No 4 (2009)

The features of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis with uveitis (TINU-syndrome) are discussed.

We have presented and have analyzed the data which confirm and deny the importance of regular alcohol consumption as a risk factor of chronic kidney disease.

Purpose. Evaluation of rheological characteristics of blood in patients with lupus nephritis. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 41 patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) (8 men aged 40 ± 14 years and 33 women aged 37 ± 12 years). Duration of a disease was 120 ± 108 months. Lupus nephritis (LN) was diagnosed in 30 patients. Patients were divided into three groups: those with inactive iLN (iLN), with active LN with urinary syndrome (aLN US) and with active LN with nephrotic syndrome (aLN NS). Patients with aLN have also been divided according to the level of hematuria (HU): the group with moderate HU (less than 10 thousand red blood cells/ml) and the group with severe HU (more than 10 thousand red blood cells/ml). The control group included 26 healthy individuals. Haemorheologial properties of blood - kinetics of spontaneous aggregation and disaggregation of erythrocytes in shear flow and deformation properties of red blood cells - were investigated by optical methods. Results. Hemorheological changes were observed in all patients with SLE. In general, by comparison with control group, there was an increase in blood viscosity, reduction of deformability of red blood cells, acceleration of their aggregation, as well as increase the typical size of erythrocyte aggregates. Increase of aggregation of red blood cells was in parallel with the rise in blood viscosity. Patients with aLN have low time of red blood aggregation, the maximum size and strength of erythrocyte aggregates and the lowest deformability of red blood cells as compared with entire group of patients with SLE. The blood viscosity was growing in parallel with increase of LN activity. In the aLN group of patients with severe HU, typical size of erythrocyte aggregates was significantly higher than in moderate HU. Conclusion. SLE patients demonstrated increased blood viscosity due to changes in aggregation and deformation properties of red blood cells, most pronounced in the presence of aLN.

Purpose. Determination of urinary excretion of molecular markers of endothelial dysfunction and fibrogenesis and evaluation of its relationship with clinical and laboratory signs of hypertensive nephropathy. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 71 patients with essential arterial hypertension (EAH) stages I-III, according to the classification of Russian Medical Society of Arterial Hypertension, aged 18 to 67 years (mean age, 40.9 ± 14.9 years). Along with physical examination, concentration of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the urine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and collagen type IV were examined in all patients. Results. By comparison with normotensive controls, significant increase in urinary excretion of TGF-β1, VEGF and PAI-1 was observed in patients with EAH. The concentration of these neurotransmitters, as well as type IV collagen in urine was significantly higher in the presence of microalbuminuria. Conclusion. High concentration of TGF-β 1, VEGF and PAI-1 in the urine may be considered as an early sign of hypertensive nephropathy. Increased urinary excretion of type IV collagen is associated with microalbuminuria and gives evidence in favor of activation of renal fibrogenesis

The article presents the history of development of angiotensin II receptor blockers and experience of their use in controlled clinical studies

The article presents history of the establishment of the All-Union Scientific Society of Nephrologists - Russian Scientific Society of Nephrology.