Urology Research

Clinical Study on Delaying the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease by Inhibiting Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species Production through Alleviating Renal Inflammation and Fibrosis

2026-01-12T14:11:31+08:00

Objective: To investigate the intervention effect of inhibiting excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on renal inflammation, fibrosis, and disease progression in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: Thirty DKD patients treated at the Department of Nephrology, Hebei University Affiliated Hospital from April 2025 to April 2026 were enrolled as the DKD group. Thirty non-DKD patients from the same period served as the control group. General characteristics and clinical indicators were collected for both groups, including complete blood count, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, blood glucose, and 24-hour urine protein quantification. Serum NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, IL-6) were measured using ELISA. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was assessed to evaluate fibrosis severity. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula. Differences in indicators between groups were compared, and correlations between ROS-related pathway markers and renal function/disease progression endpoints were analyzed. Primary endpoint: eGFR decline ≥ 40% or initiation of dialysis. Secondary endpoints: doubling of random urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) or occurrence of cardiovascular events. Results: Patients in the DKD group exhibited significantly higher serum levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Their eGFR was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05), while 24-hour urine protein quantification and UACR were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that NLRP3 and TGF-β levels were negatively correlated with eGFR (r = −0.682, −0.715, p < 0.05) and positively correlated with 24-hour urine protein quantification (r = 0.654, 0.691, p < 0.05). During follow-up, the incidence of primary endpoint events in the DKD group was 26.67% (8/30), and that of secondary endpoint events was 36.67% (11/30), both significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Excessive ROS production may promote renal inflammation and fibrosis by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Inhibiting excessive ROS production holds promise as an effective intervention target for delaying DKD progression.

Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Inferior Vena Cava: A Case Report and Literature Review

2026-01-13T10:41:32+08:00

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis and treatment methods for primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava. Methods: The clinical course of a patient with primary inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma admitted to our department in September 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Combined with a literature review, the clinical characteristics of inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma were summarized. Results: The patient recovered smoothly after radical resection. However, follow-up examination at six months postoperatively revealed local tumor recurrence and hepatic metastasis. Following a multidisciplinary discussion, the patient promptly commenced treatment at the oncology center with epirubicin (50 mg/m²) and ifosfamide (2500 mg/m²). Nevertheless, severe side effects, such as hepatotoxicity, hindered timely drug administration, and the patient was lost to follow-up after the third cycle of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Radical surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment for patients with inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma. However, for tumor recurrence and metastasis, a comprehensive treatment approach incorporating chemotherapy may be more effective in improving patient survival rates.

Analysis of Differences in Urine Concentration Function and Erythrocyte Membrane Permeability among Different Animal Species

2026-01-12T14:33:06+08:00

Through comparative studies on renal structure and urine concentration function, this research aims to observe and analyze the differential mechanisms among different animal species. Using rats as the research subjects and employing a high-protein feeding method, the study explores the mechanism of urea’s effect on urine concentration function from multiple levels, including gene expression regulation and protein levels. Erythrocyte membrane permeability tests are conducted to compare the degree of differences among various animal species. This study utilized experimental techniques such as RT-PCR, Western-blot, Stopped-flow, and immunohistochemistry to investigate the urine concentration mechanism at the cellular, tissue, and whole-organism levels, laying a foundation for further screening and preparing animal models for studying the urine concentration mechanism.

Pathogenesis, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Prospects of Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

2026-01-12T14:45:59+08:00

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is a common critical complication in the ICU, characterized by a complex pathogenesis involving the interplay of multiple factors such as inflammatory imbalance, vascular dysfunction, coagulation disorders, and cellular metabolic abnormalities. Traditional diagnostic indicators like serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen exhibit lag time, making early identification challenging. In recent years, novel biomarkers have provided new directions for early diagnosis and risk stratification, including tubular injury markers (KIM-1, NGAL, L-FABP), renal function and glomerular injury markers (CysC, sCD35-uEV), cell cycle arrest markers ([TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7]), and inflammatory markers (IL-18, sTREM-1). Currently, supportive therapy remains the mainstay of treatment, encompassing early anti-infection measures, hemodynamic optimization, and timely renal replacement therapy. Novel therapeutic targets addressing the pathogenesis, such as regulating pyroptosis and improving mitochondrial dysfunction, are currently in preclinical and early clinical research stages, offering hope for future specific treatments.