Clinical evaluation of strengthening spleen and draining dampness in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a retrospective 10-year follow-up study.

Objective: To evaluate the 10-year therapeutic efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) using the Strengthening Spleen and Draining Dampness therapy in the management of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with IMN who met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected from the Department of Nephrology at Longhua Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, between January 2007 and December 2011.

Predicting dietary management intention of patients with chronic kidney disease using protection motivation theory.

Background: Psychological determinants underlying the dietary management intention (DMI) of Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well understood. This hinders the development of theory-informed dietary interventions targeting this population. The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing DMI of Chinese patients with CKD through the lens of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT).

Two-dimensional Health State Map to define metabolic health using separated static and dynamic homeostasis features: a proof-of-concept study.

Defining metabolic health is critical for the earlier reversing of metabolic dysfunction and disease, and fasting-based diagnosis may not adequately assess an individual's metabolic adaptivity under stress. We constructed a novel Health State Map (HSM) comprising a Health Phenotype Score (HPS) with fasting features alone and a Homeostatic Resilience Score (HRS) with five time-point features only ( = 30, 60, 90, 180, 240 min) following a standardized mixed macronutrient tolerance test (MMTT). Among 111 Chinese adults, when the same set of fasting and post-MMTT data as for the HSM was used, the mixed-score was highly correlated with the HPS.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis for identifying fibroblast-associated biomarkers and molecular subtypes in human membranous nephropathy.

Background: Membranous nephropathy (MN) is characterized by immune complex deposition in the glomerular basement membrane, leading to proteinuria and potentially progressive renal dysfunction. Fibroblasts have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MN through their involvement in tissue remodeling and immune modulation.

Methods: We employed integrated bioinformatics analyses to identify fibroblast-associated biomarkers and molecular subtypes in MN.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Outcomes of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy with Different Types of Dyslipidemia: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common glomerulonephritic diseases in the world. Several lines of evidence have suggested that dyslipidemia is related to the disease progression and prognosis of IgAN. However, the study is scarce on the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of IgAN with dyslipidemia.

High-coverage targeted lipidomics could reveal lipid alterations and evaluate therapeutic efficacy of membranous nephropathy.

Background: Membrane nephropathy (MN) often presents as nephrotic syndrome with characteristic lipid metabolism that could not be explained by lipid indicators commonly used in clinical practice. Studies have shown that invigorating spleen and qi, activating blood and detoxication in the treatment of MN is an effective method proved by randomized controlled clinical trial. However, the alterations of lipid profile before and after traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment and the related lipid markers that affect the therapeutic effect have not been fully clarified.

A multicenter study of hemodialysis using individualized dialysate potassium concentrations.

Background: Dialysate potassium concentration directly affects the serum potassium level and safety of hemodialysis patients. In most dialysis centers in China, a single dialysate potassium concentration is used for dialysis, but there is no data on whether this is reasonable or not.

Methods: Serum potassium values before and after dialysis in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients between 2019 and 2020 were collected from 5 hemodialysis centers in Shanghai, which uniformly use dialysate with a potassium concentration (KD) of 2.

The Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab for Childhood Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rituximab (RTX), a possible alternative treatment option, is recognized as a new therapeutic hope for the treatment of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) in children. However, the efficacy and safety of RTX in the treatment of childhood SDNS are still controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RTX treatment in children with SDNS.

Leflunomide plus low-dose prednisone in patients with progressive IgA nephropathy: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-labeled, and controlled trial.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common cause of glomerulonephritis worldwide, and the optimal approach to its treatment remains a significant challenge.

Methods: We did a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, multicenter, controlled trial, comprised of 3-month run-in, 12-month treatment, and 12-month follow-up phases. After 3-month run-in phase, patients with biopsy-confirmed IgAN at risk of progression were randomly allocated to LEF plus low-dose prednisone (LEF + prednisone group) or conventionally accepted-dose prednisone [prednisone(alone) group] Our primary outcome was 24-h urine protein excretion (UPE) and secondary outcomes were serum albumin (sALB), serum creatinine (Scr), and eGFR.

Lipidomics reveals association of circulating lipids with body mass index and outcomes in IgA nephropathy patients.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which are commonly accompanied by dyslipidemia. Obesity is also associated with dyslipidemia and risk of CKD, but the relation of the dyslipidemia patterns with obesity and disease progression in IgAN patients remains unknown. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the combined treatment with corticosteroids and TCM have been shown to be of benefit for IgAN patients, but predictive markers for guiding these treatments are lacking.

Relationships among the Dosage of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, Erythropoietin Resistance Index, and Mortality in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) constitute an important treatment option for anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We investigated the relationships among the dosage of ESA, erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) scores, and mortality in Chinese MHD patients.

Methods: This multicenter observational retrospective study included MHD patients from 16 blood purification centers (n = 824) who underwent HD in 2011-2015 and were followed up until December 31, 2016.

The Amorphous Quercetin/ Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose Acetate Succinate Solid Dispersions Prepared by Co-Precipitation Method to Enhance Quercetin Dissolution.

HPMCAS-HF, HPMCAS-MF and HPMCAS-LF were used as carriers to prepare the amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of quercetin (Que) by co-precipitation. The Que ASD based on PVP K30 was prepared by solvent evaporation method. The ability of polymer to inhibit Que crystallization was evaluated.

Traditional Chinese Medicine as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults involving multiple targets and factors. The effect of conservative nonimmunosuppressive or immunosuppressive therapies is unsatisfactory and with many side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate immune function and improve kidney function.

Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine combined with Western medicine on deferring dialysis initiation for nondialysis chronic kidney disease stage 5 patients: a multicenter prospective nonrandomized controlled study.

Background: In clinical practice, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) purportedly has beneficial therapeutic effects for chronic kidney disease (CKD), which include delaying disease progression and dialysis initiation. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based results to support this. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CHM combined with Western medicine in the treatment of stage 5 CKD.

Bupi Yishen Formula Versus Losartan for Non-Diabetic Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) might have benefits in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD), but there is a lack of high-quality evidence, especially in CKD4. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Bupi Yishen Formula (BYF) vs. losartan in patients with non-diabetic CKD4.

Efficacy and safety of Shenyankangfu Tablet, a Chinese patent medicine, for primary glomerulonephritis: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Objective: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium.

Design, Setting, Participants And Intervention: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Total Flavonoids of Bidens pilosa Ameliorates Bone Destruction in Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the infiltration of synovial inflammatory cells and progressive joint destruction. Total flavonoids of have been used against inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, but its role in bone destruction remains to be explored. The aim of this paper was to study whether total flavonoids of relieve the severity of collagen-induced arthritis in rats, particularly whether it regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-B/receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway.

Puerarin Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy by Promoting Autophagy in Podocytes.

Puerarin, an active compound of radix puerariae, is a major compound used in Chinese herbal medicines to treat patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). In the previous studies, we showed that puerarin exerts renoprotective effects in Streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice through activation of Sirt1 and anti-oxidative effects. Here, we further investigated the underlying mechanism mediating the renal protective effects of puerarin in DN.

The inhibiting role of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate on piperine crystallization to enhance its dissolution from its amorphous solid dispersion and permeability.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that inhibiting crystallization by HPMCAS played a key role in enhancing dissolution and absorption of piperine (Pip) from its amorphous solid dispersion (ASD). Nucleation induction time and supersaturation tests were used to evaluate the ability of the polymers to inhibit crystallization of Pip. The prepared solid dispersions were characterized by DSC and FTIR.

[Effect of HPMCAS/curcumin amorphous solid dispersion in enhancing dissolution and chemical stability of curcumin].

To enhance in vitro dissolution of Cur by preparing Cur solid dispersions. The ability of HPMCAS-HF,HPMCAS-MF,HPMCAS-LF and PVPK30 to maintain supersaturated solution was investigated by supersaturation test. Amorphous solid dispersions were prepared by the solvent-evaporation method.

Arctigenin attenuates diabetic kidney disease through the activation of PP2A in podocytes.

Arctigenin (ATG) is a major component of Fructus Arctii, a traditional herbal remedy that reduced proteinuria in diabetic patients. However, whether ATG specifically provides renoprotection in DKD is not known. Here we report that ATG administration is sufficient to attenuate proteinuria and podocyte injury in mouse models of diabetes.

The Efficacy and Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes and is one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in many countries. The pathological features of DKD are the hypertrophy of mesangial cells, apoptosis of podocytes, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening, accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), glomerular sclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The etiology of DKD is very complicated and many factors are involved, such as genetic factors, hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, abnormalities of renal hemodynamics, and metabolism of vasoactive substances.