[Red-cell sodium-lithium countertransport in patients with IgA nephrology and renal hypertension].

To find changes in activity of red-cell sodium-lithium counter transport (RBC Na+/Li+CT) in IgA nephropathology (IgAN) and renal hypertension (RHT), we measured the activity of RBC Na+/Li+CT in 21 patients with IgAN and 13 patients with RHT and compared it with that in 23 normal persons and 17 essential hypertension (EHT) patients by improved Canessa's method. RBC Na+/Li+CT activity in the EHT patients and EHT patients with positive family history was significantly higher than that in normal group. The activity of TBC Na+/Li+CT in the hyperlipidemic RHT patients was increased as compared with the normal group. The activity of RBC Na+/Li+CT in IgAN patients with hyperlipidemia and hyperlipidemic hypertensive IgAN patients was significantly higher than that in normal group. There was positive correlation between the activity of RBC Na+/Li+CT and serum cholesterol level in 34 patients with renal disease. The results indicate that enhanced activity of Na+/Li+ CT is a genetic marker for EHT patients, and hyperlipidemia is probably related to the enhanced activity of RBC Na+/Li+CT in parts of RHT patients and IgAN patients.

[The effect of low doses of recombinant human erythropoietin on renal anemia in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure].

Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has been proven to be effective in anemia of predialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). However, the optimal dosage and frequency of administration have not been established. We use low dose (< 100U.kg-1.w-1) of s.c. rHuEPO to treat renal anemia in two groups (group A: n = 18, twice a week; group B; n = 14, once a week) of nondialytic CRF patients. Hb and Hct gradually increased 1-3 months aftes rHuEPO treatment in the two groups. The incidence of hypertension, one of the main side effects, was lower (4/18 in Group A, 4/14 in Group B) than that reported in the literature. These results showed that either twice weekly or once weekly s.c. injection of low dose rHuEPO is effective and there will be less side effects treating predialysis patients with CRF.

[Effects of alpha-ketoacids therapy on protein metabolism and secondary hyperparathyroidism in predialysis patients].

The effects of alpha-ketoacids (alpha-KA) on azotemia, plasma amino acids concentrations, nitrogen balance, serum Ca, PO4 and iPTH levels in 22 predialysis patients were investigated. The results showed that BUN and serum phosphate levels decreased significantly, plasma essential amino acids levels, nitrogen balance and serum calcium levels were improved after 6-8 weeks of alpha-KA therapy. The serum iPTH levels were reduced markedly three months after alpha-KA treatment and maintained lower ten months later.

[Legionnaires disease associated with acute renal failure].

It has been suggested that tubular-interstitial damage may be the main cause of Legionnaires disease (LD) associated acute renal failure (ARF). However, this hypothesis has rarely been examined. In China we firstly describe four patients with LD-ARF, who had proteinuria, hematuria, Leukocyturia and cylindruria. Two patients had nephrotic syndrome indicating acute glomerular injure, one of them was histopathologically proven to be rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Scr, UNa, RFI and FENa are markedly increased. Our results suggest that both tubular-interstitial and glomerular damage may be the important causes of LD-ARF in Chinese LD patients. To confirm this hypothesis further investigation are needed.

[Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with hemorrhagic interstitial pneumonia. A report of 4 cases and review of the literature].

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) associated with hemorrhagic interstitial pneumonia (HIP) is an uncommon clinical syndrome. Both Goodpasture syndrome and immune complex glomerulonephritis have been recognized as the causes of this critical syndrome. We report 4 cases of RPGN with HIP. The pathological and clinical features and the treatment of RPGN with HIP are discussed.