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Objective: To investigate the relationship between the clinical and pathological findings in IgA nephropathy with or without IgG deposition in the glomerular mesangial area., Methods: The data were collected from 122 patients with a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University between November, 2009 and February, 2016. All the samples were examined by light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. According to the results of immunofluorescence assay, the patients were divided into IgA group (n=63) and IgA-IgG group (n=59). The pathological classification of IgA nephropathy was analyzed according to Oxford classification and Lee's classification. The clinical and pathological findings were compared between the two groups., Results: Compared with the patients with IgA nephropathy but without IgG deposition, patients with IgA nephropathy with IgG deposition had higher serum creatinine, higher 24-h urine protein, higher blood uric acid, higher triglyceride levels (P<0.05) and lower eGFR (P<0.05); more of these patients were in Lee's grade IV-V, had renal tubular atrophy and/or interstitial fibrosis, and had MEST scores more than 3 (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Patients with IgA nephropathy with IgG deposition in the glomerular mesangial have severer clinical symptoms and more serious pathological changes. Measures should be taken to control IgG deposition in patients with IgA nephropathy to delay the progress of the disease.

Objective: To investigate whether FTY720 inhibits rat mesangial proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion through suppression of transforming growth factor β1-connective tissue growth factor (TGFβ1-CTGF) pathway, and to explore experimental evidence for its effect on mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis., Methods: A rat model of anti-Thy-1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was established and FTY720 intervention was performed. Periphery blood lymphocyte count, urine protein excretion, glomerular mesangial proliferation, protein and gene expression of TGFβ1 and CTGF and extracellular matrix protein including fibronectin, laminin and collagen IV in isolated glomeruli were documented at 1, 3 and 7 days after injection of anti-Thy-1 antibody., Results: The model group developed proteinuria at 1, 3 and 7 days after injection of anti-Thy-1 antibody, which were significantly higher [(27.9 ± 7.3), (63.5 ± 18.8) and (52.4 ± 15.4)mg/d, respectively] than those in the control group [(8.4 ± 2.4), (8.4 ± 2.1) and (10.4 ± 3.2) mg/d; respectively, P < 0.01]. FTY720 intervention group showed significantly decreased proteinuria at 3 and 7 days after injection [(31.4 ± 7.0), (25.5 ± 7.7) mg/d, respectively] than model group (P < 0.01), although higher than the control group (P < 0.01). After intervention for 3 and 7 days, FTY720 significantly down-regulated both TGFβ1 and CTGF gene and protein expression in cultured glomeruli, and suppressed the production of glomerular extracellular matrix protein secretion, leading to attenuated mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion in rat anti-Thy-1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis., Conclusion: FTY720 significantly attenuates mesangial proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion through inhibition of TGFβ1-CTGF pathway in rat, and thus ameliorates the development of anti-Thy-1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Haikun Shenxi on the expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and mRNA in renal tissue of rats with adriamycin nephropathy., Method: Rat model was established by unilateral nephrectomy and injecting adriamycin intraperitoneally. The adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, sham operation group, model group, lotensin treatment group, Haikun Shenxi low and high dose treatment groups (0.77, 0.08 mg x kg(-1). Ten weeks later, the 24 hour urine protein and blood biochemistry examinations and renal pathologic changes were observed, and the expression of PDGF-BB and mRNA was measured using immunohistochemical method., Result: Compared with model group, proteinuria and the levels of serum creatinine (Scr) , urea nitrogen (BUN) were decreased obviously in both Haikun Shenxi low and high dose groups. The expression of PDGF-BB and mRNA was mostly presented in cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells and mesangial area, and it could be reduced significantly after treatment (P < 0. 05)., Conclusion: The level of PDGF-BB and mRNA is high in renal tissue of adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats. This progress could be effectively inhibited by Haikun Shenxi and the mechanism may be that it can control the excessive expression of PDGF-BB and mRNA.

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features of membranous nephropathy coexisting with IgA nephropathy., Methods: The renal biopsies performed in Peking University First Hospital during the period from January, 1998 to April, 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathologic features of 11 cases of membranous nephropathy coexisting with IgA nephropathy were studied. Electron microscopy with immunogold labeling for IgG and IgA were also performed., Results: The mean age of patients was 39.9 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1:2.9. The patients mainly presented with proteinuria. Proteinuria of nephrotic level was seen in 7 cases (63.6%). Seven cases also had associated microscopic hematuria. None of them showed evidence of renal insufficiency. Cases with secondary diseases, such as hepatitis virus infection and systemic lupus erythematosus, were excluded from the study. Histologically, vacuolation and thickening of glomerular basement membrane was seen. There was also mild mesangial hypercellularity and increase in mesangial matrix. Occasional glomeruli with crescent formation were identified in 2 cases. Immunofluorescence study showed granular staining for IgG and C3 along glomerular capillary walls, in addition to clumps of IgA deposits in mesangium. Electron microscopy revealed subepithelial and mesangial electron-dense deposits. Immunogold labeling showed IgG and IgA localized in the subepithelial and mesangial deposits respectively., Conclusion: Membranous nephropathy coexisting with IgA nephropathy possesses the clinicopathologic features of both components. It might be caused by independent occurrence of the two entities.

Objective: To study the mechanism of Shenkangwan (SKW) in treating early diabetic nephropathy (DN)., Methods: The effect of SKW on NO and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) production by the mesangial cells (MCs) of rats with early diabetic nephropathy was evaluated with serum pharmacological method., Results: Compared with normal serum, the SKW-containing serum dose- and time-dependently inhibited TGF-beta(1) excretion and increased NO production in the MCs of rats with early DN (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively)., Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of SKW on early DN may rely on the balance modulation of cytokine network by increasing NO production and decreasing TGF-beta(1) excretion to prevent cytokine-induced damage of the MCs.

Objective: To observe the preventive effect of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook. f. (GYW) on proteinuria and mesentery injury in experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in vivo., Methods: The reversible anti-Thyl.1 antibody glomerulo nephritis model of rats was established with monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 and intervened with GTW, and a control group was set up in the same time. Changes of 24h urinary protein excretion, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total plasma protein (TP) and glomerular morphology were observed, and the level of mRNA expression of proliferative factors, including platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), in renal tissue was determined., Results: GTW could inhibit proteinuria and mesangial injury in anti-Thyl. 1 antibody nephritis model. The PDGF-BB and TGF-beta mRNA expression in the anti-Thy1.1 antibody nephritis model rats were increased for 2.84 and 1.64 times respectively to those in the normal control group. GTW could down-regulate the over-expression of PDGF-BB mRNA by 33.1%, it was significantly different to that in the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: GTW could reduce the proteinuria and inhibit mesangial cells proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, these effects maybe related to the down-regulating of PDGF-BB mRNA expression.

Objective: To examine suppressive effects of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (GTW)on mesangial injury induced by two-injecti on of anti-Thy1. 1 monoclonal antibody(mAb) 1-22-3 in vitro., Method: We established the irreversible model of glomerulosclerosis with anti-Thy1. 1 mAb 1-22-3. After 42 days of oral treatment with GTW (50 mg x kg(-1) BW)and vehicle (distilled water), to observe effects of GTW on proteinuria, renal function, mesangial morphological change, and mRNA expressions of collagen type I and TGF-beta by light microscope (LM), immunofluorescence (IF), and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)., Result: GTW ameliorated proteinuria (from day24 to day 42) and mesangial proliferation [total cell number, GTW group 65.67+/-3.43 vs. control group 87.02+/-2.41, P < 0.05; matrix expansion, GTW group 1.20+/-0.06 vs. control group 2.77+/-0.23, P < 0.05; alpha-smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA) expression, GTW group 1.75+/-0.33 vs. control group 2.62+/-0.15, P < 0.05; collagen type I expression, GTW group 1.68+/-0.31 vs. control group 2.06+/-0.24, P < 0.05], moreover, significantly reduced the glomerular expression of mRNA for collagen type 1(53.5% to the control group, P < 0.05)and TGF-beta(14.7% to the control group, P < 0.05)on day 42day., Conclusion: GTW can not only decrease proteinuria, but also ameliorate mesangial alterations probably by the reduction of cytokines. GTW may be a promising agent for the prevention of progressive and irreversible glomerulosclerosis.

Objective: To explore whether there is phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and study the effect of Tujian Mixture (TJM) on it., Methods: SD rats were divided into the normal control group (NC group, n = 8), the unilateral nephrectomized control group (QC group, n = 8), the STZ induced diabetes mellitus with unilateral nephrectomy model group (DM group, n = 8), the Valsartan treated group (VT group, n = 8) and the TJM treated group (ZY group, n = 9), rats in the latter two groups were modeled as in the DM group and treated with Valsartan (20 mg/kg.d) and TJM (20 g/kg.d) respectively for 12 weeks. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in rats glomeruli were observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and the ratio of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 positive area/total glomerule tuft area (SMA/GT and TGF/GT) were analyzed using computer-assisted image analysis software., Results: In the NC and the QC groups, only trace of alpha-SMA positive staining was found. But there was prominant alpha-SMA positive staining in glomeruli of the DM group, with SMA/GT and TGF/GT increased significantly (P < 0.01), and marked increase of 24 hrs proteinuria excretion (P < 0.01). As compared with the DM group, the three indexes were all significantly lower in the VT and ZY groups (P < 0.01), and the lowering of proteinuria was more significant in the ZY group than that in the VT group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The expression of alpha-SMA in glomeruli in STZ induced diabetic rats with unilateral nephrectomy is pronounced, indicating that phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells involvement in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. TJM and Valsartan can reduce 24 hrs proteinuria excretion, inhibit the phenotypic modulation of mesangial cells and the expression of TGF-beta 1 in glomeruli of diabetic rats, and the effect of TJM is more potent than that of Valsartan in lowering urinary protein excretion.

Objective: To determine the effect of L-epigallocatechins gallic acid ester (L-EGCG) on glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) proliferation, and to make clear the possible mechanism., Methods: We investigated the effect of different doses of L-EGCG on GMCs proliferation at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively, and screened the best dosage and time point. GMCs were divided into 5 groups: control, L-EGCG group, LPS group, dexamethasone group, and L-EGCG plus dexamethasone group. At the end of the experiments, the cultured GMCs and its suspension were collected, the positive rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) was taken count of by immunohistochemical assay, the rate of effective apoptosis of GMCs by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick endlabeling (TUNEL) assay, and -OH, malonydialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) by biochemical assay., Results: L-EGCG of 200 mg/L had the most strong inhibitory effect on GMCs at 48 h. The levels of -OH, and MDA in the L-EGCG group was significantly lower than those in the LPS group (P < 0.01), while the level of SOD in the L-EGCG group was significantly higher than that in the LPS group (P < 0.01); the PCNA positive rate of GMCs in the L-EGCG group was significantly lower than that in the LPS group (P < 0.01), and the effective apoptosis of GMCs in the L-EGCG group were significantly higher than that in the LPS group (P < 0.01). The PCNA positive rate of GMCs was positively correlated with the level of -OH and MDA, while negatively correlated with the level of SOD., Conclusion: The suppressive effect of L-EGCG on the abnormal proliferation of GMCs might be that L-EGCG could weaken the suppressive effect of -OH on the SOD activity, decrease the accumulation of MDA, and increase the apoptosis of GMCs.

Objective: To make a comparision of cell function between the mesangial cells from rats with diabetic mellitus (DMC) and the mesangial cells stimulated by high glucose (HMC) and to explore the feasibility and advantage of culturing mesangial cells (MC) from diabetic rats in studies on the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy., Methods: DMC were obtained from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and were cultivated in normal medium. The MC from normal rats were divided into HMC high glucose and NMC cultured in normal medium as control. The cellular proliferation was assessed using 3H-thymidine incorporation. Production of fibronectin (FN) was analysed by ELISA. And with the use of laser scanning confocal microscopy, the calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the response of [Ca2+]i to Angiotensin II (Ang II) were measured., Results: The 3H-TdR incorporation efficiency of DMC was significantly higher than that of CMC; the 3H-TdR incorporation efficiency of HMC was lower than that of CMC (P < 0.05). The secretion of FN in DMC and HMC was higher than that in CMC (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). The response of [Ca2+]i to Ang II in DMC and HMC was decreased (P < 0.05), and the decrease was more significant in DMC than in HMC., Conclusions: The function and biologic character of mesangial cells cultured from diabetic rats are more similar to those of mesangial cells from diabetic in vivo. The result suggest that establishing a diabetes model first and starting the culture of MC next is probably a good method for investigating the mesangial cells in diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: To explore the phenotypic and functional changes of glomerular mesangial cells (MC) in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN)., Methods: Renal biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with type II DN. MC from microdissected glomeruli were cultured in vitro. Both the cells deriving from minute piece of renal biopsy specimen of type 2 DN with overt proteinuria and from transplanted donors' kidneys were investigated. Cell volume, RNA/DNA ratio and the production of fibronectin and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) was analyzed by flow ctrometry. Cell proliferation was determined by 3H-Tdr incorporation assay and doubling time. Immunofluorescence staining and flow ctrometry were used to examine the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix. The mRNA expression of GLUT1 was determined by Northern blotting and flow cytometry. Glucose uptake rate by MC was detected using the [3H]-2-DG. The activity of glutamine: fructose-6-P aminotransferase (GFAT), the key enzyme of hexosamine pathway, was measured by spetrophotometry method. Specimens from transplanted kidneys were used a s controls., Results: In specimens from patients with type II DN, increase in volume of MC (in arbitrary units) and RNA/DNA ratio (0.29 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.03, P < 0.01) accompanied with high 3H-Tdr incorporation rate (1,898 +/- 421 vs. 1,221 +/- 262, P < 0.05) and shorter doubling time (31.6 +/- 1.84 h vs. 35.0 +/- 5.37 h, P < 0.05) was found in comparison with the control. The synthesis of alpha-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix, including fibronectin and laminin, increased. Enhanced mRNA and protein expression of GLUT1 were verified in MC from DN. 2-DG uptake assay showed increased glucose uptake rate in MC from DN compared to the control(1,592 cpm x 10(5) cell-1 vs. 1,275 cpm x 10(5) cell-1, P < 0.05). Furthermore, MC from DN demonstrated a higher GFAT activity as compared to control., Conclusion: Dramatic phenotypic and functional changes, including cell hypertrophy, increased cell turnover, excessive formation of ECM, enhanced expression of GLUT1 as well as alterration in cell glucose uptake, excessive flux of glucose metabolism through the hexosamine pathway, occur in MC from type II DN. The above mentioned phenotypic and functional changes may be the basis of pathogenesis of MC in DN.

Objective: To investigate the role of p27 and AT1 receptor in the hypertrophy of mesangial cell (MC) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II)., Methods: p27 protein of MC lysate was detected with Western blotting analysis. The degree of cultured MC hypertrophy was estimated through [3H] thymidine incorporation and [3H] leucine incorporation. The effect of reducing p27 expression on cell hypertrophy was analysed with p27 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) phosphorothioate. The extracellular matrix (ECM) protein (type IV collagen and fibronectin) of MC lysate was examined with ELISA., Results: Ang II stimulated p27 expression of MC cultured in normal glucose DMEM. MC stimulated by Ang II revealed hypertrophy as well as increased [3H] leucine incorporation, decreased [3H] thymidine incorporation and increased ECM. p27 antisense ODN transfection abolished the effect of Ang II mentioned above. Losartan lowered p27 level of MC stimulated by Ang II and attenuated MC hypertrophy induced by Ang II; meanwhile [3H] leucine incorporation and ECM level decreased, [3H] thymidine incorporation increased. The effect of Losartan was dose-dependent., Conclusion: Ang II induced MC hypertrophy by increasing p27 protein level through AT1 receptor. Because the cell cycle is controlled by the interplay between the positive and negative cell cycle regulatory proteins (CCRP), further research is needed to study the expression of the positive and negative CCRP in MC in order to understand better the role of CCRP in MC hypertrophy induced by Ang II.

Objective: To determined the effect of hypercholesterolemia induced by high-lipid diet on glomerulosclerosis., Methods: Urinary protein excretion and serum cholesterol were assayed, Image analysis and techniques of pathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology were used to determine morphological changes in glomeruli and the production of glomerular mesangial matrixes in adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS) and non-NS rats fed with standard chow and high-lipid chow., Results: The serum total cholesterol level was significantly higher in rats with high-lipid chow in both non-NS[(2.2 +/- 0.3) g/L vs (0.9 +/- 0.1) g/L, P < 0.01] and NS[(9.5 +/- 0.2) g/L vs (2.3 +/- 0.3) g/L, P < 0.01]. The urinary protein excretion was significantly higher in the high-lipid diet rats than that in standard chow rats [(76.2 +/- 24.2) mg/24 h vs (44.8 +/- 13.6) mg/24 h, P < 0.05] in NS rats. Significant increases in the mesangial matrix and mesangial cells were observed in rats with high-lipid diet in both NS and non-NS group. Especially, more obvious pathological changes were found in NS group, such as lipid deposits and foam cell formation in mesangial areas, and progressing to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in some glomeruli. The immunohistochemical assay showed that the production of fibronectin was increased in the rats with high-lipid diet in non-NS group, whereas, the production of three major components (collagen IV, fibronectin, and laminin) was increased in NS group, especially in the rats with high-lipid chow. The increased expression of laminin mRNA was also detected with slot blotting in both NS and non-NS rats with high-lipid chow, and it was more obvious in the rats with NS., Conclusion: Our findings indicated that diet-induced hyperlipidemia can lead to over-production of mesangial matrix components, and further aggravate glomerulosclerosis in adriamycin-induced nephrosis.

Objective: To provide the theoretical value for the treatment and prognostic judgement of APN., Methods: All cases were scored on the pathologic change of glomeruli and tubules., Results: The pathologic scores of glomeruli in 30 cases were as follows: no one on Grade 0; 6(20%) on Grade 1; 17(56.7%) on Grade 2 and 7 (23.3%) on Grade 3. The pathologic scores of tubule were: Grade 0 was 2(6.7%); Grade 1 was 6(20%); Grade 2 was 14(46.7%); Grade 3 was 8(26.7%). There was positive correlation between glomerulus and tubule pathologic degree(r = 0.783, P < 0.01). The pathologic score of nephrotic syndrome in clinical manifestation was higher than that of non-nephrotic syndrome(P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in glomerular pathologic score between the simple urinary protein group and acute glomerulonephritis(AGN) group(P > 0.05), but tubular pathologic score in simple urinary proteins group was higher than that of AGN and essential hematuria group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The pathologic score of kidney(including glomerulus and tubule) was positively correlated with the disease course(r = 0.563, P < 0.01), but not with serum urea nitrogen and creatinine(r = 0.281, r = 0.236, P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Serious tubular pathologic changes(not only glomerular pathologic change, but also tubular pathologic change in the APN children) were found in the patients with nephrotic syndrome and simple urinary proteins. Long-term urinary protein and the recurrence of the disease may be the important risk factor in kidney pathologic of APN.

Objective: To investigate the effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on mesangial cells(MC) proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion in vivo., Methods: Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(As-ODN) and its control sequences, sense oligodeoxynucleotide(Se-ODN) and mismatch oligodeoxynucleotide(Mis-ODN), targeting pre-proendothelin-1 mRNA (ppET-1) were delivered into the kidney of rats with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) model respectively at day 2 by lipofectin-mediated gene transfer method. The efficiency of transfer of ODNs into MC was examined with biotinylated As-ODN staining. Four days after the rats were sacrificed, the influence of ODNs on ET-1 production by glomeruli was tested with radioimmunoassay(RIA). The action of ODNs on MC proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion was evaluated with quantitative pathologic analysis., Results: ODNs were transferred into MC in vivo. The glomerular ET-1 production was decreased by As-ODN [(32 +/- 19) ng/g, P < 0.05] with reduction of mesangial cell proliferation [(0.82 +/- 0.04)/100 micron 2, P < 0.05] and mesangial matrix expansion[(12.8 +/- 1.6)%, P < 0.05], where Se-ODN and Mis-ODN did not show any effect on all of these., Conclusions: Specific inhibition of ET-1 gene expression leads to reduction of proliferation of mesangial cell and expansion of mesangial matrix in rats with MsPGN model. ET-1 is one of the important inflammatory mediators which can stimulate MC proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion in vivo.

To disclose the prevalence of thin membrane nephropathy (TMN) in China and its clinical and pathological features, we prospectively studied TMN cases including 722 cases of renal biopsies in 2 years. 27 cases (male 7 cases, female 20) were diagnosed as primary glomerulonephritis. The GBM thicknesses of TMN group (n = 27) and control group (n = 32) was 207 +/- 36 nm and 382 +/- 34 nm (P < 0.01) respectively. IF of TMN was negative or trace, near normal morphology or mild mesangial proliferative glomerulo nephritis was observed by LM. A few of them had global glomerular sclerosis or single crescent formation. All TMN patients had microscopic hematuria. About one third (9/27 cases) patients with TMN presented isolated persistent microscopic hemataria, 44.4% (12/27 cases) and 22.2% (6/27 cases) patients with TMN were accompanied with mildmoderate proteinuria and heavy proteinuria (> or = 3.5 g/24 h) or nephrotic syndrome. The patients with heavy proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome had good response to corticosteroid therapy. All patients with TMN had normal renal function, only a few of them had transient hypertension. The results showed that the prognosis of TMN would be regarded as good. The familial history of 15 patients with TMN was investigated, and 47% (7/15 cases) of them had > or = two members with microscopic hematuria in their families. TMN was found in 3.7% (27/722 cases) in total renal biopsies and 11.5% (9/78 cases) in the patients with isolated microscopic hematuria. It suggests that TMN isn't a rare kidney disease in China. Careful EM is a critical method for the correct diagnosis of TMN.

Objective: To confirm the renal protective action of Astragalus Angelica mixture (AAM)., Methods: Effect of AAM was observed in puromycin amino-nucleoside induced nephrotic syndrome model of rat, and pravachol, an effective lipid lowering medicine, was used as positive control., Results: AAM could not only reduce the serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride as pravachol did, but also could lower levels of low density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein B100 (P < 0.05). Light microscopic and immuno-histochemical examination revealed that in the same time of lowering serum lipids, this mixture could also cause reduction of glomerular sclerosing index (P < 0.01) and less accumulation of extracellular matrix (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: AAM has the effects of regulating lipid metabolism, attenuating renal damage and maintaining renal function in rats with nephrotic syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of IL-10 on inflammatory reaction in rat mesangial cells (rMC)., Methods: Cell proliferation was tested by 3H-thymidine uptake and absolute cell counts. The production of IL-1 and TNF alpha by rMC was assessed by bioactivity assay and their gene expression by Northern blot hybridization. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on rMC was determined by ELISA., Results: IL-10 (25 ng/ml) inhibited 5% FCS and IL-1 induced cell proliferation by 39% and 52% respectively. It also suppressed the production of IL-1 and TNF alpha bioactivity by rMC by 48% and 68%, which was consistent with the decline of IL-1 and TNF alpha gene expression. The IL-1-induced expression of ICAM-1 on surface of rMC was attenuated by IL-10 treatment., Conclusion: Our data suggest that IL-10 may be an inhibitory cytokine in regulation of inflammatory reaction in glomerular mesangial cells.

To establish a model of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN), we gave Sprague-Dawley rats staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) intravenously twice in different times, bovine serum albumine (BSA) through digestive tract every other day, and Freud's adjuvant subcutaneously twice in different times, respectively. The results showed that measangial cells and matrix in glomeruli of rats began to proliferate at the end of 6th week and this change became obvious at the end of 8th week. The duration of experiment was shorter than that using only SEB, and the change of pathomorphology was stable. The experiment confirms the thesis that mucosal immunization of gastroenteric tract plays an important role in the development of MsPGN.

Objective: To observe the effects of insulin and captopril on growth of mesangial cells and on production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in culture media of glomerular cells., Method: Streptozocin induced diabetic rats (DM rats) were compared with normal wistar rats., Results: The CPM value of 3H-TdR incorporated into mesangial cells in DM rats was significantly higher than that in Wistar rats. When the culture media was added by 5 x 10(-4) U/ml, 5 x 10(-3) U/ml and 5 x 10(-1) U/ml of insulin, the CPM value incorporated into mesangial cells and the concentration of IL-6 in the culture media of both DM and wistar rats were significantly higher than those of the control (no insulin). When captopril (10(-6) mol/L, 10(-4) mol/L, 10(-3) mol/L) was added into the media in different concentration, the cpm value of 3H-TdR and the concentration of TNF in DM rats were significantly lower than those of the control (no captopril). But the CPM value of 3H-TdR in Wistar rats was lower than that in the control, which was only seen in the concentration of 10(-3)M captopril., Conclusion: Ins could promote 3H-TdR in corporation and increase the production of IL-6, and captopril inhibited 3H-TdR in corporation and decrease the production of TNF.

Hyperlipidemia is one of the main features of nephrotic syndrome (NS), which has been reported to be important in the pathogenesis of mesangial cell proliferation. In an attempt to understand if LDL of the NS patients is more nephrotoxic on the development of mesangial cell proliferation, serum lipoprotein composition of normal controls, patients of NS untreated and treated with steroid drugs were measured, moreover, the influence of LDL from each group of patients on the proliferation of human mesangial cell (HMC) were observed. Lipoprotein composition was measured by enzymic methods. LDL was prepared by ultracentrifugation and used within three weeks. HMC was cultured and identified by classical methods, mesangial cell proliferation was observed by 3H-TdR incorporation according to the dose of LDL from 20-1000 micrograms/ml and time from 24 hours to 72 hours. Our results indicated that: 1. Both the NS patients untreated and treated with steroid drugs showed hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceride, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch) concentration were higher in these patients than in the normal control group but there was no significant difference between NS untreated and treated groups. 2. LDL from normal controls or NS patients had biphasic effect on HMC proliferation. Low concentration stimulated HMC proliferation in concentration dependent and time-dependent manner, where as high concentration inhibited HMC proliferation. There was no significant difference on the effect of HMC proliferation between NS untreated and treated groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

91 cases of membranous glomerulonephritis were investigated with light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. The findings indicated that 12 of 91 renal biopsies in membranous glomerulonephritis showed mesangial cell proliferation in various extent. The mesangial cell proliferation, segmental sclerosis and glomerular capillary adhesion to Bowmen's capsule were related to the stages and evolution of membranous glomerulonephritis. Granular immunofluorescence staining for IgG was a consistent finding, but the positive rate of C3 was lower than that of IgG. The relationship of immunofluorescence between different stages of membranous glomerulonephritis was not significant. In some cases, the subepithelial deposits were partially resorbed in stage 2 or stage 3, suggesting that early stage membranous glomerulonephritis could recover or turn to a favorable condition.