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Objectives Individualizing a target mean arterial pressure is challenging during the initial resuscitation of patients with septic shock. The Sepsis and Mean Arterial Pressure (SEPSISPAM) trial suggested that targeting high mean arterial pressure might reduce the occurrence of acute kidney injury among those included patients with a past history of chronic hypertension. We investigated whether the class of antihypertensive medications used before the ICU stay in chronic hypertensive patients was associated with the severity of acute kidney injury occurring after inclusion, according to mean arterial pressure target. Design Post hoc analysis of the SEPSISPAM trial. Setting The primary outcome was the occurrence of severe acute kidney injury during the ICU stay defined as kidney disease improving global outcome stage 2 or higher. Secondary outcomes were mortality at day 28 and mortality at day 90. Patients All patients with chronic hypertension included in SEPSISPAM with available antihypertensive medications data in the hospitalization report were included. Measurements and main results We analyzed 297 patients. Severe acute kidney injury occurred in 184 patients, without difference according to pre-ICU exposure to antihypertensive medications. Patients with pre-ICU exposure to angiotensin II receptor blockers had significantly less severe acute kidney injury in the high mean arterial pressure target group (adjusted odd ratio 0.24 with 95% CI [0.09-0.66]; p = 0.006). No statistically significant association was found after adjustment for pre-ICU exposure to antihypertensive medications and survival. Conclusions Our results suggest that patients with septic shock and chronic hypertension treated with angiotensin II receptor blocker may benefit from a high mean arterial pressure target to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury occurrence.

Background The value of ANCA positivity in the setting of systemic lupus erythematous and their pathogenicity remains uncertain. Case presentation We report the case of a 48-year-old female with rapidly progressive kidney failure, arthro-myalgia and weight loss. Auto-immune screening showed anti-dsDNA antibodies, complement consumption and triple ANCA positivity. A first kidney biopsy done at presentation highlighted class IV-G glomerulonephritis with elective extra-capillary involvement and mainly C1q glomerular deposition at immunofluorescence study. After three months of a regimen combining steroids and cyclophosphamide, a second biopsy was performed and showed class IV-G glomerulonephritis with mainly endocapillary proliferation. Conclusion This case is atypical in view of immunological profile and kidney histopathological presentation and evolution and gives rise to discussion in view of recent data on ANCA value in lupus nephritis, and suggests that different auto-immune pathways may be involved in lupus nephritis.

Summary Background & aims Citrulline increases protein synthesis during refeeding in rodents with short bowel syndrome, aging and malnutrition, and improves nitrogen balance in fed healthy humans. The aim of the current study therefore was to determine whether citrulline had affected protein metabolism in healthy volunteers. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, 12 healthy adults received a 5-h intravenous infusion of L-[1- 13 C]-leucine in the post-absorptive state, after a 7-day oral supplementation with 0.18 g/kg/day citrulline, or an iso-nitrogenous placebo. Treatment order was randomized, treatment periods were separated by 13-day wash out. Leucine appearance rate (Ra) was determined from plasma [1- 13 C]-keto-iso-caproate enrichment and leucine oxidation from expired 13 CO 2 , and nitrogen balance was estimated from 6-h urinary urea excretion. Results Compared with placebo, oral citrulline supplementation increased plasma citrulline, arginine and ornithine concentrations, but failed to affect albumin, transthyretin, free insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 plasma concentrations, urinary nitrate excretion, or nitrogen balance. Citrulline supplementation did not alter leucine Ra, leucine oxidation, nor whole-body protein synthesis. Conclusion In healthy, well nourished volunteers, oral citrulline increases plasma citrulline and arginine availability but does not affect whole-body protein kinetics in the post-absorptive state.