Study of the Effects of Glucocorticoid on Growth and Adult Final Height in Children with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of growth, as well as factors associated with growth retardation in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS), and to investigate the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) use duration on growth retardation in these children. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data of 353 PNS children treated at our hospital from July 2014 to June 2015 were collected through the medical record management system. Height, weight, and GC usage were recorded. Follow-up assessments were conducted in August 2022 for the original group, recording height, weight, and GC usage. Height and weight were evaluated using standard deviation scores (SDS). Categorical data were analyzed using chi-square test while continuous measurement data were analyzed using t-test or rank-sum test. Linear regression was used to assess the association between two single independent variables, and logistic regression analysis was used to screen for risk factors related to growth retardation in children with PNS. Results: Among the 353 PNS children enrolled in this study, male-to-female ratio of 2.64:1 (256 males vs 97 females). A total of 119 children exhibited growth retardation, incidence rate of 33.71%. The duration of GC usage among those with growth retardation was significantly longer compared to those without it (762.81 ± 934.50 days vs 263.77 ± 420.49 days;p Conclusion: PNS children treated with GC have a high incidence of growth retardation, and a high proportion of short stature in adulthood, especially in children with growth retardation in childhood, most of them have short stature after grown up. Time of GC usage is a risk factor for growth retardation in children with PNS.

The treatment of relapsing primary nephrotic syndrome in children

Objective: To explore better therapy and reduce the rate of re-relapse of primary nephritic syndrome in children who had been treated with corticosteroids but relapsed. Methods: Eighty relapsers were enrolled from Jan. 1994 to Apr. 2000, who were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n=39) had been treated with tripterysium glucosides for three months,with the control group (n=41) members were treated with cyclophosphmide (CTX) by intermission intravenous pulse, with total dose of CTX not being more than 150 mg/kg. Prednisone, meanwhile, was given to both groups. The total treatment period of prednisone was prolonged by 12-18 months. Results: After following up for 3-7 years, the re-relapse rates of both groups were observed. The re-relapse rate of the treatment group was 28.2% to 29.3% in the CTX-controlled group. The re-relapse rates between two groups were almost similar, and with no observed significant difference (P>0.05). The side effect of tripterysium glucosides was less than that of CTX. Conclusion: For the treatment of relapsing nephritic syndrome in children, the combination of tripterysium glucosides and prolonged corticosteroid therapy is as effective as the regimen of CTX plus prolonged use of prednisone.

A Discussion on TCM Treatment and the Pathogenesis of Membranous Nephropathy in Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the TCM treatment principle of membranous nephropathy and its effect.Methods:A total of 56 patients were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.They were then divided into the control group(western medicine standard therapy)and the study group(Qidi Gushen prescription),with 28 patients in each group.The treatment effect,treatment safety,and patients’satisfaction were observed and compared between the two groups.Results:The results showed that the treatment effect of the study group was 96.43%,which was significantly better compared with the control group(75.00%)(p<0.05);in terms of safety,the probability of adverse events was 7.14%in the study group and 32.14%in the control group,in which the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05);in addition,the study group’s satisfaction with the treatment measures was significantly higher than that of the control group(p<0.05).Conclusion:In treating membranous nephropathy,traditional Chinese medicine can be tailored to its pathogenesis,which is not only beneficial to the treatment effect,but also has a high safety profile.

Therapeutic Effect of Shenling Baizhu Powder on Primary Nephrotic Syndrome Featuring Damp Abundance Due to Splenic Asthenia

[Objectives]To observe the clinical efficacy of Shenling Baizhu Powder in the treatment of primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS)featuring damp abundance due to splenic asthenia.[Methods]40 patients with PNS were randomly divided into treatment group(n=19)and control group(n=21).In the treatment group and the control group,methylprednisolone tablets were taken orally and cytoxan(CTX)was given intravenously for treatment;in the treatment group,based on oral administration of methylprednisolone tablets and intravenous drip of cytoxan(CTX),oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine(addition and subtraction of Shenling Baizhu Powder)was added.Urine routine,24-hour urinary protein,renal function and serum albumin were re-examined after 4 weeks of treatment.[Results]The total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group(89.47%vs 61.90%,P<0.05).After treatment,both groups could effectively reduce the levels of 24-hour urinary protein(P<0.05),serum creatinine(P<0.05)and urea nitrogen(P<0.05),and increase the level of serum albumin(P<0.05),but the degree of improvement in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Methylprednisolone combined with addition and subtraction of Shenling Baizhu Powder could effectively reduce urinary protein,improve edema symptoms,shorten the course of hormone use and reduce adverse reactions in the treatment of PNS featuring damp abundance due to splenic asthenia.

Primary membranous nephrotic syndrome with chylothorax as first presentation:A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Primary membranous nephrotic syndrome with chylothorax as the first manifestation is an unusual condition.To date,only a few cases have been reported in clinical practice.CASE SUMMARY The clinical data of a 48-year-old man with primary nephrotic syndrome combined with chylothorax admitted to the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital were retrospec-tively analysed.The patient was admitted to the hospital for 12 d due to shortness of breath.Imaging showed pleural effusion,laboratory tests confirmed true chylothorax,and renal biopsy revealed membranous nephropathy.After primary disease treatment and early active symptom treatment,the prognosis of the patient was good.This case suggests that chylothorax is a rare complication of primary membranous nephrotic syndrome in adults,and early lymphan-giography and renal biopsy can assist in the diagnosis when there are no contrain-dications.CONCLUSION Primary membranous nephrotic syndrome combined with chylothorax is rare in clinical practice.We report a relevant case to provide case information for clinicians and to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Preliminary Research on Syndrome Types of Chinese Medicine in Children with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Objective： To provide an objective reference for the syndrome types of Chinese medicine（CM） associated with pediatric primary nephrotic syndrome（PNS）.Methods： A cross-sectional study was performed.Data on clinical symptoms,CM syndrome types,biochemical indices,and medications used were collected from 98 children with PNS.Then,the correlation between CM syndromes and biochemical indices,as well as medications used,was analyzed.Results： The four most common symptoms in children with PNS were brown urine,red tongue,excessive sweating,and swelling of the face and limbs.The syndromes of qi deficiency of Fei（Lung） and Shen（Kidney）（FSQD） and yin deficiency of Gan（Liver） and Shen（GSYD） were the most common main CM syndrome types.FSQD syndrome score correlated significantly with the total cholesterol level,urine protein/creatinine ratio,and urine Ig G and albumin levels（P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）.The use of maintenance glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressive agents correlated with FSQD syndrome,and the use of maintenance glucocorticoids alone correlated with GSYD syndrome（P〈0.05）.Conclusion： Two of the most common CM syndrome types were FSQD and GSYD syndromes.FSQD syndrome may be caused by some factors related to lipid levels,protein loss,and the use of immunosuppressive agents.The use of maintenance glucocorticoids may cause GSYD syndrome.

Relations of nuclear factor-kappa B activity in the kidney of children with primary nephrotic syndrome to clinical manifestations, pathological types, and urinary protein excretion

The pathogenesis of childhood primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) is unclear. However, an immune mechanism has generally been accepted as a cause. Imbalance of T lymphocyte and a variety of inflammatory cytokines, chemotactic and transcription factors are involved in the pathophysiology and manifestations of PNS,^(1,2) (and nuclear) factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcriptionally regulates the expression of these factors.~3 Research has been focused on NF-κB and inflammatory regulated mediators of renal diseases, but seldom on different clinical manifestations and histopathological changes. In order to explore a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of PNS in children and a basis for preventing its advance, we determined NF-κB activity in the kidney of children with PNS in vitro using immunohistochemical staining and the multimedia coloured pathological image analysis system and its relations to clinical manifestations, histopathological changes and 24-hour urinary protein excretion.

Clinical Observation of Tiaojining (调激宁) Granule Combined with Corticosterone in Treating Infantile Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Objective: To investigate the effects of Tiaojining granule (调激宁, TJNG) combined with corticosterone (CS) in treating infantile primary nephrotic syndrome (IPNS). Methods: Sixty inpatients with IPNS were divided into two groups, 30 cases as the treated group treated by TJNG combined with CS, and the other 30 cases as the control group treated by CS alone for 8 weeks. The changes of urinary protein, serum albumin, blood cholesterol, platelet and blood pressure before and after treatment were observed. Results: The total effective rate of the treated group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). The time for urinary protein disappearance of the treated group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P<0.05). In preventing hypertension, lowering lipidemia and platelets, TJNG were obviously better than CS used in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: TJNG could enhance the therapeutic effects of CS on IPNS and safely and effectively reduce the side-effects of CS.

Relationship of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Nitrogen Oxide with Treatment of Frequent Relapse Nephrotic Syndrome by Shenkangling(肾康灵)Granule in Children

Objective: To observe the relationship of tumor necrosis factor-o (TNF-a) and nitrogen oxide (NO) with the treatment of frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) and to explore the patho-genesis of FRNS and the therapeutic mechanism of Shenkangling (肾康灵,SKL) Granule in children. Methods: Sixty children suffering from FRNS were randomly divided into the treated group and control group, 30 in each, and the other 30 healthy children were taken as healthy group. The patients were treated with prednisone for a long-term course, and those with no effect or partial effect shown were treated with additional Tripterygium or Cytoxan in the control group, while in the treated group patients were treated with prednisone and additional SKL. The two groups were compared as to their changes of TNF-a, NO before and after treatment, and the relapses after treatment. Results: The levels of TNF-a and NO in the sick children before treatment were markedly higher than those after treatment and normal group (P< 0. 01). The positive correlation between TNF-o of FRNS cases and relapse risk displayed more significance than that between the relapse of FRNS and NO. The difference between treated group and control group was significant (P<0. 01). Conclusion: TNF-a can be regarded as the monitoring parameter of the active phase in FRNS, and the higher the level, the more possible the relapse would occur. SKL could markedly reduce the relapse rate of FRNS in children.

前列腺素E1对原发性肾病综合征作用初探(英文)

Objective:To investigate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (Alprostadii injection) on patients with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS). Methods: 37 patients with PNS were recruited to study the effect of prostaglandin E1 on platelet aggregation function [ PAG (5,) PAG( m ) ], serum total protein (TP) , albumin (Al),blood urea nitrogen(BUN) ,serum creatinine(Scr) ,cholesterol(CHO), triglyceride(TG), protein in 24-hour urine (Pr/24h) and platelet account (PLT). Results: TP, Al, CHO, TG, BUN, Scr, Pr/24h, PAG(5) and PAG(m) in PNS group before treatment were significantly different from those in control group(P＜0.05, P＜0.01) while no significant difference was found for PLT. When treated with PGE1 , TP,Al,CHO, TG, Pr/24h, ADP- induced PAG(5) ,and Adr- induced PAG(5) and PAG(m) were significantly different from those before treatment (P＜0.05). Adr- induced PAG(5) and PAG(m) were significantly different. Adr- induced PAG(5) was xsitively correlated with BUN and Scr in PNS(P＜0.01). Similar correlation was found between ADP-induced PAG(5) and Al ,BUN,Scr,Pr/24h(P＜0.05), AD- induced PAG(m) and TP,CHO(P＜0.05). Conclusions: PGE1 may be an effective drug for the treatment for hypercoagulation in patients with PNS.

Imbalance of Interleukin 18 and Interleukin 18 Binding Protein in Patients with Lupus Nephritis

To evaluate the balance status of interleukin 18 （IL-18） and interleukin 18 binding protein （IL-18BP） in circulation in patients with lupus nephritis （LN） and primary nephrotic syndrome （PNS）, plasma levels as well as mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） of IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR respectively. The ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP was also calculated. Both plasma IL-18 and IL-18BP increased significantly in LN patients while only IL-18BP increased in PNS, which resulted in an elevated ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP in LN but not in PNS patients when compared with normal controls. In contrast, increased level of IL-18 mRNA was only detected in LN but not in PNS group, although IL-18BP mRNA expressions in PBMCs in both groups were higher than that in control. The imbalance of IL-18 and IL-18BP might be involved in the pathogenesis of LN, based on which a therapeutic approach is valuable to be developed for LN.