American journal of nephrology
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Elevated wave reflections and arterial stiffness, as well as ambulatory blood pressure (BP) are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk in end-stage-renal-disease. This study is the first to evaluate in hemodialysis patients the validity of a new ambulatory oscillometric device (Mobil-O-Graph, IEM, Germany), which estimates aortic BP, augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). ⋯ As in other populations, acceptable agreement between Mobil-O-Graph and Sphygmocor was evident for aSBP and AIx(75) in hemodialysis patients; PWV was slightly underestimated by Mobil-O-Graph.
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The optimal level of serum ferritin (s-ft) for anemia control and good survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients remains unclear. A 10-year survey was performed to clarify the appropriate quantities of s-ft and investigate the relationships among s-ft, transferrin saturation (TSAT), and mortality in HD patients. ⋯ This study revealed that low levels of s-ft have a beneficial effect on the outcome of HD patients receiving ESA. Thus, the optimal s-ft level might be lower than that established previously for these patients.
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Changes in renal oxygenation and perfusion have been identified as common pathways to the development and progression of renal disease. Recently, the sensitivity of hemodynamic response imaging (HRI) was demonstrated; this is a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method combined with transient hypercapnia and hyperoxia for the evaluation of renal perfusion and vascular reactivity. The aim of this study was to utilize HRI for the noninvasive evaluation of changes in renal hemodynamics and morphology during acute, chronic and acute-on-chronic renal failures. ⋯ This study suggests the potential combined usage of two noninvasive MRI methods, HRI and True-FISP, for the assessment of renal dysfunction without the potential risk associated with contrast-agents administration. HRI may also serve as a research tool in experimental settings, revealing the hemodynamic changes associated with kidney dysfunction.
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MicroRNAs (miR) have come into focus as powerful regulators of gene expression and potential diagnostic tools during renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular regulation and function of miR-21, and to analyze the relationship between caspases and miR-21 expression levels in an experimental model of renal IRI. ⋯ miR-21 is endowed with anti-apoptotic properties by suppressing the expression of PDCD4 gene and active caspase 3/8 fragments in the condition of renal IRI. miR-21 exerts significant functional protection in our renal murine model of IRI.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication of sepsis. A growing body of evidence now suggests that inflammatory reactions and tubular dysfunction induced by oxidative stress involved in the mechanisms of the disease. This study aimed to determine the role of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of mangiferin (MA) in sepsis-induced AKI. ⋯ In summary, MA protects against sepsis-induced AKI through NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and Nrf2 up-regulation. Thus, the mangiferin could thus be a promising candidate for development of a multi-potent drug.