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R Nosadini

Publications and source records attributed to R Nosadini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Simvastatin maintains steady patterns of GFR and improves AER and expression of slit diaphragm proteins in type II diabetes.

The factors determining the course of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albumin excretion rate (AER) and the expression of mRNA of slit diaphragm (SD) and podocyte proteins in microalbuminuric, hypertensive type II diabetic patients are not fully understood. GFR, AER, and SD protein mRNA were studied in 86 microalbuminuric, hypertensive, type II diabetics at baseline and after 4-year random double-blind treatment either with 40 mg simvastatin (Group 1) or with 30 g cholestyramine (Group 2) per day. Both groups had at baseline a GFR decay per year in the previous 2-4 years of 3 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Both Groups 1 and 2 showed a significant decrease of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after simvastatin and cholestyramine treatment (P<0.01). No change from base line values was observed as for hs-C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. A significant decrease of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine urinary excretion was observed after simvastatin treatment. GFR did not change from baseline with simvstatin, whereas a decrease was observed with cholestyramine treatment (simvastatin vs cholestyramine: -0.21 vs -2.75 ml/min/1.73 m(2), P<0.01). AER decreased in Group 1 (P<0.01), but not in Group 2 patients. Real-time polymerase chain reaction measurement of mRNA SD proteins (CD2AP, FAT, Actn 4, NPHS1, and NPHS2) significantly increased in kidney biopsy specimens after simvastatin, but not cholestyramine treatment. Simvastatin, but not cholestyramine, 4-year treatment maintains steady patterns of GFR, and improves AER and expression of SD proteins in type II diabetes, despite similar hypocholesterolemic effects in circulation.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2004

The role of the renin angiotensin hormonal system in the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Potentially important new findings have recently been reported concerning the so-called metabolic syndrome in relation to the renin-angiotensin system, ie, that treatment with inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) not only decreases blood pressure levels but prevents the development of diabetes mellitus. The new findings described in this article highlight the potential role of the ACE system in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, thus contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In addition to the well known selective effects of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in reducing microalbuminuria in diabetic patients, the potential ability of these drugs to reduce the risk of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome would support their use as first line agents not only in diabetic patients but also in selected groups of hypertensive patients, who are particularly at risk of developing metabolic complications. This information supports the Joint Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension by the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology, which highlight the crucial role of ACE inhibitors and the angiotensin II receptor blockers in preventing the development of diabetes in hypertensive patients.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2001

Early ACE-i intervention in microalbuminuric patients with type 1 diabetes: effects on albumin excretion, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, and renal function.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of ACE-i in type 1 diabetic patients with early microalbuminuria with regard to: i) UAE, ii) 24 h AMBP, including the effect on diurnal BP variation, and iii) renal haemodynamics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 58 patients with urinary albumin excretion (UAE) between 20-70 microg/min were treated for two years with either the ACE inhibitor (ACE-i) lisinopril (20 mg od) or placebo in two randomised placebo controlled double blind studies. In a subgroup of patients (n=22) we performed 24 h ambulatory blood pressure measurements (AMBP) and renal function tests (constant infusion technique). RESULTS: i) Changes in UAE over the two years were significantly different (p<0.01) in the two groups with final UAE in the lisinopril group of 19.1 microg/min x/divide 2.5 (geometric mean x/divide tolerance factor) and 44.1 microg/min x/divide 2.8 in the placebo group. In the lisinopril group 20 patients (60.6%) reversed to normoalbuminuria compared to 6 patients (24%) in the placebo group (p<0.02). ii) Clinical BP measurements revealed no differences between groups, but by AMBP significant reductions were detectable in the lisinopril group, primarily in night AMBP (systolic/diastolic: - 6.9 +/- 8.6/- 6.0 +/- 5.3 mmHg, p<0.01) as opposed to increases in the placebo group (3.1 +/- 9.3/1.9 +/- 7.3 mmHg). iii) Changes in UAE and changes in filtration fraction (FF) were positively correlated in the intervention group (r=0.9, p<0.01), i.e. the patients who showed the greatest fall in UAE were the ones with the greatest fall in FF. CONCLUSIONS: ACE-i treatment in patients with low-grade microalbuminuria reduces 24 h AMBP without attenuating diurnal blood pressure variation, reduces UAE significantly, with changes in UAE being strongly associated with changes in FF. Furthermore, compared to placebo, ACE-i reverses micro- to normoalbuminuria in a significant fraction of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

What is the relevance of the HOPE study in general practice?

The unique findings from the HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) study strongly support extending the use of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril as a preventive agent for patients at high risk of cardiovascular events with normal left ventricular function. In addition, ramipril provides significant benefit in diabetic patients. These findings will impact on how ramipril is used in primary care, where ACE inhibitors are currently underprescribed. Patients reflecting the inclusion criteria of the HOPE study should be considered as suitable candidates for long-term ramipril therapy as an addition to their existing drug regimen. Screening should include control of kidney function (by serum creatinine), particularly within the first two weeks of treatment, in addition to regular monitoring of serum potassium. However, the HOPE study shows that ramipril is well tolerated at high doses and over a long treatment period. The effectiveness of therapy should also be regularly reviewed and dose adjustments made where necessary. If concern remains, referral to a specialist--a cardiologist or a diabetologist--may ultimately be necessary.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2000

Course of renal function in type 2 diabetic patients with abnormalities of albumin excretion rate.

Heterogeneity in renal structure has been described in type 2 diabetic patients with both microalbuminuria and proteinuria; in fact, only a subset of type 2 diabetic patients have the typical diabetic glomerulopathy. However, it is currently unknown whether abnormalities in albumin excretion rate (AER) have a different renal prognostic value depending on the underlying renal structure. Aims of this study were: 1) to study the course of renal function in type 2 diabetic patients with altered AER; 2) to evaluate the relationship between the course of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal structure; and 3) to evaluate the relationship between the course of GFR and baseline AER levels, metabolic control, and blood pressure levels during a follow-up period of 4 years. A total of 108 type 2 diabetic patients, 74 with microalbuminuria (MA) and 34 with proteinuria (P), were recruited into a prospective study that encompassed: 1) a baseline kidney biopsy with morphometric measurements of glomerular parameters; 2) intensified antihypertensive treatment for an average 4-year period (blood pressure target <140/90 mmHg); and 3) determinations of GFR at baseline and every 6 months. Mean (+/- SD) GFR significantly decreased from baseline in both MA (-1.3+/-9.4 [95% CI -3.51 to +0.86], P < 0.05) and P (-3.0+/-13.0 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2) per year [-7.71 to +1.61], P < 0.01). However, the changes in GFR were quite heterogeneous. Thus, on the basis of percent GFR change per year from baseline (delta%GFR), both MA and P patients were defined as progressors or nonprogressors when they were below or above the median, respectively. Baseline parameters of glomerular structure had a strong influence on the course of GFR. Indeed, the odds ratios of being progressors significantly increased across the quartiles of baseline glomerular basement membrane (GBM) width and mesangial fractional volume [Vv(mes/glom)], being 2.71 and 2.85 higher, respectively, in the fourth quartile than in the first quartile (P < 0.01 for both). Conversely, nonprogressors outnumbered progressors in the first quartile of GBM width (odds ratio: 2.14, P < 0.05) and in the first quartile of Vv(mes/glom) (odds ratio: 2.28, P < 0.01). Baseline albumin excretion rate (AER) did not influence delta%GFR; in fact, the number of progressors did not increase across quartiles of baseline AER among either MA or P. Similarly, mean blood pressure levels during follow-up (and intensified antihypertensive therapy) did not affect the course of GFR: the number of progressors and nonprogressors did not change across quartiles of mean blood pressure. In contrast, HbA1c during follow-up had an impact on delta%GFR: the odds ratio for being a progressor increased across quartiles of HbA1c, particularly for the highest quartile (HbA1c >9.0%). In conclusion, the course of renal function is heterogeneous in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria or proteinuria. In fact, a subset of patients has a rapid decline in GFR over a 4-year follow-up period; these patients have more advanced diabetic glomerulopathy and worse metabolic control than the remaining patients, whose GFR remains stable. These two cohorts are otherwise undistinguishable as regards the degree of AER at baseline and tight blood pressure control. Kidney biopsy has an important prognostic role in these patients. Thus, tight blood pressure control, when not associated with satisfactory glycemic control, is unable to prevent rapid GFR decline in type 2 diabetic patients with typical diabetic glomerulopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

High plasma prorenin in non diabetic siblings of non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.

In a large cohort (no. = 361) of NIDDM probands and their concordant/discordant siblings from no. = 132 families we studied: 1. the levels of plasma prorenin in non affected siblings of NIDDM probands as opposed to normal subjects without family history of diabetes, and 2. whether plasma prorenin raises in parallel to urinary protein loss in NIDDM patients. Prorenin (solid-phase trypsin) and micro-macroalbuminuria (radioimmunoassay) were evaluated. Plasma prorenin was higher in NIDDM probands and siblings than in non NIDDM siblings (37+/-31 vs. 25+/-15 ng/ml/h, p<0.0005) who, in turn, showed higher plasma prorenin than non diabetic controls without family history of diabetes (25+/-15 vs. 17+/-8 ng/ml/h, p<0.005). Plasma prorenin was higher in NIDDM siblings of micro-macroalbuminuric probands than in NIDDM siblings of non micro-macroalbuminuric probands (40+/-26 vs. 29+/-20 ng/ml/h, mean +/- SD, p = 0.0058) whereas no difference was found among non diabetic siblings (24+/-14 vs. 22+/-11 ng/ml/h, NS). Our data confirm that plasma prorenin is elevated in NIDDM patients, and show: 1. that the raise of plasma prorenin in non-NIDDM siblings of a diabetic patient does not depend entirely from the presence of diabetes, and 2. that plasma prorenin in NIDDM probands and their concordant siblings goes along with micro-macroalbuminuria.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1999

Polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensinogen genes in type 2 diabetic sibships in relation to albumin excretion rate.

Familial clustering of altered albumin excretion and nephropathy risk has been described in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; moreover, an association of micro-macroalbuminuria and diabetic retinopathy has been recently reported in a large number of white families with type 2 diabetes. Conflicting reports, mainly comparing affected with unaffected unrelated subjects, have suggested a possible role of some genotypes of the renin-angiotensin system in conferring nephropathy risk in type 2 diabetes. To examine the role of genetic factors in influencing albuminuria in families, we studied the relation of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) and angiotensinogen (AGN) genotypes with albumin excretion rate in a population of affected siblings of type 2 diabetic probands. We determined ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism and two polymorphisms of the AGN gene (T174M and M235T) in 160 families with at least one affected member. Defining proband as the patient with the longest known duration of diabetes, we compared the allelic distribution in diabetic probands with and without altered albumin excretion and in their siblings. Allelic distribution of these polymorphisms was similar in the two groups of probands, as well as in their siblings. Identity-by-State (IBS) analysis showed a link between AGN locus and arterial hypertension in these siblings, which was independent from the degree of renal involvement. Thus, our findings suggest that in white families with type 2 diabetes, there is no linkage between the degree of albumin excretion and ACE and AGN polymorphisms, whereas the latter is related to arterial hypertension, as previously found in patients without diabetes but with essential hypertension.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1998

Heterogeneous nature of microalbuminuria in NIDDM: studies of endothelial function and renal structure.

Microalbuminuria (MA) is associated with microangiopathy (renal and retinal lesions) in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients. In contrast MA does not reflect microvascular damage in a substantial number of non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients. MA predicts cardiovascular disease in NIDDM patients with increased von Willebrand factor (vWF) plasma levels which are hypothesized to reflect endothelial dysfunction. However, it is not known whether MA is consequent to generalised endothelial dysfunction or to renal injury. Thus, this study evaluated vWF plasma levels in relation to renal and retinal structural abnormalities in NIDDM patients with MA. Kidney biopsies, fundoscopy and measures of vWF plasma levels were performed in 32 NIDDM patients with MA. These patients were allocated to two renal structural categories: A) Without renal structural abnormalities (C I, n = 10): normal or near-normal renal structure, and B) With renal structural abnormalities (n = 22), further divided into: C II (n = 12) with typical diabetic nephropathology, predominantly glomerulopathy, and C III (n = 10) with atypical patterns of renal injury (more advanced tubulo-interstitial and arteriolar than glomerular changes). vWF plasma levels were significantly higher in category B (C II: 195+/-49% and C III: 161+/-46%) than in category A (C I: 119+/-42%), (chi-square, p < 0.05). Diabetic retinopathy was also related to vWF plasma levels (ANOVA, p < 0.05). These data suggest that there are two types of MA in NIDDM: one associated with increased vWF levels, established renal injury and frequently retinopathy, and the other characterized by normal vWF levels, normal renal structure and absent or mild diabetic retinopathy. We propose that vWF plasma levels in NIDDM patients with MA may help to identify patients with important renal structural changes, increased retinopathy risk and, perhaps, generalised endothelial dysfunction. Whether vWF plasma levels predict end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular events deserves longitudinal studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Efficacy of antihypertensive therapy in decreasing renal and cardiovascular complications in diabetes mellitus.

The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of microangiopathy and macroangiopathy in diabetes mellitus is hypothesized to be chronic hyperglycaemia. However, the values of blood glucose at which chronic diabetic complications develop at the renal and cardiac level are quite different. It is not clear whether this is due to different responses of kidney and heart tissues to the metabolic challenge of diabetes, or to the simultaneous role of other mechanisms contributing differently to the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications in renal and cardiac tissues. One of these mechanisms could be the simultaneous occurrence of arterial hypertension along with hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients. We reviewed the available evidence in the recent medical literature and provide information on the relationships between hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular and renal complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The majority of reports indicate that the values of blood glucose appearing to be at threshold level for the development of cardiovascular complications are significantly lower than those determining renal complications (5.4 vs 10.0 mmol/l blood glucose concentrations 2 h after an oral glucose tolerance test). This was the case both in cross-sectional and prospective studies and also in intervention studies aimed at decreasing blood glucose concentrations by using strict metabolic control methods (The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group), which succeeded in delaying the rate of occurrence of microangiopathic complications at the kidney and retinal level but not so effectively at the cardiac level. Therefore, alternative therapeutic or supplementary strategies to blood glucose control should be adopted in diabetes to prevent diabetic complications. To date, the most effective approach, from our point of view, is antihypertensive therapy in order to prevent end-stage renal disease. We extensively reviewed the available literature which reported comparisons between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in the treatment of arterial hypertension in diabetes. Intensified antihypertensive therapy achieving a blood pressure level below 130/85 mmHg has been shown to be useful in decreasing the rate of occurrence of chronic diabetic complications in diabetes mellitus. Both ACE inhibitors and CCBs have been shown to significantly improve the course of renal function in diabetic patients with incipient and overt nephropathy.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1998

Insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness: minimal model analysis of regular and insulin-modified FSIGT.

The minimal model is widely used to evaluate insulin action on glucose disappearance from frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGT). The common protocols are a regular (rFSIGT, single injection of 0.3 g/kg of glucose) and an insulin-modified test (mFSIGT, with an additional insulin administration at 20 min). This study compared the insulin sensitivity index (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG) obtained in the same individual (16 normal subjects) with the two tests. SI was 7.11 +/- 0.80 10(-4).min-1.microU-1.ml in rFSIGT and 6.96 +/- 0.83 in mFSIGT (P = 0.656), regression r = 0.92, P < 0.0001; SG was 0.0260 +/- 0.0028 min-1 and 0.0357 +/- 0.0052, respectively, statistically different (P = 0.013) but still with a good regression (r = 0.66, P = 0.0051). SG and insulin amount during the early period correlated (r = 0.6, P = 0.015 in rFSIGT and r = 0.76, P = 0.0006 in mFSIGT). In summary, both FSIGTs with minimal model analysis provide the same SI, which is a very robust index. SG was different by 28% due probably to the relationship between SG and the amount of circulating insulin. In studies comparing groups, the simpler rFSIGT can still be used with the advantage of accounting for endogenous insulin, thus offering the possibility of direct inferences on the beta-cell activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Elevated PC-1 content in cultured skin fibroblasts correlates with decreased in vivo and in vitro insulin action in nondiabetic subjects: evidence that PC-1 may be an intrinsic factor in impaired insulin receptor signaling.

Membrane glycoprotein PC-1 inhibits insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase activity and subsequent cellular signaling. PC-1 content is elevated in muscle and adipose tissue from insulin-resistant subjects, and its elevation correlates with in vivo insulin resistance. To determine whether elevated PC-1 content is a primary cause of insulin resistance, we have now measured PC-1 content in cultured skin fibroblasts from nonobese nondiabetic insulin-resistant subjects and found that 1) PC-1 content was significantly higher in these cells when compared with cells from insulin-sensitive subjects (6.7 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.6 ng/0.1 mg protein, mean +/- SE, P < 0.01); 2) PC-1 content in fibroblasts was highly correlated with PC-1 content in muscle tissue (r = 0.95, P = 0.01); 3) PC-1 content in fibroblasts negatively correlated with both decreased in vivo insulin sensitivity and decreased in vitro IR autophosphorylation; and 4) in cells from insulin-resistant subjects, insulin stimulation of glycogen synthetase was decreased. These studies indicate, therefore, that the elevation of PC-1 content may be a primary factor in the cause of insulin resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of lisinopril and nifedipine on the progression to overt albuminuria in IDDM patients with incipient nephropathy and normal blood pressure. The Italian Microalbuminuria Study Group in IDDM.

OBJECTIVE: Intervention trials on renal function in IDDM patients with microalbuminuria (MA) should adopt the rate of decline of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as an outcome measure. However, normotensive IDDM patients with MA show no change in GFR over a follow-up period of 10 years. Thus, in the present study, we used the cumulative incidence of progression to albuminuria (albumin excretion rate [AER] > 200 micrograms/min) from MA as the primary endpoint and the yearly increase in AER at a rate of 50% above baseline as the secondary end-point of renal function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Ninety-two normotensive IDDM patients underwent double-blind, double-dummy treatment with either lisinopril or slow-release nifedipine in comparison with placebo. Ten patients discontinued the study during the 3-year follow-up period. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up period, 7 of 34 placebo-treated (20.6%), 2 of 32 lisinopril-treated (6.3%), and 2 of 26 nifedipine-treated (7.7%) patients progressed to clinical albuminuria (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.03). Time-to-event analysis indicated a reduction in the risk of progression to macroalbuminuria of 58.1% (95% CI 27.8-68.4%) in the 32 patients on lisinopril (P < 0.02) and of 62.5% (95% CI 32.5-73.4%) in the 26 patients on nifedipine (P < 0.02) after adjustment for mean blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and baseline AER in comparison with the 34 patients on placebo. Baseline AER was 71 micrograms/min (range: 20.7-187.3) in progressors and 73 micrograms/min (range: 20.2-174.1) in nonprogressors (NS). The percentage of patients who showed a > 50% yearly increase of AER above baseline values was significantly lower in the lisinopril group (13 of 32, 40.6%, P < 0.02), but not in the nifedipine group (15 of 26, 57.7%), than in the placebo group (23 of 34, 67.6%). The lisinopril group had significantly lower blood pressure values during follow-up than either the nifedipine (P < 0.05) or the placebo (P < 0.01) group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that both lisinopril and nifedipine are effective in delaying the occurrence of macroalbuminuria in normotensive IDDM patients with MA. As overt proteinuria strongly predicts end-stage renal failure, both treatments appear capable of preventing such a complication in normotensive IDDM patients with MA. However, lisinopril appears more powerful in slowing the course of nephropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Renal function in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.

BACKGROUND: Data have not shown consistent effects with calcium channel blockers on the course of renal function in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) who have hypertension alone or in association with renal damage. The differences between the antiproteinuric effects of subclasses or formulations of calcium channel blockers and the heterogeneity of renal lesions may contribute to the discrepancy in these data. Clinical studies conducted by the authors and other recent data that describe the course of renal dysfunction in hypertensive NIDDM patients treated with antihypertensive agents are reviewed. Renal structural changes were also evaluated. RESULTS: Most available data indicate that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers produce similar effects on glomerular filtration rate. In one study of patients achieving intensified, strict control of blood pressure (target<140/85 mmHg) with either cilazapril or amlodipine, glomerular filtration rate declined by 2.03+/-0.66 ml/ min/1.73 m2 per year and 2.01+/-0.71 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, respectively, in the subgroup with normoalbuminuria and by 2.15+/-0.69 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year and 2.33+/-0.83 ml/min/ 1.73 m2 per year, respectively, in the subgroup with microalbuminuria. Renal lesions in NIDDM patients were found to be structurally heterogeneous and glomerular filtration rate appeared to decline only in patients with renal structural changes typical of NIDDM. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of blood pressure control, rather than the method by which this is accomplished, is the most important factor in determining the evolution of incipient nephropathy in hypertensive NIDDM. The kidneys of microalbuminuric NIDDM patients are structurally heterogeneous with less than one-third of patients having 'typical' diabetic nephropathology.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1997

Elevated sodium-lithium countertransport activity in erythrocytes is predictive of the development of microalbuminuria in IDDM.

Pathogenetic mechanisms other than the quality of metabolic control may play a role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Some cross-sectional studies have shown that elevated erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport (Na+/Li+ CT) activity may be linked to incipient or overt nephropathy in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients. The aim of the present work was to ascertain if high erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity anticipates the development of microalbuminuria in IDDM patients. Evaluation of this cation transport system was carried out in 159 normotensive, normoalbuminuric IDDM patients, who were divided into two groups: those with values above (Group A) and those with values below (Group B) the median level in the overall population (300 mumol/erythrocytes x h). A total of 79 patients in Group A and 80 in Group B underwent periodic examinations over a similar time period (5.2 years, range 3.3-7.4 years and 5.4 years, range 3.4-7.5 years, respectively). Median sodium-lithium countertransport activity was stable when evaluated after 2 and 4 years of follow-up. Only seven patients were excluded from the protocol because changes in their sodium-lithium countertransport activity placed them on the other side of the median value with respect to their baseline measurement. Thus, 152 patients completed the study (76 in Group A and 76 in Group B). Of the 76 patients in Group A, 17 developed persistent microalbuminuria (22.3%). The number of patients in Group B showing persistent microalbuminuria was significantly lower (4 of 76; 5.2%; p < 0.01). The sensitivity of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT in predicting the development of microalbuminuria was 85% and its specificity was 55%. Seven patients of Group A and five of Group B developed arterial hypertension. Subjects in Group A had significantly higher mean HbA1c values of twice yearly measurements than those in Group B (9.6 +/- 1.7 vs 8.3 +/- 1.7%, p < 0.002, mean +/- SD) despite similar daily insulin requirements. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were also evaluated every 6 months and were significantly higher in the Group A than in the Group B patients, although on average within the normal range. The odds ratio for developing persistent microalbuminuria in IDDM with elevated baseline erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity after adjustment for gender and baseline albumin excretion rate, and mean 6 monthly plasma creatinine, HbA1c and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels was 4.2 (95% confidence intervals 2.0-11.1). It was also found that the percentage of offspring having both parents with Na+/Li+ CT activity above the median value was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (Group A vs Group B: 35 vs 19%; p < 0.01). On the contrary the percentage of offspring whose erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT was lower in both parents was lower in Group A than in Group B: 10 vs 38%, p < 0.01). Parents of Group A offspring had arterial hypertension more frequently than those of Group B. These results indicate that erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity is a useful diagnostic tool in identifying normotensive, normoalbuminuric patients who may be predisposed to develop persistent microalbuminuria. This disorder in the cation transport system is associated with poor metabolic control, higher blood pressure, and male sex; it also appears to be, at least partly, genetically transmitted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Clustering of albumin excretion rate abnormalities in Caucasian patients with NIDDM. The Italian NIDDM Nephropathy Study Group.

Proteinuria and nephropathy have been found to cluster in families of non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) Pima Indian, and in Caucasian insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients. No information is at present available for Caucasian NIDDM patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether micro-macroalbuminuria (AER+) is associated with albumin excretion rate abnormalities in diabetic and non-diabetic siblings of probands with NIDDM and AER+. We identified 169 Caucasian families with one NIDDM proband (the patient with longest known NIDDM duration) (101 families with only NIDDM siblings, 33 families with both NIDDM and non-NIDDM siblings and 35 families with only non-NIDDM siblings). Of the probands 56 had AER+ [Prob-NIDDM-(AER+)], 78 had AER-[Prob-NIDDM-(AER-)], 74 siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER+), and 113 siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER-) also had NIDDM. Data on albuminuria and retinopathy from multiple sibling pairs when the size of the sibship was more than two was adjusted according to a weighting factor. The odds ratio for AER+, in siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER+) adjusted for age, hypertension, glycated haemoglobin A1c and other confounding variables was 3.94 (95% confidence intervals: 1.93-9.01) as compared to siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER-). The 74 siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER+) had higher prevalence of proliferative retinopathy than siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER-) (14 vs 2%; p < 0.01). We also identified 66 non-diabetic siblings of 41 NIDDM probands with AER+ and 36 non-diabetic siblings of 27 NIDDM probands with AER-. Albumin excretion was two times higher, although still within the normal range, in the non-diabetic siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER+) than in siblings of Prob-NIDDM-(AER-) [median = 13.5 (range 0.5-148) vs 6.6 (range 1-17) micrograms/min (p < 0.05)]. In conclusion higher rates of albumin excretion aggregate in Caucasian families with NIDDM. Proliferative retinopathy is more frequently observed in families showing a clustering of AER+ and NIDDM. These findings suggest that familial factors play a role in the pathogenesis of renal and retinal complications in NIDDM.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1997

Down-regulation of glomerular matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene in human NIDDM.

Regulation of mesangial matrix deposition is a dynamic phenomenon involving synthetic and degradative processes. The latter involve a number of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP). Experimental studies suggest that mesangial matrix degradation is inhibited in diabetic nephropathy, and that this phenomenon has a pathogenic role. The expression of genes for MMP2 and TIMP2 in human diabetic nephropathy was investigated. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out in microdissected glomeruli and tubulo-interstitium obtained from kidney biopsies. We studied 16 NIDDM patients, 5 patients with glomerulonephritis or chronic kidney transplant rejection, and 5 normal control subjects. Albumin excretion rate and renal histology for NIDDM patients were available. Contrary to TIMP2 which was expressed both in tubulo-interstitium and glomeruli in almost all renal biopsies, MMP2 gene down-regulation was observed in glomeruli from all NIDDM patients, irrespective of the albumin excretion rate, and of renal histology. In contrast, this gene was expressed in biopsies from other subjects (chi(2) = 20.6; p = 0.000). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that: 1) in glomeruli of NIDDM patients the MMP2 gene is down-regulated; 2) in biopsies of NIDDM patients the MMP2/TIMP2 pattern is peculiar for NIDDM; 3) the MMP2 gene down-regulation is observed in all NIDDM patients, irrespective of the level of albuminuria and of renal histology. MMP2 gene down-regulation seems to be a molecular epiphenomenon of diabetes, rather than a marker of diabetic nephropathy.

Adult↗