Pernicious Anemia Associated Cobalamin Deficiency and Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 43-year-old Hispanic male without significant previous medical history was brought to emergency department for syncope following a blood draw to investigate a 40 lbs weight loss during the past 6 months associated with decreased appetite and progressive fatigue. The patient also reported a 1-month history of jaundice. On examination, he was hemodynamically stable and afebrile with pallor and diffuse jaundice but without skin rash or palpable purpura. Normal sensations and power in all extremities were evident on neurological exam. Presence of hemolytic anemia, schistocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was suggestive of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, presence of leukopenia, macrocytes, and an inadequate reticulocyte response to the degree of anemia served as initial clues to an alternative diagnosis. Two and one units of packed red blood cells were transfused on day 1 and day 3, respectively. In addition, one unit of platelets was transfused on day 2. Daily therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was initiated and continued until ADAMTS-13 result ruled out TTP. A low cobalamin (vitamin B12) level was evident at initial laboratory work-up and subsequent testing revealed positive intrinsic factor-blocking antibodies supporting a diagnosis of pernicious anemia with severe cobalamin deficiency. Hematological improvement was observed following vitamin B12 supplementation. The patient was discharged and markedly improved on day 9 with outpatient follow-up for cobalamin supplementation

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Stabilization as an Emerging Therapy for CKD-Related Anemia: Report From a Scientific Workshop Sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation

The National Kidney Foundation convened an interdisciplinary international workshop in March 2019 to discuss the potential role of a new class of agents for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): the hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs). International experts with expertise in physiology, biochemistry, structural chemistry, translational medicine, and clinical management of anemia participated. Participants reviewed the unmet needs of current anemia treatment, the biology of hypoxia-inducible factor, the pharmacology of prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors, and the results of phase 2 clinical trials of HIF-PHIs among patients with CKD, both those treated by dialysis and those not receiving kidney replacement therapy. The results of key phase 3 clinical trials of HIF-PHIs available as of the time of writing are also included in this report, although they appeared after the workshop was completed. Participants in the workshop developed a number of recommendations for further examination of HIF-PHIs, which are summarized in this report and include long-term safety issues, potential benefits, and practical considerations for implementation including patient and provider education

Effects of bardoxolone methyl on body weight, waist circumference and glycemic control in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and stage 4 chronic kidney disease

AimsObesity is associated with progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Treatment with bardoxolone methyl in a multinational phase 3 trial, Bardoxolone Methyl Evaluation in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes (BEACON), resulted in increases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with concurrent reductions in body weight. We performed post-hoc analyses to further characterize reductions in body weight with bardoxolone methyl.MethodsEligible patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and CKD stage 4 (eGFR 15 to <30 mL/min/1.73 m2) were randomized 1:1 to receive once-daily oral dose of bardoxolone methyl (20 mg) or placebo.ResultsBEACON enrolled 2185 patients. Patients randomized to bardoxolone methyl experienced significant reductions in body weight from baseline relative to patients randomized to placebo (-5.7 kg; 95% CI: -6.0 to -5.3 kg; p < 0.001). In patients randomized to bardoxolone methyl, rate and magnitude of body weight loss were proportional to baseline BMI. Bardoxolone methyl resulted in significant reductions in waist circumference and improved glycemic control.ConclusionsBardoxolone methyl resulted in significant weight loss in a generally obese patient population with T2DM and stage 4 CKD, with the magnitude and rate dependent on baseline BMI

Anaemia management with subcutaneous epoetin delta in patients with chronic kidney disease (predialysis, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis): results of an open-label, 1-year study

Abstract Background Anaemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can be managed by therapy with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Epoetin delta (DYNEPO®, Shire plc) is the only epoetin produced in a human cell line. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneously administered epoetin delta for the management of anaemia in CKD patients (predialysis, peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis) Methods This was a 1-year, multicentre, open-label study. Patients had previously received epoetin subcutaneously and were switched to epoetin delta at an identical dose to their previous therapy. Dose was titrated to maintain haemoglobin at 10.0–12.0 g/dL. The primary endpoint was mean haemoglobin over Weeks 12–24. Secondary analyses included long-term haemoglobin, haematocrit and dosing levels. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events, laboratory parameters and physical examinations. Results In total 478 patients received epoetin delta, forming the safety-evaluable population. Efficacy analyses were performed on data from 411 of these patients. Mean ± SD haemoglobin over Weeks 12–24 was 11.3 ± 1.1 g/dL. Mean ± SD weekly dose over Weeks 12–24 was 84.4 ± 72.7 IU/kg. Haemoglobin levels were maintained for the duration of the study. Epoetin delta was well tolerated, with adverse events occurring at rates expected for a CKD patient population; no patient developed anti-erythropoietin antibodies. Conclusion Subcutaneously administered epoetin delta is an effective and well-tolerated agent for the management of anaemia in CKD patients, irrespective of dialysis status. Trial registration http://www.controlled-trials.com ISRCTN68321818</p

Identification of two forms of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase in yeast

Two forms of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase have been identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by their different chromatographic behaviour on CM-Sephadex C-50. One of them was not adsorbed and represented ∼ 30% of the eluted activity. The other one emerged at about 120 mM KCl. A molecular mass of 120 kDa was found for both of them. No differences in kinetic behaviour in susceptibility to activation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase were found between the two forms. © 1987.Financial help from the Comisión Asesora de Investigación Científica y Técnica and the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social is greatly acknowledged.Peer Reviewe