Renal calcification in children with renal tubular acidosis:What a paediatrician should know

Renal tubular acidosis(RTA)can lead to renal calcification in children,which can cause various complications and impair renal function.This review provides pediatricians with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between RTA and renal calcification,highlighting essential aspects for clinical manage-ment.The article analyzed relevant studies to explore the prevalence,risk factors,underlying mechanisms,and clinical implications of renal calcification in children with RTA.Results show that distal RTA(type 1)is particularly associated with nephrocalcinosis,which presents a higher risk of renal calcification.However,there are limitations to the existing literature,including a small number of studies,heterogeneity in methodologies,and potential publication bias.Longitudinal data and control groups are also lacking,which limits our understanding of longterm outcomes and optimal management strategies for children with RTA and renal calcification.Pediatricians play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and management of RTA to mitigate the risk of renal calcification and associated complications.In addition,alkaline therapy remains a cornerstone in the treatment of RTA,aimed at correcting the acid-base imbalance and reducing the formation of kidney stones.Therefore,early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic interventions are paramount in preventing and managing renal calcification to preserve renal function and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.Further research with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies is needed to optimize the clinical approach to renal calcification in the context of RTA in the pediatric population.

Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis uncovered during pregnancy:A case report

BACKGROUND Renal tubular acidosis(RTA)is a renal cause of non-anion-gap metabolic acidosis characterized by low urinary ammonia excretion.This condition has a low prevalence,and various congenital and acquired etiologies.To date,only a few cases of idiopathic RTA uncovered during pregnancy have been reported.CASE SUMMARY A previously healthy 32-year-old Korean woman at 30 wk of gestation was admitted to Pusan National University Hospital with preterm labor.At admission,the patient presented with hypokalemia,non-anion-gap metabolic acidosis,and nephrocalcinosis.Distal RTA was diagnosed based on laboratory blood and urine findings and imaging examinations.Various tests,including next-generation gene sequencing panels for nephropathy,were performed to determine the etiology of the disease,which indicated that it was idiopathic.The patient received sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride supplementation.After 3 wk,she delivered a baby who was subsequently diagnosed with corpus callosum agenesis and colpocephaly.During regular follow-ups for 6 mo postpartum,her hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis were gradually resolved,and medications eventually discontinued.CONCLUSION Herein we describe a case of idiopathic distal RTA discovered during pregnancy.Hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis resolved spontaneously after delivery.

Persistent acidosis at presentation in a patient with type 1 diabetes: Concomitant diagnosis of type 1 distal renal tubular acidosis

We present a rare case of a 7-year-old boy who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 1 distal renal tubular acidosis concomitantly. The proband presented with history of polyuria, polydipsia and lethargy. He was found to be severely dehydrated. Initial pH value was 7.025 with bicarbonate level of 5.3 mmol/L, and serum glucose of 23 mmol/L. Despite adequate rehydration and insulin therapy (0.1 U/kg/hr), he continued to have persistent metabolic acidosis with normal bicarbonate. Other causes for acidosis were thought off, and with further inquiry, the parents revealed that the father and two other siblings are treated for renal tubular acidosis. Our patient had urine pH of 8, serum potassium 2.9 - 3.7 (3.5 - 5.4 mmol/L), chloride 110 - 116 (98 - 110 mmol/L). The diagnosis of type 1 renal tubular acidosis was made, and the acidosis was corrected with oral sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride. The patient was discharged on subcutaneous multiple daily insulin injections.

Distal renal tubular acidosis:genetic causes and management

Background Distal renal tubular acidosis(dRTA)is a kidney tubulopathy that causes a state of normal anion gap metabolic acidosis due to impairment of urine acidification.This review aims to summarize the etiology,pathophysiology,clinical findings,diagnosis and therapeutic approach of dRTA,with emphasis on genetic causes of dRTA.Data sources Literature reviews and original research articles from databases,including PubMed and Google Scholar.Manual searching was performed to identify additional studies about dRTA.Results dRTA is characterized as the dysfunction of the distal urinary acidification,leading to metabolic acidosis.In pediatric patients,the most frequent etiology of dRTA is the genetic alteration of genes responsible for the codification of distal tubule channels,whereas,in adult patients,dRTA is more commonly secondary to autoimmune diseases,use of medications and uropathies.Patients with dRTA exhibit failure to thrive and important laboratory alterations,which are used to define the diagnosis.The oral alkali and potassium supplementation can correct the biochemical defects,improve clinical manifestations and avoid nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis.Conclusions dRTA is a multifactorial disease leading to several clinical manifestations.Clinical and laboratory alterations can be corrected by alkali replacement therapy.

The Effect of Connective Tissue Growth Factor on Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Transdifferentiation

To investigate the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cell (HKC), in vitro cultured HKC cells were divided into 3 groups: negtive control, low dose CTGF-treated group (rh CTGF, 2.5 ng/ml) and high dose CTGF-treated (rhCTGF, 5.0 ng/ml). Then the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were assessed by indirect immuno-fluorescence, and the percentage of α-SMA positive cells were assessed by flow cytometry. RT-PCR were also performed to examine the mRNA level of α-SMA. Upon the stimulation of different concentrations of rhCTGF, the expression of α-SMA were markedly stronger than that in negative controls. The percentages of α-SMA positive cells were significantly higher in the stimulated groups than that of negative controls (38.9 %, 65.5 % vs 2.4 %, P<0.01) .α-SMA mRNA levels were also up-regulated by the stimulation of rhCTGF (P<0.01). These results suggest that CTGF can promote the transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cells towards myofibroblast (Myo-F).

Effect and mechanism of adrenomedullin on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell in rats induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of adrenomedullin ( AM ) on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell in rats induced by renal ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group,IRI group, empty plasmid group and AM group. One week after re-

Comparative proteomic analysis of renal tubular epithelial cell injury caused by oxalic acid and calcium oxalate monohydrate

Objective To analyze and identify the differentially expressed proteins in human renal tubular epithelial ceils ( HK-2) after injury caused by oxalic acid and calcium oxalate monohydrate ( COM ) crystal,and to explore the potential role of renal tubular cell injury in kidney stone formation. Methods Normal HK-2 cells

Diabetes and renal tubular cell apoptosis

Apoptosis contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy, but the mechanism by which high glucose induces apoptosis is not fully understood. Apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells is a major feature of diabetic kidney disease, and hyperglycemia triggers the generation of free radicals and oxidant stress in tubular cells. Hyperglycemia and high glucose in vitro also lead to apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death. High glucose similar to those seen with hyperglycemia in people with diabetes mellitus, lead to accelerated apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, in variety of cell types, including renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Chronic hepatitis B serum promotes apoptotic damage in human renal tubular cells

AIM： To investigate the effect of the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro and to study the role of hepatitis B virus （HBV） and transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus associated glomerulonephritis （HBV-GN）. METHODS： The levels of serum TGF-β1 were measured by specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and HBV DNA was tested by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） in 44 patients with CHB ,and 20 healthy persons as the control. The normal human kidney proximal tubular cell （HK-2） was cultured together with the sera of healthy persons, CHB patients with HBV-DNA negative（20 cases） and HBV-DNA positive （24 cases） for up to 72 h. Apoptosis and Fas expression of the HK-2 were detected by flow cytometer. RESULTS： The apoptosis rate and Fas expression of HK-2 cells were significantly higher in HBV DNA positive serum group 19.01±5.85% and 17.58±8.35%, HBV DNA negative serum group 8.12±2.80% and 6.96 ± 2.76% than those in control group 4.25±0.65% and 2.33 ± 1.09%, respectively （P 〈 0.01）. The apoptosis rate and Fas expression of HK-2 in HBV DNA positive serum group was significantly higher than those in HBV DNA negative serum （P 〈 0.01）. Apoptosis rate of HK-2 cells in HBV DNA positive serum group was positively correlated with the level of HBV-DNA （r = 0.657）. The level of serum TGF-β1 in CHB group was 163.05 ± 91.35 μg/L, signifi- cantly higher as compared with 81.40 ± 40.75 μg/L in the control group （P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION： The serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B promotes apoptotic damage in human renal tubular cells by triggering a pathway of Fas up-regulation. HBV and TGF-β1 may play important roles in the mechanism of hepatitis B virus associated glomerulonephritis.

Role of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

In order to investigate the effects of connective tissue growth factor （CTGF） antisense oligodeoxynucleotide （ODN） on plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （PAI-1） expression in renal tubular cells induced by transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） and to explore the role of CTGF in the degradation of renal extracellular matrix （ECM）, a human proximal tubular epithelial cell line （HKC） was cultured in vitro. Cationic lipid-mediated CTGF antisense ODN was transfected into HKC. After HKC were stimulated with TGF-β1 （5 μg/L）, the mRNA level of PAI-1 was detected by RT-PCR. Intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis was assessed by flow cytometry. The secreted PAI-1 in the media was determined by Western blot. The results showed that TGF-β1 could induce tubular CTGF and PAI-1 mRNA expression. The PAI-1 mRNA expression induced by TGF-β1 was significantly inhibited by CTGF antisense ODN. CTGF antisense ODN also inhibited intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis and lowered the levels of PAI-1 protein secreted into the media. It was concluded that CTGF might play a crucial role in the degradation of excessive ECM during tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and blocking the biological effect of CTGF may he a novel way in preventing renal fibrosis.

Experimental Study on Detached Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Urine of Nephropathia Epidemic Patients

To elucidate the pathogenesis of acute renal failure (ARF) with nephropathia epidemic (NE), provide experimental evidence for the new therapy to NE and observe the effects of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides on adhesion of re-nal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC), urine specimens of patients were collected un-der sterile conditions. Detached RTECs were separated, cultured and identified.Hantan Virus antigen was determined by using indirect immunofluorescence method and effects of RGD on adhesion of RTECs was observed by subgroup counting as well as by flow cytometry. This study showed that: (1) sublethal RTECs existed in the urine of NE-ARF patients, which could be cultured in monolayer form; (2 ) there was NE antigen in RTECs; and (3) adhesion of RTECs could be inhibited by RGD.

ELABELA protects against diabetic kidney disease by activating high glucose-inhibited renal tubular autophagy

ELABELA(ELA),an endogenous ligand of the apelin receptor(also known as apelin peptide jejunum[APJ]),has been shown to decrease in the plasma of patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD).In the current study,we explored the potential function as well as the underlying mechanisms of ELA in DKD.We first found that the ELA levels were decreased in the kidneys of DKD mice.Then,we found that ELA administration mitigated renal damage and downregulated the expression of fibronectin,collagenⅣ,and transforming growth factor-β1 in the db/db mice and the high glucose cultured HK-2 cells.Furthermore,the autophagy markers,Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰratio,were significantly impaired in DKD,but the ELA treatment reversed these alterations.Mechanistically,the inhibitory effects of ELA on the secretion of fibrosis-associated proteins in high glucose conditions were blocked by pretreatment with 3-methyladenine(an autophagy inhibitor).In summary,these in vivo and in vitro results demonstrate that ELA effectively protects against DKD by activating high glucose-inhibited renal tubular autophagy,potentially serving as a novel therapeutic candidate for DKD.

Albumin-bound kynurenic acid is an appropriate endogenous biomarker for assessment of the renal tubular OATs-MRP4 channel

Renal tubular secretion mediated by organic anion transporters(OATs)and the multidrug resistanceassociated protein 4(MRP4)is an important means of drug and toxin excretion.Unfortunately,there are no biomarkers to evaluate their function.The aim of this study was to identify and characterize an endogenous biomarker of the renal tubular OATs-MRP4 channel.Twenty-six uremic toxins were selected as candidate compounds,of which kynurenic acid was identified as a potential biomarker by assessing the protein-binding ratio and the uptake in OAT1-,OAT3-,and MRP4-overexpressing cell lines.OAT1/3 and MRP4 mediated the transcellular vectorial transport of kynurenic acid in vitro.Serum kynurenic acid concentration was dramatically increased in rats treated with a rat OAT1/3(rOAT1/3)inhibitor and in rOAT1/3 double knockout(rOAT1/3^(-/-))rats,and the renal concentrations were markedly elevated by the rat MRP4(rMRP4)inhibitor.Kynurenic acid was not filtered at the glomerulus(99%of albumin binding),and was specifically secreted in renal tubules through the OAT1/3-MRP4 channel with an appropriate affinity(Km)(496.7 mM and 382.2 mM for OAT1 and OAT3,respectively)and renal clearance half-life(t1/2)in vivo(3.7±0.7 h).There is a strong correlation in area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve(AUC0et)between cefmetazole and kynurenic acid,but not with creatinine,after inhibition of rOATs.In addition,the phase of increased kynurenic acid level is earlier than that of creatinine in acute kidney injury process.These results suggest that albumin-bound kynurenic acid is an appropriate endogenous biomarker for adjusting the dosage of drugs secreted by this channel or predicting kidney injury.

Gender Difference of Cadmium- induced Renal Tubular Dysfunction for Inhabitants in Toyama,Japan

Objective The aim of the present study mas to compare the gender difference for cadmium-induced renal tubular dysfunction between the male and female inhabitants. Methods Urinary β2-microglobulin was measured in 299 male (94%) and 342 female (92%) inhabitants aged 54-72 years,and the development of renal tubular dysfunction for 11 years was studied in the 62 married couples from them. Results A significantly higher cumulative incidence was found in both men and women in cadmium-polluted area,showing 68. 4% in men and 64. 8% in women compared to 15. 3% in men and 5. 9% in women in the reference areas. Relative risk of renal tubular dysfunction in females (11. 0) was higher than males (4. 5). The ratios of urinary β2-microglobulin and glucose were higher in women than those in men in both the cadmium-polluted areas and the reference areas. Conclusion Although almost identical incidences were detected between men and women, the changes in excretion of β2-microglobulin and glucose was greater in women than those in men. These findings suggest that renal tubular dysfunction might be more progressive in women than that in men.

Inhibition of Ubiquitin-specific Protease 4 Attenuates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells via Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor Type Ⅰ

Objective Ubiquitin-specific protease 4(USP4)facilitates the development of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in various cancer cells.Moreover,EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells(RTECs)is required for the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis.However,the role of USP4 in EMT of RTECs remains unknown.The present study aimed to explore the effect of USP4 on the EMT of RTECs as well as the involved mechanism.Methods In established unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)rats and NRK-52E cells,immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were performed.Results USP4 expression was increased significantly with obstruction time.In NRK-52E cells stimulated by TGF-β1,USP4 expression was increased in a time-dependent manner.In addition,USP4 silencing with specific siRNA indicated that USP4 protein was suppressed effectively.Meanwhile,USP4 siRNA treatment restored E-cadherin and weakened alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)expression,indicating that USP4 may promote EMT.After treatment with USP4 siRNA and TGF-β1 for 24 h,the expression of TGF-β1 receptor type I(TβRI)was decreased.Conclusion USP4 promotes the EMT of RTECs through upregulating TβRI,thereby facilitating renal interstitial fibrosis.These findings may provide a potential target of USP4 in the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Decreased TRPM7 alleviates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway

Objective:To explore the regulatory mechanism of transient receptor potential melastatin-7(TRPM7)in high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury.Methods:The expression of TRPM7 in the serum of diabetic nephropathy patients and high glucose-induced HK-2 cells was detected by RT-qPCR.Then,the TRPM7 interference vector was constructed,and the downstream high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)signaling pathway proteins were detected.Next,in addition to interference with TRPM7 expression,overexpression of HMGB1 in high glucose-induced HK-2 cells was performed.Cell activity,apoptosis,oxidative stress levels,and inflammation levels were determined by CCK8,TUNEL,Western blotting,immunofluorescence and related kits.Results:TRPM7 expression was upregulated in the serum of diabetic nephropathy patients and high glucose-induced HK-2 cells.Interference with TRPM7 reduced cell damage,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,oxidative stress,and inflammatory response in high glucose-induced HK-2 cells via inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway.However,the effects induced by TRPM7 silencing were abrogated by HMGB1 overexpression.Conclusions:Decreased TRPM7 alleviates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway.Further animal experiments and clinical trials are warranted to verify its effect.

Metformin Induced Lactic Acidosis What Is the Effective Treatment?

Metformin is known to be an effective treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin induced lactic acidosis (MALA) is a serious illness which should identify and treat urgently. In this review article, we will present our own data and review the literature to highlight the importance of recognizing MALA;causes, presentations and the proper treatment, even though there are few published studies discussing MALA treatment modalities. The two cases that we presented here were patients admitted to the ICU and undergoing hemodynamic instability, which improved after removal of Metformin and clearance of associated lactic acidosis with SLED and CVVH. A case could be made for SLED and CVVH as modalities of choice for patients with MALA and hemodynamic instability, but further research is needed in this direction.

Role of connective growth factor in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibronectin expression induced by transforming growth factor β1 in renal tubular cells

Background Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) contributes greatly to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is the final event leading to end-stage renal failure. This study was designed to investigate the effects of CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on the expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin in renal tubular cells induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in addition to the role of CTGF in the accumulation and degradation of renal extracellular matrix (ECM).Methods A human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC) was cultured in vitro. Cationic lipid-mediated CTGF antisense ODNs were transfected into HKC cells. After HKC cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 (5 μg/L), the mRNA levels of PAI-1 and fibronectin were measured by RT-PCR. Intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis was assessed by flow cytometry. The secreted PAI-1 and fibronectin in the medium were determined by Western blot and ELISA, respectively.Results TGF-β1 was found to induce tubular CTGF, PAI-1, and fibronectin mRNA expression. PAI-1 and fibronectin mRNA expression induced by TGF-β1 was significantly inhibited by CTGF antisense ODNs. CTGF antisense ODNs also inhibited intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis and lowered the levels of PAI-1 and fibronectin protein secreted into the medium.Conclusions CTGF may play a crucial role in the accumulation and degradation of excessive ECM during tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and transfecting CTGF antisense ODNs may be an effective way to prevent renal fibrosis.

Preventive effect of Shenkang injection against high glucose-induced senescence of renal tubular cells

Shenkang injection (SKI) is a classic prescription composed of Radix Astragali, rhubarb, Astragalus, Safflower, and Salvia. This treatment was approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China in 1999 for treatment of chronic kidney diseases based on good efficacy and safety. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of SKI against high glucose (HG)-induced renal tubular cell senescence and its underlying mechanism. Primary renal proximal tubule epithelial cells were cultured in (1) control medium (control group), medium containing 5 mmol/L glucose;(2) mannitol medium (mannitol group), medium containing 5 mmol/L glucose, and 25 mmol/L mannitol;(3) HG medium (HG group) containing 30 mmol/L glucose;(4) SKI treatment at high (200 mg/L), medium (100 mg/L), or low (50 mg/L) concentration in HG medium (HG+ SKI group);or (5) 200 mg/L SKI treatment in control medium (control+ SKI group) for 72 h. HG-induced senescent cells showed the emergence of senescence associated heterochromatin foci, up-regulation of P16INK4 and cyclin D1, increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and elevated expression of membrane decoy receptor 2. SKI treatment potently prevented these changes in a dose-independent manner. SKI treatment prevented HG-induced up-regulation of pro-senescence molecule mammalian target of rapamycin and p66Shc and down-regulation of anti-senescence molecules klotho, sirt1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g in renal tubular epithelial cells. SKI may be a novel strategy for protecting against HG-induced renal tubular cell senescence in treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Dihydroartemisinin attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal tubular senescence by activating autophagy

Acute kidney injury(AKI)is an important factor for the occurrence and development of CKD.The protective effect of dihydroartemisinin on AKI and and reported mechanism have not been reported.In this study,we used two animal models including ischemia-reperfusion and UUO,as well as a high-glucose-stimulated HK-2 cell model,to evaluate the protective effect of dihydroartemisinin on premature senescence of renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.We demonstrated that dihydroartemisinin improved renal aging and renal injury by activating autophagy.In addition,we found that co-treatment with chloroquine,an autophagy inhibitor,abolished the anti-renal aging effect of dihydroartemisinin in vitro.These findings suggested that activation of autophagy/elimination of senescent cell might be a useful strategy to prevent AKI/UUO induced renal tubular senescence and fibrosis.