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Expression of glucocorticoid receptors in mononuclear cells in nephrotic syndrome

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Abstract

Coulter flow cytometry was used to determine glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) in the peripheral blood cells of patients with nephrotic syndrome. The expression of GCR in the lymphocytes (CD3/GCR) and monocytes (CD14/GCR) of peripheral blood of 23 (age 4.9±2.7 years) children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome was assessed before treatment (proteinuria >50 mg/kg per 24 h), after 4–6 weeks of prednisone treatment, without proteinuria, and in remission, without proteinuria and without any treatment. Before treatment the expression of CD3/GCR was 61.8±18.3% and CD14/GCR 43.6.8±20.3%; this did not differ from the results of the normal control group (P>0.05). However, after treatment GCR expression in lymphocytes was 50% (P<0.001) and in monocytes about 20% lower (P<0.05). In remission, the GCR expression increased and did not differ from the results before treatment (P>0.05). A positive correlation between the serum cortisol concentration and the expression of CD3/GCR was found (r=0.504, P=0.02). In summary, we report that in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome, prednisone treatment causes the temporary decrease of the expression of GCR in lymphocytes. A positive correlation between GCR expression and serum cortisol was found. A decrease in GCR expression in monocytes did not correlate with cortisol concentration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Białystok, Białystok, Poland

    Anna Wasilewska, Walentyna Zoch-Zwierz, Barbara Tomaszewska & Ryszard Wierciński

  2. Department of Pediatric Allergology, Medical University Białystok, Białystok, Poland

    Anna Stasiak-Barmuta

  3. 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Białystok, ul. Waszyngtona 17, 15–274 Białystok, Poland

    Anna Wasilewska

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  1. Anna Wasilewska
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  2. Walentyna Zoch-Zwierz
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  3. Barbara Tomaszewska
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  4. Ryszard Wierciński
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  5. Anna Stasiak-Barmuta
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Correspondence to Anna Wasilewska.

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Wasilewska, A., Zoch-Zwierz, W., Tomaszewska, B. et al. Expression of glucocorticoid receptors in mononuclear cells in nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 18, 778–782 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-003-1177-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-003-1177-2

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