FREE-RADICAL RELEASE AND PROGRESSION OF RENAL-FAILURE

IgA nephropathy, formerly known as Berger's Disease, is now recognized as the world's most common primary nephropathy. The rate of progressi on has recently been shown to be the same in childhood as well as adul thood (i.e. slightly more than 1/4 of the patients had end-stage renal disease at follow up of 20 years). The pathogenesis may be associated with free-radical release as demonstrated in experimental IgA nephrop athy and indirectly in leucocytes of these patients. The use of vitami n E and fish oil is discussed.