ENDOTHELIN-1, NITRIC OXIDE BALANCE, ADVANCED OXIDATION PROTEIN PRODUCTS, AND NEOPTERIN : MARKERS FOR GLOMERULOPATHY IN SCHISTOSOMAL PATIENTS

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is one of the major health problems in Egypt. The immune mediated lesions in schistosomal infection, the characteristic granuloma, humorally mediated lesions caused by immune complex deposits. One of these distinct lesions is glomerulopathy. Asymptomatic proteinuria was reported in 20% of schistosoma mansoni patient. However, the incidence of occult glomerular pathology among patients with S. mansoni hepatosplenic schistosomiasis ranges from 12 to 40%. Endothelin-1 is known to be produced by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and by resident cells of the renal glomeruli. It is synthesized and released in response to various mediators. ET- I is a strong vasconstrictor and so, is important in various pathological conditions through alteration of hepatic microcirculation and oxygen delivary to the tissues. It may have interactions with liver non-parenchymal cells, and may have a role in hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension. Large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are produced in the liver by different NOS isoforms, this if lacks fine regulation, will lead to injury of· hepatic cells.