Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Levels in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Several studies link the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα). However, data on the serum TNFα level in children with nephrotic syndrome are sparse.

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate serum TNFα levels and the effect of steroid therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome.

METHODS:

A prospective cohort pilot study of children with nephrotic syndrome and controls was conducted during a 1 year period. Serum TNFα levels were measured at presentation and at remission, or after a minimum of 80 days if remission was not achieved.

RESULTS:

Thirteen patients aged 2-16 years with nephrotic syndrome were compared with 12 control subjects. Seven patients had steroid-sensitive and six had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Mean baseline serum TNFα level was significantly higher in the steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome patients than the controls (6.13 pg/ml vs. 4.36 pg/ml, P = 0.0483). Mean post-treatment TNFα level was significantly higher in the steroid-resistant than in the steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome patients (5.67 pg/ml vs. 2.14 pg/ml, P = 0.001). In the steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome patients, mean serum TNFα levels were similar before and after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Elevated serum TNFα levels are associated with a lack of response to corticosteroids. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of TNFα in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome.

• Authors: Avichai Weissbach, Ben Zion Garty, Irina Lagovsky, Irit Krause, Miriam Davidovits
• Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ (Isr Med Assoc J) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 30-33 (Jan 2017) ISSN: 1565-1088 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 28457111 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Adolescent
• Case-Control Studies
• Child
• Cohort Studies
• Drug Resistance
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Nephrotic Syndrome (blood, drug therapy)
• Pilot Projects
• Remission Induction
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)