Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona are intracellular parasites that infect a wide range of mammalian host species including domestic cats. The prevalence of antibodies to these parasites in cats was examined using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay. E. cuniculi targets the kidneys of rabbits but the prevalence of disease in cats is unknown. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of illness in cats. T. gondii is a widespread parasite of cats; however, it is not considered a major causative agent of CKD. The first hypothesis was that E. cuniculi and T. gondii are unrecognized causes of chronic kidney disease in domestic cats. Serum and plasma samples were examined for protozoal antibodies from 232 feline patients at the VMRCVM Teaching Hospital. Thirty-six of the 232 samples met the IRIS criteria for CKD. Antibodies to E. cuniculi were found in 15 samples, 4 of which came from cats with CKD. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 63 samples; 10 cats of the 63 had CKD. These were not significantly different from cats with no CKD and the null hypothesis was rejected. Domestic cats, armadillos, raccoons and skunks are intermediate hosts (IH) for S. neurona while opossums are the definitive host (DH). The seroprevalence of S. neurona was examined in domestic cats from Virginia and Pennsylvania. The second hypothesis was that domestic cats are important IH for S. neurona transmission. A low seroprevalence was found in 32 of the 441 cats and the null hypothesis was rejected. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24999号 / 医博第5033号 / 新制||医||1070(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 長船 健二, 教授 小林 恭, 教授 尾野 亘 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major global health burden. This increase in CKD burden parallels the increase in hypertension prevalence. In addition, increasing evidence suggest that genetics play a strong role in the susceptibility for renal disease. Inbred mouse strains C57BL/6 and 129S6SvEv differ in their susceptibility to kidney disease when subjected to hypertension using the DOCA/salt uninephrectomy model of hypertension. Similar to others, we found the 129S6SvEv mice to be susceptible to develop severe glomerulosclerosis, whereas the C57BL/6 mice are comparatively resistant. To identify new candidate genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular disease, we used microarray technology to compare the glomerular transcriptome of both strains and determine changes in glomerular gene expression when subjected to the DOCA/salt uninephrectomy model of systemic hypertension. This approach was accompanied with ultrastructural analysis and glomerular stiffness measurements to identify corresponding structural changes. Here, we have identified novel genes associated with strain differences and hypertension, and we used immunohistochemistry to validate their expression in podocytes and glomerular arterioles in murine and human kidneys. The increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying hypertension-associated podocyte injury and glomerular damage which will result from these studies, will ultimately lead to identification of novel pharmacologic targets or therapeutic strategies for patients with hypertension and renal disease. / 2017-11-02T00:00:00Z

Les microARNs sont reconnus comme des régulateurs essentiels de l'expression des protéines. Des anomalies dans leur fonction sont associées au développement de nombreuses pathologies.tiel des microARNs en tant que biomarqueurs ou cibles thérapeutiques dans une grande variété de pathologies. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous avons étudié :1) L'association des microARNs urinaires avec l'évolution de la maladie rénale chronique (MRC) chez l'adulte. La prévalence de la MRC est actuellement estimée à 5-10% de la population et est en constante augmentation. La détection précoce et l'identification de patients ayant une MRC progressant rapidement vers l'insuffisance rénale sont la clé pour une meilleure prise en charge de ces patients. Actuellement les outils non-invasifs comme l'albuminurie ou l'estimation du débit de filtration glomérulaire manquent de précision. Dans notre travail, nous avons tenté d'identifier les modifications urinaires des microRNAs afin d'identifier de nouveaux biomarqueurs non-invasifs associés à la progression de la MRC. Nous avons analysé les modifications des microARNs urinaires par séquençage à haut débit dans des échantillons d'urine de 70 patients atteints de MRC et corrélé leurs profils d'expression à la progression de la maladie. Cela a amené à l'identification de 25 microARNs urinaires (pvalue ajustée <0.05) potentiellement associés à la progression de la MRC. Parmi ceux-là, quatre microARNs (hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-410-3p, hsa-miR-301b-3p, and hsa-miR-145-5p) ont été sélectionnés pour être validés dans une cohorte indépendante de 52 patients atteints de MRC. L'augmentation de l'abondance urinaire de hsa-miR-145-5p a été confirmée comme étant associée à la progression de la MRC. Des analyses in vitro de l'effet de l'inhibition de hsa-miR-145-5p dans les cellules rénales ont mis en évidence que ce microARN semblait être impliqué dans le processus de nécrose. En conclusion, cette étude nous a permis d'identifier hsa-miR-145-5p comme Ainsi, de nombreuses études s'intéressent au potenmarqueur potentiel de la progression de la MRC. 2) La présence de microARNs urinaires associés à la néphropathie obstructive, une maladie fréquemment rencontrée chez les enfants qui peut conduire, dans les cas graves, à l'insuffisance rénale précoce. Dans cette étude, nous avons utilisé la biologie des systèmes et avons combiné des données microARN et ARNm de néphropathie obstructive humaine et animale pour obtenir des informations sur les mécanismes possibles impliqués dans cette maladie. En particulier, nous avons étudié simultanément le miRNome urinaire de nourrissons présentant une obstruction de la jonction pyélo-urétérale et le miRNome et le transcriptome tissulaire rénal chez la souris dans le modèle animal d'obstruction urétérale unilatéral (OUU) partiel et néonatal. Plusieurs centaines de microARNs et d'ARNms étant modifiés, la combinaison des microARNs des deux espèces avec les ARNms cibles associés a permis de sélectionner les 5 microARNs et 35 ARNms les plus fortement associés à la néphropathie obstructive. Une validation in vitro et in vivo a mis en avant que let-7a-5p et miR-29-3p ainsi que deux nouvelles cibles potentielles, l'E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (DTX4) et neuron navigator 1 (NAV1) étaient dérégulées au cours de cette pathologie. Cette étude est la première à corréler le modèle animal d'OUU partiel et néonatal avec l'obstruction pyélo-urétérale chez l'Homme dans une analyse intégrée de biologie des systèmes. Nos résultats ont révélé let-7a et miR-29b en tant que molécules potentiellement impliquées dans le développement de la fibrose dans la néphropathie obstructive via le contrôle de DTX4 chez l'homme et la souris, ce qui n'aurait pas été identifiable autrement. / MicroRNAs are now recognized as key players in the regulation of proteins and any abnormality in their function is a cause for pathway instability, leading to pathological conditions. Numerous reports from a variety of pathologies provide new data about microRNAs function, their targets and their potential as biomarkers and possible ways to control microRNAs' expression for potential therapeutic purpose. A number of reports also connect microRNAs with pathological conditions in the kidney and point to the use of microRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of kidney disease in blood, serum, tissue and urine samples. In this thesis, we researched:1) A possible role of the microRNAs in the progression of adult chronic kidney disease (CKD), a disease representing a global burden with the tendency to rise worldwide. Progression of CKD is still very hard to detect non-invasively with the currently used clinical tools (eGFR and albuminuria). In our work we studied alterations of the level of the microRNAs in human urine samples of patients with fast or slow progression of CKD, in order to identify new potential biomarkers for non-invasive progression of CKD. Using Next Generation Sequencing, we analyzed urinary microRNA modifications in urine samples of 70 patients with established CKD and correlated their expression profiles to disease progression. This lead to the identification of 25 urinary microRNAs significantly associated to CKD progression (adjusted pvalue<0.05). Among those, four microRNAs (hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-410-3p, hsa-miR-301b-3p, and hsa-miR-145-5p) were selected for validation in an independent cohort of 52 patients with CKD. Increased urinary abundance of hsa-miR-145-5p was confirmed to be associated to progression of CKD. In vitro exploration of the effects of hsa-miR-145-5p inhibition in human kidney cells showed that the microRNA seemed to be involved in necrotic processes. In conclusion we have identified hsa-miR-145-5p as potential urinary microRNA marker of CKD progression. 2) The identification of microRNAs associated to obstructive nephropathy, a frequently encountered disease in children that can lead, in severe cases, to end stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study we used a comprehensive system biology analysis in which we combined micro- and mRNA data from human and animal obstructive nephropathy to obtain information on possible mechanisms involved in this disease. In particular, we have studied in parallel the urinary miRNome of infants with ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and the kidney tissue miRNome and transcriptome of the corresponding neonatal partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model. Several hundreds of microRNAs and mRNAs displayed changed abundance during disease. Combination of microRNAs in both species and associated mRNAs let to the prioritization of 5 microRNAs and 35 mRNAs associated to disease. In vitro and in vivo validation identified consistent dysregulation of let-7a-5p and miR-29-3p and new potential targets, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (DTX4) and neuron navigator 1 (NAV1). Our study is the first to correlate a mouse model of neonatal partial UUO with human UPJ obstruction in a comprehensive systems biology analysis. Our data revealed let-7a and miR-29b as molecules potentially involved in the development of fibrosis in UPJ obstruction via the control of DTX4 in both man and mice that would not be identified otherwise.

Introdução: O trato gastrointestinal humano é composto por uma comunidade microbiana diversificada que atua no controle da saúde. Estudos recentes demonstraram que o equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal é afetado na doença renal crônica (DRC), ocasionando o quadro de disbiose intestinal. Estes estudos sugeriram uma associação da disbiose intestinal com complicações metabólicas como acúmulo de toxinas urêmicas, progressão da DRC, inflamação e risco cardiovascular. Diante disso, medidas com o objetivo de restaurar o equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal são sugeridas, tais como a ingestão oral de probióticos, mas poucos estudos têm abordado o efeito destes suplementos na progressão da DRC e no risco cardiovascular destes pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do consumo de probióticos em fatores associados com progressão da DRC e risco cardiovascular de pacientes com DRC. Material e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo clínico controlado por placebo registrado no Clinical Trials NCT03400228. O estudo incluiu 30 pacientes adultos com DRC nos estágios 3 a 5 não em diálise, com função renal estável e proteinúria igual ou superior a 500 mg. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre novembro de 2015 até dezembro de 2017. O protocolo do estudo constou de período de washout de 4 semanas e randomização dos pacientes para o grupo de intervenção (GI, suplemento com probiótico) ou para o grupo controle (GC, maltodextrina). Foi realizado avaliação basal e após 24 semanas de consumo de probiótico ou placebo. Todos os pacientes receberam a orientação de consumir 2 sachês por dia do probiótico ou do placebo (maltodextrina). Foram avaliadas variáveis demográficas, clínicas, nutricionais, hábito intestinal e exames laboratoriais com amostras sanguíneas e urinárias. Resultados: Dos 30 pacientes incluídos, 20 completaram as 24 semanas do estudo, sendo 10 no grupo intervenção e 10 no grupo placebo. Após o uso de probiótico houve aumento na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (p<0,001) e diminuição nos níveis séricos de creatinina (p<0,001), ureia (p=0,015), proteína C reativa (p=0,03), hormônio da paratireóide (p=0,03) e potássio (p=0,012), em comparação ao grupo placebo. Os efeitos positivos do probiótico na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada e na diminuição dos níveis séricos de creatinina e ureia permaneceram após análise de regressão multivariada. Não houveram diferenças significativas nos parâmetros urinários entre os grupos. Sintomas de constipação (p<0,001) e consistência fecal (p=0,016) apresentaram melhora no grupo intervenção versus placebo. Conclusão: A suplementação de probióticos melhorou os marcadores de função renal e reduziu inflamação, além de auxiliar na melhora dos sintomas de constipação intestinal em pacientes com DRC. / Introduction: The human gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a diversified microbial community that acts in control of health. Recent studies have shown that intestinal microbiota balance is affected in chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to intestinal dysbiosis. These studies have suggested association of intestinal dysbiosis with several metabolic disorders such as accumulation of uremic toxins, progression of CKD, inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Therefore, interventional measurement that improve intestinal microbiota balance are suggested such as supplementation of probiotics, however few studies evaluated the effect of these supplements on the progression of CKD and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on the factors associated with progression of CKD and cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. Desing and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty patients with CKD stages 3 to 5 not on dialysis, with stable renal function and protein-creatinine ratio > 0.50 were included. Data collection was between November 2015 and December 2017. Study protocol was 4-week washout period, patients randomized to intervention group (IG, probiotic supplement) or control group (CG, maltodextrin), and follow for 24 weeks. Renal function, C-reactive protein (CRP), bone and mineral metabolism, nutritional, and lipid profile markers and intestinal habit were measured at baseline and 24 weeks of study. Results: From 30 patients included in this study, 20 completed the 24 study weeks, 10 in the TG and 10 in PG. After probiotic supplementation, there was increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (p<0.001) and decrease in serum creatinine 8 (p<0.001), urea (p=0.015), C-reactive protein (p=0.030), parathyroid hormone (p=0.03), and potassium (p=0.012) levels compared to CG. The beneficials effects of probiotics on estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine, urea, and Creactive protein remained after multivariate linear regression. There were no significant differences in the urinary parameters between the two groups. Symptoms of constipation (p<0.001) and stool consistency (p=0.016) improved in IG compared to CG. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation improved markers of renal function and reduced inflammation. In addition, it improved the symptoms of intestinal constipation in patients with CKD.

Introdução: O trato gastrointestinal humano é composto por uma comunidade microbiana diversificada que atua no controle da saúde. Estudos recentes demonstraram que o equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal é afetado na doença renal crônica (DRC), ocasionando o quadro de disbiose intestinal. Estes estudos sugeriram uma associação da disbiose intestinal com complicações metabólicas como acúmulo de toxinas urêmicas, progressão da DRC, inflamação e risco cardiovascular. Diante disso, medidas com o objetivo de restaurar o equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal são sugeridas, tais como a ingestão oral de probióticos, mas poucos estudos têm abordado o efeito destes suplementos na progressão da DRC e no risco cardiovascular destes pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do consumo de probióticos em fatores associados com progressão da DRC e risco cardiovascular de pacientes com DRC. Material e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo clínico controlado por placebo registrado no Clinical Trials NCT03400228. O estudo incluiu 30 pacientes adultos com DRC nos estágios 3 a 5 não em diálise, com função renal estável e proteinúria igual ou superior a 500 mg. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre novembro de 2015 até dezembro de 2017. O protocolo do estudo constou de período de washout de 4 semanas e randomização dos pacientes para o grupo de intervenção (GI, suplemento com probiótico) ou para o grupo controle (GC, maltodextrina). Foi realizado avaliação basal e após 24 semanas de consumo de probiótico ou placebo. Todos os pacientes receberam a orientação de consumir 2 sachês por dia do probiótico ou do placebo (maltodextrina). Foram avaliadas variáveis demográficas, clínicas, nutricionais, hábito intestinal e exames laboratoriais com amostras sanguíneas e urinárias. Resultados: Dos 30 pacientes incluídos, 20 completaram as 24 semanas do estudo, sendo 10 no grupo intervenção e 10 no grupo placebo. Após o uso de probiótico houve aumento na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (p<0,001) e diminuição nos níveis séricos de creatinina (p<0,001), ureia (p=0,015), proteína C reativa (p=0,03), hormônio da paratireóide (p=0,03) e potássio (p=0,012), em comparação ao grupo placebo. Os efeitos positivos do probiótico na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada e na diminuição dos níveis séricos de creatinina e ureia permaneceram após análise de regressão multivariada. Não houveram diferenças significativas nos parâmetros urinários entre os grupos. Sintomas de constipação (p<0,001) e consistência fecal (p=0,016) apresentaram melhora no grupo intervenção versus placebo. Conclusão: A suplementação de probióticos melhorou os marcadores de função renal e reduziu inflamação, além de auxiliar na melhora dos sintomas de constipação intestinal em pacientes com DRC. / Introduction: The human gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a diversified microbial community that acts in control of health. Recent studies have shown that intestinal microbiota balance is affected in chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to intestinal dysbiosis. These studies have suggested association of intestinal dysbiosis with several metabolic disorders such as accumulation of uremic toxins, progression of CKD, inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Therefore, interventional measurement that improve intestinal microbiota balance are suggested such as supplementation of probiotics, however few studies evaluated the effect of these supplements on the progression of CKD and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on the factors associated with progression of CKD and cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. Desing and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty patients with CKD stages 3 to 5 not on dialysis, with stable renal function and protein-creatinine ratio > 0.50 were included. Data collection was between November 2015 and December 2017. Study protocol was 4-week washout period, patients randomized to intervention group (IG, probiotic supplement) or control group (CG, maltodextrin), and follow for 24 weeks. Renal function, C-reactive protein (CRP), bone and mineral metabolism, nutritional, and lipid profile markers and intestinal habit were measured at baseline and 24 weeks of study. Results: From 30 patients included in this study, 20 completed the 24 study weeks, 10 in the TG and 10 in PG. After probiotic supplementation, there was increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (p<0.001) and decrease in serum creatinine 8 (p<0.001), urea (p=0.015), C-reactive protein (p=0.030), parathyroid hormone (p=0.03), and potassium (p=0.012) levels compared to CG. The beneficials effects of probiotics on estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine, urea, and Creactive protein remained after multivariate linear regression. There were no significant differences in the urinary parameters between the two groups. Symptoms of constipation (p<0.001) and stool consistency (p=0.016) improved in IG compared to CG. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation improved markers of renal function and reduced inflammation. In addition, it improved the symptoms of intestinal constipation in patients with CKD.

The worldwide population of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is growing, with estimated prevalence at 12-15% of adults. Of particular concern are those with late stage CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)of less than 30 ml/min/1.73m2, as they are susceptible to the highest risk of adverse outcomes such as progression to end stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality (1, 2). As such, late stage CKD patients are often managed in specialized clinics with set clinical targets, standardized education and multi-disciplinary care(3). A key clinical target for therapeutic intervention and prevention of the progression of CKD is blood pressure (BP) reduction(4). Yet, multiple relevant questions remain regarding the strength and nature of association of BP with clinical outcomes in late stage CKD. As the risks of hypotension-related complications are high in late stage CKD, it remains unclear whether strict BP control delays CKD progression in a real world clinic population(5). Furthermore, it is unclear how to appropriately specify the nature of the longitudinal association between BP and clinical outcomes of ESKD and mortality. The overall objective of this thesis is to examine the longitudinal association of BP and adverse clinical outcomes in a cohort of 1203 patients (mean eGFR 17.8 ml/min/1.73m2; mean of 6.7 BP measures per patient) with late stage CKD. In our first paper we examined the association of repeat measures of BP with CKD progression, defined as a decline in eGFR. When modeling eGFR using longitudinal linear regression, we found that its over-time trajectory was non-linear and that this trajectory was modified by BP; thus, we found a significant time-dependant association between BP and eGFR. When modeling time to eGFR decline ≥ 30% using Cox proportional hazards regression with categorized BP specified as a time-dependent exposure, BP was significantly associated with risk of eGFR decline; in particular, extremes of low and high systolic blood pressure (SBP) and high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) significantly increased the risk of eGFR decline. In our second paper, we examined different methods of modelling longitudinal BP and its association with time to mortality and ESKD. We found that elevations in SBP and DBP, in particular, when expressed as current (most recent visit), lag (previous visit), and cumulative exposure were significantly associated with increased risk of ESKD while low SBP (current, lag and cumulative exposure) was significantly associated with increased risk of mortality. Baseline BP measures were not statistically significantly associated with any outcomes. In patients with more moderate ranges of SBP (121-140) or DBP (60-85) at baseline, a subsequent rise to >160 or > 85 respectively, was associated with an increased risk of ESKD. Thus, longitudinal BP measures in late-stage CKD are significantly associated with adverse outcomes and convey important information beyond baseline BP measures.

Introdução: O trato gastrointestinal humano é composto por uma comunidade microbiana diversificada que atua no controle da saúde. Estudos recentes demonstraram que o equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal é afetado na doença renal crônica (DRC), ocasionando o quadro de disbiose intestinal. Estes estudos sugeriram uma associação da disbiose intestinal com complicações metabólicas como acúmulo de toxinas urêmicas, progressão da DRC, inflamação e risco cardiovascular. Diante disso, medidas com o objetivo de restaurar o equilíbrio da microbiota intestinal são sugeridas, tais como a ingestão oral de probióticos, mas poucos estudos têm abordado o efeito destes suplementos na progressão da DRC e no risco cardiovascular destes pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do consumo de probióticos em fatores associados com progressão da DRC e risco cardiovascular de pacientes com DRC. Material e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo clínico controlado por placebo registrado no Clinical Trials NCT03400228. O estudo incluiu 30 pacientes adultos com DRC nos estágios 3 a 5 não em diálise, com função renal estável e proteinúria igual ou superior a 500 mg. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre novembro de 2015 até dezembro de 2017. O protocolo do estudo constou de período de washout de 4 semanas e randomização dos pacientes para o grupo de intervenção (GI, suplemento com probiótico) ou para o grupo controle (GC, maltodextrina). Foi realizado avaliação basal e após 24 semanas de consumo de probiótico ou placebo. Todos os pacientes receberam a orientação de consumir 2 sachês por dia do probiótico ou do placebo (maltodextrina). Foram avaliadas variáveis demográficas, clínicas, nutricionais, hábito intestinal e exames laboratoriais com amostras sanguíneas e urinárias. Resultados: Dos 30 pacientes incluídos, 20 completaram as 24 semanas do estudo, sendo 10 no grupo intervenção e 10 no grupo placebo. Após o uso de probiótico houve aumento na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (p<0,001) e diminuição nos níveis séricos de creatinina (p<0,001), ureia (p=0,015), proteína C reativa (p=0,03), hormônio da paratireóide (p=0,03) e potássio (p=0,012), em comparação ao grupo placebo. Os efeitos positivos do probiótico na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada e na diminuição dos níveis séricos de creatinina e ureia permaneceram após análise de regressão multivariada. Não houveram diferenças significativas nos parâmetros urinários entre os grupos. Sintomas de constipação (p<0,001) e consistência fecal (p=0,016) apresentaram melhora no grupo intervenção versus placebo. Conclusão: A suplementação de probióticos melhorou os marcadores de função renal e reduziu inflamação, além de auxiliar na melhora dos sintomas de constipação intestinal em pacientes com DRC. / Introduction: The human gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a diversified microbial community that acts in control of health. Recent studies have shown that intestinal microbiota balance is affected in chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to intestinal dysbiosis. These studies have suggested association of intestinal dysbiosis with several metabolic disorders such as accumulation of uremic toxins, progression of CKD, inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Therefore, interventional measurement that improve intestinal microbiota balance are suggested such as supplementation of probiotics, however few studies evaluated the effect of these supplements on the progression of CKD and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on the factors associated with progression of CKD and cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. Desing and Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty patients with CKD stages 3 to 5 not on dialysis, with stable renal function and protein-creatinine ratio > 0.50 were included. Data collection was between November 2015 and December 2017. Study protocol was 4-week washout period, patients randomized to intervention group (IG, probiotic supplement) or control group (CG, maltodextrin), and follow for 24 weeks. Renal function, C-reactive protein (CRP), bone and mineral metabolism, nutritional, and lipid profile markers and intestinal habit were measured at baseline and 24 weeks of study. Results: From 30 patients included in this study, 20 completed the 24 study weeks, 10 in the TG and 10 in PG. After probiotic supplementation, there was increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (p<0.001) and decrease in serum creatinine 8 (p<0.001), urea (p=0.015), C-reactive protein (p=0.030), parathyroid hormone (p=0.03), and potassium (p=0.012) levels compared to CG. The beneficials effects of probiotics on estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine, urea, and Creactive protein remained after multivariate linear regression. There were no significant differences in the urinary parameters between the two groups. Symptoms of constipation (p<0.001) and stool consistency (p=0.016) improved in IG compared to CG. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation improved markers of renal function and reduced inflammation. In addition, it improved the symptoms of intestinal constipation in patients with CKD.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2017. / Background Abnormalities of mineral bone disease have been consistently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The consequences of these changes have also been shown to differ across races. However, in Africa the impact of derangements of CKD -mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) on patients with CKD is largely unknown. In addition, studies from the USA have reported racial variations in markers of CKD and it remains unclear whether genetic factors may explain this discrepancy in the levels of biochemical markers of CKD-MBD across ethnic groups. Therefore, this study has been conducted to determine the existence of racial differences in the levels of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) and traditional markers of mineral bone metabolism in a heterogeneous African CKD population, and to provide important insights into the pattern and genetic variability of CKD-MBD in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods This was a cross sectional multicenter study carried out from April 2015 to May 2016, involving two hundred and ninety three CKD patients from three renal units in Johannesburg, South Africa. The retrospective arm of this study involved two hundred and thirteen patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) from two dialysis centers in Johannesburg between January 2009 and March 2016. The first part of this study described the pattern of CKD-MBD in MHD patients using traditional markers of CKD-MBD. The second part of the study looked into the spectrum of CKD-MBD and racial variations in markers of CKD-MBD in pre dialysis and dialysis patients. This was followed by the genetic aspect of the study that examined the influence of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms on biochemical markers of mineral bone disorders. Lastly, the study also evaluated the association between markers of CKD-MBD and mortality in MHD patients. Results The prevalence of hyperparathyroidism (iPTH>150 pg/mL), hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (<30 ng/mL) was 73.4%, 57.0%, 20.3% and 80.7 % respectively in our MHD patients. The combination of markers of bone turnover (iPTH>150 pg/mL and total alkaline phosphatase > 112 U/L) suggestive of high turnover bone disease, was present in 47.3 % of the study population. The odds ratios for developing secondary hyperparathyroidism with hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia were 5.32 (95% CI 1.10 - 25.9, P =0.03) and 3.06 (95 % CI 1.15 - 8.10, P =0.02) respectively. The 293 CKD patients (208 blacks, 85 whites) had an overall mean age of 51.1±13.6 years, and black patients were significantly younger than the white patients (48.4 ±.13.6 versus 57.1±15.5 years; p<0.001). In comparison to whites, blacks had higher median iPTH (498 [37-1084] versus 274[131-595] pg/ml; P=0.03), alkaline phosphatase (122[89-192] versus 103[74-144] U/L; P=0.03) and mean 25- hydroxyvitamin D (26.8±12.7 versus 22.7 ±12.2 ng/ml, P=0.01) levels, while their median FGF23 (100 [34-639] versus 233[80-1370] pg/ml; P=0.002) and mean serum phosphate (1.3±0.5 versus 1.5±0.5, P =0.001) levels were significantly lower. With the exception of vitamin D receptor (VDR) Taq I polymorphism, the distribution of the VDR polymorphisms differs significantly between blacks and whites. In hemodialysis patients, the BsmI Bb genotype was significantly associated with moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism (OR, 3.88; 95 CI 1.13-13.25, P=0.03) and severe hyperparathyroidism (OR, 2.54; 95 CI 1.08-5.96, P=0.03). Patients with high total alkaline phosphatase (TAP) had significantly higher risk of death compared to patients with TAP <112 U/L (hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% CI 1.24–5.01, P = 0.01). Similarly, serum calcium >2.75 mmol/L was associated with increased risk of death compared to patients within levels of 2.10–2.37 mmol/L (HR 6.34, 95% CI 1.40–28.76; P = 0.02). The HR for death in white patients compared to black patients was 6.88; 95% CI 1.82–25.88; P = 0.004. Conclusions Secondary hyperparathyroidism and 25–hydroxyvitamin D deficiency were common in our haemodialysis patients. The study also highlighted the existence of racial differences in the circulating markers of mineral bone disorders in our African CKD population. In addition, the study showed that both moderate and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism are predicted by the BsmI Bb genotype, and the over expression of this genotype in black patients may partly explain the ethnic variations in the severity of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the CKD population. High levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, hypercalcaemia, and white race are associated with increased risk of death in MHD patients. / LG2018

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end stage renal disease worldwide and occurs in up to 40% of patients with diabetes. The standard of care for DKD treatment has not kept up with the current health epidemic, which has led to a heavy economic toll and substantial health burden. Targeting either cell surface (cs)GRP78, activated α2-macroglobulin (α2M*) or preventing their interaction may provide a novel anti-fibrotic therapeutic target for the treatment of DKD and potentially non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well. Previously our lab has shown that HG-induced csGRP78 is a mediator of PI3k/Akt signaling and downstream extracellular matrix (ECM) protein production in glomerular mesangial cells (MC). However, the ligand responsible for activating high glucose (HG)-induced csGRP78 had not yet been determined. We have shown thus far that α2M is endogenously produced, secreted, and activated (denoted α2M*) in HG by MC, which leads to its binding to and activation thereof csGRP78. Further, α2M knockdown or α2M* neutralization attenuated Akt activation, the production of the profibrotic cytokine connective growth tissue factor (CTGF) and ECM proteins fibronectin and collagen IV. We have also shown that integrin β1 (Intβ1), a transmembrane receptor, associated with csGRP78 under HG conditions and likely acts as a tether to present csGRP78 completely extracellularly on MC. Interestingly, Intβ1 activation, even in the absence of HG, was sufficient to induce csGRP78 translocation. Further, inhibition of either csGRP78 or Intβ1 prevented synthesis, secretion and signaling of TGFβ1. This data implicates a role for Intβ1 as a required signaling partner for csGRP78-mediated profibrotic signaling. To further our understanding of csGRP78/ α2M*’s role in DKD, we investigated their ability to mediate TGFβ1 signaling through its non-proteolytic activator thrombospondin-1 (TSP1). Here, HG-induced TSP1 expression, ECM deposition, and activation of TGFβ1 was regulated by the PI3k/Akt pathway via csGRP78/α2M* in MC. Furthermore, we assessed whether this csGRP78/ α2M* axis is relevant to promoting profibrotic signaling in other renal cell types, including proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTEC) and renal fibroblasts (RF), that contribute to the pathogenesis of both later stage DKD and non-diabetic CKD. We show evidence here that HG and direct treatment with TGFβ1, a key pathologic regulator of kidney fibrosis, induce GRP78 surface translocation as well as the endogenous production and activation of α2M in both PTEC and RF. Inhibition of either csGRP78 or α2M* prevented TGFβ1 signaling measured as Smad3 activation as well as downstream ECM production. Interestingly, inhibition of this pathway under direct TGFβ1 treatment did not prevent Smad3 activation, implicating a role for Smad-independent TGFβ1 signaling through this axis. We identified the known noncanonical TGFβ1 signaling partners, yes associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ), are mediated by csGRP78 and α2M*. Lastly, we evaluated the potential therapeutic benefit of inhibiting csGRP78/α2M* interaction in the kidney fibrosis model, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Here, we show evidence that inhibition of this signaling axis using an inhibitory peptide can prevent renal fibrosis. Whether this peptide also prevents fibrosis in DKD is currently being assessed. Together, these studies strongly implicate targeting csGRP78/α2M* interaction as a novel anti-fibrotic therapeutic intervention for early and late stage DKD, as well as a potential role in non-diabetic CKD. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) / Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of kidney failure in developed nations. This progressive disease leads to the loss of kidney function due to an accumulation of scar proteins in the kidney over time. High glucose is a major factor that causes this to occur. Our lab studies specific kidney cells called mesangial cells, proximal tubule epithelial cells, and fibroblasts that produce scar proteins in the presence of high glucose. We have shown that when these cells are treated with high glucose, this causes the movement of a protein called GRP78 that normally resides inside the cell to move to the cell’s surface where it can interact with other proteins. My research has established that the proteins alpha 2-macroglobulin (ɑ2M), integrin β1 (Intβ1), and thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) can bind to GRP78 on the cell surface and cause cells to make scar proteins. Preventing ɑ2M or Intβ1 from binding to GRP78 or preventing TSP1 production prevents mesangial cells from making scar proteins when exposed to high glucose. In a mouse model that overproduces these scar proteins, we showed that preventing cell surface GRP78 and α2M interaction prevents scar protein production and is thus a novel potential treatment option for kidney disease.