Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) constitute a large family of proteins with pleiotropic effects on development, organogenesis, and metabolism. The FGF19 subclass includes growth factors circulating with the blood referred to as endocrine FGF. Representatives of the FGF19 subclass, including FGF19, FGF21, and FGF23, act via FGFR receptors. The proteins of FGF19 subfamily influence the enterohepatic circulation of bile, participate in glucose and lipid metabolism regulation, and maintenance of phosphorus and vitamin D3 homeostasis. FGF19 and FGF21 are activated under different physiological and pathological conditions.

The type of treatment, age and duration of renal replacement therapy determined significant changes in platelet antioxidative enzymes activities and concentration of GSH, which may enhance the thrombotic complications. PD is associated with lower platelet oxidative stress.

Glomerulonephritis (GN) represents a collection of kidney diseases characterized by inflammation within the renal glomeruli and small blood vessels. The lesions that occur in other nephron structures mainly result from the harmful effects of proteinuria. In recent years, an emphasis has been placed on gaining a better insight into the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of GN in order to facilitate diagnoses and provide efficient and targeted treatments of the disease. Owing to the advanced molecular and genetic diagnostic techniques available today, researchers have been able to elucidate that most cases of GN are determined by genetic risk factors and are associated with the abnormal functioning of the immune system (the immunologically mediated forms of GN). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of single-stranded, non-coding molecules, approximately 20 nucleotides in length, that act as regulatory factors in the post-transcriptional processes capable of regulating the expression of multiple genes. In this paper we present the available research aiming to determine effects of miRNAs on the development and progression of GN and discuss the potential role of miRNAs as new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Background: Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) are exposed to increased oxidative stress and disturbances manifesting in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative defence system. The object of the research was to assess the differences between conservative treatment, peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis in moderating cellular antioxidative agents. Methods: The group examined comprised 145 patients. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were obtained using kinetic methods. The spectrophotometric method established the concentrations of reduced glutathione, albumin, uric acid, glucose, total protein and lipids. Results: The type of treatment determined significant changes in antioxidative enzyme activities and concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidative compounds. Conclusions: Peritoneal dialysis provides better antioxidant protection than other types of therapy in CKD and should be considered as first-choice treatment despite more metabolic disorders.

INTRODUCTION Renalase is a novel flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent amine oxidase with catecholamine-degrading activity. The kidneys are the main source of this enzyme. OBJECTIVES In this study, we examined the concentrations of renalase in the serum, urine, and erythrocytes of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). PATIENTS AND METHODS We enrolled 155 white patients with CKD and 30 healthy controls. Renalase concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Serum renalase levels were higher in patients with CKD than in controls: median (Q1-Q3), 103 ng/ml (55.6-166 ng/ml) vs 17.7 ng/ml (16.3-21.8 ng/ml); P <0.001. Renalase levels in erythrocytes were lower in patients with CKD than in controls (median [Q1-Q3], 122 ng/ml [67.2-189 ng/ml] vs 254 ng/ml [166-293 ng/ml]; P <0.001). Urinary renalase levels did not differ between patients with CKD and controls (median [Q1-Q3], 147 ng/ml [102-193 ng/ml] vs 144 ng/ml [116-170 ng/ml]; P = 0.78). Urinary and erythrocyte renalase concentrations were negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A multivariate general linear model analysis adjusted for age, sex, and eGFR of CKD patients showed that higher plasma dopamine and total protein concentrations were independent predictors of higher serum renalase levels (β = 0.32, P <0.001 and β = 0.25, P <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that serum renalase concentrations are elevated in patients with CKD, whereas renalase concentrations in urine and erythrocytes are correlated with impaired kidney function.

Presence of ADPKD in patients with normal kidney function is associated with impaired beta cell function after an oral glucose load, without a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity.

Introduction: Vitamin K, discovered in the 1930s, is a very important compound for the human body, performing many functions. The most well known of them are calcium homeostasis and coagulation. Nowadays it is apparent that many more beneficial multiorgan aspects of vitamin K exist.The aim of the study was to review the properties of vitamin K and to show its potential therapeutic value.Materials and methods: Medline databases (PubMed) and other scientific sources were searched.Results: Vitamin K shows a multifaceted effect on the proper functioning of the human body: preventing coronary vessel calcification, maintains normal blood pressure, has neuroprotective effects, reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, slows the process of osteoclastogenesis, and influences the production of bone reabsorption factors. In addition, vitamin K supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by interfering with tumour cells cycle and inducing their apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic activity of menaquinone is not limited to HCC only, but also to other cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme, breast cancer or bladder cancer, which reveals the importance of vitamin K in oncology. Possibly, introduction of vitamin K to the therapy may improve malignancy treatment outcomes.Conclusions: Vitamin K derivatives participate in many metabolic pathways of the human body. Their multifaceted activity may be used both in prevention of many diseases and in their potential treatments. However, further multicentre studies are necessary to understand better possible therapeutic properties of vitamin K derivatives.

Connexins (Cx) are members of a protein family that forms intercellular channels localised in gap junction (GJ) plaques and single transmembrane channels called hemichannels. They participate in intercellular communication or communication between the intracellular and extracellular environments. Connexins affect cell homeostasis, growth and differentiation by enabling the exchange of metabolites or by interfering with various signalling pathways. Alterations in the functionality and the expression of connexins have been linked to the occurrence of many diseases. Connexins have been already linked to cancers, cardiac and brain disorders, chronic lung and kidney conditions and wound healing processes. Connexins have been shown either to suppress cancer tumour growth or to increase tumorigenicity by promoting cancer cell growth, migration and invasiveness. A better understanding of the complexity of cancer biology related to connexins and intercellular communication could result in the design of novel therapeutic strategies. The modulation of connexin expression may be an effective therapeutic approach in some types of cancers. Therefore, one important challenge is the search for mechanisms and new drugs, selectively modulating the expression of various connexin isoforms. We performed a systematic literature search up to February 2020 in the electronic databases PubMed and EMBASE. Our search terms were as follows: connexins, hemichannels, cancer and cancer treatment. This review aims to provide information about the role of connexins and gap junctions in cancer, as well as to discuss possible therapeutic options that are currently being studied.