Anticoagulation in Renal Diseases: 20 Years on and What Is the Outcome?

Cells and Mediators in Glomerulonephritis

“…A role for anticoagulation in the treatment of prolifer ative nephritis has been under consideration for a long time [109], Indeed, the use of heparin followed by war farin and dipyridamole and a cytotoxic drug has become standard in some centres [100], There is good evidence that dipyridamole alone [110] or in combination with ticlopidine will reduce proteinuria in various types of nephritis [101]. We can now anticipate that modulation of IL-1 and/or TNF should have a good effect in stopping capillary coagulation [102].…”

Renal vascular disease in diabetes mellitus

“…The release of the strongly cationic platelet factor 4, which binds to basement membrane polyanions, might be instrumental in the development of proteinuria (Bern 1978). Wardle (1986) has suggested that platelet micro-emboli from the atheromatous aorta might be a source of platelet factors. It seems probable that such mechanisms could be operative in the progression of diabetic nephropathy .…”