Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate tubulointerstitial injury through multiple mechanisms in UUO model.

Current evidence supports the use of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for a diverse range of clinical applications, and many studies have shown that MSCs have renal-protective effects, but the mechanism is not well understood. Therefore, in this study, we aim to further identify whether MSCs can attenuate renal fibrosis by decreasing tubulointerstitial injury in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. In this study, we cultured MSCs and then transplanted them into a UUO model through the tail vein. Histology, cell proliferation, peritubular capillary (PTC) loss and myofibroblast markers were examined on days 3, 7 and 14 after surgery. We demonstrated that renal interstitial fibrosis in the MSC group was significantly attenuated compared with the UUO and DMEM groups. Moreover, MSC treatment inhibited the loss of PTCs and increased parenchymal cell proliferation. In addition, UUO-induced activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts were suppressed by MSC infusion. Furthermore, MSCs attenuated tubulointerstitial infiltration of macrophages in UUO mice. Tubulointerstitial damage plays a very important role in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). PTC loss, macrophage recruitment, and myofibroblast activation are directly correlated with the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Our results suggest that MSC infusion in the UUO model is a promising therapeutic strategy for promoting kidney repair.

Prevalence and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic renal disease (CKD) is recognized as a worldwide public health problem. Traditional risk factors for CKD are also present in coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence and characteristics of risk factors for CKD in the population with CAD. METHODS: Renal function was evaluated in 527 patients with CAD in order to assess characteristics of the incidence, risk factors for CKD in the population with CAD. In the present study in order to concentrate on evaluation for eGFR of the patients with CAD proteinuria is not included in the definition of CKD. RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated that the major risk factors associated with CKD in the patients with CAD were age (P ≤ 0.001), smoking (P = 0.016), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.021), hypertension (P ≤ 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.004). The percentages of patients with both hypertension and diabetes mellitus were significantly greater in the CKD3-4 group (P < 0.001). The results of multivariable analysis showed that hypertension (OR 1.925, 95% CI 1.196-3.098, P = 0.007), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.744, 95% CI 1.044-2.914, P = 0.034) and serum uric acid (OR 1.008, 95% CI 1.006-1.010, P ≤ 0.001) were independent risk factors for reduced eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: CKD is common and has a high prevalence in the population with CAD. Several risk factors are known to simultaneously affect heart and kidney. The patients with CAD may be considered as a high-risk population for CKD.