Active clinical trials for "Kidney Diseases"

Title: Antiproteinuric effect of valsartan, lisinopril and valsartan versus lisinopril in non-diabetic and diabetic renal disease: a randomized (3:3:1), double blind, parallel group, controlled trial, 5 months follow-up. Objective: To evaluate the antiproteinuric effect of high doses of valsartan vs combo treatment in no-diabetic and diabetic patients. Hypothesis: Combo treatment reduces microalbuminuria, proteinuria and the albumin/creatinin ratio more than monotherapies. Design: Multicentric, randomized, double blind, parallel group, active controlled. Dose / regimen Valsartan 320 vs Lisinopril 40 vs Valsartan/lisinopril 160/20

The treatment response with conventional interferon alpha alone in patients with end stage renal disease and chronic hepatitis C is about 33-39%. However, the drop-out rate is 17-29.6%. Pegylated interferon alpha, a newly developed form of interferon with superior pharmacokinetic profiles, has not been used to treatment these patients. We expect the better treatment response treated with peginterferon alpha than conventional interferon. In addition, we also observe the safety of the two drugs during the study. The goal of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of the two different treatment regimens in patients with chronic hepatitis C and end stage renal disease.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hemoglobin response rate in subjects with anemia, associated with chronic kidney failure, after receiving epoetin alfa (PROCRIT®) every 2 weeks

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to determine if lowering homocysteine levels in renal transplant recipients with a multivitamin will reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease outcomes.

This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of a combination kidney and bone marrow transplant from a relative with the same (or nearly the same) blood cell type as the transplant recipient. An investigational medication will be given prior to and after the transplant to help protect the transplanted kidney from attack by the body's immune system.

Over the last 40 years, corticosteroids (steroids) have been an important part of drug regimens used to prevent organ rejection and to maintain the immune health of individuals who have received organ transplants. Unfortunately, the negative physical effects of steroids can be severe, especially in children. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of a steroid-free treatment regimen for children and adolescents who have received kidney (renal) transplants.

Patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy at risk for renal failure can be identified in an early stage by measuring urinary low molecular weight proteins and urinary immunoglobulin G (IgG). This study evaluates the possible benefit of early start of immunosuppressive therapy in these high-risk patients.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether avosentan (SPP301) is effective in decreasing morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Experimental data suggest that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are key players in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. In the last few years the investigators were able to establish a method to assess endothelial function of the renal vasculature in humans and started to systematically study a variety of cardiovascular disorders known to be associated with endothelial dysfunction in other vascular beds, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and type-2 diabetes. In patients with type-2 diabetes the investigators could demonstrate that despite unaltered basal and stimulated NO-activity, the renal response to the antioxidant vitamin C was more pronounced compared to control subjects. These data suggest that oxidative stress is increased in the renal vasculature of diabetic patients. Furthermore, NO-activity in diabetic patients appears to be upregulated to compensate for the increase in oxidative stress. This hypothesis is supported by the demonstration of increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in kidney biopsies of diabetic patients. The major focus of the investigators' current research activities is to assess the role of endothelial dysfunction in the very early stages of diabetic nephropathy. To this end, patients with increased fasting glucose or metabolic syndrome will be studied in comparison with an age-matched control group. Endothelial function and the role of oxidative stress will be assessed in the renal vasculature in all groups. In parallel, the investigators will study endothelial function in the forearm by venous occlusion plethysmography and in the retinal vasculature by scanning laser doppler flowmetry to dissect regional differences in the regulation of endothelial function. Further aspects include the role of microalbuminuria, glomerular hyperfiltration, and endogenous inhibitors of NO synthase such as NG,NG-Dimethyl-L-Arginine (ADMA). In a therapeutic approach, the investigators will determine the effects of various antioxidant treatment strategies on endothelial function and their potential role in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy.

The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of a treatment strategy that incorporates cinacalcet HCl into the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) to K/DOQI recommended targets in subjects with end stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving hemodialysis, on bio-intact parathyroid hormone, corrected serum calcium, serum phosphorus, and calcium phosphorus product.