A. Genderini

Acetylcysteine and non-ionic isosmolar contrast-induced nephropathy—a randomized controlled study

INTRODUCTION Intravenous administration of saline and non-ionic isosmolar contrast media significantly reduces the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy, one of the most common causes of acute renal failure. Results with oral N-acetylcysteine are conflicting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prophylactic role of N-acetylcysteine in patients with stable chronic renal failure undergoing coronary and/or peripheral angiography and/or angioplasty. METHODS We randomized 200 elective, consecutive patients (mean age 74.9 +/- 7.3 years; 65% male, 25% diabetics) with basal creatinine clearance <or=55 ml/min to receive oral N-acetylcysteine (600 mg bid the day before and the day of the procedure plus saline i.v. 0.9% 1 ml/kg/h 12-24 h before and 24 h after the procedure, n = 99) or placebo and saline at the same time intervals, n = 101. The contrast medium was non-ionic isosmolar (Iodixanol, Visipaque Amersham Health). Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as an increase in serum creatinine >0.5 mg/dl or >25% within 3 days after the procedure. Serum creatinine was measured at baseline, 24, 48 and 72 h after the procedure. RESULTS Contrast-induced nephropathy was 8/99 (8.1%) in the N-acetylcysteine group versus 6/101 (5.9%) in the placebo group, P = 0.6. No difference was noted in high-risk subgroups such as diabetics (4/25 versus 2/25 P = 0.4) and those with serum creatinine clearance <42.3 ml/min (5/54 versus 4/48; P = 0.9). CONCLUSION In our experience, N-acetylcysteine did not prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in patients receiving isosmolar (iodixanol) contrast media and adequate hydration.

Lenvatinib-induced renal failure : two first-time case reports and review of literature

ABSTRACT Introduction: Lenvatinib (LEN) is a multi-kinase anti-angiogenic drug recently approved in several cancers. LEN is not easily manageable due to its complex safety profile. Proteinuria and renal failure (RF) were reported among the most frequent LEN-induced adverse events (AEs), often leading to discontinuations or dose modifications. Understanding the pathogenesis of these AEs could ameliorate the management of LEN-induced renal toxicity. Areas covered: We present two cases of LEN-induced renal failure (LIRF) with different pathogenesis. 1) LIRF with severe proteinuria in a man treated for a metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Kidney biopsy showed a glomerular damage secondary to LEN, having excluded other causes of RF. 2) LIRF without proteinuria in a woman with metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary gland. A tubulointerstitial nephropathy was supposed by clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Effective management was obtained by oral steroids without interrupting LEN. Expert opinion: The case 1 presented for the first time the histological picture of LIRF with a classical glomerular damage leading to secondary proteinuria and tubular failure. Case 2 showed an alternative LIRF pattern of likely tubulointerstitial injury without proteinuria. These reports reflect two sides of the same coin, both to be considered in case of LIRF.

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis with prevalent IgA deposition associated with undifferentiated connective tissue disease: A case report

We described a 41-year-old female patient, who presented with proteinuria occurring 5 years after the onset of an undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). At renal biopsy, a pattern of focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis with mesangial and parietal deposition of the IgA, C3 and K chains was observed. Electron microscopy showed organized fibrillary deposits in mesangial, subendothelial, intramembranous and subepithelial sites. Fibrils were randomly arranged, had no hollow core and had a diameter ranging between 10 and 23 nm. This case showed a rare combination of fibrillary glomerulonephritis and prevalent IgA deposition, in the clinical context of UCTD.

Tubulo-Interstitial Changes in HIV Associated Nephropathy: Study of 14 Cases

HIV associated nephropathy (HIV-N) which occurs during HIV infection, is characterized by peculiar glomerular lesions defined as a focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis with collapsed tuft. More recently tubular and interstitial changes have been emphasized.

Role of Blood Osmolality in the Regulation of Vasopressin Secretion in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), a posterior pituitary hormone (1084 Da), is secreted by supraaor- tic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus in response to osmotic(1) volume(2) and neurotropic(3) stimuli. As with other hormones, plasma vasopressin level and its metabolism appear to be alternated in subjects with chronic renal failure (CRF).