• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2018

Objectives: Albuminuria has emerged as a biomarker for several medical conditions, and vitamin D has received attention due to its associations with various disorders. We evaluated the association between low serum vitamin D levels and prevalent albuminuria by sex in the Korean general population. Methods: We analyzed 9823 participants (4401 males, 5422 females) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 (KNHANES V-2), and categorized them as having a normal range of vitamin D levels, vitamin D insufficiency, or vitamin D deficiency. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to compare the risk of albuminuria across these groups. Stratified analyses were conducted by smoking status, obesity, and renal function. Results: Albuminuria was found in 325 of the 4401 male participants (7.4%) and in 455 of the 5422 female participants (8.4%). Among the males, vitamin D deficiency was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for albuminuria of 1.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 2.97, p<0.05). However, such an association was not found in females. The association was stronger in male current smokers (OR, 3.54; 95% CI, 1.47 to 8.50; p=0.005). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that sex differences exist in the association between serum vitamin D deficiency and albuminuria. Additionally, we observed that the association was stronger in current smokers than in the overall male population, but was not seen in non-smokers. Therefore, different approaches by sex and smoking status might be needed when considering using vitamin D as a biomarker for renal function.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

Proteinuria is an important risk factor for renal and cardiovascular disease. It is associated with a risk for glomerulonephritis, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal disease. Therefore, if persistent proteinuria is detected, kidney biopsy is considered to diagnose and treat the underlying disease. Recently, variants in the cubilin (CUBN) gene, which is associated with albuminuria, have been reported. This gene encodes cubilin, a membrane glycoprotein receptor expressed in the renal proximal tubules. Cubilin is a component of the megalin and cubilin-amnionless complex that mediates albumin reabsorption into the proximal tubules through endocytosis. A defect in cubilin leads to a reduction in albumin reuptake, resulting in albumin-dominant proteinuria. Although numerous controversies exist, several reports suggest that cubilin defects lead to proteinuria with a high portion of albuminuria but may not impair renal filtration function. If albuminuria due to reduced cubilin function is confirmed as a benign condition, we can consider using genetic studies to detect CUBN mutations in patients with proteinuria and they may not require any treatment or kidney biopsy. Here, we review recent papers on CUBN mutations and discuss the prognosis and management of individuals with this mutation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Objectives : Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most significant chronic complications of diabetes. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in the development of diabetic nephropathy. GS-E3D is an enzymatic modified red ginseng extract by pectin lyase and has an increased concentration of the ginsenoside Rd compared to an unmodified red ginseng extract. In this study, we evaluated the preventive effects of GS-E3D on renal dysfunction in the type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Methods : GS-E3D (100 or 250 mg/kg body weight per day) was given to db/db mice through oral gavage for 6 weeks. Body weight and blood glucose levels were examined. At the end of the experiment, albuminuria was measured. The renal tissues were collected for histological examination, and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect renal accumulation of AGEs and podocyte loss Results : In the db/db mice, severe hyperglycemia developed, and albuminuria was significantly increased. Diabetes induced markedly morphological alterations to the renal glomerular cells. AGE accumulations and podocyte loss were detected in renal glomeruli. No difference in blood glucose levels was noted between GS-E3D-treated and vehicletreated diabetic db/db mice. However, GS-E3D treatment significantly reduced albuminuria and AGE accumulations in diabetic mice. Moreover, the loss of podocytes was restored by GS-E3D treatment. Conclusions : GS-E3D might be beneficial for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The ability of GS-E3D on to attenuate albuminuria and podocyte dysfunction in the db/db mice may be mediated by the inhibition of AGE accumulation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2023

This study assesses the urine microalbumin to urine creatinine ratio (uACR) with uric acid and the association with the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (UA/HDL-C) ratio in Korean adults. Data from the 2019 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was procured and included 5,845 adults aged 20 years or older. Several key findings were obtained in the present study. After adjusting for the related variables (age, gender, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease), the uACR was found to be positively associated with the quartiles of the UA/HDL-C ratio (P=0.002). Moreover, after adjusting for related variables, the odds ratio (OR) of albuminuria (uACR≥30.0 mg/g) was not significant in quartile 2 (Q2) (OR, 1.015; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.757~1.361) and Q3 (OR, 1.090; 95% CI, 0.811~1.465) but was significantly higher in Q4 (OR, 1.416; 95% CI, 1.044~1.921) as compared to Q1 of the UA/HDL-C ratio. We conclude that since the UA/HDL-C ratio is positively associated with albuminuria in Korean adults, an increased UA/HDL-C ratio could be applied as a useful measure to assess albuminuria in Korean adults.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2013

Objective : We studied whether Antaeeum and Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture had effects of prolonging pregnancy in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia. Methods : We have administered Antaeeum and applied Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture for 8 weeks and the patient stopped taking steroids she had taken before. Furthermore, we observed edema, fatigue, albuminuria and hypertension. Results : In consequence of administering Antaeeum and applying Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture for 8 weeks, edema and fatigue were improved and albuminuria and hypertension were not changed significantly. However pregnancy was prolonged from 28 weeks to 36 weeks and the patient could give birth successfully. Conclusions : In conclusion, Antaeeum and Saahm Spleen-tonifying acupuncture have effects of prolonging pregnancy in patients with pre-eclampsia.

• Annals of Laboratory Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.524-529
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• 2018

Background: An increase in neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) indicates tubular injury. Diabetic nephropathy causes typical changes in the kidney, characterized by glomerulosclerosis and eventual tubular damage. We validated the usefulness of plasma NGAL (pNGAL) as a biomarker of tubular damage in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: We included 376 patients with diabetes mellitus (260 patients with chronic renal insufficiency who had not received hemodialysis and 116 hemodialyzed due to diabetic nephropathy) and 24 healthy controls. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency were divided into three groups according to urinary albumin excretion (UAE) levels. pNGAL levels were measured using the Triage NGAL test (Alere, San Diego, CA, USA) and were compared between groups. We also examined whether pNGAL level was related to the degree of albuminuria and cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results: Mean pNGAL levels of the healthy controls, chronic renal insufficiency patients with diabetes mellitus, and hemodialyzed patients were $61.9{\pm}5.3ng/mL$, $93.4{\pm}71.8ng/mL$, and $1,536.9{\pm}554.9ng/mL$, respectively. pNGAL level increased significantly in patients with severe albuminuria (P <0.001) and had a moderate correlation with the degree of albuminuria (r=0.467; P <0.001) and GFR (r=0.519; P <0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the pNGAL level was associated with tubular damage independent of patient age, sex, and GFR. Conclusions: pNGAL level independently reflects the degree of tubular damage in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Measurement of pNGAL, combined with UAE, would enable simultaneous, highly reliable assessments of tubular damage for such patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.819-826
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• 2008

In childhood systemic lupus erythematosus patients, renal involvement is closely related to mortality and morbidity of the disease. Therefore early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improving prognosis. We saw a child who had hematuria, albuminuria, anorexia, fatigue, and light hyper sensitiveness. He was diagnosed as lupus nephritis (WHO Class II+IV) and treated with ACE inhibitor and steroid therapy for 12 months. However, clinical improvement was not shown. So we treated him with herbal formula (Jasinwhalhyul-tang: Zishenhuoxue-tang) and steroid therapy. After 17 months of treatment, hematuria disappeared and clinical symptoms and albuminuria had improved significantly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.25-25
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• 2001

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. In Korea, diabetic kidney disease accounted for 39％ of all new dialysis patients in 1998. Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by glomerular hyperfiltration, albuminuria, and expansion of glomerular mesangium. Since glomerular mesangial cells regulate glomerular filtration rates and are capable of producing extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, the functional abnormalities of mesangial cells under diabetic milieu play an important role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.(omitted)

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2001

Nephrotic syndrome(NS) is characterized albuminuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia and edema. The thromboembolic complications of NS are reasonably common and have a broad range of clinical manifestations. The treatment of NS is empirical and symptomatic because the etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. We report treatment of patient who has been afflicted with NS for 20 years. He complained edema, dyspnea, Rt. hemiparesis, aphasia. We treated him with converting enzyme inhibitor, steroid, three kinds of herb-medicine for 45 days. The patient improved in clinical symptoms and routine chemistry, urine analysis test.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.452-457
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• 2008

This study examined the effects of the daily administration of high-molecular-weight (HMW) chitosan in drinking water (0.8 %) on kidney function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic ICR mice. The HMW chitosan lowered the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum and urine creatinine levels, urine protein levels, and albuminuria and reduced the kidney weight in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic ICR mice. On histopathological findings, capillary loops are open, but narrowed, and the mesangial matrix enlarged in the STZ-induced diabetic ICR mice. By contrast, the capillary loops and mesangial matrix of the chitosan-treated ICR mice were nearly normal compared with the STZ-induced diabetic ICR mice.