Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptors in Nephrotic Children Depending on Total Prednisone Dose

Objective: To evaluate the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) in lymphocytes (CD3/ GCR) and monocytes (CD14/GCR) in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Patients: The patients were divided into two groups: group I: 17 children with the first NS attack, and group II: 17 children with a subsequent NS event. In both groups, examinations were carried out before treatment (A) and after albuminuria disappearance during prednisone treatment (B). The control group (C) consisted of 23 healthy children, never treated with glucocorticosteroids. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed twice to determine the number of CD3+ lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes and the percentage of CD3/GCR+ and CD14/GCR+ cells. Results: In group I, the expression of CD3/GCR before treatment (A) decreased during prednisone therapy (B) (p