| 1. |
- Eckersten, Dag, et al.
(author)
-
MicroRNA-155 and Anti-Müllerian Hormone : New Potential Markers of Subfertility in Men with Chronic Kidney Disease
- 2017
-
In: Nephron Extra. - : S. Karger AG. - 1664-5529. ; 7:1, s. 33-41
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background/Aims: Men with terminal renal failure are often infertile. Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of Sertoli cell function, is decreased among men with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, a microRNA, miR-155, has been shown to be a potential marker for subfertility. We studied miR-155 and semen parameters in patients with CKD who were not yet on dialysis. We also aimed to study possible associations between AMH, miR-155, and semen parameters to evaluate them as markers of fertility. Methods: Thirty male patients with CKD 1–4 as well as 18 healthy controls were enrolled. Results: Serum levels of miR-155 were significantly higher among men with CKD stages 1–2 (4.51 ± 3.81 [p = 0.01]) and stages 3–4 (2.75 ± 1.77 [p = 0.006]) than in controls (1.09 ± 0.44). Sperm concentration was significantly lower among men with CKD 3–4 (42 ± 29) ×106/mL compared to controls (88 ± 42) ×106/mL (p = 0.011). High levels of miR-155 were associated with a relatively low sperm concentration (p = 0.02) and with a low total sperm number (p = 0.005). Low AMH levels were associated with a decreased percentage of motile sperm cells (p = 0.02). Conclusions: We conclude that men with stage 3–4 CKD had lower sperm concentrations than healthy fertile men and that increased serum miR-155 in men with stage 1–4 CKD was associated with semen parameters that indicate subfertility. Low AMH levels were associated with a low percentage of the total number of motile sperm cells. miR-155 and AMH may be potential markers of subfertility in men with CKD.
|
|
| 2. |
- Hulkko, J, et al.
(author)
-
Neph1 is reduced in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change nephrotic syndrome, and corresponding experimental animal models of adriamycin-induced nephropathy and puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis
- 2014
-
In: Nephron extra. - : S. Karger AG. - 1664-5529. ; 4:3, s. 146-54
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- <b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> The transmembrane proteins Neph1 and nephrin form a complex in the slit diaphragm (SD) of podocytes. As recent studies indicate an involvement of this complex in the polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton and proteinuria, we wanted to study the subcellular localization of Neph1 in the normal human kidney and its expression in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), and the corresponding experimental models of Adriamycin-induced nephropathy (ADR) and puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN). All these disorders are characterized by substantial foot process effacement (FPE) and proteinuria. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Kidney biopsies from patients with primary FSGS (perihilar type) and MCNS were compared to normal renal tissue. Mouse and rat kidney cortices from days 7 and 14 after Adriamycin injection and days 2 and 4 after puromycin aminonucleoside injection, respectively, were compared to control mouse and rat kidney. Polyclonal antibodies against Neph1 and nephrin were used for immunoelectron microscopy, and semiquantification was performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We localized Neph1 mainly to, and in close proximity to, the SD. Double staining of Neph1 and nephrin showed the proteins to be in close connection in the SD. The total amount of Neph1 in the podocytes was significantly reduced in FSGS, MCNS, ADR, and PAN. The reduction of Neph1 was also seen in areas with and without FPE. Nephrin was reduced in MCNS and PAN but unchanged in FSGS. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> With nephrin (but not Neph1) unchanged in FSGS, there might be a disruption of the complex and an involvement of Neph1 in its pathogenesis.
|
|
| 3. |
- Kato, S, et al.
(author)
-
DNA hypermethylation and inflammatory markers in incident Japanese dialysis patients
- 2012
-
In: Nephron extra. - : S. Karger AG. - 1664-5529. ; 2:1, s. 159-68
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- <b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Inflammation is an established mortality risk factor in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Although a previous report showed that uremic Caucasian patients with inflammation had signs of global DNA hypermethylation, it is still unknown whether DNA hypermethylation is linked to inflammatory markers including a marker of bacterial infections in Japanese CKD patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In 44 consecutive incident dialysis patients (26 males, mean age 59 ± 12 years) without clinical signs of infection, global DNA methylation was evaluated in peripheral blood DNA using the <i>Hpa</i>II<i>/Msp</i>I ratio by the luminometric methylation assay method. A lower ratio of <i>Hpa</i>II<i>/Msp</i>I indicates global DNA hypermethylation. Procalcitonin (PCT), a marker of inflammation due to bacterial infections, was measured using an immunochromatographic assay. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The patients were divided into hyper- and hypomethylation groups based on the median value of the <i>Hpa</i>II<i>/Msp</i>I ratio 0.31 (range 0.29–0.37). Whereas patients in the hypermethylation group had higher ferritin levels [133.0 (51.5–247.3) vs. 59.5 (40.0–119.0) ng/ml; p = 0.046], there were no significant differences in age, gender, diabetes, smoking, anemia or serum albumin levels. However, the <i>Hpa</i>II<i>/Msp</i>I ratio showed significant negative correlations with PCT (ρ = –0.32, p = 0.035) and ferritin (ρ = –0.33, p = 0.027) in Spearman’s rank test. In a multiple linear regression analysis, PCT and ferritin were associated with a lower <i>Hpa</i>II<i>/Msp</i>I ratio (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.24, p = 0.013). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In this study, global DNA hypermethylation was associated with ferritin and, most likely, PCT, suggesting that inflammation induced by subclinical bacterial infection promoted DNA methylation.
|
|
| 4. |
- Stefánsson, Bergur V., et al.
(author)
-
Dosing of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents can be reduced by a new administration regimen.
- 2011
-
In: Nephron extra. - : S. Karger AG. - 1664-5529. ; 1:1, s. 45-54
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- At our hemodialysis (HD) unit, we noted a drop in the treatment dose of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) when the frequency of dose adjustment was reduced from weekly, where doses were withheld if hemoglobin was >130 g/l, to monthly, where doses were not withheld. The aim of this study was to find an explanation for this reduction in ESA requirement.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Uhlin, Fredrik, et al.
(author)
-
Vasoactive Peptide Levels after Change of Dialysis Mode.
- 2015
-
In: Nephron Extra. - : S. Karger AG. - 1664-5529. ; 5:3, s. 68-78
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS: Plasma concentrations of the N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are increased in end-stage renal disease. Improvement in hemodynamic stability has been reported when switching from hemodialysis (HD) to on-line hemodiafiltration (ol-HDF). The aim of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP, BNP and neuropeptide Y (NPY) during a 1-year follow-up, after a change from high-flux HD to postdilution ol-HDF. Additional variables were also studied, e.g. pulse wave velocity and ordinary clinical parameters.METHOD: We conducted a prospective, single-center study including 35 patients who were switched from HD to HDF. Plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP, BNP and NPY before and after dialysis were measured at baseline (i.e. HD) and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months on HDF.RESULTS: All three peptide levels decreased significantly during HD and HDF when comparing concentrations before and after dialysis. Mean absolute value (before/after) and relative decrease (%) before versus after dialysis was 13.697/9.497 ng/l (31%) for NT-proBNP, 62/40 ng/ml (35%) for BNP and 664/364 pg/l (45%) for NPY. No significant differences were observed when comparing predialysis values over time. However, postdialysis NT-proBNP concentration showed a significant decrease of 48% over time after the switch to HDF.CONCLUSION: The postdialysis plasma levels of NT-proBNP, BNP and NPY decreased significantly during both dialysis modes when compared to before dialysis. The postdialysis lowering of NT-proBNP increased further over time after the switch to ol-HDF; the predialysis levels were unchanged, suggesting no effect on its production in the ventricles of the heart.
|
|
