The aim of the study was to assess 24-h pulse pressure (PP) and to determine relationships between PP and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). ...The study population included 47 children (mean age: 13.11 yrs) with CKD treated conservatively (n=14), with hemodialysis (HD) (n=13) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) (n=20). Retrospectively, antropometrical data, office blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) variables and LV parameters in echocardiogaphy were analyzed. In study subjects, hypertension (HTN) was present in 25 (53.19%) and in 29 (61.7%) when based on office blood pressure and ABPM respectively. The prevalence of HTN was the highest in predialysis patients. 21 (44.6%) of children had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which was the most frequently found in HD group. The mean PP value was 45.26 +/- 7.56 mmHg and was similar in all groups. Positive correlations were found between PP and weight (p < 0.001), height (p < 0.05), body surface area (p < 0.01) and LV measures (LV mass, LV posterior wall thickness and diastolic diameter of LV, all p < 0.05). Children with PP above median had tendency for greater LV mass (p = 0.06). There was no difference in severity of blood pressure and PP in children with/without LVH. However, in 45% of patients LVH was noted in whom the value of PP was greater than calculated normative value of PP (95 centile). HTN and LVH is common in children with CKD. A mean PP in children with CKD is lower when compared to adult population with CKD. The results confirm that PP increases with the age and an increasing PP has an influence on the changes of LV geometry. Assessment of PP in ABPM might help in identifying those with abnormal LV geometry.
T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome (NS). The aim of the study was to determine whether the activity of T-helper-1 (Th1) and T-helper-2 (Th2) cells and the distribution of ...the lymphocyte subsets, namely CD45RA+CD4+ ("naive" helper T cells, suppressor-inducer), CD45RA+CD8+ ("naive" suppressor T cells, suppressor-effector), CD45RO+CD4+ ("memory" helper T cells), are predictive for steroid sensitivity in children with primary NS. These parameters were assessed at the onset of disease, before initiation of steroid therapy. Two groups of NS children were retrospectively formed according to steroid sensitivity (SS) or resistance (SR). The activity of Th1 and Th2 cells was defined by the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 in the supernatants of CD4+ T cell cultures activated with autologous monocytes presenting tetanus toxoid (TT). Peripheral lymphocyte subsets were determined using double- or triple-color flow cytometry. In SS children with NS we found a decreased proliferative response of CD4+ T cells to TT stimulation, cytokine synthesis indicating the predominance of Th2 activity, and an increased percentage of activated suppressor-inducer (CD45RA+ CD4+CD25+, 5.18+/-0.8, P<0.001) and suppressor-effector (CD45RA+CD8+CD25+, 2.05+/-0.6, P<0.01) cells, with the concomitant reduction of activated memory cells (CD45RO+CD4+CD25+, 0.2+/-0.1, P<0.001). In children with SRNS we found an increased proliferative response of CD4+ T cells to TT, a rise in activated memory (CD45RO+CD4+CD25+, 3.82+/-0.7, P<0.01) and suppressor-inducer peripheral T cells (CD45RA+ CD4+CD25+, 3.85+/-0.6, P<0.01), but a low percentage of activated suppressor-effector (CD45RA+CD8+ CD25+, 0.5+/-0.2, P<0.05) T cells. We conclude that prior to treatment the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood together with Th1 and Th2 cell activity provides a useful tool for evaluating the likelihood of steroid sensitivity in patients with primary NS.
Nephrotic syndrome is accompanied by and probably related to abnormal T-lymphocyte function. Decreased stimulation of survival factors and increased levels of "dead signals" may lead to the ...malfunction of many cells, including lymphocytes. In our study, we investigated the process of apoptosis within T cells in children with a first attack of nephrotic syndrome (NS). We found that the number of apoptotic T cells is greater in these patients than in both children in remission from NS and in controls. The percentage of annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-positive CD3+ cells was 27.30+/- 12.13% in children with a first attack of NS, 19.22+/- 15.16% (P=0.006) in children in remission and 16.20+/- 6.13% (P=0.004) in controls. The percentage of annexin-V-FITC-positive CD3+CD4+ cells was 7.35+/-7.72% in children with a first attack of NS, 3.80+/-3.75% (P=0.0001) in children in remission and 3.82+/-2.01% (P=0.0002) in controls. We conclude that abnormal number and function of T lymphocytes found in NS patients may be related to an increased apoptotic rate of circulating lymphocytes.
Recently it was shown that oxidative stress has a negative influence on immunological response. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of N-acetylcysteine on intracellular oxidative ...stress and cytokine synthesis in peripheral blood lymphocytes in children with end stage renal disease (ESRD). MATERIAL AND METHODS. We examined 25 children (age 2-16 ys.) with ESRD. To determine oxidative stress we used dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR). Intracellular oxidation of DHR in T. lymphocytes reflected intracellular oxidative stress within cells. The intracellular synthesis of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-r, IL-4, IL-6) was detected with flow cytometty RESULTS. We found lower intracellular stress and higher cytokines synthesis after incubation with N-acetylcysteine (NA C) in all subpopulations of lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS. Our results shows that patients with ESRD present increased oxidative stress in T lymphocytes which may lead to decreased cytokines synthesis and abnormal immune response. NAC has favorable influence on these abnormalities.
Oxidative stress (SOX) is believed to be responsible for functional disabilities of lymphocytes in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Therefore, we investigated the effect of antioxidant therapy with ...vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on SOX and cytokine synthesis in T cells in dialyzed children. Eighteen children (aged 2-20, mean 10.9 yr) treated with hemodialysis (n=5) and peritoneal dialysis (n=13) were enrolled into the study. Vitamin E and NAC were given orally for six months. Throughout the study, intracellular lymphokines interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4, IL-6 and SOX in T cells were measured by means of flow cytometry. In dialyzed children, mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), which reflected intracellular SOX, was significantly higher than in the controls in both CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ cells (p<0.05). We also found a cytokine dysregulation with a trend toward a predominant T helper (Th)-1 response compared to the controls. After 6 months of treatment with antioxidants, a significant reduction in MFI was noted compared to baseline values in CD3+ and CD3+CD4- cells (p<0.001). Interestingly, the therapy led to a decrease in IFN-gamma as well as an increase in IL-4 and IL-6 production. In addition, a gradual decline in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in Th cells was noted.
Vitamin E and NAC used in combination are effective in reducing the intracellular SOX, and besides their action on cellular redox state, they modulate the cytokine profile in children on dialysis.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in pediatric practice and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Escherichia coli remains the predominant uropathogen (80%) isolated in ...acute community-acquired uncomplicated infections, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (10% to 15%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%) The pathogens traditionally associated with UTI are changing many of their features, particularly because of antimicrobial resistance. Reinfections and relapses of urinary tract infections caused by PA are very frequent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined clarithromycine and ceftazidime in terms of eradication of PA infection. We analyzed 20 out of 264 children with UTI where PA infection was confirmed with urine culture. Those children were treated for at least 14 days with the protocol used for PA infection in patients with mucoviscidosis. Short-term eradication was achieved in all patients. Long-term study revealed relapse in 25% of children, all with serious congenital malformations. 75% of children were treated with success. No side effects were observed. Conclusion. We conclude that an empirical combination treatment of clarithromycine and ceftazidime is appropriate and effective in children with UTI caused by PA. This therapy was clinically efficacious, well tolerated, and cost effective, and should prevent unnecessary development of antimicrobial resistance.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are subjected to enhanced oxidative stress. Excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may lead to the functional disabilities of lymphocytes. The aim of the ...study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on antioxidant status and intracellular oxidative stress in T-cells in children treated with dialysis.
18 children treated with dialysis (hemodialysis n = 5 and peritoneal dialysis n = 13) were enrolled into the study. The age range was 2-20 ys. with a mean of 10.94 +/-5.86 ys. Vitamin E and NAC were given for six months orally. Throughout the study total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and intracellular oxidative stress in T lymphocytes was measured.
In children treated with dialysis, TAS was significantly reduced compared to the controls (p = 0.012). We found no differences in GPx and SOD activities between patient and control groups. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), which reflected intracellular oxidative stress, was significantly increased in: CD3+, CD3+CD4- and CD8+CD28-. After six months of antioxidant treatment, a significant reduction in MFI was noted in most T-cell subsets (p < 0.001). MFI in T-helper cells remained unchanged. Although there was a trend toward rise in TAS and GPx activity, only significant differences in SOD activity were found (p = 0.022).
In children with ESRD treated with dialysis reduced TAS coexists with enhanced intracellular oxidative stress in T lymphocytes. The combined treatment with vitamin E and NAC lead to the reduction in oxidative stress within T-cells that might be of therapeutic value in dialyzed patients.
Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TN) is a heterogenous disease, where disturbances of the interstitial tissue and renal tubules are found. Different immunological and nonimmunological mechanisms ...initiated by infectious and non-infectious factors may lead to TN. A case of 13-years-old girl with primary diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis is presented. The abdominal pain, headache, pain in lumbar region and intermittent fever with loss of appetite were observed in this girl a few weeks before admission. Microcytic anemia, proteinuria and glucosuria, azotemia and elevated markers of inflammatory response were found. In ultrasound examination heterogenous cortex echogenicity of both kidneys and disturbances in parenchymal blood flow were observed. In renal scintigraphy the discriminated catch index was found. Kidney biopsy revealed the edema of the interstitial space with mononuclear and lymphocyte infiltration. The diagnosis of TN was established upon the history, clinical examination, results of laboratory tests, kidney imaging and biopsy. After steroid and doxycycline treatment an improvement and normalization of the results of laboratory tests were observed. It seems to be justified to consider Yersinia infection as a cause of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis.
Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a disease in which immune system function disorders play an important role. The aim of the study was an assessment of intracellular expression of cytokines in primary NS ...including assessment of intracellular expression of monokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8) in non-specific LPS stimulation system and intracellular expression of lymphokines (IL-2, INF-gamma, IL-4, IL-6) in experimental system with application of stimulation with ionomycin and PMA.
The study included 47 children with NS aged 2-16 years. After activation of whole blood cells in the presence of brefeldin A the cells were labelled with monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens. In the second phase the cells underwent permeabilisation and were labelled with monoclonal antibodies against individual cytokines.
The studies performed demonstrated in children with NS relapse an increase of intracellular synthesis of cytokines characteristic of Th1 system (IL-2) and a decrease of synthesis of cytokines characteristic of Th2 system (IL-4, IL-6). In these patients an increase was also found of intracellular synthesis of proinflammatory monokines (TNF-alpha and IL-8). The studies performed, confirmed the earlier observations concerning abnormal cellular response in NS and demonstrated that differences in serum concentrations of individual cytokines may result from disturbances in their intracellular synthesis.
Hyperuricemia is a common symptom in adult population. It usually accompanies the chronic kidney disease. Less frequently, it is a primary phenomenon causing later serious clinical consequences. ...Familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy (FJHN) is one of the hereditary conditions associated with high levels of serum uric acid and leading to dialysis in young adult age. It results from mutation in the UMOD gene, encoding the uromodulin protein, that is, Tamm-Horsfall protein. The aim of this paper was to present two families (7 affected members) with FJHN, in whom standard nephrological diagnostics did not provide clear cause of dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease, until genetic testing was performed.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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