Myofibroblasts and the progression of experimental glomerulonephritis.

We have studied the sequential morphological changes that took place in the kidneys of 8 rats with nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN). Rats underwent kidney biopsies at different time intervals (days 7, 15, 30, 90 and 120). The tissues were processed for light microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry for inflammatory cellular infiltrate as well as for the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and myofibroblasts (cells expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin, alpha-SMA). Nephrotic rats developed severe proteinuria, impaired renal function as well as progressive renal scarring. However, the natural history of NTN was heterogeneous with some rats recovering (n = 5) and other progressing to end-stage renal failure (n = 3). The heterogeneous nature of the glomerulonephritis has established that those with a good outcome had a stabilisation, with some resolution, of the deposited ECM and of the scarring process. By contrast, rats with a poor outcome had a progressive increase in glomerular as well as interstitial ECM. Cells expressing alpha-SMA (myofibroblasts) were detected in the glomeruli as well as in the interstitium of nephritic rats. Changes in the expression of cells expressing alpha-SMA paralleled those of the components of the ECM in particular fibronectin. alpha-SMA immunostain was the best predictor of progression. Early glomerular alpha-SMA immunostain (days 7 and 30) was a strong predictor of the subsequent development of glomerulosclerosis and renal dysfunction. The predictive value of interstitial alpha-SMA immunostain on days 7 for subsequent tubulo-interstitial scarring and renal insufficiency was also strong and exceeded that of other histological or immunohistochemical parameters of scarring. This study establishes the natural history of experimental renal scarring and identifies a renal cell type, the myofibroblast, as a useful marker of progression. It also suggests a role for myofibroblasts in the progression of glomerulosclerosis and tubulo-interstitial fibrosis.

Nutritional profile of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Undernutrition in dialysis patients contributes to their morbidity and mortality. This is a cross-sectional study of the nutritional status of 61 patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). They were studied with emphasis on assessment of their nutritional intake, anthropometric measurements, and evaluation of biochemical parameters. The correlation between the rate of CAPD peritonitis and these measurements was also examined. The majority of the patients (63.1%) had inadequate protein intake ( < or = 1.2 g/kg/day). A comparable percentage had a low energy intake ( < or = 30 kcal/kg/day). Moderate malnutrition, as assessed by a low triceps skinfold thickness (TST) or a reduced midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) of < or = 20th percentile, was detected in 52% and 39% of the patients, respectively. Severe malnutrition (TST or MAMC < or = 10th percentile) was present in 36% of the patients. The serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) proved to be the most useful biochemical marker of malnutrition. It showed a positive correlation with TST (r = 0.325; p < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed with other short-life proteins such a transferrin or prealbumin. However, stepwise regression analysis showed the predictive value of serum IGF-I for anthropometric values to be low (adjusted R2 = 34.6%). Wasted patients did not appear to have more infections when compared to their healthier counterparts. However, a weak correlation was observed between TST and the number of peritonitis episodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

False aneurysm of the brachial artery: an unusual complication following accidental puncture by a patient on home haemodialysis.

A case is reported of false aneurysm of the brachial artery following accidental puncture during attempted cannulation of the median cubital vein for routine haemodialysis at home. The merits of early diagnosis and prompt surgical repair are discussed.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis in the elderly.

The clinical course and outcome of 58 patients receiving haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis aged 65 years and above at the start of dialysis treatment was examined over a six-year period. Method of presentation and mode of treatment did not affect survival, but the presence of ischaemic heart disease or congestive cardiac failure was significantly associated with increased mortality. The actuarial two-year patient survival was 54 per cent. Survival on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was 75 per cent, and the incidence of peritonitis was one episode per 7.36 patient-treatment months. The mean duration of hospital admission was 57.2 days per patient year for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and 19.9 days per patient year for haemodialysis patients.

Tenckhoff catheter replacement or intraperitoneal urokinase: a randomised trial in the management of recurrent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis.

A randomised trial, comparing Tenckhoff catheter replacement as a one-stage procedure and i.p. urokinase, was undertaken in the management of recurrent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis. In addition to appropriate i.p. antibiotic treatment, 17 patients received i.p. urokinase (5000 i.u.) on the second and fourth days of antibiotic treatment, and 14 patients underwent CAPD catheter replacement. An additional six patients also underwent catheter replacement following the recurrence of peritonitis after urokinase treatment. The subsequent recurrence rate of peritonitis following CAPD catheter replacement (5%) was significantly less than after urokinase (41%) (p less than 0.001). Fourteen patients remained free of peritonitis for at least three months after catheter replacement, and five patients were peritonitis-free following urokinase for this period.

Unmasking of subclavian vein obstruction following creation of arteriovenous fistulae for haemodialysis. A problem following subclavian line dialysis?

We report three cases of subclavian vein obstruction following haemodialysis by a subclavian line. The obstruction only became apparent clinically following the formation of an arteriovenous fistula on the same side as the initial catheterisation. In each case, gross swelling of the arm followed creation of the fistula. One case responded to treatment with anticoagulants, but the other two required ligation of the arteriovenous fistula with rapid resolution of the swelling.

Impact of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis on treatment of renal failure in patients aged over 60.

Thirty eight patients aged over 60 with end stage renal disease were treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for up to three years. Most of these patients, because of their age or coexisting diseases, had been considered to be unsuitable for haemodialysis by the criteria used before the advent of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in 1980. Actuarial patient survival at one and two years was 72% and 61% respectively, and only two patients were permanently transferred to haemodialysis. Twenty one of the 23 survivors were fully rehabilitated, the remaining two being partially disabled but living at home. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis permits more liberal selection of patients with end stage renal disease for renal replacement treatment with excellent survival and rehabilitation and without overburdening scarce hospital haemodialysis facilities.

Acetylator phenotype in diabetic neuropathy.

The proportions of slow and fast acetylators in a group of diabetics with symptomatic peripheral neuropathy were compared with those in a group of diabetics who had had the disease for at least 10 years without developing neuropathy. There was a significantly higher proportion of fast acetylators in the group of diabetics without neuropathy than in those with neuropathy or in the normal population. Hence genetic factors separate from the diabetic diathesis may determine the development of neuropathy in any particular diabetic.

Progressive peripheral neuropathy in patient with primary hyperoxaluria.

In a patient suffering from primary hyperoxaluria with oxalosis a progressive peripheral neuropathy was associated with intra-axonal deposition of microcrystals of calcium oxalate. Probably his neuropathy was the result of mechanical obstruction of axoplasmic flow.