Effects of statins on delaying progression of chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Whether statins can slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of statin therapy on disease progression in adult patients with CKD who did not require dialysis therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched the electronic databases for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published by February 2015. Random-effects meta-analysis of RCTs was used to pool the renal outcomes of the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-eight studies (30 RCTs) involving a total of 45 688 participants were included in the analysis. Compared with the control groups, statins produced no effects in preventing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) [relative risks (RR) 0.98, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.91-1.05] and in reducing the risk of doubling of the serum creatinine level (RR 1.43, 95% CI: 0.26-7.79). Statin therapy was associated with a lowered risk of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction by 25% or more (RR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-0.99) and delayed the reduction of eGFR [standardized mean differences (SMD) 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.07]. In subgroup analyses, the benefit of statins on changes in eGFR was statistically significant in patients with moderate CKD (SMD 0.09, 95% CI 0.04-0.13). Among different statins, atorvastatin was associated with a beneficial effect on kidney function (SMD 0.10, 95% CI 0.03-0.17). Patients who received high-intensity statin therapy showed significant changes in eGFR (SMD 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.21).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Statin therapies may not prevent ESRD or doubling of serum creatinine level, but can improve GFR or delay the reduction of GFR in CKD patients. The therapeutic effects are associated with the patients' baseline eGFR levels, statin types and therapy intensity.</p>

Effect of nitrotyrosine on renal expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1 in rats with diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of nitrotyrosine on renal expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat DN models established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) were randomly allocated into model group, nitrotyrosine group and ebselen group, with untreated rats as the normal control group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs for 8 weeks, and after the last administration, the 24-h urinary protein level was measured and the kidneys of the rats were harvested for detecting the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1 with immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidneys were assessed microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in the model group, the 24-h urinary protein level and expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1 mRNA and protein in the renal tissues were significantly increased by nitrotyrosine treatment, which also caused worsened renal pathology, while treatment with ebselen significantly ameliorated these changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nitrotyrosine can up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1 and aggravate the inflammatory reaction in the renal tissue of DN rats to promote the progression of DN.</p>

Effects of Shenkangwan on renal expressions of angiotensin II and its type I receptor in rats with early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Shenkangwan on the expressions of angiotensin II (AngII) and its type I receptor (AT(1)R) and the renalprotection mechanism of Shenkangwan in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat models of DN established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan and irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quality in 24 h and plasma and renal contents of AngII were measured. The expressions of AT1R at the protein and mRNA levels in the kidney tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidney were observed microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In DN rats, Shenkangwan reduced the urinary protein quantity in 24 h and the contents of AngII in the plasma and kidney tissues, decreased the renal expressions of AT(1)R protein and mRNA, and alleviated the morphological damage of the kidney.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Shenkangwan offers renalprotection against DN probably by reducing the contents of AngII in the plasma and kidney tissues and inhibiting renal AT(1)R expressions.</p>

Frequent peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: clinical characteristics, risk factors and treatments / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors of frequent peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted in the peritonitis patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our hospital. Frequent PD-related peritonitis was defined by two or more onsets in one year, and the patients with only one onset served as the control group. The clinical and laboratory data of the two groups were compared and the risk factors of PD-related peritonitis analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-four episodes of peritonitis were recorded in the 16 patients with frequent PD-related peritonitis, as compared to 53 episodes in the 45 control patients. Compared with those in the control group, the patients with frequent peritonitis had significantly higher blood pressure (P<or=0.05) but lower hemoglobulin (P<or=0.05) and plasma albumin (P<or=0.01), with higher rates of edema (P<or=0.01), gram-negative bacteria and fungal infection (P<or=0.05) and PD catheter removal (P<or=0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in age, mode of catheter placement surgery, intervals between PD initiation and peritonitis occurrence, inducing factors of peritonitis, incidence of dyspnea, serum creatinin, urea, calcium, mineral phosphorus, blood or dialysate leucocytes (P>0.05). Variables identified to be associated with an increased likelihood of frequent PD-related peritonitis included hemoglobulin<70 g/L (OR=0.135, P<or=0.01) and plasma albumin<30 g/L (OR=0.181, P<or=0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with the patients with only one annual occurrence of peritonitis, the patients with frequent PD-related peritonitis have severer malnutrition and water overload, which are probably correlated to the high rates of PD catheter removal and poor prognosis. Severe anemia and proteinemia are risk factors and also predictive factors of frequent PD-related peritonitis. Measures to ameliorate anemia and proteinemia and effective management of celiac endogenous infection may help prevent and control frequent PD-related peritonitis.</p>

A retrospective analysis of the six-year data of peritoneal dialysis in a single center / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the epidemiology, peritoneal dialysis (PD) related complications and survival outcomes of 236 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our center from January, 2004 to November, 2009.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data including patient gender, age, time of PD initiation, addresses, types of medical reimbursement, primary diseases, modes of PD catheter placement surgery, types of PD catheter, PD-related complications, and time of drop out were retrospectively analyzed. PD catheter migration rate, peritonitis rate, drop out rate (DOR), length of the time of PD therapy (TOT), and survival rate were calculated and compared with those of patients in other PD centers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of newly introduced patients increased gradually in the years from 2004 to 2009. The mean age of newly introduced patients was 47-/+16 years, and patients with age below 60 years accounted for 77.96%. Patients who paid for their own expenses accounted for 67.37% of all, and the rate of these patients decreased gradually. Similar to that in Asian-Pacific region, chronic glomerulonephritis was the most frequent cause of ESRD followed by diabetic nephropathy. The number of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis or obstructive nephropathy as the primary diseases was greater in this center than that reported in the Asian-Pacific region, accounting for 54.66% and 11.02% of all patients, respectively. In contrast, the patients with diabetic nephropathy or benign arteriolar renal sclerosis were less, accounting for 12.29% and 10.17% of all, respectively. PD catheter migration rate (8.05%) and peritonitis rate (1:44.22 patient-months) were both lower than those reported. The patient survival rates at 1, 2, 3 years were 83.65%, 51.59% and 29.81%, respectively, lower than those of other centers in the developed countries but higher than the mean levels in China. DOR decreased gradually to 11.56% in 2009, and TOT increased to 23.61 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The above characteristics of the patients are related to many factors, including the "PD first" principle, high prevalence of urinary calculosis in the primary source regions of most patients, preventive partial omentum resection in some patients, education and follow-up for patients, and increased expense cover by medical insurance.</p>

Effects of irbesartan on renal advanced glycation end products and their receptor in rats with early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of irbesartan on the renal expressions of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGEs) in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the renoprotection mechanism of irbesartan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat DN models established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into the model group and irbesartan treatment group. With normal rats as the control, all the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The 24-h urinary protein excretion and contents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues were measured. The expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs protein and mRNA in the kidney tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidney were also assessed microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Irbesartan significantly reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the contents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues of DN rats, resulting also in decreased expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs protein and mRNA levels in the kidney. The treatment obviously alleviated the pathological changes in the kidney of the DN rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Irbesartan offers renoprotection against DN possibly by reducing the serum and renal contents of AGEs and inhibiting the renal mRNA expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs.</p>