Effects of Medium Cutoff Membranes on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine and Oxidative Marker Levels in Patients with Sepsis Who Developed Acute Kidney Injury.

INTRODUCTION: There is insufficient data on the role of the medium cutoff (MCO) membranes in the clearance of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidant radicals in patients with sepsis requiring hemodialysis. METHODS: The study consisted of 38 septic patients who developed acute kidney injury (AKI) and who were scheduled to undergo 2 sessions of hemodialysis. Nineteen patients underwent their first dialysis session with the MCO membrane and 19 patients with the high-flux (HF) membrane. In the second session, the membranes were switched. Pro-inflammatory cytokine and oxidative marker levels were measured in blood samples obtained before and after both dialysis sessions. Reduction ratios were compared for the 2 types of hemodialysis membranes. RESULTS: After the first session, there was a greater reduction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α with the MCO membrane (28.2 ± 21.1 vs. 8.0 ± 6.6, p = 0.001). After the second session, there was a greater reduction in interleukin (IL)-6 (27.8 ± 26.5 vs. 5.9 ± 13.3, p = 0.003) and IL-1ß (20.5 ± 21.1 vs. 4.0 ± 6.5, p = 0.004) with the MCO membrane. When the first and second sessions of all 38 patients were compared, the reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß were consistently greater for MCO than HF (p = 0.001, p = 0.006, p < 0.001, respectively). The reductions in total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and myeloperoxidase were not statistically different for the 2 types of dialysis membranes. CONCLUSIONS: MCO membrane was superior to HF membrane in the removal of cytokines in septic patients with AKI. However, a similar effect was not observed for oxidative stress markers.

Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in Turkey: Turkish Society of Nephrology-Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group.

BACKGROUND: In our study, diagnostic and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with RPGN by biopsy, clinical and laboratory findings in our country were investigated. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group database. Demographic characteristics, indications for biopsy, diagnosis of the glomerular diseases, comorbidities, laboratory and biopsy findings of all patients were recorded. According to their types, RPGN patients were classified as type 1 (anti-GBM related), type 2 (immuncomplex related) and type 3 (pauci-immune). RESULTS: Of 3875 patients, 200 patients with RPGN (mean age 47.9 ± 16.7 years) were included in the study which constitutes 5.2% of the total glomerulonephritis database. Renal biopsy was performed in 147 (73.5%) patients due to nephritic syndrome. ANCA positivity was found in 121 (60.5%) patients. Type 1 RPGN was detected in 11 (5.5%), type 2 RPGN in 42 (21%) and type 3 RPGN in 147 (73.5%) patients. Median serum creatinine was 3.4 (1.9-5.7) mg/dl, glomerular filtration rate was 18 (10-37) ml/min/1.73m2 and proteinuria 2100 (1229-3526) mg/day. The number of crescentic glomeruli ratio was ratio 52.7%. It was observed that urea and creatinine increased and calcium and hemoglobin decreased with increasing crescentic glomerular ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Our data are generally compatible with the literature. Advanced chronic histopathological findings were prominent in the biopsy of 21 patients. Early biopsy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of RPGN and to avoid unnecessary intensive immunosuppressive therapy. In addition to the treatments applied, detailed data, including patient and renal survival, are needed.

The relationship between glomerular IgG staining and poor prognostic findings in patients with IgA nephropathy: the data from TSN-GOLD working group.

BACKGROUND: Galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) has an increased tendency to form immunocomplexes with IgG in the serum, contributing to IgAN pathogenesis by accumulating in the glomerular mesangium. Several studies showed that glomerular IgG deposition in IgAN is an important cause of mesangial proliferation and glomerular damage. This study aims to determine the association of the positivity of IgG and the intensity of IgG staining with a poor renal prognosis. METHODS: A total of 943 IgAN patients were included in the study. Glomerular IgG staining negative and positive patients were compared using Oxford classification scores, histopathological evaluations, proteinuria, eGFR, albumin, blood pressures. IgG positive patients were classified as (+), (++), (+++) based on their staining intensity, and the association with the prognostic criteria was also evaluated. RESULTS: 81% (n = 764) of the patients were detected as IgG negative, while 19% (n = 179) were positive. Age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, proteinuria, eGFR, uric acid values were similar in IgG positive and negative patients who underwent biopsy (p > 0.05). Intensity of glomerular IgG positivity was not found to be associated with diastolic and systolic blood pressure, urea, uric acid, age, eGFR, albumin, proteinuria (p > 0.05 for all, r = - 0.084, r = - 0.102, r = - 0.006, r = 0.062, r = 0.014, r = - 0.044, r = - 0.061, r = - 0.066, r = 0.150, respectively). There was no difference for histopathological findings between IgG (+), IgG (++), IgG (+++) groups (for all, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glomerular IgG negativity and positivity detected by routine IFM in IgAN patients is not associated with poor renal prognostic risk factors.

Epidemiological features of primary glomerular disease in Turkey: a multicenter study by the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Working Group.

BACKGROUND: The largest data on the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases (PGDs) are obtained from the databases of countries or centers. Here, we present the extended results of the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent renal biopsy and received the diagnosis of PGD were recorded in the database prepared for the study. A total of 4399 patients from 47 centers were evaluated between May 2009 and May 2019. The data obtained at the time of kidney biopsy were analyzed. After the exclusion of patients without light microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy findings, a total of 3875 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.5 ± 14.9 years. 1690 patients were female (43.6%) and 2185 (56.3%) were male. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication (51.7%). This was followed by asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (18.3%) and nephritic syndrome (17.8%). The most common PGD was IgA nephropathy (25.7%) followed by membranous nephropathy (25.6%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (21.9%). The mean total number of glomeruli per biopsy was 17 ± 10. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 20 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was 81 ± 12 mmHg. The median proteinuria, serum creatinine, estimated GFR, and mean albumin values were 3300 (IQR: 1467-6307) mg/day, 1.0 (IQR: 0.7-1.6) mg/dL, 82.9 (IQR: 47.0-113.0) mL/min and 3.2 ± 0.9 g/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of PGDs in Turkey has become similar to that in other European countries. IgA nephropathy diagnosed via renal biopsy has become more prevalent compared to membranous nephropathy.

Urinay neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a biomarker in different renal problems

Background/aim: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is used previously to estimate the etiology, severity, and clinical outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the role of urinary NGAL (uNGAL) in the postrenal setting is not clear. In our study, we aimed to discover the cut-off value of uNGAL that can be used in the differential diagnosis of underlying AKI etiologies. Materials and methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, we examined 82 subjects in four groups: patients that had (1) postrenal AKI; (2) AKI other than postrenal etiologies; (3) stable chronic kidney disease; and (4) healthy subjects. A renal function assessment was carried out by measuring serum creatinine (sCr) and uNGAL at the time of diagnosis [0th min (T0)]. We followed the study group for three months. Results: At the time of diagnosis, sCr (T0) was highest in the postrenal AKI and AKI groups in contrast to stable chronic kidney disease patients and healthy subjects (P < 0.001), as expected. T0 median uNGAL was highest in the postrenal group (P < 0.001). Area under curve (AUC) of uNGAL to estimate postrenal AKI presence was 0.957 (95% CI, 0.897­1.000; P < 0.001). The cut-off point of uNGAL was 42.625 ng/mL for this estimation. Conclusion: Patients with AKI must be classified according to the underlying etiologies as soon as possible. uNGAL may be useful to estimate the etiologies, and whether the problem is acute or chronic in the course. In postrenal kidney problems, to plan the urgency of the urologic procedures, it is crucial.

Evaluation of BD Barricor™ Plasma Blood Collection Tube for Biochemical Tests.

BACKGROUND: Blood from patients who are receiving anticoagulant therapy may take longer to clot. Anticoagulation is an important component of the dialysis prescription. We compared BD Vacutainer® Barricor™ Plasma Blood Collection Tubes (BD BarrricorTM), BD Vacutainer® PST™ Lithium Heparin Tubes (BD PST™), and BD (Becton-Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) Vacutainer Serum Separator Tubes (BD SST), as reference tube in dialysis patients to examine whether they had an effect on routine biochemical tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 chronic hemodialysis patients were included in this study. Samples were collected into BD BarrricorTM, BD PST™, and BD SST tubes after the dialysis. All the tubes were centrifuged by NF 1200R rotor (1,300 g for 10 minutes at 22°C, 1,200 g for 10 minutes at 4°C, 2,400 g for 10 minutes at 22°C, respectively) after the incubation period. Eleven routine clinical chemistry parameters (Creatinine, Urea, Na, K, Cl, AST, ALT, Total Bilirubin, Direct Bilirubin, Calcium, Cholesterol) were analyzed on a Beckman Coulter AU 5800. RESULTS: Results of creatinine, K and cholesterol were statistically significantly different between the SST and LiH (p = 0.014, p = 0.009, and p < 0.001, respectively). In terms of other biochemical parameters we tested for all three tubes there was no clinically significance inspite of the statistically significance. CONCLUSIONS: BD Barricor™ tubes provide fast, clean, high-quality plasma samples, safe results, and may lower times and costs.

Are increased oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels associated with masked hypertension?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, our aim was to determine total oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with masked hypertension (MHT) and to examine their association with blood pressure. METHODS: Fifty patients diagnosed with MHT and 48 healthy volunteers without any known chronic diseases have been included in this study. RESULTS: When compared to the control group, patients with MHT had higher levels of mean ADMA (p < 0.001), total oxidant status (TOS) (p < 0.001), and oxidative stress index (OSI) (p < 0.001), and a lower mean total antioxidant status (TAS) (p < 0.001) level. While a positive correlation was determined between the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels with ADMA, TOS, and OSI levels, a negative correlation was determined with the TAS level. During the stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR = 1.221; p = 0.003), body mass index (OR = 1.512; p = 0.005), low density lipoprotein (OR = 0.925; p = 0.016), ADMA (OR = 1.200; p = 0.002), and OSI (OR = 3.750; p = 0.002) levels were determined to be the predictors of MHT. During the linear regression analysis, it was determined that the independent risk factors of SBP and DBP are ADMA and OSI, and the independent risk factor of TOS, OSI, and ADMA is SBP. Our study found out that oxidative stress and ADMA levels of patients with MHT are higher than those of the control group. ADMA and OSI were determined to be predictors of MHT. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it could be said that oxidative stress, and therefore the ADMA level, could have an effect on the etiopathogenesis of MHT.

Is disulphide/thiol ratio related to blood pressure in masked hypertension?

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis plays a critical role in numerous intracellular enzymatic pathways including antioxidant defence and detoxification. In this study, we sought to investigate dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with masked hypertension (MHT) and its relationship with blood pressure. Forty patients (23 men, 17 women) with newly diagnosed MHT and not yet on medical therapy, and 40 healthy volunteers (21 men, 19 women) were enrolled. Blood thiol/disulphide homeostasis was measured in both groups. Serum native and total thiol levels were measured using the novel, fully automated colorimetric method developed by Erel et al. Serum disulphide level was calculated as (serum total thiol - serum native thiol)/2. Native and total thiol levels (p = 0.001) and native thiol/total thiol ratio (p = 0.023) were found to be lower in patients with MHT when compared to those of the control group. Disulphide level and ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were higher in patients with MHT than in the control group (p = 0.001). A positive correlation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was observed with disulphide/native thiol ratio (p < 0.001). Stepwise multivariable regression analysis showed disulphide/native thiol ratio to be an independent risk factor of SBP and DBP, and SBP to be an independent risk factor of disulphide/thiol ratio (p = 0.001). In this study, we found that dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis shifted towards disulphide formation due to thiol oxidation in patients with MHT. Prospective randomised controlled studies are required to elucidate whether abnormal thiol/disulphide status lies in the pathogenesis of MHT or is a consequence of MHT.

Relationship between oxidative stress parameters and asymptomatic organ damage in hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress (OS) parameters such as total antioxidant status or TAS, total oxidant status (TOS), OS index (OSI), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), arylesterase, and total thiol in hypertensive patients with and without asymptomatic organ damage (AOD), and to determine the relationship between these parameters and AOD. DESIGN: Sixty-six patients (21 men, 45 women) with AOD and 66 patients without AOD (21 men, 45 women) were enrolled in the study. Serum OS parameters were measured by colorimetric method. RESULTS: The OSI levels were found to be higher while PON1, PON1/high-density lipoprotein, and arylesterase levels were found to be lower in patients with AOD compared with those in the patients without AOD. Stepwise regression analysis showed high 24-h mean systolic blood pressure, OSI, and low arylesterase level to be independent predictors of AOD. CONCLUSION: OS level was found to be higher in hypertensive patients with AOD compared with the patients without AOD. However, it is not clear whether increased OS leads to AOD or AOD increases the level of OS. For this purpose, OS level needs to be decreased by antioxidant therapies and patients need to be followed up for a longer duration.

Unknown aspect of the old disease: does dyslipidemia in systemic AA amyloidosis differ from the dyslipidemia in primary glomerulonephritis?

AIM: To investigate the nature of dyslipidemia and its diversity in patients with systemic AA amyloidosis. METHODS: The reports of the kidney biopsies performed due to nephrotic proteinuria (>3.5 g/day/1.73 m(2)) with preserved renal function [glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)] were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients with systemic AA amyloidosis and primary glomerulonephritis (PG) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 104 (systemic AA amyloidosis: 43, PG: 61) patients were included in the study. Proteinuria and GFR levels were similar in both the groups. Patients with systemic AA amyloidosis group had lower serum albumin (p = 0.002), lower hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001), higher platelet counts (p = 0.002) and higher C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.001) compared to patients in PG group. Although the frequency of dyslipidemia was similar in the groups (86.0 vs. 93.4%), patients with systemic amyloidosis had both lower values of LDL-C (4.56 ± 2.05 vs. 5.49 ± 2.23 mmol/L, p = 0.028) and HDL-C (1.19 ± 0.36 vs. 1.35 ± 0.39 mmol/L, p = 0.035). Serum lipid levels were correlated with serum total protein, albumin and proteinuria levels in PG group. However, in the systemic amyloidosis group, only one clear correlation between serum lipid and hemoglobin levels was estimated. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that LDL-C was independently associated with the etiology of nephrotic proteinuria, serum total protein, serum albumin (inversely) and hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Although dyslipidemia is closely associated with serum total protein, albumin and proteinuria in patients with PG, there is no clear such association in patients with systemic amyloidosis. Correlation between serum lipid and hemoglobin levels in this group and other findings point out that probably complex mechanisms take place in dyslipidemia of nephrotic syndrome caused by systemic AA amyloidosis.

The relationship between asymptomatic organ damage, and serum soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels in non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to measure the serum soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels in hypertensive patients with/without asymptomatic organ damage (AOD), as well as to determine the relationship between the serum sTWEAK and IL17-A levels, and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), proteinuria, retinopathy, and the left ventricle mass index (LVMI). METHODS: The study included 159 patients diagnosed with and followed-up for primary hypertension (HT); 79 of the patients had AOD (61 female and 18 male) and 80 did not (52 female and 28 male). sTWEAK and IL-17A levels were measured in all patients. RESULTS: The sTWEAK level was significantly lower in the patients with AOD than in those without AOD (858.4 pg/mL vs. 1151.58 pg/mL, P = 0.001). The sTWEAK level was negatively correlated with the mean microalbuminuria level and LVMI. The median IL-17A level was significantly higher in the patients with AOD than in those without AOD (2.34 pg/mL vs. 1.80 pg/mL, P = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between mean IL-17A level, and mean microalbuminuria level, CIMT, and LVMI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patient age, sTWEAK level, and mean 24-h systolic blood pressure were predictors of AOD. CONCLUSIONS: The sTWEAK level was lower and IL-17A level was higher in the patients with AOD. It remains unknown if sTWEAK and IL-17A play a role in the pathophysiology of AOD. Prospective observational studies are needed to determine the precise role of sTWEAK and IL-17A in the development of target organ damage.

Blood pressure measurements, blood pressure variability and endothelial function in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor in renal transplant recipients. Elevated blood pressure variability (BPV) during 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is associated with increased risk of target organ damage and cardiovascular events, independent of mean blood pressure levels. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between endothelial function, blood pressure levels obtained by various measurement methods, and BPV in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: In total, 73 hypertensive renal transplant recipients were included in the study. Office blood pressure measurements, central blood pressure measurements, home blood pressure measurements and 24-h ABPM were obtained from the subjects. BPV was calculated using the average real variability index. All patients underwent brachial flow-mediated vasodilatation tests. Predictive values of blood pressures obtained by different measurement techniques and BPV on endothelial functions were investigated. RESULTS: Endothelial dysfunction was present in 68.5% of the patients. No difference was found between the group with and without endothelial dysfunction with regard to office systolic or diastolic blood pressure, central blood pressure or home systolic blood pressure. In the group with endothelial dysfunction, 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure and night-time ambulatory systolic blood pressure were higher. In patients with endothelial dysfunction, the 24-h systolic, diastolic and mean BPV were all higher. There was also a negative correlation between the percentage of flow-mediated vasodilatation with 24-h mean and systolic BPV. CONCLUSION: Patients with endothelial dysfunction had significantly higher ambulatory blood pressure values and higher BPV. There was a significant negative correlation between endothelial function and BPV.

The role of platelet activation in determining response to therapy in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome.

To test the role of platelet activation in the prognosis of nephrotic syndrome (NS), we evaluated the mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with NS undergoing treatment. In this prospective, multicenter clinical study 156 patients with primary NS under treatment were assigned and followed for one year. Patients were divided into three groups for complete remission, partial remission, and resistance. Biochemical parameters, estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria level, and MPV levels were compared at baseline and 12 months after treatment. MPV, proteinuria, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and hs-CRP levels significantly decreased in partial and complete remission group after 12 months compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). However, MPV levels significantly increased and only LDL cholesterol significantly decreased in the resistance group (p < 0.05). Univariate analyses demonstrated that ΔMPV was significantly associated with Δproteinuria (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), Δhs-CRP (r = 0.39, p < 0.001), and ΔAlbumin (r = -0.30, p < 0.001). We found that ΔAlbumin (ß = -0.33, p < 0.001), ΔTotal cholesterol (ß = -0.20, p = 0.011), and Δhs-CRP (ß = 0.19, p = 0.018) were statistically significant predictors of the Δproteinuria in multiple regression analysis. In subjects with primary NS, MPV is associated with the prognosis or the disease. This study provides the background for longer trials and the role of platelet activation in NS.

Impact of low- or high-flux haemodialysis and online haemodiafiltration on inflammatory markers and lipid profile in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the impact of low- or high-flux haemodialysis (HD) and online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) on inflammation and the lipid profile in HD patients. METHODS: 50 HD patients were assigned to two groups for HD with low-flux (n = 25) or high-flux (n = 25) polysulphone dialysers for 6 weeks. Subsequently, all patients were haemodialysed with a low-flux polysulphone dialyser for 6 weeks, then transferred to OL-HDF for another 6 weeks. Blood samples for lipids and inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, hs-CRP) were obtained at baseline and every 6 weeks. RESULTS: Changes in inflammatory markers and lipids from baseline to the 6-week dialysis period did not differ between low- and high-flux groups. When patients were transferred from low-flux HD to OL-HDF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels significantly decreased whereas HDL and LDL cholesterol significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Low- and high-flux polysulphone membranes had similar effects on lipids and inflammatory markers, whereas OL-HDF potently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Evaluation of the mean platelet volume in secondary amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inflammatory disorder that is leading cause of secondary amyloidosis (AA). This study was designed to investigate the level of mean platelet volume (MPV) in AA. Seventy-four FMF, 29 AA patients and 180 healthy controls, were included. There was no significant difference between the cases in terms of sex and age. MPV levels were measured in all groups. In the FMF group, MPV level was significantly higher when compared to the control group. MPV level was significantly lower in AA group in comparison with the FMF and healthy control groups. In summary, our present study showed low MPV values in AA due to FMF.

Revisiting secondary amyloidosis for an inadequately investigated feature: dyslipidemia.

Secondary amyloidosis is the most frequent form of the systemic amyloidosis around the world. Data on frequency and nature of dyslipidemia in patients with secondary amyloidosis are not conclusive. We evaluated the lipid abnormalities and their association with clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients with secondary amyloidosis. The reports of the kidney biopsies performed in our hospital were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients with biopsy-proven secondary amyloidosis were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 102 patients were diagnosed as having secondary amyloidosis. Familial Mediterranean fever was the leading cause of secondary amyloidosis accounting for 42.2 % of the cases. The most frequent indication for kidney biopsy was the nephrotic range proteinuria. The most common clinical and laboratory characteristics at the time of the diagnosis were edema, proteinuria and impaired renal function. The frequency of the nephrotic range proteinuria and microscopic hematuria were 75.5 and 18.6 %, respectively. Dyslipidemia was found in 88 % of the cases. Serum lipids significantly correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but not with serum albumin or urine protein levels. We demonstrated that majority of the patients with secondary amyloidosis had serum lipid abnormalities. Dyslipidemia was closely associated with GFR in a manner that patients with advanced stage kidney disease had lower serum lipid levels.

Blood pressure response to exercise in unaffected relatives of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is an early finding of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and is related to different mechanisms. Cyst expansion-related renin secretion or early endothelial dysfunctions are some of these hypotheses. In addition, the underlying genetic factor is thought to play a role in the inheritance of hypertension. The differential course of hypertension in ADPKD preoccupies that relatives of ADPKD patients may also be at risk for this underlying mechanisms with a genetically determined abnormal endothelial-vascular state. In this study, we aimed to evaluate blood pressure response to exercise as an initial vascular problem in unaffected and normotensive relatives of hypertensive ADPKD patients. METHODS: This is an observational study including unaffected and normotensive relatives (siblings and children) of ADPKD patients (relative group) and healthy controls (control group) who performed an exercise stress test. A 6-lead electrocardiogram was recorded and blood pressure was measured automatically with a cuff worn on the right arm, immediately before the test and every 3 min during the exercise and the recovery phase. Participants continued the test until their age-specific target heart rate was reached or symptoms occurred that required discontinuation of the test. The highest blood pressure and pulse values during exercise were noted. In addition, as a marker for endothelial function, nitric oxide (NO) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels were measured at baseline and post-exercise. RESULTS: There were 24 participants in the relative group (16 female, mean age 38.45 years) and 30 participants in the control group (15 female, mean age 37.96 years). Two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and biochemical parameters. Mean SBP and DBP were similar in both groups during 1st, 3rd and 9th minutes of exercise (1st minute: 136.25 ± 19.71 mmHg vs 140.36 ± 30.79 mmHg for SBP, p = 0.607, 84.05 ± 14.75 mmHg vs 82.60 ± 21.60 mmHg for DBP, p = 0.799; 3rd minute: 150.75 ± 30.39 mmHg vs 148.54 ± 27.30 mmHg for SBP, p = 0.801, 98.95 ± 26.92 mmHg vs 85.92 ± 17.93 mmHg for DBP, p = 0.062; 9th minute: 156.35 ± 30.84 mmHg vs 166.43 ± 31.90 mmHg for SBP, p = 0.300, 96.25 ± 21.99 mmHg vs 101.78 ± 33.11 mmHg for DBP, p = 0.529 for control and relatives, respectively). During the recovery phase, SBP decreased in both groups in 6th minute (119.85 ± 14.06 mmHg vs 122.86 ± 16.76 mmHg, p = 0.538 for control and relatives respectively); however, in the relatives of ADPKD patients DBP remained high at the end of the 6th minute (78.95 ± 11.29 mmHg vs 86.67 ± 9.81 mmHg p = 0.025 for control and relatives, respectively). Baseline and post-exercise NO and ADMA levels were similar in both groups (Baseline p = 0.214 and p = 0.818, post-exercise p = 0.652 and p = 0.918 for NO and ADMA, respectively). CONCLUSION: Abnormal blood pressure response to exercise was observed in unaffected normotensive relatives of ADPKD. Although its clinical significance needs to be demonstrated by additional research, it is an important finding that unaffected relatives of ADPKD may be at risk for an altered arterial vascular network. Furthermore, these data are the first to demonstrate that relatives of ADPKD patients may also be under risk with a genetically determined abnormal vascular state.

Could mesangial C3 deposition be an independent prognostic marker in immunoglobulin A nephropathy?

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a common primary glomerulonephropathy. There is evidence that mesangial C3 deposition plays a role in the development of the disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of C3 deposition on the prognosis of IgAN patients. METHOD: The study included 1135 patients with biopsy-confirmed IgAN from the database of the Turkish Nephrology Association Glomerular Diseases Working Group (TSN-GOLD). Patients were excluded from the study if they were aged < 18 or > 75 years or if C3 staining had not been performed in the immunofluorescent analysis. C3 deposition was defined as an immunofluorescence intensity of C3 ≥ 2 + within the mesangium. The primary endpoints were the development of end-stage renal disease, a 30% decrease in glomerular filtration rate compared to the basal value or an elevation in proteinuria to a nephrotic level (3.5 gr/day). RESULTS: Mesangial C3 deposition was observed in 603 (53.1%) patients. No statistically significant difference was found at baseline between the groups with and without mesangial C3 deposition, as for age, sex, BMI, proteinuria level, or the presence of hypertension. In the follow-up period with a mean duration of 78 months, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the primary endpoints (p = 0.43). A significant correlation between C3 deposition and segmental glomerulosclerosis (S1) according to the Oxford MEST-C classification was found (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although a correlation was observed between mesangial C3 deposition and the S1 MEST-C classification, mesangial C3 deposition was not a prognostic factor in IgAN.

High frequency of aspirin resistance in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin has a beneficial role in prevention of cardiovascular and thromboembolic events. Patients may experience thromboembolic events despite aspirin treatment, a phenomenon called aspirin resistance. We evaluated the frequency of aspirin resistance and its correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters among patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS). METHODS: A total of 83 patients (50 males, 33 females, age range 18-79 years) with NS using aspirin 100 mg/day were included in the study. Demographic information and aetiology of NS based on the histology of a renal biopsy were recorded for each patient. Blood samples were drawn to investigate the association of aspirin resistance with inflammation and thrombotic risk factors. Aspirin resistance was defined as a normal collagen/epinephrine closure time<159 s using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100). RESULTS: Aspirin resistance was determined in 51 patients (61.4%). The number of patients exposed to azathioprine therapy was significantly higher in the aspirin-sensitive group (P=0.043), whereas patients exposed to cyclosporine therapy were significantly higher in the aspirin-resistant group (P=0.017). More patients in the aspirin-resistant group were on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy compared with the aspirin-sensitive group (P=0.024). The aspirin-resistant group showed significantly higher serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (151±47 versus 104±21 mg/dL; P<0.001), triglyceride levels (192±116 versus 134±82 mg/dL; P=0.015) and glomerular filtration rates (91.8±43.0 versus 74.0±35.6 mL/min/1.73 m2; P=0.044) compared with the aspirin-sensitive group. In multivariate analysis, LDL-C was the only parameter associated independently with aspirin resistance [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.06; P=0.004]. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients with NS are resistant to aspirin therapy. Serum LDL-C level is closely associated with aspirin resistance in NS.

Real-time ultrasound guided placement of temporary internal jugular vein catheters: assessment of technical success and complication rates in nephrology practice.

AIM: Internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization is often required to gain access for haemodialysis. Use of ultrasound guidance has reduced the complication rates of this procedure. We hypothesized that nephrologists may perform IJV cannulation with a high technical success and low immediate complication rates under real-time ultrasound guidance. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 323 patients (186 male, 137 female) who underwent IJV cannulation with real-time ultrasound guidance. The number of needle punctures, technical success, the time between injection of local anaesthetic and entry into the IJV, and immediate complications were recorded. Patients with a history of multiple catheter insertions, previous difficulties during catheterization, poor compliance, obesity, impaired consciousness, skeletal deformity, disorder of haemostasis were regarded as high-risk group. RESULTS: Cannulation of IJV was achieved in all patients. Of the 323 catheters, 125 (38.7%) were placed in high-risk patients. Average number of puncture was 1.26 (range, 1-4). IJV was entered on the first attempt in 261 (80.8%) patients. Only ten complications (10/323, 3.2%) developed; five (2.5%) in the normal-risk group, and five (4.0%) in the high-risk group. Cannulation of IJV took a longer time in the high-risk group than in the normal-risk group. The number of needle punctures, percent of successful cannulation on the first attempt, and the frequency of complications were similar between the high- and normal-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cannulation of IJV under real-time ultrasound guidance is very safe with high technical success rates. Nephrologists can use this technique with ease and with minimal complications in normal- and high-risk patients.