[Effects of tank operation on renal function of crews].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of harmful factors in tank cabins on renal function of tank crews. METHODS: One hundred and fifty two tank crews as the observation group and 37 soldiers without tank environment exposure as control group were selected in the study. α1-microglobulin(α1-MG), ß2-microglobulin(ß2-MG), IgG, N-acetyl-ß-glucosidase (NAG) and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) in morning and 24 h urine were measured. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the levels of α1-MG, ß2-MG, NAG, UAER in observation group were increased significantly (P < 0.05). ß2-MG, NAG, UAER of Soldiers with more than 50 motorized hours in observation group were significantly higher than those of control group (P < 0.05). ß2-MG, NAG and UAER of soldiers divorced from tank occupation more than 3 years decreased to the normal levels. ß2-MG of soldiers divorced from tank occupation more than 10 years was significantly higher than that of 6-10 years group. CONCLUSION: Tank occupational exposure influences the renal function of tank crews but not to a degree of clinical kidney disease. The renal function of crews divorced from tank occupation may recover but dysfunction of renal tubular reabsorption still exists.

AGE formation blockade with aminoguanidine does not ameliorate chronic allograft nephropathy.

AIMS: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced by glycoxidation and lipid peroxidation. AGEs induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and accumulate in tubular cells after kidney transplantation. We hypothesize that the AGE formation blocker aminoguanidine (AG) reduces AGE formation and improves renal transplant function. MAIN METHODS: Fisher 344 kidneys were orthotopically transplanted into Lewis recipients. Recipients were treated with AG (100 mg/kg/day), candesartan (CAND; 5mg/kg/day), or vehicle (VEH) for 24 weeks. The major non-cross linking AGE N(ε)-carboxymethyllysine (CML) was measured post-transplantation with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry or immunohistochemistry. As a marker of systemic lipid peroxidation 8-isoprostane was measured by ELISA. We determined intra-arterial blood pressure, heart weight/body weight ratio, size of cardiomyocytes and cardiac hypertrophy as assessed by echocardiography. For biochemical evaluation of cardiac and renal fibrosis we measured hydroxyproline content. KEY FINDINGS: AG significantly reduced serum CML and 8-isoprostane, but did not reduce signs of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) or blood pressure. AG did not alter tubular AGE accumulation. AG reduced heart weight/body weight ratio (AG: 2.7 ± 0.1g/kg; CAND: 2.2 ± 0.1, VEH: 3.0 ± 0.4 g/kg), size of cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05) and showed a tendency to reduce cardiac hypertrophy (wall volume average radial AG 7.072 ± 0.83 cm(3) vs. CAND 6.841 ± 0.66 cm(3) vs. VEH 7.839 ± 0.74 cm(3)). SIGNIFICANCE: Despite effective reduction of serum CML and 8-isoprostane, AG did not ameliorate CAN or reduce renal AGE accumulation. On the other hand AG reduced cardiac size suggesting a supportive cardio-protective action which is blood pressure independent.