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Orexins are neuropeptides that play a role in maintaining wakefulness and contribute to central regulation of cardiovascular function. This first multicenter, randomized, double-blind study investigated the effects of suvorexant, a reversible dual orexin receptor antagonist, on nighttime blood pressure (BP) in patients with insomnia and hypertension. After a 4-week run-in period, adult outpatients (n = 82) with treated hypertension (clinic SBP

Although still incompletely understood, the etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is considered to involve both genetic and environmental factors. We encountered two boys with severe SLE from unrelated families and analyzed the gene that encodes cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated (CTLA)-4, a protein important in T-cell activation and immune tolerance. Abnormal function of the gene may participate in causation of autoimmune disease, including SLE. In family 1, a boy showed serious cardiovascular complications associated with heart failure, and his mother also had clinically active SLE, including nephritis. A boy in family 2 developed severe renal complications and peripheral vasculitis accompanied by disseminated petechiae in the lower extremities. His paternal grandfather had died from fibrinous pneumonia caused by SLE. They showed high SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. Analysis of the CTLA-4 gene indicated that the boy in family 1 and his mother and the boy in family 2 possess a GG genotype in CTLA-4 exon 1 at +49 together with a 106-bp fragment length of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) in exon 4. No association with disease activity was found for polymorphism of the promoter region in exon 1 at -318 in either family. Disorders of the CTLA-4 gene, especially a GG genotype in exon 1 at +49 and/or 106-bp fragment length of the 3'UTR in exon 4, may be involved in early development of SLE in Japanese children, such as the boys described here.

Cystic renal lymphangiectasia (CRL) is a rare malformation of lymphatics that can present in childhood and adulthood. Symptoms and radiologic features are relatively well defined, but clinical evolution and prognosis remain unclear. We treated a boy with CRL who developed chronic renal insufficiency. The first manifestation was abdominal swelling associated with an umbilical hernia noted incidentally at 1.6 years. Computed tomography with intravenous contrast administration demonstrated perirenal cysts with fluid collection, suggesting CRL. Intractable ascites resisted pharmacologic treatments such as diuretics. After approximately 7 years, the ascites resolved spontaneously, but the perirenal cysts persisted. At 11 years, proteinuria was noted. A renal biopsy specimen showed interstitial abnormalities consistent with CRL, glomeruli showed a focal segmental mesangial increase. Proteinuria persisted despite administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, increasing as obesity and hypertension worsened. Renal function gradually declined in the ensuing years. Polycythemia coexisted with a normal serum erythropoietin concentration. A follow-up renal biopsy specimen disclosed glomerular enlargement together with focal segmental mesangial expansion, suggesting obesity-related glomerulopathy. Our observation suggest that under some specific circumstances like our patient CRL may exacerbate. Management of complicating obesity and hypertension are likely to be important for maintaining normal renal function, especially in the diffuse bilateral type of CRL present in our patient.

Background: Cyclosporin A (CyA) can suppress relapses and reduce proteinuria in frequent-relapse nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). However, some patients remain resistant to CyA therapy. The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment in pediatric patients with CyA-resistant intractable nephrotic syndrome. Methods: MMF therapy was given to 11 patients with FRNS who had relapse despite CyA therapy, and one patient with SRNS who had been receiving combined therapy using steroid and CyA until immediately before the start of MMF. MMF was administered at a daily dose of 750–1000 mg/m2 in two divided doses. Results: Ten of the 11 patients with FRNS were able to maintain remission. Among them, seven patients remained relapse free for 1 year, and two patients had a decrease in the frequency of relapse after initiation of MMF therapy. One patient, however, had repeated cycles of remission and relapse, and was considered resistant to MMF therapy. The total prednisolone dose during the period from month 6 to month 12 after the start of MMF therapy was significantly lower than that during the 6 month period before the start of MMF therapy. The patient with SRNS, who had not achieved remission despite CyA administration, had complete remission on MMF. No serious adverse effects were seen in any of the present patients. Conclusion: MMF could be useful in CyA-treatment-refractory FRNS and CyA-resistant SRNS.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TBC) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is reported to be higher than that in the general population. We report an 8-year-old boy receiving such treatment for chronic renal failure who developed mediastinal lymph node TBC. He showed only intermittent fever, recurring every 2 weeks, with no other symptoms suggesting TBC. Although staining and culture of pharyngeal swab and gastric juice specimens failed to provide evidence of TBC, a lymph node biopsy specimen disclosed typical pathologic findings of tuberculoma, including caseating granulomas. Antituberculous therapy with isoniazid (INH), rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol was given for 12 months, resulting in complete resolution of the TBC, with no subsequent recurrence. To our knowledge, mediastinal lymph node localization of TBC is relatively rare, in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis, especially in a child.

Mitochondrial disorder is a relatively rare disease during childhood. Previous studies concluded that renal complications in this disease most often occur in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. We describe a boy with mitochondrial disease who presented with proteinuria while lacking neuromyopathy. Proteinuria was detected at the age of 6 years, including large amounts of low-molecular-weight proteins such as beta(2)- and alpha1-microglobulin. Renal functions were normal. Proximal tubular dysfunction and other renal manifestations were absent. Episodic neurologic problems such as migraine and nervous system diseases including epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia and amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were found in the boy's family members. Renal tubular basement membrane atrophy and interstitial fibrosis with mononuclear cell infiltration were observed. Ultrastructural examination showed mitochondria, mainly in the proximal tubules, which varied in size and had disoriented cristae. Mutation analysis using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extracted from renal tissues demonstrated a A-->G point mutation at nucleotide position 3243 in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene, while there was no mutation found in mtDNA extracted from peripheral leukocytes. Awareness among pediatricians of mitochondrial disorders, detection of low-molecular-weight proteinuria, renal ultrastructural examination and mutation analysis of mtDNA obtained from renal tissues could be important for early diagnosis of this disease.

Because moderate or severe proteinuria is a representative factor indicative of longterm poor prognosis in IgA nephrology, an anti-proteinuric treatment which can be administered longterm with few side effects is necessary. We report here a comparison of antiproteinuric effects in two patient groups treated with different combination therapies.Group A comprised 12 patients with IgA nephropathy, who had 24-h proteinuria of 0.5 gm(2) or more, moderately severe renal histology, and normal renal function, and were treated with a combination of drugs, i.e., prednisolone, an immunosuppressant (mizoribine), an anti-platelet drug (dipyridamole), and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Group B consisted of 18 patients who had baseline characteristics similar to those of the patients in group A and were treated with our previous protocol (a combination of prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and dipyridamole). Twenty-four-hour proteinuria and creatinine clearance were measured every 6 months. The primary endpoint was reduction of 24-h proteinuria by less than 25% compared with the baseline value.The proportion of patients that exhibited the primary endpoint, as assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method, was found to be significantly higher in group A than in group B (logrank test; P = 0.024). None of the patients in the two groups experienced serious adverse effects.The results suggested that the use of drugs in combination with cyclophosphamide was beneficial for patients with moderately severe IgA nephropathy. Because moderate or severe proteinuria is a representative factor indicative of longterm poor prognosis in IgA nephropathy, an anti-proteinuric treatment which can be administered longterm with few side effects is necessary. We report here a comparison of antiproteinuric effects in two patient groups treated with different combination therapies.

We describe a patient with IgA nephropathy associated with Crohn disease. IgA nephropathy first appeared at the age of 10 years. Combined therapy with prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, warfarin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor resulted in clinical improvement over the following year, and remission was maintained. At the age of 13 years, the patient developed Crohn disease and IgA nephropathy recurred. Significant increases in serum IgA were associated with progression of Crohn disease. An elemental diet combined with oral prednisolone resulted in clinical improvement of Crohn disease and in remission of nephropathy and normalization of serum IgA concentration. The clinical course of the two diseases was linked, suggesting a common pathogenetic mechanism involving an IgA immune response to mucosal challenge in the intestine.

Background. We previously demonstrated that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) was expressed in rat mesangial cells and was involved in the progression of of glomerulonephritis in human and animal models. Soluble HB-EGF promotes cultured rat mesangial cell proliferation and the synthesis of type I and type III collagen mRNA. However, the precise role of proHB-EGF in mesangial cell function has not yet been clarified. In the present study, we address this question. Methods. ProHB-EGF-transfected rat mesangial cells (MsC; MsCproHB-EGF) and empty vector-transfected rat MsC (MsCvector) were constructed. Cells were cultured in fetal calf serum (FCS)-containing (10%) or FCS-deficient medium, and the growth rates and numbers of surviving cells were determined. To elucidate the anti-apoptotic effect of proHB-EGF, cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or dexamethasone (DEX). Apoptosis was identified by qualitative and quantitative analysis. Expression of Bcl-2 protein in MsCproHB-EGF after exposure to apoptosis inducers was also evaluated. Results. When cells were plated in a medium containing 10% FCS, the growth rate of MsCproHB-EGF was not different from that of MsC transfected with a plasmid alone (MsCvector). When cultured in the absence of FCS, MsCvector showed decreased cell numbers, indicating apoptotic cell death. In contrast, MsCproHB-EGF formed small colonies, although they did not show increased cell numbers, while cell viability was 90%–100% of the initial cell number after subculture. When quiescent MsC were exposed to DEX or H2O2, MsCvector exhibited significant DNA laddering, whereas MsCproHB-EGF showed resistance to these stimuli. The release of caspase-3 from MsCproHB-EGF after exposure to DEX or H2O2 was significantly lower than that from MsCvector. Bcl-2 protein expression was weak in MsCproHB-EGF at the baseline, but this expression was significantly upregulated after exposure to these stimuli. Confluent MsCproHB-EGF spontaneously expressed high level of p21 protein. Northern blot analysis revealed that MsCproHB-EGF expressed increased levels of type I and type III collagen mRNA and proteins compared with those of MsCvector. Conclusions. These results indicate that proHB-EGF contributes to mesangial cell survival by promoting cell viability and by inhibiting apoptosis. The anti-apoptotic effect of proHB-EGF could be closely related to the upregulation of Bcl-2 and p21 expression.

Apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells is shown in experimental and human glumerulonephritis. But it is unclear whether or not glucocorticoids can induce apoptosis in mesangial cells. Rat mesangial cells in culture were incubated with dexamethazone and methylprednisolone. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA-specific staining with fluorescent dye (H33258), in situ nick end labeling, gel electrophoresis of extracted DNA, and electron microscopy. The proportion of lysed cells and cells positive for nick end labeling increased at a concentration of 0.2 to 5 mmol/L of dexamethazone and methylprednisolone. Chromatin condensation and DNA ladders in those cells were also seen. Actinomycin D, a transcriptional inhibitor, or cycloheximide, a translational inhibitor, partially blocked glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of rat mesangial cells. Glucocorticoids induced typical apoptosis in rat mesangial cells. These data provide new information on the pharmacologic action of glucocorticoids on mesangial cells.

Expression of Fas antigen and Bcl-2 in human glomerulonephritis. To understand the regulatory mechanism of apoptosis in human glomerulonephritis, we examined the expression of Fas antigen (CD95) and Bcl-2 in five normal human kidney specimens and 80 tissues from patients with several types of glomerular diseases. These proteins were detected in glomeruli by immunofluorescence. The number of intraglomerular cells positive for Fas antigen was high in Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis and lupus nephritis, and that of Bcl-2-positive intraglomerular cells was high in lupus nephritis, focal glomerular sclerosis, and IgA nephritis. Dual-labeling and staining on serial sections indicated that mesangial cells and occasionally infiltrating leukocytes expressed Fas antigen and Bcl-2. In situ hybridization detected Bcl-2 mRNA in glomerular cells. Electron microscopy revealed apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies in proliferated mesangial areas and within the glomerular capillaries. Fragmented DNA was detected in glomeruli by in situ nick end labeling, the data of which paralleled the number of Fas antigen-positive intraglomerular cells. In mesangial proliferative types of glomerulonephritis, the population of Bcl-2-positive intraglomerular cells, but not that of Fas antigen-positive cells, was significantly correlated with the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive glomerular cells, the grade of mesangial cell increase, and the magnitude of proteinuria. This study showed that Fas antigen and Bcl-2 are up-regulated in the glomeruli of several types of human renal diseases. Bcl-2 overexpression might play a role in the prolonged proliferation of mesangial cells and glomerular hypercellularity in glomerulonephritis.

In situ expression of cytokines in IgA nephritis. We studied mRNA and protein expression of interleukins (IL) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in renal tissues biopsied from 40 patients with IgA nephritis. Immunofluorescent staining with antibodies to IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TNF-β was intense in the cytoplasm of cells in glomeruli, which were dual-stained with an anti-monocyte-macrophage antibody. In addition, moderate immunofluorescence for TNF-α, and weak staining for IL-1α and IL-6 were occasionally found in resident glomerular cells. Immunoperoxidase- in situ hybridization dual-labeling revealed that IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA signals were present in intraglomerular cells reactive with anti-monocyte-macrophage antibody, which further supported the immunofluorescent findings. Cells expressing IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TNF-β were also observed in the interstitium. Most of these cells were also labeled with the anti-monocyte-macrophage antibody. The number of IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α-positive cells infiltrating the glomerulus significantly correlated with mesangial hypercellularity. IL-8 and TNF-α-positive intraglomerular cells were correlated with the magnitude of proteinuria. The population of interstitial cells positive for IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was associated with the grade of tubulointerstitial changes and proteinuria. There was no correlation between local IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α expression in glomeruli or interstitium and serum or urinary levels of the respective cytokines. These results indicate that several cytokines were simultaneously expressed by infiltrating monocyte/macrophages and, to a lesser extent by resident glomerular cells, and that IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α may be important as promoters of mesangial proliferation in human IgA nephritis.

Cystic kidney disease has been linked to mutations in the Invs gene in mice with an inversion of embryonic turning (inv/inv) and the INVS (NPHP2) gene in human infantile nephronophthisis (NPH). Infantile NPH shows marked cyst formation in contrast to other forms of NPH and rapidly progresses to end-stage renal failure (ESRD) before 5 years of age. In this report, we describe an adolescent with a mutation in INVS who had preservation of his renal function beyond infancy. The patient showed findings of NPH with mild renal insufficiency together with situs inversus. He also exhibited a series of features consistent with Jeune syndrome involving asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, heart failure and hypertension prior to advanced renal insufficiency. Based upon these features, our patient is likely to have the combined clinical features of infantile NPH with Jeune syndrome. Genetic analysis for INVS disclosed a heterozygous mutation of TrG at position rs7024375 in the 5'UTR of INVS in the patient and his mother, while no abnormalities were found in any of the 17 exons of INVS or NPHP1, 3 and 4. To our knowledge, this is the first patient possessing a genetic alteration in INVS who had preservation of renal function past childhood. This study suggests that our patient may be a compound heterozygote for infantile NPH and Jeune syndrome, because both these disorders are transmitted mainly as an autosomal-recessive trait.

Since isolated C3 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in the absence of systemic disease (i-C3-GN) is an uncommon chronic glomerular disease, long-term prognosis and optimal therapeutic intervention for it are not yet fully defined, especially in children. We report clinical features, outcome, and interventions in 4 patients, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, with i-C3-GN. Microscopic or macroscopic hematuria with or without proteinuria was first noted between 3 and 8 years. When present, proteinuria ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 g/24 h. Persistent hypocomplementemia and circulating immune complexes were found in 1 patient. None of the patients had nephrotic syndrome or hypertension. Percutaneous renal biopsy specimens showed varying degrees of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis; 2 patients showed mild mesangial proliferation, while others exhibited moderate histologic severity. In 1 patient with a mild mesangial increase, tubulointerstitial changes were associated. Both patients exhibiting mild mesangial changes followed a benign clinical course with normal renal function over 10 years of follow-up. Patients with moderately severe mesangial alteration manifested slight renal function loss and moderate proteinuria at the time of biopsy, but these largely resolved after a six-month course of prednisolone combined with cyclophosphamide, warfarin, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Thus, clinical manifestations and the need for aggressive treatment appear to vary among pediatric patients with i-C3-GN. Therapy combining prednisolone with immunosuppression seemed to reduce proteinuria and improve glomerular function in patients with moderately severe mesangial proliferation.

Alport syndrome (AS) and benign familial hematuria (BFH) are inherited disorders of the glomerular basement membrane, which are sometimes difficult to differentiate at the early stage without type IV collagen staining of the renal basement membrane. Previous studies have indicated that mutation of type IV collagen alpha4 gene may be responsible for both BFH and AS. We report here a Japanese family with consanguinity, in which autosomal-recessive AS and BFH were separately identified in two brothers on the basis of findings of electron microscopy and type IV collagen chain staining of the renal biopsy specimens. Their parents, being first cousins, paternal uncle and grandmothers were found to have hematuria. Our observations suggest that BFH patients were heterozygous carriers of autosomal-recessive AS.

The expression of the protein products and mRNA of c-fos, c-myc, p53, and c-raf was examined in normal renal tissues and biopsy specimens from 73 patients with various glomerular diseases. Immunofluorescent staining showed that there were cell nuclei stained for c-Fos, c-Myc, and p53, and cytoplasm positive for c-Raf, in the glomeruli of patients with proliferative types of glomerulonephritis, including IgA nephritis and lupus nephritis, and in patients with focal glomerular sclerosis. Glomerular expression of c-fos and c-myc mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization. The number of proto-oncogene-positive glomerular cells was significantly higher in lupus nephritis, IgA nephritis, and focal segmental sclerosis, as compared with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and normal specimens. In IgA nephritis, the population of glomerular cells positive for c-Fos and c-Myc and the grade of c-Raf immunoreactivity were significantly correlated with the proportion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive glomerular cells, with histological grading of mesangial hypercellularity and matrix increase, and with the magnitude of proteinuria. These data indicate that proto-oncogene expression is associated with mesangial proliferation and matrix expansion in proliferative types of glomerulonephritis and in focal glomerular sclerosis.

IgA nephropathy in patients with congenital C9 deficiency. The clinical, histologic, and immunopathological findings of three young Japanese males with congenital C9 deficiency and primary IgA nephropathy are reported. The C9 deficiency was discovered either through mass complement screening, or when low hemolytic activity for CH50 and normal C3 levels were detected in plasma. Hematuria and proteinuria were detected at the age of 8 or 9 years as a result of annual urinary screening tests for school children. Renal biopsy showed focal and segmental mesangial proliferation with small epithelial crescents in one patient, and mild, diffuse mesangial proliferation in two. IgA and C3 were deposited predominantly in the mesangial area, and staining for C9 was negative in these patients. Electron microscopy revealed electron dense deposits predominantly in mesangial and paramesangial zones. Immunohistochemical staining in renal biopsy tissues from two patients showed mesangial staining for C5, C8, and S-protein, but staining for C5b-9 neoantigen was completely negative. These results show that the formation of C5b-9 complex is not essential for the induction of human IgA nephropathy, and also for the proliferation of mesangial and even parietal epithelial cells.