Effects of fasting during the month of Ramadan on renal function in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
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BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of fasting during the month of Ramadan on autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (-ADPKD) patients with normal to near-normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients with ADPKD, the majority of whom had normal or near-normal GFR. Patients were divided into two groups: the fasting group (FG) and the nonfasting group (NFG). Assessments in the NFG were performed 1 week before and 1 month after Ramadan, while FG patients were assessed on the last day of fasting in addition to the abovementioned visits. The following parameters were checked at each visit: blood pressure (BP), weight, sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, lipid profile, bicarbonate, urine density, 24-hour urine volume, 24-hour urine protein, GFR, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Kidney function tests were carried out on the 7th day of fasting in the FG for the identification of early kidney damage. RESULTS: Of the overall group of 54 patients, 23 were in FG (19 female) and 31 were in NFG (18 female). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, ADPKD duration, and presence of hypertension. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values of FG and NFG were 86.4 ± 18.5 and 66.1 ± 36.5 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. During the follow-up period, no significant changes occurred in BP, weight, creatinine, 24-hour urine volume, NGAL, KIM-1, or GFR in either group (p > 0.05), while 24-hour urinary protein was significantly decreased in FG (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A fasting duration of ~ 17 hours a day did not affect renal function negatively in patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease due to ADPKD. Also, no significant changes occurred in acute renal failure markers.
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Endocan and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Endocan is a newly identified proteoglycan released from endothelium, stimulating angiogenesis and when increased, indicates endothelial activation (inflammation). Our aim was to examine the association between serum endocan levels and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). METHOD: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and normal serum creatinine who had no co-morbidities other than hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, or neuropathy were divided into normoalbuminuria (G1), microalbuminuria (G2), and macroalbuminuria (G3) groups and compared cross-sectionally regarding serum endocan levels. RESULT: There were 55, 47, and 35 patients in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. The groups were comparable in terms of gender, age, duration of diabetes, diabetic neuropathy/retinopathy, fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum creatinine level, and eGFR. Patients in G3 had significantly higher blood pressure but lower serum albumin and endocan levels. UACR showed a negative bivariate correlation with serum endocan levels (r = -.282, p = .001). There was bivariate positive correlation between endocan and systolic blood pressure (r=.185, p = .030). In linear regression analysis, UACR was negatively correlated with endocan while positively correlated with systolic blood pressure, duration of diabetes, and platelet distribution width. CONCLUSION: Patients with macroalbuminuria had lower endocan levels, and increasing UACR was associated with decreasing serum endocan levels. Despite the occurrence of angiogenesis and glomerular hypertrophy in the early phase of diabetic nephropathy, ensuing significant renal injury over time may reduce the expression of endocan. Serum endocan levels may represent a novel marker for nephropathy progression.

GAS6 intron 8 c.834 + 7G > A gene polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND - AIM: In animal experiments, growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) protein plays a key role in the development of mesangial cell and glomerular hypertrophy in the early phase of diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy is prevented by warfarin-induced inhibition of GAS6 protein. It was shown that GAS6 intron 8 c.834 + 7G > A polymorphism is protective against type 2 diabetes mellitus, and AA genotype is associated with higher blood levels of GAS6 protein. Our aim is to investigate whether this polymorphism is a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHOD: Eighty-seven patients with diabetic nephropathy were compared with 66 non-diabetic controls in terms of GAS6 intron 8 c.834 + 7G > A polymorphism. Patients with history of stroke, ischemic heart disease were excluded. Each patient was examined by the ophthalmologist to determine diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: Frequency of GG, GA and AA genotypes are similar in diabetic nephropathy and control groups according to GAS6 intron 8 c.834 + 7G > A polymorphism (p = .837). Rate of diabetic retinopathy was 54.02%. In the subgroup analysis, GA genotype was significantly more frequent than GG genotype in patients with diabetic retinopathy when compared to without diabetic retinopathy (p = .010). CONCLUSION: In our study, GAS6 intron 8 c.834 + 7G > A polymorphism was not associated with diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, heterozygous state of this polymorphism may be a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of primary glomerular diseases in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to delineate the demographic and clinical properties of primary glomerular diseases of adult population in our country in the light of global knowledge. METHODS: All over the country, a total of 25 centers entered data between May 2009 and July 2012 to the database created by 'Glomerulonephritis Study Group' of Turkish Society of Nephrology. Demographic and clinical characteristics, specific diagnoses of glomerular diseases and biopsy findings recorded to the database were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 1,274 patients, who had renal biopsy within the defined time period, 55 % were male and 45 % were female. The mean age was 40.8 ± 14.6 years. The most frequent indication for biopsy was nephrotic syndrome (57.8 %), followed by nephritic syndrome including rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (16.6 %) and asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (10.8 %). The most frequent primary glomerular disease was membranous nephropathy (28.8 %), followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (19.3 %) and IgA nephropathy (17.2 %). CONCLUSION: The presented study displayed important data about the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases among adults in our country. The predominance of membranous nephropathy in contrast to other countries, in which the most frequent etiology is IgA nephropathy, seems to be due to differences in the indications for renal biopsy.

Assessment of serum apelin and lipocalin-2 levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: Subclinical hypothyroidism is the precursor to hypothyroidism because it has a tendency to transform into hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is considered one of the risk factors causing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome can be characterized by plasma levels of apelin and lipocalin-2, both released from adipocytes. In the present study, we aimed to measure serum apelin and lipocalin-2 levels of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and compare them with serum apelin and lipocalin-2 levels from healthy individuals. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 80 subjects were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups: Group A included 39 patients (females, n=34) diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism, and Group B (the control group) comprised 41 healthy volunteers (females, n=38). Serum samples were obtained from each participant for the measurement of apelin and lipocalin-2. These were then stored at minus 80°C until the time of analysis, when serum apelin and lipocalin-2 levels of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (Group A and Group B subjects [healthy controls]) were comparable with respect to gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) (P=0.412, P=0.863, and P=0.269, respectively), nor was there a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of apelin and lipocalin-2 levels (P=0.87, and P=0.67, respectively). Apelin levels showed a positive and significant correlation with BMI (P=0.034). Serum lipocalin-2 levels showed significant positive correlations with BMI and creatinine levels (P=0.002, and P=0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the present study, no significant difference of serum apelin and lipocalin-2 levels was observed between patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and healthy control subjects. Positive correlations were found, however, between serum apelin level and BMI as well as between serum lipocalin-2 and BMI and creatinine levels.

Serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress in patients with adult nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that low paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity is associated with a risk of an early development of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated serum paraoxonase, and arylesterase activities and oxidative stress in patients with adult nephrotic syndrome (NS). In addition, we examined the relationship between these measurements and atherosclerosis. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with NS and 21 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum basal and salt-stimulated paraoxonase activities, arylesterase activity, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total thiol (SH) levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum basal and salt-stimulated paraoxonase activities, arylesterase activity and total SH levels were significantly lower in patients with NS than in controls (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), whereas LOOH levels were significantly higher (p<0.05). Serum LOOH levels were significantly correlated with total-SH levels in patients with NS (r=-0.467; p<0.01). Moreover, proteinuria levels were significantly correlated with serum LOOH levels (r=0.397; p<0.01), whereas no correlation was found among serum paraoxonase activity, arylesterase activity and total-SH levels in NS patients (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that oxidative stress is increased, while serum PON1 activity is decreased in patients with adult NS. In addition, these results indicate that lower PON1 activity is associated with an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance that may contribute to atherosclerosis in adult patients with NS.

Investigation of the relationship between serum levels of cotinine and the renal function in active and passive smokers.

OBJECTIVE: We have investigated the effects of active and passive smoking on renal functions in terms of glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, and ß-2 microglobulin excretion. DESIGN AND METHOD: The volunteers included in this study were classified into three groups as active smokers (n = 24), passive smokers (n = 20), and controls (n = 20). Blood and urine samples were collected from all groups. Serum glucose, urea, creatinine, and cotinine levels in the collected blood samples were measured. Also, microalbumin, ß-2 microglobulin, and creatinine levels were measured in the collected urine samples. RESULTS: Serum cotinine levels were found to be higher in both passive and active smokers when compared with controls ( p < 0.01), whereas urinary microalbumin and creatinine levels were significantly higher in active smokers ( p < 0.01). The urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio was significantly increased in both active and passive smokers compared with controls. CONCLUSION: The kidney and the glomerular functions may be affected even by passive smoking. In addition, increased microalbumin/creatinine ratio may be a sign of increased atherosclerosis risk in these persons.

The importance of oxidative stress in patients with chronic renal failure whose hypertension is treated with peritoneal dialysis.

Increased oxidative stress is a well-known phenomenon in dialysis patients. However, the contribution of hypertension to the oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients has not yet been assessed. The present study aimed to investigate if hypertension had an additional effect on oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients. A total of 50 patients treated with peritoneal dialysis were divided into two groups: The patients with mean of last three blood pressure results as 135/90 mmHg and above were considered hypertensive, the patients with lower blood pressure were considered normotensive. The control group included 25 healthy individuals. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were measured in all groups. MDA level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group, while the increase in the normotensive group was not significant. However, the difference between the hypertensive and normotensive groups was significant. The levels of AOPP, an indicator of protein oxidation level, and MPO, an indicator of neutrophil activation, were not different between the groups, while the activities of antioxidant CAT and GSH-Px decreased in both normotensive and hypertensive groups compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference between the patient groups. This study shows that both normotensive and hypertensive peritoneal dialysis patients have increased-oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels and hypertension might have an additional effect on oxidative stress by increasing MDA level in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Can renal infarction occur after renal cyst aspiration? Case report.

Renal infarction (RI) is a rarely seen disorder, and the diagnosis is often missed. The two major causes of RI are thromboemboli originhating from a thrombus in the heart or aorta, and in-situ thrombosis of a renal artery. We report a case of RI that developed due to renal artery and vein thrombosis, as confirmed by pathological evaluation of the nephrectomy material, three weeks after renal cyst aspiration.

Successful management of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I in pregnancy.

PURPOSE: We report the successful management of a pregnancy with preexisting nephrotic syndrome due to biopsy-proven primary membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I. METHODS: A 21-year-old Turkish woman with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I was followed up by the obstetrics and gynecology, and nephrology departments of a university hospital throughout her pregnancy starting from the 25th week of gestation. RESULTS: Due to progression of intrauterine growth retardation and fetal distress, a cesarean section was performed in the 33rd week of gestation. Although creatinine was unchanged, proteinuria increased with relatively stable albumin levels 3 months after delivery and her treatment was adjusted accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: If the mother is not suffering from hypertension or renal insufficiency, specific therapy for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I during pregnancy provided by a nephrologist together with regular obstetric care may allow the patient to have a viable fetus, which might be growth retarded if proteinuria is increased.

Renal involvement in Brucella infection.

OBJECTIVES: To examine our patients with brucellosis and renal involvement. Although brucellae have been recovered from the urine of patients with brucellosis, renal involvement is uncommon. METHODS: The data from 15 patients (8 males and 7 females, mean age 43 +/- 18.9 years, range 16 to 80), who had been admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of brucellosis with renal involvement from 1998 to 2006, were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: In almost all cases, urinalysis revealed hematuria and variable amounts of proteinuria; some of the patients had pyuria. Of the 15 patients, 14 had renal failure. The etiology of renal failure was prerenal azotemia in 1, acute tubular necrosis because of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in 1, anuric tubulointerstitial nephritis due to rifampin use in 1, nephritis accompanied by brucellar endocarditis in 3, brucellar endocarditis and tubulointerstitial nephritis-associated vasculitis in 1, brucellar membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 1, and brucellar tubulointerstitial nephritis clinically in 6 patients. Hemodialysis was required in 5 patients. Chronic renal failure developed in 1 patient, 2 patients were lost to follow-up, and renal function completely recovered in 11 patients. Two patients underwent renal biopsy and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with intraglomerular infiltration of histiocytes was identified in 1 patient and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with vasculitis and immune complex nephritis features was identified in the other. CONCLUSIONS: In areas endemic for brucellosis, this infection can be associated with hematuria, proteinuria, and renal failure. In addition, many diverse etiologies can play a role in the renal involvement associated with Brucella infection.

Successful treatment of nephrotic syndrome due to FMF amyloidosis with azathioprine: report of three Turkish cases.

Secondary amyloidosis is a well-known complication of certain familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We presented three Turkish patients with FMF and biopsy proven amyloidosis. These patients were treated with colchicine 1.5 mg/day. They have experienced five to six peritonitis attacks with fever within 1 year. On admission, the laboratory test results were as follows: serum creatinine 2.3, 0.6, and 0.5 mg/dl; albumin 4.2, 1.9, and 1.8 g/dl; and urinary protein excretion 4, 15, and 10 g/day, respectively. All the patients were started azathioprine (AZA) 100 mg/day and attacks were completely stopped. Laboratory findings were as follows after 1 year of AZA treatment: serum creatinine 1, 0.8, and 0.6 mg/dl; albumin 4.3, 3, and 3.5 g/dl; and urinary protein excretion 3, 8, and 1.5 g/day, respectively. Treatment with azathioprine in addition to colchicine could ameliorate the nephrotic syndrome and control the attacks very effectively in these cases.

The effect of colchicine on the peritoneal membrane.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment modality for patients with renal failure. Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most serious complications after long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Histological studies in both humans and animals show that chronic peritoneal dialysis results in fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane. In our study, we investigated the effect of colchicine on peritoneal alterations induced by hypertonic PD solution in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats intraperitoneally received saline (control group) once daily, for 28 days, or 3.86% glucose (PDF group), or 3.86% glucose plus colchicine (colchicine group). Animals from each group were sacrificed after 28 days with anesthetized ketamine (60 mg/kg BW). For the PD fluid assessment, 1 h before the sacrifice of animals, 10 mL PD fluid of 2.27% glucose was given, and this fluid was obtained after the sacrifice. The levels of transforming endothelial growth factor beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and albumin were investigated both in the peritoneal dialysate and blood, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated only in peritoneal dialysate. The peritoneal membrane was evaluated histologically by light microscopy. When groups were compared in terms of body weight change, the colchicine group significantly lost weight compared to controls and PDF group (-4.7% + 4.5, 3.5% +/- 7.2, 3.0% +/- 1.3, respectively, p = 0.018). Also, the blood albumin level was significantly lower for these in the colchicine group compared to those in the PDF group (2.7 +/- 0.35 versus 3.2 +/- 0.3 g/dL, respectively, p = 0.048). The blood TGF-beta level was significantly lower in the control group, and no difference was observed between the PDF and colchicine groups (294.4 +/- 67.5 versus 787.4 +/- 237.4 versus 615.3 +/- 235.1 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.004). The mesothelial thickness found in groups was as follows: control group 102 +/- 18.9 microm, PDF group 128.33 +/- 33.1 microm, colchicine group 117 +/- 35.6 microm (p = 0.34). In conclusion, a rat model for peritoneal dialysis associated peritoneal derangement without fibrosis could be induced. Colchicine could not prevent peritoneal derangement in this model.

Tuberculin skin test results and the booster phenomenon in two-step tuberculin skin testing in hemodialysis patients.

Patients with chronic renal failure are at increased risk for tuberculosis (TB). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended annual skin testing for TB, with tuberculin-purified protein derivative (PPD), in patients with chronic renal failure. Uremia alters the macrophage function, which can lead to anergy for skin tests. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test (TST) and the booster effect of TST in hemodialysis patients living in a relatively underdeveloped portion of the country. Material and Methods. Patients were recruited from Van (Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital, Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital) and the Mus State Hospital). At the time of this study, a total of 143 patients were under hemodialysis treatment in these hemodialysis centers, and among them, 124 were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained before inclusion in the study. A positive PPD was an induration of >10 mm in response to five tuberculin units of PPD (RT23-Tween 80), at 72 h. TST-negative patients received a booster TST 10 days later, approximately 10 cm away from the previous intracutaneous injection. The test dose could not be increased due to unavailability of this kind of preparation. The test was performed and interpreted in the same way. Skin testing was performed in June and December 2003. Patients with known active TB are not included in the study. Testing was not done in hospitalized patients to rule out effects of other disease states. Results. Mean age of the patients was 45.3 +/- 16 (range 13-82) years. All patients were on HD treatment twice (n: 14) or three times (n: 110) weekly. Duration of dialysis before TST was 30 +/- 17 (12-84) months. With the first test (n: 14), 11.3% of the patients showed a positive reaction; the second test added (n: 15) 12.1% more TST-positive patients, reaching a total of (n: 29) 23.4% of the patients with a positive TST. The

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on CD4+ and CD8+ numbers, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and immunoglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients.

Uremia induces a suppression of the immune status. A large clinical literature suggests that estradiol (E2) plays a critical role in immune function. A large proportion of women hemodialysis patients faced early menopause and inadequate estrogen levels. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy on immune function in terms of CD4+ numbers (inducer/helper T cells), CD8+ numbers (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), CD4+ / CD8+ ratio, and IgG, IgM, IgA levels in woman hemodialysis patients. In our study, 15 female hemodialysis patients (median age 32.6 range 24-45) were treated with triphasic estrogen/progesterone preparation (estradiol 2 mg for 10 days, and afterwards estradiol 2 mg+norethisterone 1 mg for another 10 days, and at the end estradiol 1 mg for 6 days) for 6 months. CD4+ numbers, CD8+ numbers, and IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were determined before and after HRT. The "paired-samples T" test was used for statistical analysis of pretreatment and posttreatment values. A significant increase was observed for CD4+ numbers (582 +/- 435 versus 637 +/- 445, p = 0.04) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (1.4 +/- 0.16 to 2.4 +/- 0.3, p < 0.01) after hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Serum immunoglobulin levels were not changed significantly. In conclusion, in postmenopausal hemodialysis patients, HRT significantly increased CD4+ numbers and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio, but no effect was observed in IgM, IgG, and IgA levels. Long-term clinical effects of HRT on immune system should be investigated in dialysis patients with further studies.

Nephropathy and retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients living at moderately high altitude and sea level.

BACKGROUND: High-altitude-induced hypoxia results in various diseases, such as chronic mountain sickness and high altitude retinal edema, and may affect severity and incidence of some cardiovascular diseases. In order to evaluate the effects of moderately high altitude on diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, a cross-sectional study was planned. MATERIAL METHOD: Long-term type II diabetic residents of sea level (n=75, 38 male, 37 female, mean age 51.9+/-10.5 in Trabzon and Zonguldak cities) and moderately high altitude (h = 1,727 m, n = 73, 28 male, 45 female, mean age 48.3+/-12.1, Van city) were compared. RESULTS: No difference was observed in terms of age, gender, diabetes duration, body mass index, smoking, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure values, serum glucose levels, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, hemoglobin, HbA1C, hypertension control, or blood pressure medications and retinopathy incidence. Mean 24 h protein excretion (210.0+/-139.9, 127.8+/-112.1 mg; P=0.00), proteinuria prevalence (57.5% versus 33.3%, p=0.003), and serum creatinine levels (1.04+/-0.22 versus 0.84+/-0.21, p = 0.00) were significantly higher in the highlanders, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly lower in sea level (SL) patients (90.9+/-26.5 versus 83+/-21.1, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Tendency to diabetic nephropathy as indicated by higher proteinuria and creatinine levels is increased among type 2 diabetic patients living at moderately high altitude. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.