
Spironolactone for Reducing Proteinuria in Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic NephropathyIntroduction: Aldosterone seems to have deleterious effects on the kidneys. Many animal studies and few clinical trials now have shown that suppression of aldosterone by aldosterone receptor blockers ameliorated these effects. Method: In a double-blind, cross over study, 24 patients with diabetic nephropathy who were already receiving either ACE inhibitor(lisinopril 20-40 mg/day ) or ARB( losartan 25-100 mg/day )were given spironolactone( 25 mg during the first month and 50 mg during the second and third month if serum K remained ok) or matching placebo with 1 month of washout in between. All patients were from a single center and exclusively male veterans. Blood pressure, serum creatinine, serum K and spot urine protein/creatinine were measured at the beginning and end of each study period. The study was started in May of 2003 and completed in May 2006.

Inulin and Protein Fermentation in Hemodialysis Patients
Chronic Kidney DiseaseAn important group of protein-bound uremic retention solutes originate from protein fermentation in the colon. P-cresol is a putrefaction metabolite of tyrosine. Indole is generated by fermentation of tryptophan. After absorption, the majority of p-cresol and indole are further metabolised and conjugated to form p-cresylsulphate and indoxyl sulphate. There is clear evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, that accumulation of these conjugated fermentation metabolites in kidney disease is correlated with clinical (cardiovascular) endpoints. Bacterial protein fermentation can be influenced by altering the colonic microenvironment, influencing the ratio of available carbohydrates to nitrogen, by shortening the colonic transit time or a combination of these. From a theoretical point of view, functional foods, i.e. pro-, pre- and synbiotics, fulfil these criteria. Prebiotics have been defined as non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating growth, and/or activity, of one or a restricted number of bacteria in the colon. Dietary fibre may suppress the generation of bacterial protein fermentation either by altering the colonic microenvironment or by shortening the colonic transit time. Animal and clinical studies evaluating the effect of dietary fibre supplements on the generation of bacterial fermentation metabolites have provided conflicting results. These discrepancies may be related to specific properties of the dietary fibre investigated. Dietary fibre may impair protein assimilation and the fermentability may vary to a substantial extent. Inulin and oligofructose have attracted much attention recently as nonabsorbable carbohydrates with prebiotic properties. When inulin and oligofructose were added to a controlled diet, significant increases were noted in colonic bifidobacterial populations, and it has been proposed that these changes promote both colonic and systemic health through modification of the intestinal microflora. Inulin and oligofructose are rapidly and completely fermented by the colonic microflora with the production of acetate and other short-chain fatty acids. In healthy individuals, supplementation with a mixture of inulin and oligofructose was shown to lower p-cresol generation. Although data in healthy volunteers are promising, no data are available in hemodialysis patients.

Steroid Withdrawal in Pediatric Renal Transplant: Impact on Growth, Bone Metabolism and Acute Rejection...
Kidney DiseasesThe present study investigates the safety and efficacy of steroid withdrawal at six days post-transplant in pediatric renal recipients under concomitant immunosuppression based on antibodies anti IL2 (interleukin 2), Tacrolimus (TAC) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF). To investigate the impact of this protocol in growth, bone metabolism, insulin- sensitivity and evaluate the expression of IL17 (interleukin 17) and mRNA FOXP3 (messenger ribonucleic acid forkhead box protein 3) as early markers of acute rejection (blood, urine and renal biopsy). Hypothesis:Steroid withdrawal in renal pediatric transplant patients improves growth and bone metabolism without increasing the risk of acute rejection. The expression of FoxP3/IL17 in urine cells could be an early molecular markers of acute rejection.

Optimal Titration Regimen for SBR759 in Lowering Serum Phosphate Levels in Asian Chronic Kidney...
Chronic Kidney DiseaseThis study will determine the titration regimen for SBR759 compared to sevelamer HCl in lowering serum phosphate levels in Asian Chronic Kidney Disease patients on hemodialysis

Optimalization of Nephroprotection Using Atorvastatin (Sortis)
Chronic Kidney DiseaseProteinuriaThe main purpose of the study is find whether the addition of statin (Atorvastatin) to dual renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade involving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and AT-1 angiotensin II receptor blocker leads to the reduction of proteinuria, main prognostic marker of chronic kidney disease progression.

Safety Study Of N-Acetylcysteine For Prevention Of Contrast Induced Nephropathy In Patients w/Stage...
Contrast Induced NephropathyThis will be a randomized prospective dose escalation clinical study of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in patients with stage 3 or worse renal failure (Glomerular Filtration Rate 30-60 ml/min calculated with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula), undergoing a procedure or imaging that requires the administration of contrast media at Oregon Health & Science University or the Portland Veterans Hospital. Subjects will receive NAC 60 minutes prior to the procedure or imaging requiring contrast media. Toxicity will be graded according to NCI Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) version 3.0. An adult Phase 1 dose escalation study of NAC administered intravenously (IV) and intra-arterially (IA) will be performed. An isotonic nonionic contrast agent will be used in all cases. Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN) is defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration of 25% or more from the subjects baseline value within a 72-hour period after the administration of contrast media. Serum creatinine concentration will be measured at admission, every day during in-patient hospitalization, and at hospital discharge.

Effects of Hydration to Prevent Contrast Induced Nephropathy in PCI for ST-elevation Myocardial...
Contrast Induced NephropathyThe aim of the study is to test the efficacy of low versus high volume hydration and two different solutions (sodium chloride versus sodium bicarbonate) in preventing contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary PCI.

Calcineurin Free Immunosuppression in Renal Transplant Recipients
Kidney TransplantationChronic Kidney DiseaseThe main purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary information on the efficacy, safety and cost of two regimens, Rapamycin / MMF / steroid therapy and Cyclosporine A Neoral / MMF / steroid therapy, used in the prevention of acute rejection following renal transplantation.

Role of Extrarenal 1-Alpha-Hydroxylase in Patients With End Stage Renal Disease
End-Stage Renal DiseaseThe goal of this study is to evaluate the role of nutritional Vitamin D deficiency as a potential contributor to the morbidity witnessed in patients with end-stage renal disease

Efficacy and Safety of a 7.5% Icodextrin Peritoneal Dialysis Solution in Once-Daily Long Dwell Exchange...
Chronic Kidney DiseasePeritoneal DialysisThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 7.5% Icodextrin peritoneal dialysis solution for once-daily long dwell exchange in patients undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) in Chinese uremic patients.Patients were divided into Dianeal group or Extraneal group for long dwell time. Net ultrafiltration, small solute clearance and relationship between different transport group were used to evaluate efficacy of Icodextrin. Physical examination, vital signs and laboratory tests were used to evaluate safety of Icodextrin.