Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Research Articles

Study on the Correlation Between Renal Blood Perfusion and Kidney Injury in Different Weekly-Aged Type 2 Diabetic Mice

This study aims to explore the correlation between renal blood perfusion (RBP) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods: A total of 72 mice included db/db and db/m mice at the ages of 6, 14, and 22 weeks, forming six groups. RBP was assessed using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI). Kidney function markers and the extent of pathological damage were evaluated. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to predict the relationship between RBP and various indicators of kidney damage. Results: Compared to db/m mice of all ages, 6-week-old db/db mice showed no significant difference in kidney function markers and had no apparent pathological damage. However, db/db mice at other ages showed deteriorating kidney functions and evident pathological damage, which worsened with age. The RBP in db/m mice of all ages and 6-week-old db/db mice showed no significant difference; however, RBP in db/db mice demonstrated a significant declining trend with age. The correlation between RBP and kidney damage indicators was as follows: 24 h urinary microalbumin (r=-0.728), urinary transferrin (r=-0.834), urinary β2-microglobulin (r=-0.755), urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (r=-0.786), Masson's trichrome staining (r=-0.872), and Periodic Acid-Schiff staining (r=-0.908). Conclusion: RBP is strongly correlated with the extent of diabetic kidney damage.

Serum and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as markers of inflammation and renal damage in dogs with naturally occurring leishmaniosis

BackgroundRenal disease in canine leishmaniosis is of great importance owing to increased risk of mortality. In human visceral leishmaniosis, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been used as a marker of renal damage and inflammation. The purpose of this study was first to determine the serum MCP-1 and urinary MCP-1-to-creatinine ratio (uMCP-1/Cr) in healthy dogs and dogs with leishmaniosis at diagnosis, and second to determine whether these markers can differentiate disease severity at diagnosis.MethodsIn total, 19 healthy seronegative dogs and 38 dogs with leishmaniosis were included in the study. Dogs with leishmaniosis were classified as LeishVet clinical staging and as International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) staging. Serum and urinary MCP-1 concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve determined disease severity at diagnosis between two LeishVet groups (Stage II versus stage III and IV).ResultsDogs in Leishvet stages IIb, III, and IV had a median serum MCP-1 and uMCP-1/Cr concentration higher than healthy dogs (P < 0.0001). No statistical differences were found in serum MCP-1 and uMCP-1/Cr between dogs in LeishVet stage IIa and healthy dogs. The dogs in LeishVet stage IV had significantly higher serum MCP-1 and uMCP-1/Cr compared with the dogs in LeishVet stage IIa (P < 0.0001). Serum MCP-1 and uMCP-1 were significantly higher in dogs in IRIS stage I and II + III + IV compared with healthy dogs. Dogs stage II + III + IV of IRIS had a significantly higher serum MCP-1 compared with dogs in IRIS stage I (P < 0.0001). The area under the ROC curve for serum MCP-1 was 0.78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.93] and for uMCP-1/Cr it was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74–0.99). The optimal cutoff value for serum MCP-1 and uMCP-1/Cr was 336.85 pg/ml (sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 68%) and 6.89 × 10−7 (sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 79%), respectively.ConclusionsSerum MCP-1 and uMCP-1/Cr are increased in dogs with leishmaniosis compared with healthy dogs, suggesting the presence of inflammation and renal injury. Serum MCP-1 and uMCP-1/Cr were more elevated in the advanced stages of the disease compared with the moderate stages and, therefore, can be markers of the severity of the disease process.Graphical

Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule 1 and Urinary Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 as Novelbiomarkers for Early Detection of Sickle Cell Nephropathy

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic disorders, it not onlyhas hematological pathophysiological consequences, but also has systemic pathologicalmanifestations such as Sickle cell nephopathy(SN). There are no randomized control trials thatexamined the utility of screening test for renal disease in individuals with SCD. Aim of the Work To evaluate urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and urinarykidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) as biomarkers for early detection of sickle cell nephropathy and correlate them with proteinuria and decline in estimate glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR). Patient and Methods This study was a cross sectional study, conducted at Pediatrics Hematology-Oncology Unit at Ain Shams University Children’s Hospital, where 45 children with sickle cell disease were enrolled aged 6 months - 16 years. Urine samples were collected to measure MCP-1and KIM-1 levels and compared to age and sex matched control. Results There was a statistically significant difference found between control group and patients’group regarding the level of MCP-1 in urine as it was found higher in patients than control group with median(IQR) values of 600 pg/ml (300–780) vs. 47.5 pg/ml (30–80, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Regarding the level of KIIM-1 in urine, it was found higher in patients than control group with median (IQR)values of 2.8 ng/ml (1.6–5.6) vs. 0.4 ng/ml (0.4–0.55, p&amp;lt;0.001) respectively. Conclusion Our data shows a distinct biomarker pattern in children with SCD, identifying KIM-1and MCP-1 as two potential biomarkers of early SN and its progression.

Urine Biomarkers of Kidney Tubule Health and Risk of Incident CKD in Persons Without Diabetes: The ARIC, MESA, and REGARDS Studies

Rationale & ObjectiveTubulointerstitial damage is a feature of early chronic kidney disease (CKD), but current clinical tests capture it poorly. Urine biomarkers of tubulointerstitial health may identify risk of CKD. Study DesignProspective cohort (ARIC) and case-cohort (MESA and REGARDS). Setting & ParticipantsAdults with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2 and without diabetes in the ARIC, REGARDS, and MESA studies. ExposureBaseline urine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), alpha-1-microglobulin (α1m), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40). OutcomeIncident CKD or ESKD (end-stage kidney disease). Analytical ApproachMultivariable Cox proportional hazards regression for each cohort; meta-analysis of results from all three cohorts. Results872 ARIC participants (444 cases of incident CKD), 636 MESA participants (158 cases), and 924 REGARDS participants (488 cases) were sampled. Across cohorts, mean age ranged from 60±10 to 63±8 years and baseline eGFR ranged from 88±13 to 91±14 mL/min/1.73m2. In ARIC, higher concentrations of urine MCP-1, α1m, and KIM-1 were associated with incident CKD. In MESA, higher concentration of urine MCP-1 and lower concentration of EGF was each associated with incident CKD. In REGARDS, none of the biomarkers were associated with incident CKD. In meta-analysis of all three cohorts, each two-fold higher α1m concentration was associated with incident CKD (HR=1.19 [1.08, 1.31]). LimitationsObservational design susceptible to confounding; competing risks during long follow-up period; meta-analysis limited to three cohorts. ConclusionsIn three combined cohorts of adults without prevalent CKD or diabetes, higher urine α1m was independently associated with incident CKD. Four biomarkers were associated with incident CKD in at least one of the cohorts when analyzed individually. Kidney tubule health markers might inform CKD risk independent of eGFR and albuminuria.

Combination of urinary biomarkers and machine-learning models provided a higher predictive accuracy to predict long-term treatment outcomes of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

To identify predictive factors for satisfactory treatment outcome of the patients with IC/BPS using urine biomarkers and machine-learning models. The IC/BPS patients were prospectively enrolled and provide urine samples. The targeted analytes included inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophins, and oxidative stress biomarkers. The patients with overall subjective symptom improvement of ≥ 50% were considered to have satisfactory results. Binary logistic regression, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, machine-learning decision tree, and random forest models were used to analyze urinary biomarkers to predict satisfactory results. Altogether, 57.4% of the 291 IC/BPS patients obtained satisfactory results. The patients with satisfactory results had lower levels of baseline urinary inflammatory cytokines and oxidative biomarkers than patients without satisfying results, including interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10), oxidative stress biomarkers 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), 8-isoprostane, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Logistic regression and multivariable analysis revealed that lower levels of urinary CXCL10, MCP-1, 8-OHDG, and 8-isoprostane were independent factors. The ROC curve revealed that MCP-1 level had best area under curve (AUC: 0.797). In machine-learning decision tree model, combination of urinary C-C motif chemokine 5, 8-isoprostane, TAC, MCP-1, and 8-OHDG could predict satisfactory results (accuracy: 0.81). The random forest model revealed that urinary 8-isoprostance, MCP-1, and 8-OHDG levels had the most important influence on accuracy. Machine learning decision tree model provided a higher accuracy for predicting treatment outcome of patients with IC/BPS than logistic regression, and levels of 8-isoprostance, MCP-1, and 8-OHDG had the most important influence on accuracy.

Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass on Postoperative Renal Function and the Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) Level

IntroductionBariatric surgery has been the most effective treatment modality for morbid obesity that reduces associated comorbidities and improves quality of life. This study aims at evaluating and comparing the impact of two types of bariatric surgery—laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB)—on renal functions and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MPC-1) levels in morbidly obese patients 3 months after surgery.MethodsThis is a prospective study of 40 morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Two types of bariatric surgery were done—laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (26 patients) and laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) (14 patients). The outcomes of the two procedures were compared in terms of renal function parameters and the level of urinary MCP-1.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the mean postoperative urinary MCP-1 (73.53 ± 21.25, 75.43 ± 26.17, P > 0.5), microalbuminuria (8.83 ± 6.26, 10.02 ± 8.6, P > 0.05), urinary creatinine (109.21 ± 43.22, 99.19 ± 48.65, P > 0.05), MCP1/Cr ratio (0.78 ± 0.36, 1.01 ± 0.70, P > 0.05), eGFR (100.32 ± 9.54, 104.39 ± 9.54, P > 0.05) in the cases who had either LSG operation or OAGB operation.ConclusionBariatric surgery improves all indicators of kidney malfunction and reduces the level of urinary MCP-1. Both laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) cause similar improvement of the renal function and reduction of urinary MCP-1 level.Graphical

The role of urinary biomarker monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) in correlation with different histopathological classes of lupus nephritis in Egyptian patients

Lupus nephritis (LN) affects almost two-thirds of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of LN. However, repeated biopsies are not always performed in clinical practice, and they carry some risk. Therefore, minimally invasive techniques, as urinary biomarkers, are promising tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of SLE. Previous studies evaluated urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in patients with SLE, reported higher levels of urinary MCP-1 in patients with active LN than non-active LN. Other studies reported higher levels of urinary MCP-1 in LN patients with proliferative forms (III and IV). This study aimed to evaluate urinary MCP-1 as a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker tool for LN, and to determine its association with different LN histopathological stages and chronicity indices. The study included 40 SLE patients with biopsy-proven LN class II, III, IV or V, and 20 patients with inactive LN as a control group. In LN active patients, the mean creatinine was 1.71 ± 0.55 mg/dl, and 0.84 ± 0.10 mg/dl in the control group. The mean MCP-1 level was 618.4 ± 294.2 ng/l in active LN patients and 120.05 ± 87.53 ng/l in inactive LN patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated a better diagnostic performance of MCP-1 than conventional biomarkers. At area under the curve of 0.990, the best cut-off level was &gt;245 ng/L (sensitivity 97.5 %, Specificity 95 %). In conclusion, urinary MCP-1 distinguished active LN from inactive renal disease. It can be proposed as a good noninvasive diagnostic biomarker with a high sensitivity and specificity for detection of LN activity.

Study of urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) level in severely obese patients before and after bariatric surgeries and its relation to renal function

Study of urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) level in severely obese patients before and after bariatric surgeries and its relation to renal function

Correlation of hematological parameters, antibodies and cytokines with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLR) with standard inflammation parameters, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), complement component C3, anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA), anti-nucleosome and anti-C1q antibodies, and serum and urinary monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).ResultsThis study included 160 patients (145 female and 15 male patients), hospitalized at the Rheumatology Department. A positive correlation between NLR and ESR (p < 0.01), anti-dsDNA antibodies (p < 0.05), and PLR (p < 0.001) was obtained, with a negative correlation with C3 (p < 0.005). PLR shows a positive correlation with ESR (p < 0.001), CRP (p < 0.005), anti-dsDNA antibodies (p < 0.001), anti-nucleosome antibodies (p < 0.05), and urine MCP-1 (p < 0.05), with a negative correlation with C3 (p < 0.005). Univariate analysis showed that all the examined laboratory parameters were independent predictors of disease activity (p < 0.001), while the method of standard multiple regression analysis revealed the most significant ESR and serum MCP-1 (p < 0.05).ConclusionsNLR and PLR, as inexpensive and accessible biomarkers, can help in routine clinical practice for the estimation of disease activity in SLE patients.

The Role of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 plays an important role in kidney disease. In several studies, the role of MCP-1 as a urine biomarker has been extensively studied. In many kidney diseases, there are elevated levels of MCP-1 in the kidney tissue and this is an important cause of monocyte infiltration in the pathogenesis of kidney damage. Elevated urinary MCP-1 levels have been able to predict outcome in proliferative kidney diseases such as lupus nephritis. However, in several studies it was also found that there was an increase in MCP-1 in diabetic kidney disease. Macrophages have even appeared early in diabetic kidney disease and are associated with the progression of kidney disease. Urinary MCP-1 levels are related to the degree of leukocyte infiltration in the tubulointerstitial. This supports inflammatory factors as part of the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease.

The Association of Urinary MCP-1 with Disease Activity of Lupus Nephritis

Background: The association of urinary MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1) with disease activity in lupus nephritis (LN) has been a subject of significant interest. MCP-1 is a chemokine involved in the recruitment and activation of monocytes, which play a critical role in the pathogenesis of LN. Objective: To assess association of Urinary MCP-1 with disease activity of lupus nephritis. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka from January, 2017 to June, 2018. This cross sectional study was performed on 60 biopsy proven lupus nephritis patients and 30 age and sex matched apparently healthy control subjects. All the patients were recruited as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Diagnosed SLE patients who had renal involvement and undergone renal biopsy for standard clinical indications were recruited by purposive sampling and divided into two groups of active and inactive LN as per operational definition. Results: During the study, The urinary MCP-1 was higher in active LN patients compared to the inactive group and both were higher than the level in the control. Plus, highest Sensitivity and specificity of uMCP-1 observed at cutoff value 433 pg/ml, where sensitivity was 0.967 and specificity was 0.900. Among 30 active lupus nephritis cases raised uMCP-1 was found in 29 cases and among 30 inactive lupus nephritis cases raised uMCP-1 was found in 3 cases. uMCP-1 showed very good agreement in diagnosis of lupus nephritis activity according to Kappa statistics. uMCP-1 in diagnosis of lupus nephritis activity showed accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 0.933, 0.967, 0.900, 0.906 and 0.964 respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, urinary MCP-1 holds great promise as a useful biomarker for the determination of lupus nephritis activity. Its association with disease activity, predictive value for treatment response and renal outcomes, and non-invasive nature make it an ...

Intrarenal renin–angiotensin system activation and macrophage infiltrations in pediatric chronic glomerulonephritis

BackgroundThe current study tested the hypothesis that urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (UMCP-1) levels provide a specific index of intrarenal renin–angiotensin system (RAS) status and the degree of infiltration of macrophages associated with RAS blockade and immunosuppressant treatment in pediatric patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.MethodsWe measured baseline UAGT and UMCP-1 levels to examine the correlation between glomerular injury in 48 pediatric chronic glomerulonephritis patients before treatment. Furthermore, we performed immunohistochemical analysis of angiotensinogen (AGT) and CD68 in 27 pediatric chronic glomerulonephritis patients treated with RAS blockades and immunosuppressants for 2 years. Finally, we examined the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in cultured human mesangial cells (MCs).ResultsBaseline UAGT and UMCP-1 levels positively correlated with urinary protein levels, scores for mesangial hypercellularity, rate of crescentic formation, and expression levels of AGT and CD68 in renal tissues (p < 0.05). UAGT and UMCP-1 levels were significantly decreased after RAS blockade and immunosuppressant treatment (p < 0.01), which was accompanied by AGT and CD68 (p < 0.01), as well as the magnitude of glomerular injury. Cultured human MCs showed increased MCP-1 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels after Ang II treatment (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe data indicates that UAGT and UMCP-1 are useful biomarkers of the degree of glomerular injury during RAS blockade and immunosuppressant treatment in pediatric patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 as a Diagnostic Marker of Lupus Nephritis

Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 as a Diagnostic Marker of Lupus Nephritis

Ethnic differences in urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and heparanase-1 levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes: the HELIUS study

IntroductionWe aimed to investigate ethnic differences in two urinary inflammatory markers in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Research design and methodsWe included 55 Dutch, 127 South-Asian Surinamese, 92 African...

Abstract 10191: Associations of Urine Biomarkers of Kidney Tubule Health With Incident Hypertension and Blood Pressure Trajectories in Middle-Aged Adults

Introduction: Kidney tubules play a key role in regulating blood pressure (BP). Urine biomarkers of kidney tubule injury associate with incident hypertension (HTN) in older adults with multiple comorbidities. Less is known about these associations in younger adults. Hypothesis: Urine biomarkers of kidney tubular injury and dysfunction associate with incident HTN and greater 10-year rise in BP in middle-aged adults. Methods: In 1,170 participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study (mean age 45±4, 40% black, 56% women) without HTN, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease at the year 20 exam (baseline for this analysis), we measured urine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, alpha-1-microglobulin, kidney injury molecule-1, epidermal growth factor [EGF], interleukin-18, chitinase-3-like protein 1, and uromodulin. We examined associations of biomarkers with incident HTN (onset of systolic BP ≥130 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg or initiation of BP meds) after baseline in interval-censored Cox models and BP trajectories in linear mixed models adjusted for established risk factors. Results: During a median 9.9 years of follow up (IQR 5.9-10.2), 376 incident HTN events occurred. Compared to the lowest tertile of EGF, the risk of incident HTN was lower in the two higher tertiles in the model adjusted for age, sex, race, and urine creatinine, and in the fully adjusted model (Figure). The mean increase in SBP over 10 years was 3.4 mmHg lower in Tertile 3 vs. Tertile 1 of EGF (95%CI -6.1, -0.7). There were no statistically significant associations of urine EGF with incident HTN or BP trajectories when EGF was modeled as a continuous predictor. There were no statistically significant associations of other biomarkers with incident HTN or BP trajectory. Conclusions: In middle aged adults without HTN, cardiovascular or kidney disease, higher urine EGF levels associated with lower risk of incident HTN and lower 10-year mean rise in BP.

Usefulness of Urinary Biomarkers for Assessing Bladder Condition and Histopathology in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

This study investigated the usefulness of urinary biomarkers for assessing bladder condition and histopathology in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). We retrospectively enrolled 315 patients (267 women and 48 men) diagnosed with IC/BPS and 30 controls. Data on clinical and urodynamic characteristics (visual analog scale (VAS) score and bladder capacity) and cystoscopic hydrodistention findings (Hunner’s lesion, glomerulation grade, and maximal bladder capacity (MBC)) were recorded. Urine samples were utilized to assay inflammatory, neurogenic, and oxidative stress biomarkers, including interleukin (IL)-8, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), eotaxin, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MIP-1β), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and 8-isoproatane, and total antioxidant capacity. Further, specific histopathological findings were identified via bladder biopsy. The associations between urinary biomarker levels and bladder conditions and histopathological findings were evaluated. The results reveal that patients with IC/BPS had significantly higher urinary MCP-1, eotaxin, TNF-α, PGE2, 8-OHdG, and 8-isoprostane levels than controls. Patients with Hunner’s IC (HIC) had significantly higher IL-8, CXCL10, BDNF, eotaxin, IL-6, MIP-1β, and RANTES levels than those with non-Hunner’s IC (NHIC). Patients with NHIC who had an MBC of ≤760 mL had significantly high urinary CXCL10, MCP-1, eotaxin, IL-6, MIP-1β, RANTES, PGE2, and 8-isoprostane levels and total antioxidant capacity. Patients with NHIC who had a higher glomerulation grade had significantly high urinary MCP-1, IL-6, RANTES, 8-OHdG, and 8-isoprostane levels. A significant association was observed between urinary biomarkers and glomerulation grade, MBC, VAS score, and bladder sensation. However, bladder-specific histopathological findings were not well correlated with urinary biomarker levels. The urinary biomarker levels can be useful for identifying HIC and different NHIC subtypes. Higher urinary inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarker levels are associated with IC/BPS. Most urinary biomarkers are not correlated with specific bladder histopathological findings; nevertheless, they are more important in the assessment of bladder condition than bladder histopathology.

Perspectives on Drug Development in Early ADPKD.

Perspectives on Drug Development in Early ADPKD.

Efficacy and safety of tailin formulation combined with continuous low-dose antibiotic therapy in patients with recurrent urinary tract infection: A multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Persistent inflammation associated with recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) is a crucial inducement of inflammation-driven renal fibrosis (IDRF). Although continuous low-dose antibiotic therapy (CLAT) is the common treatment for rUTI, its clinical efficacy remains unsatisfactory. Tailin formulation (TLF), a Chinese herbal formulation prescribed for treating rUTI, is effective in alleviating symptoms and reducing recurrence. This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TLF combined with CLAT compared with CLAT used alone in patients with rUTI. In this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial, patients were assigned (1:1) to receive either TLF + CLAT or CLAT for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the effective rate at week 12 of the treatment. The secondary outcomes were the recurrent rate at week 4 and week 12 post treatment; the post-treatment changes in renal tubular injury markers (urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG)), profibrotic factors (urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1)), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, and vital signs indicators and serious adverse events (SAEs) were also monitored throughout the trial. A total of 195 patients were included in the final analysis. The TLF + CLAT group had a higher effective rate and a lower recurrence rate than the CLAT group (p < 0.01). Significant decrease of urinary NAG and β2-MG was observed in the TLF + CLAT group vs. CLAT group (p < 0.01), and similar changes were observed in profibrotic factors (urinary MCP-1 and TGF-β1) (p < 0.05), which indicated that TLF might have potential renal tubular protection and anti-fibrosis effects. Additionally, a positive correlation within a certain range was shown in the correlation analysis of medical history (months) of rUTI patients with urinary MCP-1 (r = 0.50, p < 0.05) and TGF-β1 (r = 0.78, p < 0.01). A significant difference was also observed in TCM symptoms (p < 0.01). There were no obvious adverse reactions that occurred during this study. We conclude that TLF combined with CLAT was superior to CLAT used alone in reducing rUTI recurrence, alleviating the non-infection-related physical symptoms and protecting renal tubular and anti-fibrosis, which suggests this novel therapy might be an available treatment with great promise in treating rUTI.

Clopidogrel delays and can reverse diabetic nephropathy pathogenesis in type 2 diabetic db/db mice.

BACKGROUNDDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is the principal cause of end-stage renal disease. Previous studies have shown that clopidogrel can prevent the early progression of renal injury.AIMTo elucidate whether clopidogrel is beneficial against DN by using a db/db mouse model.METHODS db/db mice with a higher urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) relative to age- and sex-matched wild-type control mice were randomly allocated to clopidogrel and vehicle treatment groups. Clopidogrel was administered at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg by gavage for 12 wk. Body mass, blood glucose level, and urinary creatinine and albumin concentrations in each group were measured before and after the intervention. Renal fibrosis was evaluated using periodic acid-Schiff and Masson’s trichrome staining. The renal protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and F4/80 was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Urinary TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-6 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of fibronectin (FN) and collagen I was assessed using immunohistochemistry.RESULTSClopidogrel treatment did not affect the body mass or blood glucose level of the db/db mice; however, it increased bleeding time and reduced urinary ACR in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical staining revealed an amelioration of renal fibrosis, significantly lower deposition of FN and collagen I, and significantly lower expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β and lower levels of urinary TNF-α and MCP-1 in the clopidogrel-treated db/db mice (P < 0.05). Furthermore, clopidogrel significantly reduced macrophage infiltration into the glomeruli of the db/db mice.CONCLUSIONClopidogrel significantly reduced renal collagen deposition and fibrosis and prevented renal dysfunction in db/db mice, most likely through inhibition of renal macrophage infiltration and the associated inflammation.

Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein -1 as A Diagnostic Marker of Lupus Nephritis

Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein -1 as A Diagnostic Marker of Lupus Nephritis