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Introduction: Severe acute respiratory viral infections are frequency accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction, including acute kidney injury (AKI). In December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and rapidly spread worldwide. While diffuse alveolar damage and acute respiratory failure are the main features of COVID-19, other organs may be involved, and the incidence of AKI is not well described. We assessed the incidence and clinical characteristics of AKI in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and its effects on clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, observational study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to two general hospitals in Wuhan from 5 January 2020 to 21 March 2020. Demographic data and information on organ dysfunction were collected daily. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO clinical practice guidelines. Early and late AKI were defined as AKI occurring within 72 h after admission or after 72 h, respectively. Results: Of the 116 patients, AKI developed in 21 (18.1%) patients. Among them, early and late AKI were found in 13 (11.2%) and 8 (6.9%) patients, respectively. Compared with patients without AKI, patients with AKI had more severe organ dysfunction, as indicated by a higher level of disease severity status, higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on admission, an increased prevalence of shock, and a higher level of respiratory support. Patients with AKI had a higher SOFA score on admission (4.5 ± 2.1 vs. 2.8 ± 1.4, OR 1.498, 95% CI 1.047–2.143 ) and greater hospital mortality (57.1% vs. 12.6%, OR 3.998, 95% CI 1.088–14.613) than patients without AKI in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients with late AKI, but not those with early AKI, had a significantly prolonged length of stay (19.6 vs. 9.6 days, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Our findings show that admission SOFA score was an independent risk factor for AKI in COVID-19 patients, and patients with AKI had higher in-hospital mortality. Moreover, AKI development after 72 h of admission was related to prolonged hospitalization time.

Background/Aims: We evaluated renal function and the impact of renal function on in-hospital outcomes in patients with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Methods: We collected data from 766 patients with stroke; 637 (83.2 %) with ischaemic and 129 with haemorrhagic one. Results: The mean serum creatinine on admission in patients with both types of stroke, who died, was significantly higher than in those who survived. Multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors of mortality in patients with ischaemic stroke were: ischemic heart disease or prior myocardial infarction, diabetes, admission glucose and eGFR on admission. Also, multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors of mortality in patients with haemorrhagic stroke were: age and admission glucose. Conclusions: Patients with haemorrhagic stroke, in particular with acute kidney injury during hospitalisation had significantly worse outcomes than patients with ischaemic stroke. Assessment of kidney function is prerequisite to employ the necessary measures to decrease the risk of in-hospital mortality among patients with acute stroke. Appropriate approach to patients with renal dysfunction (adequate hydration, avoidance of nephrotoxic drugs, drug dose adjustment etc) should be considered as preventive and therapeutic strategies in the management of acute stroke.

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to examine the responses of p53 promoter methylation involved in kidney structure and function of early weaning intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) rats to dietary folic acid supplementation. Method: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed isocaloric diets containing either 21% protein diet (normal feed) or 10% protein diet throughout pregnancy and normal feed during lactation. After weaning, Offspring were then fed onto normal feed and normal feed supplemented with 5 mg folic acid/kg feed for a month, this produced 4 dietary groups (maternal diet/ weanling diet): Con, Folic, IUGR and IUGR+Folic. Renal function, renal structure, p53 promoter methylation and protein expression of offspring rats were measured at postnatal 2 months and 3 months. Results: Glomerular volume, blood urea nitrogen, 24 hours urine protein were significantly elevated in IUGR rats compared with Con rats but were decreased by dietary folic acid supplementation. p53 protein expression in IUGR rats were significantly higher than that in Con rats, and p53 promoter methylation status in IUGR rats was reduced significantly compared with Con rats. However, the changes in p53 gene expression and DNA methylation status of IUGR rats were reversed by dietary folic acid supplementation. Conclusions: Our study showed for the first time that folic acid supplementation during early period of life could reverse the abnormality in renal p53 methylation status and protein expression, glomerular volume and renal function of IUGR rats offspring.

Background/Aims: To examine the relationships among blood lead levels, blood pressure and kidney function in a population-based sample of adults in an area of China with lead pollution. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 1447 adults older than 20 years of age who underwent physical examinations in hospitals within a lead-polluted area of China from January to December 2013. Results: Blood lead levels were high among the local population (152.47µg/L) and did not change with age (P=.182). Overall, changes in both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood Pressure (DBP) were associated with changes in blood lead level (P=.012, P=.001), whereas BUN and CCr did not change along with the blood lead level (P>.05). This relationship was strongest among people 20-45 years of age; in this group, the beta coefficients for SBP and DBP were 0.009 (0.003), P=.001 and 0.005 (0.002), P=.004, respectively. Compared with young men, young women's blood pressures were more affected by blood lead levels (beta for SBP=0.031 for women vs. 0.008 for men; beta for DBP=0.015 for women vs. 0.005 for men). Conclusion: Continuous lead exposure causes increased blood lead levels among local residents. Blood lead levels are positively associated with both SBP and DBP increases among adults aged 20-44 years. The relationships between blood lead levels and SBP and DBP are most pronounced in young women. Chronic saturnism does not increase blood pressure by altering kidney function. These results provide support for continued efforts to control blood pressure in the population living in a lead-polluted region of China, particularly in young women.

Background/Aims: In partial nephrectomy with hilar clamping every minute of ischemia can impair renal function, thus great importance is having the controlled hypotension as a part of zero ischemia technique. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of hypotensive anesthesia on renal function, in patients undergoing robotic assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) , during surgery and at 3 months follow up. Methods: This is a prospective study of 100 patients, ASA 1-2, who underwent zero ischemia RAPN under controlled hypotension (CH) from December 2011 through to May 2013. Serum creatinine, BUN, estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FSE) and technetium Tc 99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTC-MAG-3), renal scintigraphy with effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were evaluated. Results: Mean duration of CH was 50±4 minutes. Acute renal failure wasn't observed in any of the patients. A significant variation of eGFR during the procedure and 24 hours after surgery was observed. No significant variation of BUN and FSE was detected. Comparing preoperative ERPF of the operated kidney with ERPF 3 months after surgery, it decreased by 2%. Conclusion: In patients with normal preoperative renal function CH didn't show any detrimental impact on renal function during and after robotic assisted partial nephrectomy.

Background/Aims: In experimental models of polycystic kidney disease impaired bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and elevated mRNA expression of oxidative stress markers at the kidney level was noted. However, clinical studies investigating the potential role of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are limited. We evaluated asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as marker of NO synthase inhibitor as well as 15-F2t-Isoprostane and oxidized-low density lipoprotein (oxidized-LDL) as measures of oxidative stress in patients with early stages ADPKD. Methods: We recruited 26 ADPKD patients (Group A) with modestly impaired renal function (eGFR 45-70 ml/min/1.73m2), 26 age- and sex-matched ADPKD patients (Group B) with relatively preserved renal function (eGFR)>70 ml/min/1.73m2), and 26 age- and sex-matched controls (Group C). Determination of circulating levels of ADMA, 15-F2t-Isoprostane, oxidized-LDL and routine biochemistry was performed. Results: Group A and B had significantly higher ADMA levels as compared to controls (1.68±0.7 vs 0.51±0.2 μmol/l, P2t-IsoP and oxidized-LDL levels were also significantly higher in Group B relative to controls (788.8±185.0 vs 383.1±86.0 pgr/ml, P2t-Isoprostane (r=0.811, PConclusion: This study shows elevation in circulating levels of ADMA along with aggravation of oxidative stress from the early stages of ADPKD.