Aggregation of erythrocyte sodium/lithium countertransport activity in families of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy.
1. We evaluated the inheritance of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport activity in IgA nephropathy by assessing this parameter in 19 patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy and in their 53 relatives (32 parents and 21 siblings). The possible use of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport activity as a marker of poor prognosis was also evaluated. 2. A significant correlation was found between 'familial' and proband Na+/Li+ countertransport activity, but not between that of spouses. 3. Mean blood pressure, although within the normal range, and Na+/Li+ countertransport activity were significantly higher in patients with proteinuria than in those without proteinuria. 4. Parents of proteinuric patients had a higher Na+/Li+ countertransport activity than parents of non-proteinuric patients. 5. In IgA nephropathy the inheritance of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was preserved. Therefore genetic factors could play a role in the non-immunological progression of IgA nephropathy.
Fabbri
A
A
Divisione di Nefrologia e Dialisi, Ospedale S. Maria delle Croci, Ravenna, Italy.
Boero
R
R
Degli Esposti
E
E
Guarena
C
C
Lucatello
A
A
Sturani
A
A
Piccoli
G
G
Fusaroli
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017920:Antiporters; D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000378:metabolism
D017920:Antiporters; D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C045885:sodium-lithium countertransporter