In order to clarify the cellular kinetics involved in progression of diabetic glomerulosclerosis, the epithelial cells of spontaneously diabetic WBN/Kob rats were investigated by labeling with the DNA precursor bromodeoxyuridine, which was histochemically stained using monoclonal antibody. The labeling index (number of labeled cells/number of cells counted) of glomeruli was constantly low (approximately 0.15%) and no significant variation could be demonstrated in control rats of the Wistar strain. In both control and diabetic rats, podocytes showed no evidence of mitosis. In contrast to capillary podocytes, the Bowman epithelial cells of diabetic rats showed increased labeling, often surrounding sclerotic capillaries. These observations suggest a critical role of Bowman's epithelial cells in the development of irreversibly sclerotic glomeruli in diabetic nephropathy.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Total lipodystrophy with heart failure and renal failure: report of a case.

A 38-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea. The diagnosis of total lipodystrophy was made by following findings: (1) gaunt appearance; (2) insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus; (3) hyperlipidemia; (4) fatty liver. Chest X-ray demonstrated cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema and pleural effusion. Echocardiogram was characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction. Renal biopsy revealed focal glomerulosclerosis. We reported a patient with total lipodystrophy combined with heart failure and renal failure, which have been rarely associated with the disease.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of amyloidosis associated with diphenylhydantoin therapy.

Prolonged administration of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) has been implicated as a possible etiologic factor in immunological aberrations and lymphoproliferative disorders. Diphenylhydantoin may account for the increase in susceptibility to lymphoproliferative diseases, as a result of its immunosuppressive effect. We report a case of amyloidosis with monoclonal gammopathy which developed during DPH treatment, without multiple myeloma or lymphoproliferative disorders. The association between DPH and monoclonal gammopathy is very rare, and such a case of amyloidosis associated with DPH has not been reported previously. DPH, however, may have played a role in the development of monoclonal gammopathy, which was the precursor of amyloid protein.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Amyloidosis (AA type) with gastrointestinal involvement: resolution of gastric amyloid deposition in parallel with disappearance of the serum component of amyloid A protein.

The prognosis for secondary amyloidosis is better than that for the primary form. With arrest of the triggering disease, clinical improvement can be expected. Dramatic resolution of amyloid deposits, as proven by repeated biopsies, has been reported. We report on the effectiveness of amputation of the left thigh with chronic osteomyelitis in a patient with AA amyloidosis presenting with extensive amyloid involvement of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Clinical improvement associated with reversibility of gastric amyloid deposition was observed in accordance with disappearance of the serum component of amyloid A protein.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of tenascin in mesangial injury in experimental glomerulonephritis.

The distribution of tenascin (TN) in the kidneys in relation to embryogenesis, the normal glomerulus and various glomerular diseases has been studied immunohistochemically. However, the existence of TN protein and mRNA simultaneously has never been reported in reversible mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). In this study, by immunohistochemical methods and in situ hybridization, we investigated the expression of TN in injury to glomerular mesangial cells. Anti-Thy 1.1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was induced in Wistar rats by injection of antirat thymocyte plasma. After injection, the rats were sacrificed on days 4, 7, 10 and 14. Immunohistochemically, slight staining of TN was detected in normal glomeruli. An increase in staining was observed in the mesangial areas during the mesangial proliferative phase (days 4, 7 and 10). It decreased on day 14. Focal staining of TN in Bowman's capsule and the periglomerular region was also noted during the mesangial proliferative phase. TN mRNA could not be detected in normal glomeruli by in situ hybridization, but it was observed in the mesangial areas during the mesangial proliferative phase. Focal expression of TN mRNA was noted in Bowman's capsular epithelial cells and periglomerular cells after injection. TN mRNA-positive cells were localized to mesangial, Bowman's capsular and periglomerular areas of hypercellularity and were significantly associated with an increase in TN staining areas. In conclusion, the results of this study prove that TN is a component of the normal mesangial matrix, and that it is induced by mesangial, Bowman's capsular and periglomerular cells after mesangial injury. We could not determine the role of TN in Bowman's capsular and periglomerular areas, but a reversible MPGN model has been reported to show an irreversible progressive course in TN knockout mice. In reversible MPGN it is considered that the role of TN in the mesangial areas may be related to the process of mesangial repair.

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