Introdução: A maioria dos distúrbios metabólicos presentes na doença renal crônica (DRC) resulta, principalmente, do acúmulo de produtos do metabolismo do nitrogênio presentes nos alimentos ricos em proteínas. Dietas hiperprotéicas estão associadas à hiperperfusão, hipertensão e hiperfiltração glomerular e, conseqüentemente, à progressão da DRC. A dietoterapia tem um papel importante no tratamento da DRC, consistindo, principalmente, na redução da oferta diária de proteínas. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito da intervenção dietoterápica no estado nutricional, na progressão da doença renal e nos parâmetros inflamatórios, lipídicos, estado oxidativo e níveis séricos de potássio, de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em fase pré-dialítica. Pacientes e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo randomizado controlado cruzado em pacientes com DRC Estágio IV, em atendimento ambulatorial. O estudo constou de dois grupos de pacientes com DRC em fase pré-dialítica, que seguiram dois esquemas dietoterápicos diferentes, durante seis semanas: 21 pacientes iniciaram com prescrição de dieta normoprotéica (1 g/kg/dia) e 20 com prescrição de dieta hipoprotéica (0,6 g/kg/dia). Após esse período, os grupos inverteram as dietas. Foram avaliados parâmetros dietéticos, bioquímicos e antropométricos no momento basal e após seis e doze semanas. Os dados foram analisados segundo a intenção de tratamento na análise de crossover e por adesão à dieta hipoprotéica. Utilizaramse testes ANOVA para medidas repetidas e correlação de Spearman. O nível de significância adotado foi o de P < 0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 41 pacientes. Apenas um paciente (2,4%) foi considerado desnutrido e 28 (68%) apresentaram sobrepeso ou obesidade. Dezessete pacientes (41,5%) foram considerados inflamados, de acordo com o nível de PCR. Houve baixa adesão à dieta hipoprotéica.Não se observou prejuízo no estado nutricional dos pacientes durante o seguimento de prescrição de dieta hipoprotéica. Nos pacientes não inflamados observou-se melhora nos parâmetros de função renal, ao passo que, nos inflamados, estes parâmetros apresentaram deterioração. Observaram-se correlações negativas significativas entre os níveis séricos de HDL-colesterol e creatinina; HDL-colesterol e IMC; e correlações positivas significativas entre colesterol-total e uréia; LDL-colesterol e uréia; PNA/kg e HDL, triglicerídios e tirosina; triglicerídios e fibrinogênio; triglicerídios e creatinina; uréia e albumina. Conclusões: A adesão à dieta hipoprotéica foi muito pequena. A dieta hipoprotéica não interferiu no estado nutricional. A presença de inflamação influenciou, negativamente, a evolução da função renal. O perfil lipídico esteve relacionado ao estado nutricional, aos fatores de progressão da DRC e à inflamação; a lipoperoxidação esteve associada aos níveis séricos de albumina. / Background: Most metabolic disorders presented by patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) are mainly a result of accumulation of products of nitrogen metabolism, present in protein rich foods. High protein diets are associated with hyperperfusion, hypertension and hyperfiltration of the glomeruli and, as a consequence, may accelerate the progression of CRF. Nutritional therapy plays an important role in CRF treatment, consisting mainly in reduction of daily protein intake. Objective: To verify the effect of nutrition therapy intervention on nutritional status, on renal disease progression and on inflammatory and lipid parameters, oxidative status and potassium serum levels in patients with chronic renal insufficiency in the pre dialysis period. Patients and Methods: A crossover controlled prospective, randomized study in outpatients with stage IV CRD was carried out. The study consisted in the follow up of two groups of patients with CRD in the pre dialysis period. By randomization 21 patients were started on a 1g protein/kg/day diet prescription and 20 patients on low protein diet (0.6g/kg/day). After six weeks diets were reversed between the two groups and followed for another six week period. Dietetic, biochemical and anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Data were analyzed according to the intention to treat approach in the crossover analysis and by adherence to the low protein diet. ANOVA for repeated measures and Spearman´s correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. The significance level adopted was P < 0.05. Results: 41 patients were evaluated. Only one patient (2.4%) was considered undernourished and 28 patients (68%) presented either over weighted or obese. Seventeen patients (41.5%) were considered inflamed according to the level of C reactive protein (CRP). Low adherence to the low protein diet was observed. Damage on nutritional status was not observed on low protein diet. In non-inflamed patients an improvement on renal function parameters was observed, whereas in the inflamed ones these parameters presented deterioration. Significant negative correlations between HDL-cholesterol serum levels and creatinine, HDL-cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) were observed. Significant positive correlations were observed between total cholesterol and urea, LDL-cholesterol and urea, PNA/kg and HDL, triglycerides and tyrosine, triglycerides and fibrinogen, triglycerides and creatinine, urea and albumin. Conclusions: Patients adhered poorly to low protein diets. Low protein diet did not influence the nutritional status. Presence of inflammation influenced negatively the evolution of renal function. The lipid profile was related to the nutritional status, to the progression factors of CRF and to inflammation. Lipoperoxidation was associated to serum levels of albumin.

Introdução: A maioria dos distúrbios metabólicos presentes na doença renal crônica (DRC) resulta, principalmente, do acúmulo de produtos do metabolismo do nitrogênio presentes nos alimentos ricos em proteínas. Dietas hiperprotéicas estão associadas à hiperperfusão, hipertensão e hiperfiltração glomerular e, conseqüentemente, à progressão da DRC. A dietoterapia tem um papel importante no tratamento da DRC, consistindo, principalmente, na redução da oferta diária de proteínas. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito da intervenção dietoterápica no estado nutricional, na progressão da doença renal e nos parâmetros inflamatórios, lipídicos, estado oxidativo e níveis séricos de potássio, de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em fase pré-dialítica. Pacientes e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo randomizado controlado cruzado em pacientes com DRC Estágio IV, em atendimento ambulatorial. O estudo constou de dois grupos de pacientes com DRC em fase pré-dialítica, que seguiram dois esquemas dietoterápicos diferentes, durante seis semanas: 21 pacientes iniciaram com prescrição de dieta normoprotéica (1 g/kg/dia) e 20 com prescrição de dieta hipoprotéica (0,6 g/kg/dia). Após esse período, os grupos inverteram as dietas. Foram avaliados parâmetros dietéticos, bioquímicos e antropométricos no momento basal e após seis e doze semanas. Os dados foram analisados segundo a intenção de tratamento na análise de crossover e por adesão à dieta hipoprotéica. Utilizaramse testes ANOVA para medidas repetidas e correlação de Spearman. O nível de significância adotado foi o de P < 0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 41 pacientes. Apenas um paciente (2,4%) foi considerado desnutrido e 28 (68%) apresentaram sobrepeso ou obesidade. Dezessete pacientes (41,5%) foram considerados inflamados, de acordo com o nível de PCR. Houve baixa adesão à dieta hipoprotéica.Não se observou prejuízo no estado nutricional dos pacientes durante o seguimento de prescrição de dieta hipoprotéica. Nos pacientes não inflamados observou-se melhora nos parâmetros de função renal, ao passo que, nos inflamados, estes parâmetros apresentaram deterioração. Observaram-se correlações negativas significativas entre os níveis séricos de HDL-colesterol e creatinina; HDL-colesterol e IMC; e correlações positivas significativas entre colesterol-total e uréia; LDL-colesterol e uréia; PNA/kg e HDL, triglicerídios e tirosina; triglicerídios e fibrinogênio; triglicerídios e creatinina; uréia e albumina. Conclusões: A adesão à dieta hipoprotéica foi muito pequena. A dieta hipoprotéica não interferiu no estado nutricional. A presença de inflamação influenciou, negativamente, a evolução da função renal. O perfil lipídico esteve relacionado ao estado nutricional, aos fatores de progressão da DRC e à inflamação; a lipoperoxidação esteve associada aos níveis séricos de albumina. / Background: Most metabolic disorders presented by patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) are mainly a result of accumulation of products of nitrogen metabolism, present in protein rich foods. High protein diets are associated with hyperperfusion, hypertension and hyperfiltration of the glomeruli and, as a consequence, may accelerate the progression of CRF. Nutritional therapy plays an important role in CRF treatment, consisting mainly in reduction of daily protein intake. Objective: To verify the effect of nutrition therapy intervention on nutritional status, on renal disease progression and on inflammatory and lipid parameters, oxidative status and potassium serum levels in patients with chronic renal insufficiency in the pre dialysis period. Patients and Methods: A crossover controlled prospective, randomized study in outpatients with stage IV CRD was carried out. The study consisted in the follow up of two groups of patients with CRD in the pre dialysis period. By randomization 21 patients were started on a 1g protein/kg/day diet prescription and 20 patients on low protein diet (0.6g/kg/day). After six weeks diets were reversed between the two groups and followed for another six week period. Dietetic, biochemical and anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Data were analyzed according to the intention to treat approach in the crossover analysis and by adherence to the low protein diet. ANOVA for repeated measures and Spearman´s correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. The significance level adopted was P < 0.05. Results: 41 patients were evaluated. Only one patient (2.4%) was considered undernourished and 28 patients (68%) presented either over weighted or obese. Seventeen patients (41.5%) were considered inflamed according to the level of C reactive protein (CRP). Low adherence to the low protein diet was observed. Damage on nutritional status was not observed on low protein diet. In non-inflamed patients an improvement on renal function parameters was observed, whereas in the inflamed ones these parameters presented deterioration. Significant negative correlations between HDL-cholesterol serum levels and creatinine, HDL-cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) were observed. Significant positive correlations were observed between total cholesterol and urea, LDL-cholesterol and urea, PNA/kg and HDL, triglycerides and tyrosine, triglycerides and fibrinogen, triglycerides and creatinine, urea and albumin. Conclusions: Patients adhered poorly to low protein diets. Low protein diet did not influence the nutritional status. Presence of inflammation influenced negatively the evolution of renal function. The lipid profile was related to the nutritional status, to the progression factors of CRF and to inflammation. Lipoperoxidation was associated to serum levels of albumin.

Introdução: A maioria dos distúrbios metabólicos presentes na doença renal crônica (DRC) resulta, principalmente, do acúmulo de produtos do metabolismo do nitrogênio presentes nos alimentos ricos em proteínas. Dietas hiperprotéicas estão associadas à hiperperfusão, hipertensão e hiperfiltração glomerular e, conseqüentemente, à progressão da DRC. A dietoterapia tem um papel importante no tratamento da DRC, consistindo, principalmente, na redução da oferta diária de proteínas. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito da intervenção dietoterápica no estado nutricional, na progressão da doença renal e nos parâmetros inflamatórios, lipídicos, estado oxidativo e níveis séricos de potássio, de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em fase pré-dialítica. Pacientes e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo randomizado controlado cruzado em pacientes com DRC Estágio IV, em atendimento ambulatorial. O estudo constou de dois grupos de pacientes com DRC em fase pré-dialítica, que seguiram dois esquemas dietoterápicos diferentes, durante seis semanas: 21 pacientes iniciaram com prescrição de dieta normoprotéica (1 g/kg/dia) e 20 com prescrição de dieta hipoprotéica (0,6 g/kg/dia). Após esse período, os grupos inverteram as dietas. Foram avaliados parâmetros dietéticos, bioquímicos e antropométricos no momento basal e após seis e doze semanas. Os dados foram analisados segundo a intenção de tratamento na análise de crossover e por adesão à dieta hipoprotéica. Utilizaramse testes ANOVA para medidas repetidas e correlação de Spearman. O nível de significância adotado foi o de P < 0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 41 pacientes. Apenas um paciente (2,4%) foi considerado desnutrido e 28 (68%) apresentaram sobrepeso ou obesidade. Dezessete pacientes (41,5%) foram considerados inflamados, de acordo com o nível de PCR. Houve baixa adesão à dieta hipoprotéica.Não se observou prejuízo no estado nutricional dos pacientes durante o seguimento de prescrição de dieta hipoprotéica. Nos pacientes não inflamados observou-se melhora nos parâmetros de função renal, ao passo que, nos inflamados, estes parâmetros apresentaram deterioração. Observaram-se correlações negativas significativas entre os níveis séricos de HDL-colesterol e creatinina; HDL-colesterol e IMC; e correlações positivas significativas entre colesterol-total e uréia; LDL-colesterol e uréia; PNA/kg e HDL, triglicerídios e tirosina; triglicerídios e fibrinogênio; triglicerídios e creatinina; uréia e albumina. Conclusões: A adesão à dieta hipoprotéica foi muito pequena. A dieta hipoprotéica não interferiu no estado nutricional. A presença de inflamação influenciou, negativamente, a evolução da função renal. O perfil lipídico esteve relacionado ao estado nutricional, aos fatores de progressão da DRC e à inflamação; a lipoperoxidação esteve associada aos níveis séricos de albumina. / Background: Most metabolic disorders presented by patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) are mainly a result of accumulation of products of nitrogen metabolism, present in protein rich foods. High protein diets are associated with hyperperfusion, hypertension and hyperfiltration of the glomeruli and, as a consequence, may accelerate the progression of CRF. Nutritional therapy plays an important role in CRF treatment, consisting mainly in reduction of daily protein intake. Objective: To verify the effect of nutrition therapy intervention on nutritional status, on renal disease progression and on inflammatory and lipid parameters, oxidative status and potassium serum levels in patients with chronic renal insufficiency in the pre dialysis period. Patients and Methods: A crossover controlled prospective, randomized study in outpatients with stage IV CRD was carried out. The study consisted in the follow up of two groups of patients with CRD in the pre dialysis period. By randomization 21 patients were started on a 1g protein/kg/day diet prescription and 20 patients on low protein diet (0.6g/kg/day). After six weeks diets were reversed between the two groups and followed for another six week period. Dietetic, biochemical and anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Data were analyzed according to the intention to treat approach in the crossover analysis and by adherence to the low protein diet. ANOVA for repeated measures and Spearman´s correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. The significance level adopted was P < 0.05. Results: 41 patients were evaluated. Only one patient (2.4%) was considered undernourished and 28 patients (68%) presented either over weighted or obese. Seventeen patients (41.5%) were considered inflamed according to the level of C reactive protein (CRP). Low adherence to the low protein diet was observed. Damage on nutritional status was not observed on low protein diet. In non-inflamed patients an improvement on renal function parameters was observed, whereas in the inflamed ones these parameters presented deterioration. Significant negative correlations between HDL-cholesterol serum levels and creatinine, HDL-cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) were observed. Significant positive correlations were observed between total cholesterol and urea, LDL-cholesterol and urea, PNA/kg and HDL, triglycerides and tyrosine, triglycerides and fibrinogen, triglycerides and creatinine, urea and albumin. Conclusions: Patients adhered poorly to low protein diets. Low protein diet did not influence the nutritional status. Presence of inflammation influenced negatively the evolution of renal function. The lipid profile was related to the nutritional status, to the progression factors of CRF and to inflammation. Lipoperoxidation was associated to serum levels of albumin.

Introdução: A doença renal crônica afeta de 10 a 15 % da população adulta mundial e a piora da função renal, se associa com várias complicações, tais como: desnutrição, inflamação, doenças cardiovasculares e distúrbios do metabolismo mineral. A mortalidade desses pacientes é elevada sendo de 6 a 8 vezes maior que a de indivíduos saudáveis. Cerca de 22% dos pacientes incidentes, ou seja, no primeiro ano de diálise, vão a óbito. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as características clínicas, laboratoriais de pacientes incidentes em diálise além de identificar fatores de risco que contribuíssem para a mortalidade desses pacientes. Métodos: Estudamos 424 pacientes com sinais e sintomas de uremia e indicação de tratamento dialítico admitidos no serviço de emergência do Hospital das Clínicas entre Janeiro de 2006 e Dezembro de 2012. O tempo de acompanhamento foi de um ano. Analisamos os parâmetros clínicos, tipo de via de acesso para hemodiálise, fatores de risco ligados a doenças cardiovasculares e as alterações do metabolismo mineral bem como eventos clínicos ocorridos durante o seguimento. Avaliamos a sobrevida e os fatores que influenciaram a sobrevida dos pacientes, pela curva de Kaplan-Meier e análise de regressão de Cox, respectivamente. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 50±18 anos, 58,7% eram homens e 69,1% brancos. Hipertensão arterial foi a principal etiologia da doença renal primária (31,8%) seguida de DM (29,5%). Os principais fatores de risco encontrados foram tabagismo (19,6%), dislipidemia (48,8%), doenças cardiovasculares (41%) e na admissão a maioria dos pacientes não tinha acesso vascular para hemodiálise (89,4%). Os resultados dos exames laboratoriais revelaram que a maioria dos pacientes estava anêmico (83,7%), com níveis de PCR elevados (79,9%). Os distúrbios do metabolismo mineral como hipocalcemia, hiperfosfatemia, elevação dos níveis de paratormônio e diminuição dos níveis de 25(OH) vitamina D estavam presentes em praticamente todos os pacientes. Ao término de um ano, 60 pacientes faleceram (14,1%). Esses pacientes eram significativamente mais idosos, apresentavam sinais de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, de desnutrição, de inflamação, níveis reduzidos de 25 (OH) vitamina D, desenvolveram maior número de infecções e não tinham acesso vascular definitivo para hemodiálise. Conclusões: A avaliação conjunta de parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e dos fatores de risco revelou que a idade mais avançada, presença de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, desnutrição, inflamação, deficiência de vitamina D e a falta de via de acesso para hemodiálise foram fatores preditores de mortalidade em pacientes incidentes em hemodiálise / Introduction: Chronic kidney disease affects 10-15% of the world adult population, and the worsening of renal function is associated with several complications, such as malnutrition, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and disorders of mineral metabolism. Mortality of those patients is high and 6 to 8 times higher than that of healthy individuals. About 22% of incident patients, that is, during the first year of dialysis, will die. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of incident dialysis patients and identify risk factors that contribute to the mortality of these patients. Methods: We studied 424 patients with signs and symptoms of uremia and dialysis indication admitted to the emergency service at Hospital das Clínicas between January 2006 and December 2012. Follow-up time was one year. We analyzed the clinical parameters, type of hemodialysis access road, risk factors linked to cardiovascular diseases and changes in mineral metabolism as well as clinical events occurred during follow-up. We evaluated survival and the factors that influenced patient survival by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis respectively. Results: Mean age was 50 ± 18 years old; 58.7% were males and 69.1% were white. Hypertension was the main cause of primary kidney disease (31.8%) followed by DM (29.5%). Major risk factors found were smoking (19.6%), dyslipidemia (48.8%), cardiovascular disease (41%), and upon admission most patients had no vascular access for hemodialysis (89.4%). Results of laboratory tests showed that most patients were anemic (83.7%), with high CRP levels (79.9%). Disturbances of mineral metabolism such as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevated parathyroid hormone levels and decreased levels of 25(OH) vitamin D were present in almost all patients. At the end of a year, 60 patients died (14.1%). These patients were significantly older, had signs of congestive heart failure, malnutrition, inflammation, low levels of 25(OH) vitamin D, developed greater number of infections and had no definitive vascular access for hemodialysis. Conclusions: The joint evaluation of clinical and laboratory parameters and risk factors revealed that older age, presence of congestive heart failure, malnutrition, inflammation, vitamin D deficiency and lack of hemodialysis access road were predictors of mortality in incident patients undergoing hemodialysis

O fósforo é um dos minerais mais abundantes no corpo além de ser essencial para muitos processos biológicos. A homeostase do fósforo depende da absorção no intestino, da excreção renal, da remodelação óssea e de hormônios como o paratormônio, calcitriol e FGF-23. Nos pacientes com doença renal crônica, a excreção urinária de fósforo está comprometida levando à hiperfosfatemia, que contribui para o aumento da morbidade e mortalidade desses pacientes. A absorção intestinal de fósforo no intestino delgado, particularmente via cotransportadores NaP-IIb e PiT-1, é pouco estudada. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de dietas com diferentes concentrações de fósforo na expressão proteica e gênica dos cotransportadores NaP-IIb e PiT-1, bem como na apoptose dos enterócitos dos diferentes segmentos do intestino delgado de animais controles e urêmicos. Estudamos setenta e seis ratos Wistar machos, inicialmente divididos em dois grupos: controles (C) e urêmicos (Nx). Cada grupo foi subdividido em outros três, de acordo com a concentração de fósforo (P) na dieta: dieta Baixa (0,2%), dieta Padrão (0,54%) e dieta Alta (0,9%). Analisamos parâmetros bioquímicos (creatinina, P, Cai, PTH e FGF-23), a expressão proteica dos cotransportadores, através de Western Blotting, ELISA e imunofluorescência, a expressão gênica por PCR em tempo real e a apoptose dos enterócitos pela técnica TUNEL. Os resultados mostraram que os níveis séricos de creatinina, P, PTH e FGF-23 foram significativamente mais elevados nos animais Nx. Nos animais C com dieta baixa em P observamos aumento da expressão proteica do cotransportador NaP-IIb em todos os segmentos do intestino enquanto, no Nx Baixo, a expressão desse cotransportador foi menor somente no jejuno. Quanto ao PiT-1, sua expressão foi menor no íleo do grupo Nx Alto comparado ao seu respectivo controle. A expressão gênica do cotransportador NaP-IIb foi menor no jejuno do Nx Alto e maior no íleo desse mesmo grupo em relação aos seus respectivos controles. A expressão gênica do PiT-1 foi maior em todos os segmentos do grupo Nx Baixo em relação aos seus controles. Detectamos uma correlação direta entre a expressão gênica do NaP-IIb no jejuno com o fósforo sérico. A expressão gênica do PiT-1 no jejuno correlacionou-se com o fósforo sérico e no duodeno e jejuno, com os níveis séricos de FGF-23. No duodeno e no jejuno, a porcentagem de enterócitos apoptóticos foi maior nos animais Nx Alto comparados aos controles, particularmente no duodeno a porcentagem dessas células também foi maior no grupo Nx Baixo e controle padrão. Já no jejuno, tanto o grupo Nx baixo quanto no Nx Padrão observamos menos células apoptóticas que nos seus respectivos controles. Quando analisamos conjuntamente todos os segmentos intestinais o grupo Nx alto apresentou mais células apoptóticas que o controle e o oposto foi observado nos grupos Nx Baixo e Nx Padrão. Em conclusão, dietas com distintas concentrações de fósforo promovem modificações na expressão proteica e gênica dos cotransportadores NaP-IIb e PiT-1 no intestino delgado que não seguem um padrão uniforme. A sobrecarga de fósforo aumenta a porcentagem de enterócitos apoptóticos nos animais urêmicos / Phosphorus is one of the most abundant minerals in the body besides being essential for many biological processes. Phosphorus homeostasis depends on absorption in the small intestine, renal excretion, bone remodeling and hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitriol and FGF-23. In patients with chronic kidney disease phosphorus urinary excretion is compromised leading to hyperphosphatemia, which contributes to increased morbidity and mortality of these patients. Intestinal absorption of phosphorus in the small intestine, particularly of NaP-IIb and PiT-1 cotransporters is poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets with different concentrations of phosphorus in protein expression and gene of NaP-IIb and PiT-1 cotransporters as well as in apoptosis of enterocytes of different segments of intestine in control and uremic animals. We studied seventy-six male Wistar rats initially divided into two groups: controls (C) and uremic (Nx). Each group was subdivided into three others, according to the phosphorus concentration in the diet: Low diet (0.2% P), Standard diet (0.54% P) and High diet (0.9% P). We analyzed biochemical parameters (creatinine, P, iCa, PTH and FGF-23), protein expression of cotransporters, using Western Blot, ELISA, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and apoptosis of enterocytes using the TUNEL technique. Results showed that serum creatinine, P, PTH and FGF-23 were significantly higher in Nx animals. In C animals with a diet low in P we observed increase in protein expression of NaP-IIb cotransporter in all segments of the intestine while in low Nx expression of this cotransporter was lower only in jejunum. As for PiT-1 expression was lower in the ileum of the high Nx group compared to their respective control. Gene expression of NaP-IIb cotransporter was lower in the jejunum of high Nx and higher in the ileum of the same group as compared to their respective controls. PiT-1 gene expression was higher in all segments of the low Nx group compared to their controls. We detected a direct correlation between the gene expression of NaP-IIb in jejunum and serum phosphorus. Gene expression of PiT-1 correlated with serum phosphorus in the jejunum, and correlated with the serum levels of FGF-23 in the jejunum and duodenum. In the duodenum and jejunum the percentage of apoptotic enterocytes was higher in high Nx animals compared to controls; particularly in the duodenum the percentage of these cells was also higher in low Nx group and standard control. In the jejunum in both low Nx group and standard Nx we observed fewer apoptotic cells than in their respective controls. When we analyze all intestinal segments together the high Nx group had more apoptotic cells than the control, and the opposite was observed in the low Nx group and standard Nx group. In conclusion, diets with different phosphorus concentrations promote changes in protein expression and gene of NaP-IIb and PiT-1 cotransporters in the small intestine that do not follow a uniform pattern. Phosphorus overhead increases the percentage of apoptotic enterocytes in uremic animals

Abstract Carbamylation of proteins in vivo occurs by cyanate, non-enzymatically when urea is dissociated, and by myeloperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation from thiocyanate. Carbamylation of low-density lipoprotein is suggested to enhance atherogenesis in patients with with chronic kidney disease and uremia. This thesis study assessed the questions of whether healthy humans or uremic patients under enhanced carbamylation have antibodies recognizing carbamyl-epitopes in plasma, and what is their role in vivo. Also, humoral immune response to carbamyl-LDL immunization and its impact on atherogenesis in LDLR-/- mice was investigated. In this thesis study, plasma antibodies to carbamylated proteins were detected in humans, and IgG antibodies to carbamylated proteins were associated with uremia and smoking, conditions with enhanced carbamylation. The human IgG and IgM antibodies binding to carbamyl-epitopes were associated with oxidation-specific epitopes in plasma. Monoclonal Fab antibodies with characteristics of a natural antibody and ability to bind both carbamyl- and malondialdehyde-derived epitopes were cloned from healthy humans. An investigated Fab antibody was able to bind epitopes found in atherosclerotic lesions and inhibit the uptake of modified LDL by macrophages. Human plasma antibodies and the monoclonal Fab bound to epitopes found on apoptotic cells. Human B-cells secreted antibodies with similar cross-reactive binding properties between carbamyl- and malondialdehyde adducts and apoptotic cells in vitro. Immunization with mouse carbamyl-LDL without adjuvant resulted in specific IgG immune response in LDLR-/- mice, but also a cross-reaction with malondialdehyde-adducts was observed. Carbamyl-LDL immunized mice had enhanced plasma antibody binding to apoptotic cells. Carbamyl-LDL immunization did not affect atherogenesis in mice. This thesis demonstrates that IgG antibodies to carbamyl-epitope might serve as a novel indicator of carbamylation in vivo in uremic patients or smokers. The cross-reactivity between antibodies binding to carbamylated and oxidation-specific epitopes, and apoptotic cells may have a role in explaining the link between enhanced atherogenesis and kidney disease. / Tiivistelmä Proteiinien karbamylaatiota tapahtuu syanaatin vaikutuksesta. Sitä muodostuu urean hajotessa tai myeloperoksidaasin katalysoimana tiosyanaatin hapettuessa. Low-density lipoproteiinin eli LDL:n karbamylaation on esitetty edistävän valtimonkovettumataudin eli ateroskleroosin kehittymistä munuaisten vajaatoimintaa sairastavilla ureemisilla potilailla. Väitöskirjatyössä tutkittiin, onko terveillä ihmisillä ja ureemisilla potilailla karbamyyli-epitooppeja tunnistavia vasta-aineita, ja mikä niiden merkitys on elimistössä. Humoraalista immuunivastetta karbamyyli-LDL-immunisaation jälkeen sekä sen vaikutusta ateroskleroosin kehittymiseen tutkittiin LDL-reseptoripuutteellisilla hiirillä. Tutkimuksessa osoitettiin, että ihmisillä on plasmassa karbamyloituja proteiineja tunnistavia vasta-aineita. IgG-luokan vasta-aineet ovat yhteydessä uremiaan ja tupakointiin, joissa karbamylaatio on lisääntynyt. Karbamyyli- ja hapettuneita epitooppeja tunnistavien plasman IgG- ja IgM-vasta-aineiden välillä havaittiin olevan yhteys. Työssä kloonattiin terveistä ihmisistä monoklonaalisia Fab-vasta-aineita, joilla on luonnollisten vasta-aineiden kaltaisia ominaisuuksia ja kyky sitoutua sekä karbamyyli- että malonidialdehydi-epitooppeihin. Yksi tutkittu Fab-vasta-aine sitoutui valtimonkovettumataudin ateroomissa oleviin epitooppeihin ja esti muuntuneen LDL:n sisäänoton makrofagi-soluihin. Ihmisen plasman vasta-aineet ja monoklonaalinen Fab-vasta-aine sitoutuivat apoptoottisten solujen pinnalla oleviin rakenteisiin. Soluviljelyolosuhteissa ihmisen B-solut tuottivat vasta-aineita, joilla oli samanlaisia ristireaktio-ominaisuuksia karbamyyli- ja malonidialdehydi-epitooppeja sekä apoptoottisia soluja kohtaan. Karbamyyli-LDL-immunisaatio sai aikaan IgG-immuunivasteen hiirillä karbamyyli-LDL:a kohtaan, mutta myös ristireaktio malonidialdehydi-rakenteita sekä apoptoottisia soluja kohtaan havaittiin. Karbamyyli-LDL-immunisaatio ei vaikuttanut ateroskleroosin kehittymiseen hiirillä. Tutkimus osoittaa, että IgG-vasta-aineet karbamyyli-epitooppeja kohtaan voivat olla uudenlainen karbamylaation merkkiaine elimistössä ureemisilla potilailla ja tupakoitsijoilla. Karbamyloituneiden ja hapettuneiden epitooppien sekä apoptoottisten solujen välillä havaituilla vasta-aineiden ristireaktioilla voi olla merkitystä valtimonkovettumataudin etenemiseen munuaisten vajaatoiminnassa.

Local invasion and lymph nodal spread impact in the outcome of Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients (pts). We determined CXCR1-5, CCR7 and CX3CR1 mRNA expression by means of RNAse protection assay in 98 HNSCC primary tumors and 91 adjacent mucosa and 26 metastatic lymph nodes, correlating this data with outcome. CXCL12 and CCL19/CCL21, ligands for CXCR4 and CCR7, were determined in 38 tumor fragments, 33 adjacent mucosas and 25 de metastatic lymph nodes, by means of Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Tumors presented higher CXCR1 (P=0.013), CXCR3 (P=0.008) and CXCR4 mRNA (P=0.025) expression as compared to mucosa. No correlations are observed neither lymph nodal status nor tumor size impacted on chemokine receptor expression. Metastatic lymph nodes expressed more CXCR4, CXCR5, CCR7 and CX3CR1 (P<0.0001) as compared to matched tumors. We found a longer overall survival (OS) (P=0.048) and a trend toward longer disease free survival (DFS) (P=0.074) in CX3CR1 negative (n=17) as compared to positive pts (n=21) only in oral subgroup. The same occurred for CCR7 negative oral SCC, in terms of OS (P=0.024) and DFS (P=0.049). We conclude that, of the chemokine receptors here studied, CCR7 and CX3CR1 mRNA expression seems to better reflect outcome in oral subsite only. In addition, CCL21, a CCR7 ligand mRNAs is more expressed in metastatic lymph nodes than tumors (P=0.059). Further studies are warranted to confirm these results. / Bone tissue alterations and vascular calcification (VC) are commonly found in patients with chronic renal failure (CKD). The importance of phosphorus (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) is not clear, yet. An in vitro study showed that inorganic phosphate was able to transform vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) into calcifying cells confirmed for up-expression of Runx2 in these cells. Besides, it has been demonstrated the in vivo expression of Runx2 in intimal and medial VSMC in calcified arteries of CKD patients. We evaluated the effect of phosphorus (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone remodeling and on the expression of bone proteins (Runx2, Osteoprotegerin, type I Collagen, Osteocalcin, Osteopontin and NF?B) in aortic valve and heart in experimental uremia. Wistar rats were submitted to parathyroidectomy, nephrectomy (Nx) and continuous infusion of 1-34 rat PTH in physiologic or 5 times the normal values. The diet was identical, however the P content was low (LP: 0,2%) or high (HP: 1,2%). We performed biochemical, histomorphometric, imuno-histochemistry and RT-PCR analysis. Rats submitted to Nx developed renal failure. The P overload contributed to loss bone volume independent of uremia. Besides Nx animals that received high PTH doses bone loss was slight probably because of the anabolic effect of PTH, which was attenuated by the phosphorus overload toxic. VC was only observed in Nx animals that received high PTH doses independently of P overload. However, the P overload with physiologic PTH doses induced phenotypic changes in VSMC that was confirmed for the up-expression of Runx2 on aorta of these animals. The high concentrations of P and PTH promoted histological changes on expression of osteoprotegerin and type I Collagen in calcified arteries and heart. This study does not established ideal levels of PTH sufficient for the maintenance of the bone integrity and also to prevent VC when animal are submitted to different P overload.

"February 2003." Addendum and corrigenda inserted at back Includes bibliographical references (leaves 249-272) Aims to identify and characterise potential virulence-associated factors from the locus of enterocyte effacement-negative shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O113:H21 strain 98NK2 which was responsible for an outbreak of haemolytic uremic syndrome. Particular attention was focused on putative virulence genes encoded on the megaplasmid of this strain.

"February 2003." / Addendum and corrigenda inserted at back / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 249-272) / xi, 272 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Aims to identify and characterise potential virulence-associated factors from the locus of enterocyte effacement-negative shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O113:H21 strain 98NK2 which was responsible for an outbreak of haemolytic uremic syndrome. Particular attention was focused on putative virulence genes encoded on the megaplasmid of this strain. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2003

Local invasion and lymph nodal spread impact in the outcome of Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients (pts). We determined CXCR1-5, CCR7 and CX3CR1 mRNA expression by means of RNAse protection assay in 98 HNSCC primary tumors and 91 adjacent mucosa and 26 metastatic lymph nodes, correlating this data with outcome. CXCL12 and CCL19/CCL21, ligands for CXCR4 and CCR7, were determined in 38 tumor fragments, 33 adjacent mucosas and 25 de metastatic lymph nodes, by means of Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Tumors presented higher CXCR1 (P=0.013), CXCR3 (P=0.008) and CXCR4 mRNA (P=0.025) expression as compared to mucosa. No correlations are observed neither lymph nodal status nor tumor size impacted on chemokine receptor expression. Metastatic lymph nodes expressed more CXCR4, CXCR5, CCR7 and CX3CR1 (P<0.0001) as compared to matched tumors. We found a longer overall survival (OS) (P=0.048) and a trend toward longer disease free survival (DFS) (P=0.074) in CX3CR1 negative (n=17) as compared to positive pts (n=21) only in oral subgroup. The same occurred for CCR7 negative oral SCC, in terms of OS (P=0.024) and DFS (P=0.049). We conclude that, of the chemokine receptors here studied, CCR7 and CX3CR1 mRNA expression seems to better reflect outcome in oral subsite only. In addition, CCL21, a CCR7 ligand mRNAs is more expressed in metastatic lymph nodes than tumors (P=0.059). Further studies are warranted to confirm these results. / Bone tissue alterations and vascular calcification (VC) are commonly found in patients with chronic renal failure (CKD). The importance of phosphorus (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) is not clear, yet. An in vitro study showed that inorganic phosphate was able to transform vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) into calcifying cells confirmed for up-expression of Runx2 in these cells. Besides, it has been demonstrated the in vivo expression of Runx2 in intimal and medial VSMC in calcified arteries of CKD patients. We evaluated the effect of phosphorus (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone remodeling and on the expression of bone proteins (Runx2, Osteoprotegerin, type I Collagen, Osteocalcin, Osteopontin and NF?B) in aortic valve and heart in experimental uremia. Wistar rats were submitted to parathyroidectomy, nephrectomy (Nx) and continuous infusion of 1-34 rat PTH in physiologic or 5 times the normal values. The diet was identical, however the P content was low (LP: 0,2%) or high (HP: 1,2%). We performed biochemical, histomorphometric, imuno-histochemistry and RT-PCR analysis. Rats submitted to Nx developed renal failure. The P overload contributed to loss bone volume independent of uremia. Besides Nx animals that received high PTH doses bone loss was slight probably because of the anabolic effect of PTH, which was attenuated by the phosphorus overload toxic. VC was only observed in Nx animals that received high PTH doses independently of P overload. However, the P overload with physiologic PTH doses induced phenotypic changes in VSMC that was confirmed for the up-expression of Runx2 on aorta of these animals. The high concentrations of P and PTH promoted histological changes on expression of osteoprotegerin and type I Collagen in calcified arteries and heart. This study does not established ideal levels of PTH sufficient for the maintenance of the bone integrity and also to prevent VC when animal are submitted to different P overload.