
Validity and Security of Reh-acteoside Therapy for Patients of IgA Nephropathy
IGA NephropathyThis prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-center clinical trial will evaluate the effect and security of reh-acteoside therapy for patients of IgA nephropathy.

Triptolide-Containing Formulation as Treatment for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease...
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)Triptolide was shown in experimental studies to inhibit the cyst formation and growth in ADPKD models, while triptolide-containing formulation was revealed to potentially slow the disease progression in several proteinuric ADPKD patients in our clinical practice. It remains to be shown the effect of triptolide-containing formulation on total kidney volume (TKV) enlargement and renal function protection in ADPKD patients.

The Effect and Safety of the Seasonal Trivalent Influenza Vaccine in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients...
Immunogenicity and Adverse Drug Effect of Vaccines InfluenzaChronic Kidney DiseaseIn recent years, several studies revealed that the current influenza vaccine strategy might be of minimal vaccine effectiveness and had a smaller effect on reducing morbidity and mortality in the end-stage renal disease population than previously thought. Thus, this also raised the question about the effectiveness of administration of influenza vaccination in chronic kidney disease patients not on dialysis. In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate the effectiveness of seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine, formulation 2013-2014, in patients with different stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis.

Oral Calcitriol for Reduction of Mild Proteinuria in Patients With CKD
Chronic Kidney DiseaseProteinuriaThe safety and efficacy of Caltriol on mild proteinuria (<1.0g/d) reduction in CKD patients.

Evaluation of Anti-platelet Factor 4/Heparin Antibodies in Hemodialysis Patients
End Stage Renal DiseaseTo characterize the GORE® Hybrid Vascular Graft as compared to non-heparin bonded synthetic vascular grafts in terms of the prevalence and persistence of anti-platelet factor 4 / heparin antibodies (anti-PF4 / H antibodies).

Pulsed Oral Sirolimus in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic KidneyType 1 Autosomal Dominant Disease2 moreSirolimus (SIR) has lead to a reduction of overall kidney size, a decrease in cyst density and general tubular cell proliferation in animal models, and to a reduction of the increase in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen by 34 and 39 percent respectively, as well as a reduction of cyst proliferation, expressed by a 30 percent reduction of overall kidney enlargement, a reduction in general cyst volume, and a reduction of the cyst volume density in the renal cortex in humans. However, despite promising data from animal- and in vivo studies, most mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTOR-I) studies in patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) produced only subtle if any clinically relevant effects on cyst growth and the preservation of renal function. In this study we will investigate if pulsed administration of SIR in a fixed weekly oral dose of 3 mg over 24 months compared to placebo significantly reduces cyst growth and preserves excretory renal function in patients with ADPKD and an estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate below 60 mL/min per 1.73m2.

Vitamin D Supplementation and Cardiac Hypertrophy in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic Kidney DiseasePatients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are upto 3.5 times more likely to die from diseases of heart and blood vessels (Cardiovascular Disease-CVD). Vitamin D insufficiency is very common in CKD and associated with CVD. Animal studies have shown an improvement in heart size and function with Vitamin D therapy, although evidence in humans is lacking. The proposed study will test if oral Vitamin D treatment, in deficient CKD patients, will improve heart enlargement and function. With these proposed changes the investigators expect to reduce CVD and deaths in patients with CKD.

Oral Alfacalcidol and Coronary Artery Calcification in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease
Vascular CalcificationActive vitamin D at therapeutic dose may prevent vascular calcification but in supraphysiologic dose may precipitate it.

Effects of High Cut-off (HCO) Hemodialysis on Central Memory CD4+ T and Treg Cells in Patients With...
End-stage Kidney DiseaseCD4 T Cells3 moreIn this study, the investigators will evaluate whether CD4+ TCM producing effector cytokines can be distinguished on the basis of their expression of the IL-7 receptor alpha-chain (CD127). Using CD154 production as a marker of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells, the investigators will also test the hypothesis that the phenotype and function of TCM are influenced by the type of Ag they recognize. TCM specific for two cleared protein Ag, tetanus toxoïd (TT) and hepatitis B surface (HBs), inducing an early stage of CD4+ T cell differentiation will be compared to TCM specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a persistent virus inducing an advanced stage of CD4+ T cell differentiation. The primary endpoint is to demonstrate in uremic patients who will begin chronic HD and in patients already chronically hemodialyzed any improvement in CD4+ T cell function ex vivo and in vitro. These analyzes will focus on memory T-cell subsets (i.e. Th17 and Tregs population) using HCO membranes or polyamide dialyzers. The secondary endpoint is a clinical one, namely, to show any improvement in T cell response to HB and TT vaccination (blood antibody titers).

Renal Effect of Pentoxyphylline in High Risk Patients Undergoing Angiography
Contrast Induced NephropathyDiabetes MellitusThe investigators will study 2 separate groups: Cardiology patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography +/- PCI (Percutaneous coronary intervention). Patients undergoing CT examination with contrast medium. All patients will receive intravenous (I.V) hydration for 8-12h before and 36 to 48 h after angiography with 0.45% saline 100ml/h. All patients will receive oral N-acetyl cysteine 1200 mg twice daily, a day before, on the day of the angiography and for another 48 hours. In addition, patients will be assigned to receive oral pentoxyphylline (P group) or placebo (C - control group) tablets 3 times a day one day before, on the day of the procedure and for another 48 hours. Baseline Serum Creatinine (S.Cr) levels in will be taken before angiography and two days after angiography. Radio-contrast nephropathy is defined, in this study, as increase in serum ≥ 25 % of baseline after injection of the radio-contrast agent. Pentoxyfylline is an orally active haemorheological agent for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and a number of other conditions involving a defective regional microcirculation. Pentoxyfylline acts primarily by increasing red blood cell deformability, by reducing blood viscosity and by decreasing the potential for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation (mechanism unclear). Pentoxyfylline has also proven to have a significant anti inflammatory effect as well as anti oxidant effect, mechanisms considered to be important patho-physiological causes of contrast induced nephropathy.