[Effect of vitamin D receptor activators on serum Klotho levels in 3b-4 stages chronic кidney disease patients: a prospective randomized study].

BACKGROUND: High risk of cardiovascular events is among leading problems in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum Klotho is supposed to be cardio- and nephroprotective; modification of its levels may be important in CKD. AIM: To evaluate the impact of vitamin D receptor activators (VDRA) on Klotho serum levels in CKD 3b4 stages patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study included 90 CKD 3b4 stages patients who had elevated serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). From them, 47 patients (group 1) started to treat with the selective VDRA (zemplar 1 mcg/day), and 43 patients (group 2) started to treat with non-selective VDRA (alfacalcidol 0.25 mcg/day). At baseline and after 12 months we conducted routine examination, serum Klotho measurement, and broad cardiovascular examination. RESULTS: The patients who managed to maintain a target serum PTH level, had higher Klotho serum level (p=0.037) at the end of the study. Patients who used selective VDRA significantly more often reached the target PTH level (p=0.032), had higher serum Klotho levels (p=0.037), and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level (p=0.048) than patients who used non-selective VDRA. In addition, patients treated with alfacalcidol more than 6 months, more often had hypercalcemia (p=0.047) and hyperphosphatemia (p=0.035). Group 2 showed higher: pulse wave velocity (p=0.051), left ventricular myocardial mass index (p=0.033), and more advanced heart valve calcification (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Successful parathyroid hormone level control with vitamin D receptor activators was associated with higher serum Klotho, selective agents having shown greater effect. Long-term treatment with selective vitamin D receptor activators may contribute to cardiovascular calcification prevention by modifying Klotho levels.

[Sarcoidosis and primary biliary cholangitis in a patient with cholestasis].

Primary biliary cholangitis and sarcoidosis are both cholestatic liver diseases. Currently, there are no established specific criteria for distinguishing the diseases from each other; diagnosis is based on the anamnesis, as well as the results of physical, laboratory and instrumental examination. The case report presents a female patient with a rare combination of histologically verified liver sarcoidosis and primary biliary cholangitis. Despite the similar clinical manifestations, the approaches to the treatment of these diseases are completely different, that underlines the importance of the differential diagnosis to exclude combined liver damage.

Hepatic involvement in sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Liver is frequently involved in the pathological process. Wide range of clinical manifestations can be seen: from asymptomatic lesion with normal liver function tests to cirrhosis with portal hypertension. Biopsy plays the key role in diagnosis of the hepatic sarcoidosis. It is essential for morphological diagnosis to exclude other causes of granulomatous liver disease, most often - primary biliary cholangitis. Nowadays there are no standard treatment protocols for patients with hepatic sarcoidosis.

[Chromosomal polymorphism: the biological and medical aspects]. / Khromosomnyi polimorfizm: biolohichni ta medychni aspekty.

The review on the problem of human chromosomal polymorphism is presented. Biological nature of polymorphism of heterochromatin as well as its different phenotypes were considered. Prospects of chromosomal polymorphism study in the future for investigation of different forms of pathology were also discussed.