The renin-angiotensin system plays a pivotal role in regulating blood pressure and is involved in the pathogenesis of kidney disorders and other diseases. Here, we report that the growth factor midkine is what we believe to be a novel regulator of the renin-angiotensin system. The hypertension induced in mice by 5/6 nephrectomy was accompanied by renal damage and elevated plasma angiotensin II levels and was ameliorated by an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor blocker. Notably, ACE activity in the lung, midkine expression in the lung, and midkine levels in the plasma were all increased after 5/6 nephrectomy. Exposure to midkine protein enhanced ACE expression in primary cultured human lung microvascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, hypertension was not induced and renal damage was less severe in midkine-deficient mice. Supplemental administration of midkine protein to midkine-deficient mice restored ACE expression in the lung and hypertension after 5/6 nephrectomy. Oxidative stress might be involved in midkine expression, since expression of NADH/NADPH oxidase-1, -2, and -4 was induced in the lung after 5/6 nephrectomy. Indeed, the antioxidative reagent tempol reduced midkine expression and plasma angiotensin II levels and consequently ameliorated hypertension. These results suggest that midkine regulates the renin-angiotensin system and mediates the kidney-lung interaction after 5/6 nephrectomy.

E-selectin and its ligands are essential for extravasation of leukocytes in inflammation. Here, we report that basigin (Bsg)/CD147 is a ligand for E-selectin that promotes renal inflammation in ischemia/ reperfusion. The selectins and their ligands are essential for leukocyte tethering/rolling on endothelial cells and the initiation of inflammatory response. The selectins are C-type lectins and consist of three members, i.e., P-, L-, and E-selectin. 1,2 P-selectin is expressed upon inflammatory stimulation in platelets and endothelial cells. L-selectin is constitutively expressed on the tip of leukocyte microvilli and implicated in lymphocyte homing to lymph nodes. 3 E-selectin is specifically induced in the endothelium upon inflammatory stimulation. Thus, E-and P-selectin closely collaborate with one another and play a major role in leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory sites. 4 -6 Among the several glycoproteins reported to bind to E-selectin, three have been identified as representative physiologic E-selectin ligands on neutrophils. There are P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), E-selectin ligand-1, and CD44, and all three play distinct roles during tethering and slow rolling of neutrophils on the endothelium. 7 A minimal recognition motif for all selectins is sialylated and fucosylated glycan determinants, such as sialyl Lewis X, that decorate the terminal extensions of carbohydrates of these molecules. 8,9 However, because of the poor immunogenicity of highly gly-

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis also experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. To prevent progression of cardiovascular complications in DM patients, glycemic control is important. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of the glucagon-like peptide analog liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Sixteen type 2 diabetes patients on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled. Before liraglutide initiation, 11 patients were on insulin therapy, three were on oral antidiabetic agents, and two were on diet therapy. Of the 16 patients, 12 had switched to liraglutide because of severe hypoglycemia and four because of hyperglycemia. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 months after liraglutide initiation. Hemoglobin A1c, glycosylated albumin, and fasting/postprandial glucose levels gradually decreased after liraglutide initiation. After 6 and 12 months of treatment, postprandial glucose levels showed a significant difference from baseline. Moreover, the mean daily glucose level and glycemic fluctuations decreased. Systolic blood pressure upon waking also decreased. In addition, after 12 months, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased. Changes in LVMI positively correlated with morning systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. One patient restarted insulin because of anorexia but severe hypoglycemia was not observed. These findings suggest that liraglutide therapy in type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis is safe and effective for decreasing glucose levels, glycemic fluctuations, and blood pressure, apart from improving left ventricular function.

Cot/Tpl2 did not function as a member of MAPK family, but as a promoter of apoptosis in IRI. These results suggest that Cot/Tpl2 could be a possible therapeutic target in IRI.

♦ Background: For patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) serves as a possible renal replacement therapy. However, most PD patients, particularly those with ESRD and diabetes mellitus, reportedly discontinue PD early, resulting in shorter survival periods and poorer prognosis because of overhydration. Recently, the vasopressin-2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan was approved for volume control in patients with heart failure. The present study aimed to identify the effects of tolvaptan in diabetic PD patients. ♦ Methods: In this pilot study, the tolvaptan group (n = 12) were treated with 15 mg/day of tolvaptan 2 weeks after PD initiation and were prospectively analyzed for 1 year, and patients in the control group (n = 12) did not receive tolvaptan and were retrospectively analyzed for 1 year. In addition to the biochemical tests, echocardiograms, serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, peritoneal Kt/V, and creatinine clearance (CCr) were examined at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after PD initiation. ♦ Results: In the control group, the urine volume, renal Kt/V, and renal CCr levels consistently decreased; however, these parameters were stably maintained during the study period in the tolvaptan group. Atrial natriuretic peptide, CRP levels and the left ventricular mass index of the tolvaptantreated group were significantly lower than those in the control group, whereas total protein and albumin levels were significantly higher at 6 and 12 months in the tolvaptan group. There were no obvious adverse effects. ♦ Conclusions: These data suggest that tolvaptan may preserve residual renal function and improve volume control in PD patients with diabetes mellitus.