Matrix metalloproteinases in nephrotic syndrome; a vital but obscure field of research

Context: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the remodelling of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) by tightly regulating the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) of the GBM. Evidence Acquisitions: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus and Web of Science have been searched. Results: Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) are mainly found involved in the remodelling of GBM and therefore this review focuses on these two MMPs and their action in nephrotic syndrome (NS), which is a protein losing enteropathy occurring due to the loss of integrity of GBM. In addition to the blood corpuscles, glomerular epithelial cells and mesangium are also expressing MMPs, and various cytokines and growth factors are involved in addition to tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in regulating the metabolism of ECM via MMPs. While examining the results of MMP activity and expression in NS, except diabetic nephropathy (DN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and hereditary NS where there was a clear down-regulation of MMP, all the other types of NS showed conflicting results. Both suppression and induction of MMPs are finally leading to GBM thickening, loss of integrity and proteinuria. Enhanced MMP activity leads to increase in matrix turnover and accumulation of ECM remnants and apoptotic cells leading to fibrosis. On the other hand, diminished expression of MMPs prevents the normal ECM turnover and matrix accumulation. The review compiled the mechanisms of action of both downregulation and upregulation of MMPs. Conclusions: Imbalance of ECM metabolism due to varied expression levels and activities of MMPs in different types of primary NS might contribute to the progression of nephropathies. Further studies are required to identify the potential and usage of MMPs as a diagnostic/prognostic/ therapeutic tool

Role of oxidant-antioxidant enzymes in managing the cardiovascular risks in nephrotic syndrome patients

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nephrotic syndrome (NS) are involved in the oxidation of membrane proteins, lipoproteins and several receptor molecules ultimately leading to their functional deficit. It is involved in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia in NS and also increases the oxidation of LDL (oxLDL), which is an important risk factor in thrombus generation and atherosclerosis. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an early predictor of myocardial infarction and adverse cardiac events in patients with chest pain. MPO can also foresee the recurrent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and myocardial infarction in patients. ‘MPO oxidized LDL’ also induces ROS production, lipid accumulation and reduces the antioxidant response in macrophages, however in an augmented way by using different pathways and might be more atherogenic. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) prevents the oxidative modification of serum lipoproteins, which is one of the crucial steps in the initiation of atherogenesis. PON1 also contributes to the anti-atherogenic effect of HDL-c. Adult NS patients have increased lipid hydroxide levels and significantly decreased PON1 activity and total sulfhydryl levels when compared to healthy controls. While the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in NS patients is well documented, the exact etiology still remains controversial. This prevents the development of a specific treatment modality for the same. MPO as well as PON1 were found as important markers for the management of cardiovascular risk in NS patients. Estimation of these enzymes can therefore be performed in routine clinical practice as prognostic markers, owing to its ease of estimation and cost effectiveness