Spironolactone and congestive heart-failure.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Jadoul.
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We addressed the clinical significance of antiproteinase 3 (anti-PR3) antibody (Ab) positivity by reviewing the files of 79 patients whose serum contained antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with a cytoplasmic staining pattern (cANCA) and had been tested for anti-PR3 reactivity. Vasculitis was present in most (22/35) cANCA+ PR3+ patients but in only a few (5/44) cANCA+ PR3- patients, thereby suggesting that anti-PR3 Ab positivity in cANCA+ patients is more indicative of vasculitis than cANCA positivity alone. Noteworthy, one-third of cANCA+ PR3+ patients -- those with anti-PR3 Ab titres lower than 100 U/ml -- did not suffer from vasculitis. Anti-PR3 reactivity in vasculitis patients was only weakly associated with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), as nine out of 22 cANCA+ PR3+ vasculitis patients (41%) did not fulfil the ACR classification criteria for WG. There was no correlation between anti-PR3 Ab titres and disease activity at diagnosis. However, titres measured when patients were in remission were much lower than initial values. Taken together, our results indicate that anti-PR3 Ab positivity should be interpreted in its clinical context.
Rapidly progressive renal fibrosis after a slimming regimen including Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid (AA) has been identified as Chinese-herb nephropathy (CHN). We reported urothelial atypia in three patients with CHN, with the subsequent development in one patient of overt transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Therefore, it was decided to remove the native kidneys, as well as the ureters, in all patients with CHN. Nineteen kidneys and ureters removed during and/or after renal transplantation from 10 patients were studied to assess critically urothelial lesions and to characterize the cellular expression of p53, a tumor-suppressor gene overexpressed in several types of malignancies. Multifocal high-grade flat TCC in situ (carcinoma in situ; CiS) was observed, mainly in the upper urinary tract, in four patients, a prevalence of 40%. In one of those patients, a superficially invasive flat TCC of the right upper ureter, as well as two additional foci of noninvasive papillary TCC, were found in the right pelvis and left lower ureter, respectively. This patient also presented recurrent noninvasive papillary TCC of the bladder. Furthermore, in all cases, multifocal, overall moderate atypia was found in the medullary collecting ducts, pelvis, and ureter. All CiS and papillary TCC, as well as urothelial atypia, overexpressed p53. These results show that the intake of Chinese herbs containing AA has a dramatic carcinogenic effect. Carcinogenesis is associated with the overexpression of p53, which suggests a role for a p53 gene mutation. The relationship of this mutation with the reported presence of AA DNA adducts in the kidney remains to be explored.
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of beta 2-microglobulin amyloidosis (A beta 2m) has yet to be fully elucidated. METHODS: We describe the distribution and extent of A beta 2m deposition and macrophagic infiltration in cartilage, capsule, and synovium of sternoclavicular joints obtained postmortem from 54 patients after 3 to 244 (median 46) months of dialysis. Twenty-four nonuremic patients served as a control group. The diagnosis of amyloidosis (A) rested on a positive Congo Red staining (typical birefringence) and that of A beta 2m on positive immunostaining of the A deposits with a monoclonal anti-beta 2m antibody. The size of A deposits was measured. RESULTS: A beta 2m was detected in 32 (59%), and non-beta 2m amyloid (Anon beta 2m) was detected in an additional 8 (15%) of the 54 dialyzed patients. A beta 2m deposits were present in the cartilage of all A beta 2m (+) patients (100%). They were localized solely in the cartilage in 27% of the cases, either as a thin patchy layer or as a continuous thicker layer (identified as stage I). A beta 2m was additionally present in the capsule and/or synovium without macrophages in 27% of the cases (identified as stage II). The correlation between the size of cartilaginous deposits and dialysis duration (P = 0.02) as well as with the prevalence (P = 0.03) and size of capsular deposits (P = 0.02) suggests that stage II is a later stage of A deposition. Clusters of macrophages were detected around capsular and synovial amyloid deposits in 46% of the cases (identified as stage III). The longer duration of dialysis in those with stage III as well as the relationship between the size of the A beta 2m deposits and the prevalence of macrophagic infiltration suggests that stage III is the last stage of A beta 2m deposition. Marginal bone erosions were observed in 9 out of 12 patients with stage III deposits. Their size was correlated with that of cartilaginous deposits (P = 0.01). Among the 24 control patients, Anon beta 2m was detected in 12 patients (cartilage 100%, capsule 8%, synovium 30%). CONCLUSIONS: The earliest stage of A beta 2m deposition occurs in the cartilage. A beta 2m subsequently extends to capsule and synovium. These two first stages do not require macrophage infiltration. Macrophages are eventually recruited around larger synovial or capsular deposits in the final stage. Marginal bone erosions develop in this late stage.
UNLABELLED: Influence of hemodialysis membrane type on pentosidine plasma level, a marker of "carbonyl stress." BACKGROUND: The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in uremia has been ascribed to the retention of carbonyl precursors of AGEs. Pentosidine plasma level has been identified as a surrogate marker of carbonyl precursors ("carbonyl stress"). The influence of hemodialysis (HD) membrane type and residual diuresis on carbonyl stress has not been studied. METHODS: We measured protein-linked and free plasma pentosidine (a surrogate marker of carbonyl stress) by high-performance liquid chromatography in patients on HD with low-flux cellulose (N = 29), high-flux polysulfone (PS; N = 57), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (N = 25), and AN69 (N = 15). RESULTS: Both protein-linked and free pentosidine were similar on low-flux cellulose, high-flux PMMA, and AN69, but were lower (P < 0.01) on high-flux PS. Pentosidine levels were virtually identical on Fresenius and Asahi PS in Japanese and Belgian patients. By multivariate analysis, only the type of HD membrane and residual diuresis proved to be independent determinants (P < 0.001) of pentosidine levels. During a single HD session, the clearance of free pentosidine was similar with all membranes. In three patients who were switched from AN69 to PS, the protein-linked pentosidine level dropped to the control level after resumption of the AN69 membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Both HD membrane type and residual diuresis are independent determinants of pentosidine plasma level, which is a marker of carbonyl stress.
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BACKGROUND: The prevalence of beta2-microglobulin amyloidosis (Abeta2m) in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is unknown. METHODS: We prospectively obtained a median of 2 (range 1 to 4) joint samples from 26 CAPD patients aged 44 to 93 (median 73) years at post-mortem evaluation after 4.5 to 126 (median 27) months solely on CAPD (N = 19) or primarily on CAPD (that is, < or = 10% and < or = 1 year of renal replacement therapy time on other modalities; N = 7). The diagnosis of Abeta2m rested on Congo red staining (typical birefringence) and positive immunostaining of amyloid deposits by a monoclonal anti-beta2m antibody. RESULTS: Abeta2m was diagnosed in 8 of 26 patients (31%). Prevalence ranged from 20% (2 of 10 patients) within < or = 24 months CAPD to 30% (3 of 10 patients) after 24 to 48 months and 50% (3 of 6 patients) after 49 to 126 months (P = 0.11). The prevalence of Abeta2m was similar in patients without or with one or more peritonitis episodes. No significant difference in prevalence (P = 0.118) was found between CAPD patients (8+/26; 31%) and hemodialysis patients (13+/26; 50%) carefully matched for time on dialysis and age at the onset of dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of histological Abeta2m reaches 31% after a median duration of 27 months of CAPD. This prevalence is not significantly different from that observed in a group of HD patients matched for age and dialysis duration.
The histological prevalence of dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is much greater than suspected on clinical grounds: one-third of patients are affected after less than 4 years on haemodialysis (HD) and over 90% after more than 7 years HD. Risk factors include the time on dialysis, the type of HD membrane, and the age of the patient at onset of dialysis. The protective effect of high-flux membranes such as AN69 probably results mainly from the greater clearance of beta2-microglobulin. Other potential but more controversial explanations include a protective influence on residual renal function, a lower stimulation of beta2-microglobulin synthesis or release, or a beneficial influence on advanced glycosylation end (AGE) products. The higher risk of DRA in older patients has recently been suggested to result from an age-related AGE-modification of osteoarticular collagen. The best prevention and treatment of DRA is successful renal transplantation. In patients unsuitable for transplantation, high flux membranes such as AN69 should be used from the start of dialysis. Palliative treatment includes analgesics, low dose prednisone in severe cases, and surgical treatment of complications.
The isolation of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialyzed (HD) patients has been repeatedly advocated to prevent nosocomial HCV transmission. We evaluated the incidence of seroconversion for HCV in Belgian HD patients, and demonstrate the complete prevention of HCV transmission by adherence to the universal precautions advocated by the Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA, USA). All (N = 963) HD patients from 15 units, none of which isolates anti-HCV positive patients, were tested by a second or third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (with confirmation by a second- or third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay or the polymerase chain reaction) every 18 months from May 1991 to November 1995. Follow-up was available in 488 patients (drop-outs resulting from death or transplantation mainly). The yearly incidence of seroconversion for HCV over the initial 18 months was 1.41%, with evidence suggestive of nosocomial HCV transmission. Universal precautions were therefore reinforced. The incidence of seroconversion subsequently fell to 0.56% and 0%, respectively (P = 0.014), despite the facts that the average transfusion load and the proportion of patients with dialyzer reuse or with monitors disinfected after each session did not change significantly. We conclude that the strict enforcement of universal precautions fully prevents HCV transmission to HD patients. The isolation of anti-HCV positive patients is not warranted.
Advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation is related to hyperglycemia in diabetes but not in uremia, because plasma AGE levels do not differ between diabetic and nondiabetic hemodialysis patients. The mechanism of this phenomenon remains elusive. Previously, it was suggested that elevation of AGE levels in uremia might result from the accumulation of unknown AGE precursors. The present study evaluates the in vitro generation of pentosidine, a well identified AGE structure. Plasma samples from healthy subjects and nondiabetic hemodialysis patients were incubated under air for several weeks. Pentosidine levels were determined at intervals by HPLC assay. Pentosidine rose to a much larger extent in uremic than in control plasma. Pentosidine yield, i.e., the change in pentosidine level between 0 and 4 wk divided by 28 d, averaged 0.172 nmol/ml per d in uremic versus 0.072 nmol/ml per d in control plasma (P < 0.01). The difference in pentosidine yield between uremic and control plasma was maintained in samples ultrafiltrated through a filter with a 5000-Da cutoff value and fortified with human serum albumin (0.099 versus 0.064 nmol/ml per d; P < 0.05). Pentosidine yield was higher in pre- than in postdialysis plasma samples (0.223 versus 0.153 nmol/ml per d; P < 0.05). These results suggest that a large fraction of the pentosidine precursors accumulated in uremic plasma have a lower than 5000 Da molecular weight. Addition of aminoguanidine and OPB-9195, which inhibit the Maillard reaction, lowered pentosidine yield in both uremic and control plasma. When ultrafiltrated plasma was exposed to 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, the yield of hydrazones, formed by interaction with carbonyl groups, was markedly higher in uremic than in control plasma. These observations strongly suggest that the pentosidine precursors accumulated in uremic plasma are carbonyl compounds. These precursors are unrelated to glucose or ascorbic acid, whose concentration is either normal or lowered in uremic plasma. They are also unrelated to 3-deoxyglucosone, a glucose-derived dicarbonyl compound whose level is raised in uremic plasma: Its addition to normal plasma fails to increase pentosidine yield. This study reports an elevated level of reactive carbonyl compounds ("carbonyl stress") in uremic plasma. Most have a lower than 5000 Da molecular weight and are thus partly removed by hemodialysis. Their effect on pentosidine generation can be inhibited by aminoguanidine or OPB-9195. Carbonyl stress might contribute to AGE modification of proteins and thus to clinically relevant complications of uremia.
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GB virus C (GBV-C) has been detected in Belgian hemodialysis patients. To study their genomic diversity and phylogenetic relationship, a 592 nucleotide fragment extending from the 5' non-coding region to part of the E1 gene of the GBV-C genome was amplified and sequenced from 12 Belgian hemodialysis patients in two different centers. Together with strains from different geographical origins, these sequences were analyzed phylogenetically using three different methods. A consistent tree topology was obtained with all methods. Three GBV-C genotypes were observed with two subtypes in type 2 and a questionable subtyping in type 1. Except for one isolate falling into type 1 cluster which mainly consists of African strains, all the other Belgian strains clustered within the type 2a branch. Two GBV-C isolates in two patients from the same hemodialysis center clustered together closely, suggesting a nosocomial transmission. In view of their long branch length, it seems unlikely that the other Belgian strains evolved recently from a common ancestor. Our results indicate that the major type circulating among Belgian hemodialysis patients seems to be 2a, which is usual for Europe and North America, but that the African type 1 also exists to a minor extent. Although patient to patient transmission of GBV-C in Belgian hemodialysis centers did occur, it may not account for the majority of infections.
The authors report a case of necrotizing glomerulonephritis, with granular immune deposits, leading to the etiologic diagnosis of splenic non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). The serum creatinine, initially markedly elevated, decreased under steroids and chlorambucil. Unfortunately, the patient died from septic complications. The importance of a careful search for a (localized) NHL in case of necrotizing glomerulonephritis with granular immune deposits is emphasized.
We recently demonstrated that pentosidine, an advanced glycation end product, accumulates markedly as albumin-linked form (Palb) and in free-form (Pfree) in the plasma of patients with end-stage renal failure. The present study was undertaken to examine the clearance of Palb and Pfree by different modalities of renal replacement therapy, that is, hemodialysis (HD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and renal transplantation. HD cleared Pfree (9.4 +/- 4.3 nmol/kg/HD) but not Palb, by diffusion but not by membrane adsorption, whereas CAPD cleared both Palb (4.03 +/- 2.01 nmol/kg/day) and Pfree (2.43 +/- 1.24 nmol/kg/day). Plasma total pentosidine levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in CAPD (0.97 +/- 0.41 nmol/ml) than in HD (1.19 +/- 0.41 nmol/ml), as the result of a lower serum albumin level in the former patients. Indeed, Palb expressed per mg albumin was virtually identical in HD and CAPD. By contrast, Pfree was significantly lower in CAPD than in HD. Palb levels were significantly correlated with plasma Pfree levels in both HD and CAPD patients, but not in the CAPD dialysate. Pentosidine transport across the peritoneum occurs mainly by diffusion, both as Palb and Pfree. Interestingly, peritoneal Palb clearance (0.17 +/- 0.07 ml/min) significantly (P < 0.00001) exceeded albumin clearance (0.11 +/- 0.05 ml/min). Palb levels being significantly higher (P < 0.0005) in the peritoneal fluid (36.28 +/- 18.55 pmol/mg) than in the serum (27.12 +/- 11.71 pmol/mg), thus raises the possibility of a facilitated diffusion of Palb or an active transport mechanism for protein-linked pentosidine into the peritoneal cavity. After renal transplantation, plasma Pfree fell rapidly, remained barely detectable after one month, and returned to normal at six months. By contrast, Palb fell more slowly and remained significantly above normal at six months, but returned eventually to normal levels. These findings demonstrate that: (1) both HD and CAPD remove Pfree; (2) the peritoneal clearance of Palb, might contribute to the lower level of plasma pentosidine in CAPD than in HD patients; and (3) renal transplantation is the best therapeutic modality to normalize both Palb and Pfree levels.
The histological prevalence of beta-2 microglobulin amyloidosis (A beta 2m) was evaluated in a prospective study of joint samples obtained at autopsy in 54 patients on hemodialysis (HD) for 2 to 163 (median 47) months, aged 20 to 80 (median 63) years at HD onset. Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery or radiological signs of A beta 2m were present in 2 and 4% of them, respectively. A control group of 34 patients without end-stage renal disease, autopsied during the same period was used as a reference. The 153 sampled joints (1 to 8, median 2 per patient) were sternoclavicular joints (N = 77), shoulders (N = 35), knees (N = 28), others (N = 13). A beta 2m was diagnosed (positive Congo red with typical birefringence and positive immunostaining of deposits for beta 2m) in 26 of 54 (48%) patients. Prevalence reached respectively 21%, 33%, 50%, 90% and 100% within two years, after 2 to 4 years, 4 to 7 years, 7 to 13 years and more than 13 years HD. The calculated sensitivity of the various joints for A beta 2m detection is significantly higher (P < 0.03) for sternoclavicular joints (97%) and knees (91%) than for shoulders (57%). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression with discriminant analysis identified both HD duration (P = 0.0008) and age at HD onset (P = 0.0093) but not diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.23) or gender (P = 0.25) as independent risk factors for A beta 2m. The probability of joint A beta 2m was quantitated as a function of age and HD duration. In conclusion, A beta 2m may be observed in the large joints early after HD onset. Overall prevalence reaches 48% of the patients on HD for a median of 47 months. It is much higher than that reported on the basis of clinical or radiological evidence. The sternoclavicular and knee joints are more frequently (P < 0.03) involved than the shoulder. The easily accessible sternoclavicular joint therefore appears to be the best site for the early detection of A beta 2m. Both HD duration and age at HD onset, but not diabetic nephropathy, are independent risk factors for A beta 2m.
AL amyloidosis is an infiltrative disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrillar immunoglobulin light chains whose production results from a plasma cell dyscrasia. Treatment with melphalan has resulted in an improvement in a few patients. Recently, intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous or syngeneic stem cell support has been shown to offer potential benefit. Allogeneic stem cell support after intensive therapy would retain the benefits of autologous transplantation, with the additional advantages of a tumor-free graft and of a possible graft-versus-tumor effect. We report a patient with AL amyloidosis and significant proteinuria. She improved after an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.