Effects of lisinopril administration on blood bcl-2 concentrations in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy

We evaluated blood concentrations of bcl-2, a proto-oncogene that can inhib it apoptotic phenomena, in a group of patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, Concentrations of bcl-2 were higher in patients with proteinur ia than in those without proteinuria, A 6-month course of 5 mg/day lisinopr il given to subjects with proteinuria significantly reduced blood bcl-2 con centrations and caused a reduction in proteinuria. Therefore increased bloo d bcl-2 concentrations may be considered an index of risk in subjects with IgA nephropathy, and the positive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy may be attribute d, at least in part, to their effect on the mechanisms that regulate apopto sis, This is of fundamental importance in resolving glomerular hypercellula rity in the course of glomerulonephritis.