• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2020

Purpose: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is among etiologies of secondary membranous nephropathy (MN) in pediatric patients. We evaluated expression of phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), a specific target antigen of primary MN, in pediatric HBV-related MN. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with biopsy-proven HBV-related MN from the renal biopsy registry and electronic medical records of Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from 1993 to 2004. Paraffin-embedded human kidney tissues were retrieved and immunohistochemically stained for PLA2R. Results: Ten pediatric patients with 13 biopsied specimens were reviewed. The predominant pathological stage was stage II-III, and second was stage II. The intensity of staining for IgG was greatest, with less intense staining for IgM, IgA, C3, C4, and C1q. All the patients had angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor combined with glucocorticoid, and four patients converted to cyclosporine treatment from glucocorticoid monotherapy. Urinalysis of all the patients normalized after variable period. PLA2R staining was demonstrated in the outer glomerulus in 3 out of 13 biopsies, 2 of which were obtained from the same patient over a 5-year interval. Conclusions: PLA2R was expressed in a small number of cases diagnosed as pediatric HBV-related MN, indicating that some HBV-related MN cases may be primary MN concurrent with HBV infection.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2007

Wegener's granulomatosis(WG) is a necrotizing granulomatous small vessel vasculitis with a clinical predilection for involvement of the upper airways, lungs and kidneys. The disease usually manifests in adults between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can also rarely occur-in childhood with some features different from those of adults. WG may be easily overlooked in young patients by misinterpretion of the symptoms as caused by an infectious disease of the respiratory tract. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of the disease may cause more rapid progression of the glomerulonephritis to end stage renal disease. We report a boy who was diagnosed with WG with involvement of multiple organs at 13 years of age.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.769-779
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• 1994

The root of Bupleurum falcatum L.(BF) has been widely used in oriental medicine as a major camponent in many prescriptions for chronic hepatitis, renal disease, tuberculosis and some other infectious diseases. Many attempts have done to investigate the therapeutic effects of these principles. However, any kinds of screenig on immune regulatory- and antitumor- effects of BF has not been reported. The present study, therefore, was undertaken to investigate the BF-effects on cellular- and humoral-immune responses, phagocytic activities of macrophages, lymphokine- and Immunoglobulin(Ig)-production of lymphocytes, tumorigenesis of implanted sarcoma 180 cells and B16 melanoma cells, and proliferations of some tumor cell lines(Fsa II, 3LL and EL4). BF increased phagocytic activities of mouse peritoneal macrophages in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Arthus reaction and antibody responses to SRBC were slightly enhanced but delayed hypersensitivity was depresed when BF was injected before- and after-SRBC sensitization. BF inhibited the proliferative responses of human tonsillar lymphocytes to PHA- and Con A-stimulation but slightly augmented the response of these cells to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1(SAC)-activation. Ig secretion of human mononuclear cells activated with SAC was slightly increased by BF. BF significantly augmented the SAC-induced IL 6 production of human mononuclear cells but not influenced Con Ainduced IL 2 secretion. NK cell activities of mouse splenocytes were somewhat increased when BF was pretreated and this responses were due to the increment of binding affinities of effector cells to target cells and of lytic activities of effector cells against target cells. In vitro BF significantly inhibited the proliferations of cancer cells such as Fsa II, 3LL and EL4 strains. BF decreased not only the frequency of tumor induction but also the tumor size per sarcoma 180 or B16 cell-implanted mouse. Taken together, these results indicate that BF is one of the potential immunomodulator, and suggest its possibility to be used as a desirable antitumor agent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2009

In patients with type 2 diabetes, oxidative stress could be increased by their metabolic changes. Elevated plasma homocysteine is considered as one of markers of enhanced oxidative stress. Due to oxidative stress, some complications like cardiovascular or renal diseases may develop in type 2 diabetes patients. Plasma homocysteine concentration may be increased if folate status were inadequate. Protective effects against oxidative stress may be diminished if the status of anti-oxidative nutrient as vitamin C was poor. It is, therefore, important to maintain adequate status of folate and vitamin C in type 2 diabetes patients. Thus, this study was performed to determine the effects of supplementation of folate and/or ascorbate on blood glycated hemoglobin ($HbA_{1c}$) level, serum concentrations of homocysteine and cholesterol, plasma oxidized low density-lipoprotein (LDL), concentration and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 92 type 2 diabetes patients participated voluntarily with written consents. They were divided into one of the four experimental groups; Control (C), Folate-supplemented (F), Ascorbate-supplemented (A), and Folate plus ascorbate-supplemented (FA). The subjects in C were taken placebo, those in F were supplemented 1 mg of folate, those in A received 1,000 mg of ascorbate, and those in FA were given 1 mg of folate plus 1,000 mg of ascorbate daily for 4 weeks. Supplementation of folate or ascorbate resulted to increase serum folate level or plasma ascorbate concentration apparently, respectively. Folate supplementation not ascorbate seemed to decrease plasma concentrations of homocysteine and oxidized LDL and reduce plasma GSH-Px activity. There might not be synergic effect of the supplementation of folate plus ascorbate. The results indicate that oxidative stress in the patients with type 2 diabetes may lower mainly by folate supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.832-837
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• 1999

lntrarenal resistive index (RI) was determined in normal, sedated and diuretic kidneys. The mean RI values of normal dogs were $0.64{\pm}0.03$ without statistically significant difference between left and right kidney. Interrenal RI difference (${\Delta}RI$) was $0.03{\pm}0.01$. No significant relationship was found between mean intrarenal RI versus body weight. The mean intrarenal RI values after administration of acepromazine, xylazine, thiopental, and ketamine were $0.66{\pm}0.03$, $0.64{\pm}0.03$, $0.56{\pm}0.05$, and $0.50{\pm}0.05$, respectively. After administration of acepromazine or xylazine, a significant change of the RI was not found. But, a significant decrease of the RI following thiopental or ketamine administration could be observed as compared with the normal RI. The mean intrarenal RI values were $0.63{\pm}0.06$ and $0.62{\pm}0.04$ at 10 minutes and 30 minutes after injection of furosemide, respectively. No significant change of intrarenal RI was found after administration of furosemide. But, mannitol significantly decreased mean intrarenal RI to $0.57{\pm}0.02$ and $0.58{\pm}0.03$ at 30 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively. Based on the obtained results, values of 0.72 and 0.05 may be proposed as the reasonable upper limits of RI and ${\Delta}RI$ of normal average. Acepromazine or xylazine are recommended as anesthetics for renal diseases because they have less effect on the RI. Further study using mannitol injection to increase ${\Delta}RI$ may be suggested in unilateral urinary tract obstruction since mannitol more effectively changed mean RI than furosemide.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2008

Obesity is correlated with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular, renal, neurologic, psychological and many other disease. Owing to the elevated income and behavioral changes, the prevalence of obesity has remarkably increased in Korea also. Considering the trend of the epidemic, we can easily expect the excessive spendings for the treatment of the obesity-related diseases in near future. In order to check the prevalence of obesity and serum lipid levels of Korean employees, we analyzed the medical check-up sample data of 10,332 adults who took physical check-ups at an institute in 2006. Through the logistic regression analysis we found the prevalence rate of total risk group showing ${\geq}23.0Kg/m^2$ was 57.4% and uric acid was found to be a definitive factor in the prevalence of obesity. Among the adults who eat more meat, drink more and smoke more smoking, the values of BMI, uric acid, cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol and TG were significantly higher than rest of the examinees. And the average BMIs were significantly higher among those who have risk factors of liver disease, hypertension, cardiovascular and heart disease, and diabetes mellitus.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2003

Alport syndrome is the most common type of hereditary nephritis, and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(APSGN) is a common disease in children. We experienced the clinical and pathologic findings of Alport syndrome and APSGN in brothers of one family. Both patients presented with heavy gross hematuria and proteinuria. ASO titer was elevated in both cases, and the C3 level was reduced in one of the cases. In renal pathology, both showed characteristics of Alport syndrome as well as the glomerular changes of APSGN with hump-like subepithelial deposits by electron microscopy. These clinical observation indicated that the patients had APSGN superimposed on Alport syndrome, and that the episode of APSGN might exacerbate the clinical course of Alport syndrome.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2012

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is systemic small vessel vasculitis that is very rare in childhood. MPA is characterized by pauci-immune necrotizing small vessel vasculitis without clinical or pathological evidence of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Approximately 90% of patients have glomerulonephritis that is accompanied by a variety of other organ involvement. A 10-year-old girl visited our clinic with clinical manifestations suggestive Henoch-Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein purpura nephritis such as purpuric skin rash, abdominal pain, arthralgia on both knees, massive proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. So initially we suspected Henoch-Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein purpura nephritis. However, later her perinuclear-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies(p-ANCA) test was positive, and her renal biopsy was consistent with microscopic polyangiitis. We began steroid therapy, combined with cyclophosphamide, ACE inhibitor. Currently she is a 12-year old, and until now she has been regularly examined in the outpatient. We report a case of microscopic polyangiitis initially suspected with Henoch-Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein purpura nephritis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2012

Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, and it is distinguished from Batter syndrome by hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria. This disorder is caused by mutation in SLC12A3 gene which encodes thiazide-sensitive $Na^+-Cl^-$cotransporter (NCCT) which is expressed in the apical membrane of cells, lining distal convoluted tubule. A 8-year old boy who presented with Rolandic epilepsy, and horseshoe kidney accidentally showed clinical features of metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypocalciuria without hypomagnesemia. So we identified a heterozygote mutation and an abnormal splicing in the SLC12A3 gene, encoding NCCT. The mutation was detected in the exon 15 and 22 of SLC12A3 gene.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.230-235
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• 2010

Patients with moderate to severe degrees of Henoch-Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein purpura (HSP) nephritis receive high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (IMPT). Although the regimen is generally safe and effective, various complications occasionally develop. administration of excessive corticosteroid can induce urinary potassium wasting leading to hypokalemia. Polyuria, one of the complications of hypokalemia, is related to both increased thirst and mild nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. And hypokalemia itself also impairs the maximal renal urinary concentration ability. Although polyuria or nocturia after IMPT is not common, it is correctable immediately by oral potassium supplementation. Therefore, during IMPT, careful history taking of nocturia as well as monitoring urine volume, serum and urine potassium level at regular follow-up are necessary because even mild hypokalemia can provoke urine concentrating ability defect. We experienced a case of 11 year-old boy with HSP nephritis who suffered from hypokalemia-induced polyuria with nocturia right after IMPT.