2. BASAL membrane (BM)  consists of 3 layers (lamina rara interna, lamina densa and lamina rara externa)  contains 4 major components: laminin, type IV collagen, nidogen and heparan sulfate-type proteoglycans (the latter gives the negative charge of the BM)  achieves an effective barrier for negatively charged large-molecular-weight proteins (> 69 kDa, > 8 nm diameter) and for albumins (GM =...

Introduction: Renal diseases affect huge populations in Morocco and abroad. Genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) in scavenger receptors such as CD36 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Since CD36 gene expression contributes to these leading causes of kidney disease, we proposed to study the association of two of its polymorphi...

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are one of the major classes of antidiabetic drugs that are used widely. TZDs improve insulin resistance by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and ameliorate diabetic and other nephropathies, at least, in experimental animals. However, TZDs have side effects, such as edema, congestive heart failure, and bone fracture, and may increase b...

The incidence of chronic kidney diseases is increasing worldwide, and these conditions are emerging as a major public health problem. While genetic factors contribute to susceptibility and progression of renal disease, proteinuria has been claimed as an independent predictor of outcome. Reduction of urinary protein levels by various medications and a low-protein diet limits renal function decli...

Mesangial cell (MC) proliferation is a key pathological feature in a number of common human renal diseases including IgA, systemic lupus erythematosus and diabetic nephropathies. Knowledge of the role of MCs in normal glomeruli and of their response to pathological stimuli is crucial to the understanding of these disease processes. The purpose of understanding disease is ultimately to develop t...

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of protein and lipids to which sugar residues are covalently bound. AGE formation is increased in situations with hyperglycemia (e.g., diabetes mellitus) and is also stimulated by oxidative stress, for example in uremia. It appears that activation of the renin-angiotensin system may contribute to AGE formation through various mech...

Parathyroid hormone- (PTH-) related protein (PTHrP) and its receptor, the PTH1 receptor (PTH1R), are widely expressed in the kidney, where PTHrP exerts a modulatory action on renal function. PTHrP is known to be upregulated in several experimental nephropathies such as acute renal failure (ARF), obstructive nephropathy (ON) as well as diabetic nephropathy (DN). In this paper, we will discuss th...