EFFECTS OF IN-VITRO NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION ON POLYMORPHONUCLEAR CELL RESPIRATORY BURST IN PRIMARY IGA NEPHROPATHY

Since recent findings have pointed out a key role for reactive oxygen species in kidney diseases, we investigated superoxide anion (O-2(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation by peripheral blood polymorpho nuclear cells (PMN) in 20 patients with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) . Results provided evidence for a significant enhancement of O-2(-) an d H2O2 production in IgAN subjects in comparison to patients affected by hypertensive renal injury and healthy donors. Among the IgAN group, the highest oxidative metabolism was observed in patients with severe histologic lesions. On the other hand, in vitro vitamin and/or trace element supplementation to PMN suspensions led to a down modulation of their oxidative responsiveness. These data were further supported by the assessment of O-2(-) release on a kinetic basis. Nutrient pretreat ment was in fact able to antagonize either the IgAN-related shortening of the lag period or the increase of maximum O-2(-) production late f ollowing agonist stimulation. Taken together, these findings indicate that an exaggerated PMN oxidative metabolism occurs in IgAN and sugges t a potential role for micronutrients in the modulation of PMN metabol ic pathway.