Search

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising therapy for kidney repair. This study compared the regenerative effects of feline MSCs (fMSCs) and telmisartan, a renin-angiotensin blocker (RAB), in a feline model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: The fMSCs were obtained from 35 Persian cats with CKD and characterized by CD44, CD90, and CD105 markers by using real-time RT-qPCR. The cats were randomly allocated to four groups, fMSCs injection (first group), telmisartan administration (second group), no treatment (third group), and healthy controls (fourth group). The study was conducted in Kerman province from December 2018 to December 2019. The factors that may affect the risk of CKD, such as age, weight, and history of kidney diseases, were considered as independent variables. The presence or absence of CKD was the dependent variable. The cats were followed up for 120 days and evaluated by physical examination, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), serum urea, alanine transaminase (ALT), urine specific gravity (SG), and kidney histopathology. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 20) with two-way ANOVA and Tukey test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The fMSCs group showed significant improvement in GFR, BUN, SCr, serum urea, SG, and kidney histology compared to the other groups. The fMSCs group also showed increased expression of CD44, CD90, and CD105 genes in the kidney tissue, indicating enhanced stem cell activity. The telmisartan group showed modest improvement in blood pressure and proteinuria, but no significant effect on other parameters. fMSCs transplantation can restore the kidney function and structure in cats with CKD by modulating the apoptosis and proliferation of renal cells. The telmisartan patients benefited from the anti-hypertensive and anti-proteinuric effects of the drug, but not from its anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusion: fMSCs transplantation was more effective than telmisartan in improving kidney function and reducing kidney damage in cats with CKD. fMSCs may be a potential therapeutic option for CKD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) has become a global disease that can affect variousorgans of the human body. Kidney disorders are the most common disorders in patients with Covid-19. Kidneyinvolvement manifests as proteinuria and acute kidney injury (AKI). This virus can cause acute tubular necrosis,protein leakage in the Bowman's capsule, glomerulopathy, and mitochondrial dysfunction via angiotensin-convertingenzyme 2 (ACE2). It can also interfere with the regulation of immune responses (including cytokine storm),unbalanced activation of the renin-angiotensin system, and unbalanced activation of macrophages in the kidneys. Todate, there is no specific treatment strategy to protect the kidneys against Covid-19. Therefore, considering the vitalrole of the kidneys in maintaining body homeostasis, it is suggested that special attention be paid to this organ duringthe treatment of patients with Covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia and its incidence is on the rise. AF causes significant morbidity and mortality leading to rising AF-related health care costs. There is experimental and clinical evidence from animal and human studies that suggests a role for the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in the etiopathogenesis of AF. This review appraises the current understanding of RAS antagonism, using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and aldosterone antagonists (AA), for prevention of AF. RAS antagonism has proven to be effective for primary and secondary prevention of AF in subjects with heart failure and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, most of the evidence for the protective effect of RAS antagonism is from clinical trials that had AF as a secondary outcome or from unspecified post-hoc analyses. The evidence for prevention in subjects without heart failure and with normal LV function is not as clear. RAS antagonism, in the absence of concomitant antiarrhythmic therapy, was not shown to reduce post cardioversion AF recurrences. RAS antagonism in subjects undergoing catheter ablation has also been ineffective in preventing AF recurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) in post-menopausal women, the role of calpains in atriomyopathy, and the role of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in AF etiopathogenesis.