title: Aspirin and Eicosapentaenoic Acid May Arrest Progressive IgA Nephropathy: A Potential Alternative to Immunosuppression.
abstract: Immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy is a prevalent form of primary glomerulonephritis, which leads to end-stage renal failure in a significant proportion of patients. Immunotherapy, including steroid use, is widely used to induce disease remission; however, it can cause serious side effects. We herein report 3 cases of progressive IgA nephropathy and their successful treatment with a combination of aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) without the use of steroids. The precise mechanism responsible for the combination therapy is still unknown; however, aspirin may potentiate the production of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators derived from EPA. Further clinical trials are required to substantiate this treatment regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirahashi
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanafusa
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arita
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hishikawa
authors.forename: Matsuhiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nangaku
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D001241:Aspirin