Effect of AST-120 on Endothelial Dysfunction in Adenine-Induced Uremic Rats.

Aim. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents endothelial dysfunction. Monocyte adhesion is recognized as the initial step of arteriosclerosis. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is considered to be a risk factor for arteriosclerosis in CKD. Oral adsorbent AST-120 retards deterioration of renal function, reducing accumulation of IS. In the present study, we determined the monocyte adhesion in the adenine-induced uremic rats in vivo and effects of AST-120 on the adhesion molecules. Methods. Twenty-four rats were divided into control, control+AST-120, adenine, and adenine+AST-120 groups. The number of monocytes adherent to the endothelium of thoracic aorta by imaging the entire endothelial surface and the mRNA expressions of adhesion and atherosclerosis-related molecules were examined on day 49. The mRNA expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were also examined. Results. Adenine increased the number of adherent monocytes, and AST-120 suppressed the increase. The monocyte adhesion was related to serum creatinine and IS in sera. Overexpression of VCAM-1 and TGF- ß 1 mRNA in the arterial walls was observed in uremic rats. IS induced increase of the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expressions in vitro. Conclusion. It appears that uremic condition introduces the monocyte adhesion to arterial wall and AST-120 might inhibit increasing of the monocyte adherence with CKD progression.

Comparison between the fixation of peritoneal dialysis catheters to the peritoneal wall and the conventional placement technique: clinical experience and follow-up of a new implant technique for peritoneal dialysis catheters.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters often become severely dislocated, which may lead to malfunction. With the aim of preventing this complication, we have developed a simple method of fixing the catheter downwards in the peritoneal cavity (fixation technique), a technique that does not require a laparoscope. Sixteen patients were implanted using the conventional placement technique and 25 patients were implanted using the fixation technique. The location of the catheter tip was classified from grade 1 (downward, normal) to 5 (dislocated). The frequency of dislocation (defined as the extended time and/or decrease in volume when draining the PD solution) was measured for both the fixation technique and conventional placement technique. There was a significant difference in grade between the fixation technique (2.72 ± 1.01) and conventional technique (3.92 ± 1.31). The time until first dislocation was significantly different between the fixation technique (59.3 ± 48.1 days) and conventional technique (8.8 ± 14.6 days). The time until any dislocation was significantly different between the fixation technique (69.2 ± 41.9 days) and conventional technique (12.9 ± 13.7 days). Complications were not significantly different between the fixation technique and conventional technique. The fixation technique appears to be simple, safe, and useful for preventing severe dislocation and for lengthening the time until dislocation in PD patients.

Differentiation of bone marrow-derived cells into regenerated mesothelial cells in peritoneal remodeling using a peritoneal fibrosis mouse model.

Marked thickening of the peritoneum and vasculopathy in the submesothelial compact zone have been reported in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients. Bone marrow (BM)-derived cell lines are considered to be useful tools for therapy of various diseases. To clarify the role of BM-derived cells in the peritoneal fibrosis (PF) model, we analyzed several lineages of cells in the peritoneum. BM cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were transplanted into naïve C57Bl/6 mice. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) was injected intraperitoneally to induce PF. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with parietal peritoneum using anti-Sca-1 or -c-Kit and -GFP antibodies. Isolated BM cells were also transplanted into the CG-stimulated peritoneum. BM-derived cells from GFP transgenic mice appeared in the submesothelium from days 14 to 42. Both GFP- and stem cell marker-positive cells were observed in the submesothelium and on the surface. Isolated c-Kit-positive cells, transplanted into the peritoneal cavity, differentiated into mesothelial cells. In this study, we investigated whether or not BM-derived cells play a role in the repair of PF and immature cells have the potential of inducing repair of the peritoneum. The findings of this study suggest a new concept for therapy of PF.

Quantitative evaluation and assessment of peritoneal morphologic changes in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Morphologic changes of the peritoneum such as peritoneal fibrosis and vasculopathy develop during peritoneal dialysis (PD). In 2002, Williams et al. reported microscopic characteristics of peritoneal changes in PD patients. These studies pointed out the importance of establishing a global standard for qualitative and quantitative histological evaluations. The objectives of the present study are (i) to verify the methods for assessing peritoneal thickness and classifying vasculopathy in peritoneal specimens using the assessment of Williams et al. and (ii) to propose a simple assessment that reflects clinical features such as PD duration and peritoneal function. METHODS: Parietal peritoneal samples were obtained from 35 patients that included 27 patients with PD and 8 uraemic patients without PD. In all samples, the maximum and average thicknesses of the submesothelial compact (SMC) zone were measured to assess peritoneal interstitial fibrosis using KS400 imaging analysis. Vasculopathy was also assessed by calculation of patency rates of the vascular lumens using the diameter and area, and by measurement of dimensions of vascular wall hyalinization in each vessel specimen. RESULTS: The median values of maximum and average thicknesses of the SMC zone exceeded 200 µm in uraemic patients without PD treatment. There was a significant relationship between the maximum and average thicknesses of the SMC zone (P < 0.0001). Four to 30 vessels were examined in each participant. Various grades of vasculopathy were observed in each specimen. According to the predominant vasculopathy found in each vessel, the prevalence of serious vasculopathy increased with increasing PD duration. Vascular patency calculated from wall thickness was significantly related to that calculated by the area and to the thickness of hyalinization. Average vascular patency assessed from 5 to 10 vessels in each patient having diameters ranging from 10 to 40 µm was related to PD duration and to peritoneal function (D4/P). CONCLUSIONS: A random-points measurement of average SMC thickness provides a descriptive evaluation of the severity of peritoneal fibrosis that minimizes artefacts during processing and avoids human error. In addition, the average patency in post-capillary venules appears to accurately reflect clinical features such as PD duration and peritoneal permeability.

Cardiac function and structure in longitudinal analysis of echocardiography in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is widely used for the evaluation of cardiac structures and function. The prognostic value of assessment of left cardiac atrium (LA) size in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is still unclear. The objective of the present study is to investigate prospectively a longitudinal monitoring of echocardiography parameters after start of PD. We also investigated a correlation study among plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) level, LA size, and cardiac function undergoing aggressive treatment. METHODS: Correlation among plasma ANP, LA size, and cardiac function was prospectively analyzed by Doppler echocardiography in 32 PD patients in Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo. Measurement of these parameters was performed at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after start of PD. All patients were treated with an angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker to control blood pressure to less than 140/90 mmHg. Other antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics and/or calcium channel blockers were added if blood pressure rose to over 140/90 mmHg. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were targeted at 10.0 g/dL and 30.0% respectively with recombinant human erythropoietin treatment. A diuretic was added or patients decreased their water intake if ANP was more than 43.0 pg/mL or LA diameter (LAD) more than 39 mm, and for other basic markers of volume status. Cardiac function was measured before and after drainage of PD fluid to evaluate the influence of cardiac function. RESULTS: LAD at start of dialysis (36 +/- 4.6 mm) decreased significantly to 33 +/- 3.3 mm (p < 0.05), 33 +/- 3.2 mm (p < 0.05), and 33 +/- 3.6 mm (p < 0.05) after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Ejection fraction after 6 months was significantly increased compared with that at start of dialysis (p < 0.05). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) after 6, 12, and 24 months was significantly decreased compared with that at start of dialysis (p < 0.05). ANP was 56 +/- 39 pg/mL at start of dialysis and decreased significantly to 33 +/- 19 pg/mL after 24 months (p < 0.05). ANP was significantly correlated with LAD (r = 0.412, p < 0.01), transmitral A wave flow velocity (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), and LVMI (r = 0.426, p < 0.01). Instillation of the dialysis fluid did not affect any parameters except inferior vena cava dimension. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a reduction in LA size and LVMI in PD patients followed over 24 months. Left ventricular structure, contraction, and compliance were well preserved in PD patients undergoing aggressive treatment based on measurements of plasma ANP and LAD.

Establishment of a peritoneal mesothelial cell line from a transgenic rat harbouring the temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen gene.

BACKGROUND: Establishing a peritoneal mesothelial cell (MC) line in which the native characteristics of primary MCs are constantly maintained in vivo is of great significance for investigating their morphological and functional changes in peritoneal dialysis. We established transgenic (Tg) rats that expressed the temperature-sensitive tsA58 mutant of the simian virus 40 large T-antigen (tsSV40T), which served as a source of immortalized rat cell lines. The cells were immortalized at a permissive temperature of 33 degrees C, although they were differentiated at a non-permissive temperature of 38 degrees C. In this study, we established a novel MC line from tsSV40T Tg rats and evaluated its characteristics. METHODS: MCs were isolated from 8-week-old tsSV40T Tg rats and cloned. MCs from 8-week-old Wistar rats were used as controls. These cells were immunohistochemically and phenotypically evaluated by immunofluorescence, phase contrast and electron microscopy. The production of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) from MCs stimulated by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was measured. RESULTS: The tsSV40T MCs showed a cobblestone-like appearance at 33 and 38 degrees C, which was similar to normal primary cultured MCs. Microvilli-like structures were observed on the cell surface by a scanning electron microscope at 33 and 38 degrees C. Wilms tumour-1 and pancytokeratin, as MC markers, were expressed at 33 and 38 degrees C. Following TNF-alpha stimulation, PAI-1 production of tsSV40T MCs was similar to that of normal primary cultured MCs. CONCLUSION: We established a novel, conditionally immortalized MC line that continuously retained the characteristics of primary cultured peritoneal MCs. This cell line might be a useful tool for various types of in vitro biological research on peritoneal dialysis.

Relationship between renal anemia and prognostic stages of IgA nephropathy.

In 2002, the Joint Committee of the Special Study Group on Progressive Glomerular Diseases, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan newly revised the clinical guidelines for IgA nephropathy (Sakai et al.: Jpn J Nephrol 37:417-421, 1995; Tomino and Sakai: Clin Exp Nephrol, 7, 93-97, 2003). The prognostic stages were classified into four groups: the good prognosis group (Group I), relatively good prognosis group (Group II), relatively poor prognosis group (Group III), and poor prognosis group (Group IV). The relationship between the levels of Hb, Ht, and RBC in peripheral blood and the renal prognostic stages was determined in 62 patients with IgA nephropathy in the present study. The mean levels of Hb, Ht, and RBC were significantly lower in Group IV than in Group I (P<0.05). However, there were no significant changes in the levels of serum creatinine (s-Cr) or creatinine clearance (CCr) among these four groups. It appears that the levels of Hb, Ht, and RBC in peripheral blood may be important clinical parameters for the evaluation of prognostic stages in patients with IgA nephropathy.