrotic Syndrome Cohort Study (JNSCS)], including 141, 151, and 38 adult patients with minimal change disease (MCD), membranous nephropathy (MN), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), respectively. Their clinical characteristics were compared with those of patients registered in a large nationwide registry of kidney biopsies [Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR)]. The regional prevalence of use of each immunosuppressive drug was assessed among adult MCD, MN, and FSGS patients who underwent immunosuppressive therapy in the JNSCS (n = 139, 127, and 34, respectively). Predictors of its use were identified using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of JNSCS patients were comparable to those of J-RBR patients, suggesting that the JNSCS included the representatives in the J-RBR. The secondary major immunosuppressive drugs were intravenous methylprednisolone [n = 33 (24.6%), 24 (19.7%), and 9 (28.1%) in MCD, MN, and FSGS, respectively] and cyclosporine [n = 25 (18.7%), 62 (50.8%), and 16 (50.0%), respectively]. The region was identified as a significant predictor of use of intravenous methylprednisolone in MCD and MN patients. CONCLUSION: Use of intravenous methylprednisolone for MCD and MN differed geographically in Japan. Its efficacy should be further evaluated in a well-designed trial.

The use of cinacalcet hinders the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma in a chronic dialysis patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication in patients receiving chronic dialysis therapy. Although cinacalcet can control parathyroid function and bone turnover, preventing ectopic calcification remains challenging. Cinacalcet can also suppress PTH secretion due to parathyroid carcinoma in the same way as it does for parathyroid hyperplasia in the uremic condition. We present a case of parathyroid carcinoma partially controlled by cinacalcet, in which tumorous calcinosis was successfully resolved by total parathyroidectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A female patient in her forties who had received dialysis for 12 years was referred to our hospital for painful ectopic calcifications on her right hip joint and both knees. Although she had been treated with alfacalcidol and cinacalcet for 2 years, this therapy had been discontinued 6 months earlier as a result of hypercalcemia. The patient exhibited normocalcemia (2.37 mmol/L) and hyperphosphatemia (2.42 mmol/L) with elevated intact parathyroid hormone (707,000 µg/L). Ultrasonography revealed an enlarged parathyroid gland on the left lower side of the thyroid gland. The otolaryngologist surgeons had to perform an en bloc excision to remove this parathyroid gland because of tight adhesions. Histological examination revealed that parathyroid cells had invaded the surrounding skeletal muscle through fibrous capsules, consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. Her joint pain disappeared 2 weeks after parathyroidectomy, and the tumorous calcinosis had largely resolved after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hyperparathyroidism in end-stage kidney disease. Our case indicates that the use of cinacalcet hinders the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma in a chronic dialysis patient. When uncontrolled hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphathemia develop during cinacalcet administration, parathyroidectomy should be considered to prevent a vicious exacerbation of ectopic calcification.

Annual Iron Loss Associated with Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: In order to keep up the optimal iron status in chronic hemodialysis patients, it is important to know how much iron is lost due to hemodialysis. Residual blood associated with the hemodialysis procedure together with blood sampling inevitably causes the loss of iron in chronic hemodialysis patients. Recent advances in hemodialysis techniques might have reduced this complication. In this cross-sectional study, we directly measured total iron loss by hemodialysis. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-nine patients who received chronic hemodialysis at Otowa Memorial Hospital were enrolled; 65.7% of patients were men, and mean age was 67 ± 6.4 years (mean ± SD) and 43.2% were diabetic. Residual blood in blood tubing set and dialyzer after rinse back with saline was collected and homogenized. The iron content including free, protein-bound and heme iron was measured using an atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean iron content in residual blood was 1,247.3 ± 796.2 µg (mean ± SD) and the median was 1,002 µg (95% CI 377.6-3,461.6 µg), indicating 160.8 mg (95% CI 58.9-540.0 mg) iron loss annually when hemodialysis was performed 156 times a year. Fifty milliliter whole blood for monthly blood test and another 2 ml of whole blood lost by paracentesis at every dialysis session contains 228.6 and 118.9 mg iron at 11 g/dl hemoglobin, respectively. Therefore, an annual total iron loss due to hemodialysis comes to 508.3 mg (95% CI 406.4-887.5 mg). CONCLUSIONS: Five hundred milligram of annual iron supplementation might be sufficient to maintain iron status in hemodialysis patients, which is less than the dose recommended as 1,000-2,000 mg a year. Further study will be required to verify this iron supplementation dosage with recent hemodialysis procedure.

Gender- and disease-specific urinary thioredoxin in chronic kidney disease patients with or without type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

AIM: The role of urinary (U-) thioredoxin (Trx), a class of small redox proteins, in physiological and pathological conditions, in addition to its gender specificity, has been insufficiently determined in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, especially in diabetes mellitus (DM) nephropathy. METHODS: U-Trx was measured cross-sectionally in 110 CKD outpatients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of >15 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) , namely, in 57 type 2 DM patients (male: n = 41, female: n = 16) and 53 non-DM patients (M: n = 33, F: n = 20), as well as 30 healthy controls (M: n = 11, F: n = 19). Comparisons were made among controls, DM and non-DM, and between M and F, with clinical parameters compared in each group. In addition, a comparison between average U-Trx level and the changes of renal function during a one-year period was performed. RESULTS: U-Trx was significantly higher in females than in males in controls (P < 0.05) and in non-DM patients (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that urinary protein (UP)/creatinine (Cr) ratio, female sex and HbA1c were independent factors affecting U-Trx among all subjects (adjusted R(2) = 0.468). In DM patients, U-Trx was negatively correlated with eGFR, especially in males, and positively correlated with UP/Cr and NAG in both sexes (all P < 0.01), as well as with systolic blood pressure in all (P < 0.05). Average U-Trx was positively correlated with the rate of annual eGFR decline of male (P < 0.01) but not female DM patients. CONCLUSION: U-Trx might have a gender-specific physiological and pathological role and be a potent marker of renal damage in DM nephropathy.

Case of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 apheresis in severe pre-eclampsia developed at 15 weeks' gestation.

Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1), a circulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 antagonist, is associated with the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Extracorporeal removal of sFlt1 (sFlt1 apheresis) is emerging as a treatment for pre-eclampsia. We performed sFlt1 apheresis for a patient with very early onset pre-eclampsia, beginning at 15 weeks' gestation. She underwent sFlt1 apheresis 13 times from 19 to 23 weeks' gestation. The series of treatments lowered circulating sFlt1, stabilized blood pressure, reduced urinary protein, and preserved renal function, which contributed to a successful prolongation of pregnancy for 4 weeks and a live birth at 23(+3) weeks' gestation. Further studies are necessary for clinical application of sFlt1 apheresis as sFlt1 might have a protective function for the placenta and fetus in pre-eclampsia.