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It has been postulated that hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure results from hypocalcemia, occurring, in part, from phosphate retention and/or deficient 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] synthesis. However, many studies have failed to demonstrate hyperphosphatemia or low 1,25-(OH)2D levels in patients with mild renal failure. We measured creatinine clearance (CCr), fractional excretion of phosphorus (FEP), and serum phosphorus, ionized calcium, and plasma N-terminal PTH, and 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations in 21 normal subjects and 51 patients with renal failure. Patients with mild renal failure (Ccr, greater than 40 mL/min.1.73 m2) had normal mean serum phosphorus and ionized calcium and decreased mean 1,25-(OH)2D levels compared with those in normal subjects. In patients with moderate renal failure (CCr, 20-40), the mean ionized calcium level was normal, plasma PTH levels and FEP were elevated, and the decrement in 1,25-(OH)2D was more pronounced. The mean ionized calcium level was decreased only in the group of patients with severe renal failure (CCr, less than 20). The 1,25-(OH)2D values correlated positively with CCr and negatively with the log of plasma PTH and serum phosphorus concentrations. Log of plasma PTH correlated negatively with CCr and positively with FEP. The ionized calcium concentration correlated very weakly with CCr and the log of the plasma PTH level. These data demonstrate the presence of hyperparathyroidism, normocalcemia, and 1,25-(OH)2D deficiency in renal failure and are consistent with a role for 1,25-(OH)2D in the suppression of parathyroid activity through as yet unidentified mechanisms.

ABSTRA CT To evaluate the effects of parathyroid hormone and cyclic adenosine monophosphate on proximal tubular sodium and phosphate reabsorption, micropuncture studies were performed on dogs that received a highly purified preparation of parathyroid hormone (PTH), dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP), 5'-AMP, and saline. PTH resulted in a 30-40% inhibition of sodium and phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule unassociated with a rise in either total kidney or single nephron glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The bulk of the phosphate rejected proximally was excreted in the final urine while sodium excretion rose minimally despite the marked proximal inhibition, consistent with the presence of reabsorptive sites in the distal nephron for sodium but not phosphate. The infusion of dibutyryl cyclic AMP either systemically or directly into the renal artery inhibited proximal sodium and phosphate reabsorption in the absence of changes in either total kidney or single nephron GFR, resembling the effects of PTH quantitatively and qualitatively. In contrast, another adenine nucleotide, 5'-AMP, did not inhibit the reabsorption of either sodium or phosphate. These observations support the thesis that renal effects of PTH are mediated via stimulation of renal cortical adenyl cyclase. The infusion of a moderate saline load, 25 ml/kg, also produced a similar inhibition of proximal tubular fractional sodium and phosphate reabsorption with a marked phosphaturia but only minimal natriuresis. Thus, changes in An abstract of this work was published previously (1970. J. Clin. Invest. 49: 77a.).

Preeclampsia-eclampsia is still one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite active research for many years, the etiology of this disorder exclusive to human pregnancy is an enigma. Recent evidence suggests there may be several underlying causes or predispositions leading to the signs of hypertension, proteinuria, and edema, findings that allow us to make the diagnosis of the "syndrome" of preeclampsia. Despite improved prenatal care, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia still occur. Although understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders has improved, treatment has not changed significantly in over 50 years. Although postponement of delivery in selected women with severe preeclampsia improves fetal outcome to a degree, this is not done without risk to the mother. In the United States, magnesium sulfate and hydralazine are the most commonly used medications for seizure prophylaxis and hypertension in the intrapartum period. The search for the underlying cause of this disorder and for a clinical marker to predict those women who will develop preeclampsia-eclampsia is ongoing, with its prevention the ultimate goal. This review begins with the clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of preeclampsia-eclampsia (Part 1). In Part 2, the experimental observations, the search for predictive factors, and the genetics of this disorder will be reviewed.

We have performed a retrospective review of the incidence and etiologies of acute renal failure (ARF) in 105 adult patients receiving liver transplants. The prevalence of chronic renal failure was also determined. ARF occurred in 94.2% of these patients. Acute tubular necrosis was the leading cause of ARF and was associated with the highest mortality. Factors associated with increased mortality included: (1) peak serum creatinine > 3 mg/dl, (2) multiple liver transplants and (3) the need for dialysis. Pretransplant renal failure did not increase mortality. Chronic renal failure developed in 83% of patients at latest follow-up (mean: 30.5 ± 7.9 months).