Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis: symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment in the best clinics

Glomerulonephritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys. These are microstructures thanks to which the kidneys are able to filter and purify the blood. The inflammatory process in the glomeruli can be caused by various factors, such as infections, autoimmune diseases, and taking certain medications.

According to studies conducted by WHO, glomerulonephritis is one of the most common causes of chronic renal failure worldwide. Therefore, an active search for new methods of treating this disease is currently underway, and cell therapy is one of the most promising areas in this area.

Types of glomerulonephritis

The acute form usually develops quickly and may be caused by infection or an autoimmune process. Common symptoms are:

• swelling;
• increased blood pressure;
• change in the color of urine (darkening, redness);
• lower back pain;
• high body temperature.

Almost all forms of acute glomerulonephritis tend to progress to a chronic form. It develops slowly, without pronounced symptoms, and in the early stages, can only be detected during diagnostic studies. Main manifestations:

• fatigue;
• loss of appetite;
• swelling;
• increased blood pressure;
• change in the color of urine;
• impaired renal function.

Chronic disease is characterized by irreversible and progressive fibrosis (scarring) of the glomeruli. Ultimately, this leads to a violation of the filtration function of the kidneys. Without the intervention of doctors, patients develop chronic kidney disease, and subsequently end-stage renal disease. Therefore, timely treatment of glomerulonephritis is very important.

How does glomerulonephritis start?

Early manifestations may be subtle or mild. These include:

• the appearance of protein in the urine (it becomes foamy, you can notice a sediment in the form of flakes);
• the appearance of red blood cells in the urine (pink, red or brown urine);
• swelling (most pronounced around the eyes and on the legs);
• high blood pressure;
• fatigue and feeling of weakness;
• decrease in the volume of urine excreted during the day;
• pain in the lower back or sides.

The symptoms of glomerulonephritis listed above are a reason to see a doctor, especially if the patient has risk factors such as: previous infections, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or cases of the disease in close relatives.

What is the difference between acute and chronic glomerulonephritis?

The acute form usually begins suddenly and is accompanied by severe symptoms such as swelling, high blood pressure, protein and blood in the urine. Most often it is caused by streptococcal infection (acute tonsillitis, scarlet fever, streptoderma).

The chronic form progresses slowly and develops gradually over several months or years. It can be caused by various factors: repeated infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic predisposition. Symptoms appear late. These can be: edema, increased blood pressure, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, etc. Chronic glomerulonephritis often leads to kidney failure, and therefore requires special medical attention.

How to distinguish glomerulonephritis from pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney. It is most commonly caused by an ascending urinary tract infection that reaches the renal pelvis. Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys. It can result from a bacterial infection of the throat, skin, or tooth abscess.

The symptoms of both diseases are similar. The difference lies in the fact that with pyelonephritis, urination, as a rule, becomes more frequent, and with inflammation of the glomeruli, it becomes less frequent. However, the correct diagnosis can only be made by a doctor after a comprehensive examination.

How to diagnose glomerulonephritis and what tests should be done?

Diagnostic examination may include the following laboratory and instrumental tests:

• Urinalysis. Indicators that may indicate pathology: the presence of blood, protein and white blood cells in the urine.
• Blood analysis. Elevated creatinine levels indicate a violation of the filtering function of the kidneys.
• Kidney biopsy. A small sample of kidney tissue is examined to confirm damage to the glomeruli.
• Ultrasound examination of the kidneys. Performed to assess the size and shape of the kidneys, as well as to identify cysts and other abnormalities.

Immunological tests for antibodies and immune cells are also sometimes performed to determine the type of glomerulonephritis and its cause.

How to treat glomerulonephritis?

The therapeutic strategy includes the following treatments:

• taking drugs from the group of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II), which reduce blood pressure and prevent kidney damage;
• taking glucocorticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, which reduce inflammation and protect kidney cells from further destruction;
• taking diuretics to control fluid levels in the body;
• hemodialysis with significant impairment of kidney function;
• kidney transplantation in end-stage renal disease.

Unfortunately, currently available corticosteroid and immunosuppressant treatments are only partially effective and cause serious side effects.

For example, in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (a progressive type of disease caused by necrotizing vasculitis), standard therapy helps only in 70% of cases. That is, 30% of patients remain at risk of dialysis and death from kidney failure within 5 years. However, most early deaths are caused by the side effects of drugs. The main cause is infections that develop against the background of suppression of the immune system by immunosuppressants.

Therefore, there is now an active search for new, safer and more effective methods of treatment. And one of the most promising of these is stem cell therapy.

New methods of treatment of glomerulonephritis

For a long time it was believed that the restoration of renal tissue occurs solely due to the division of the cells of the kidney itself. Recently, however, scientists have found that hematopoietic (hematopoietic) stem cells are also actively involved in the regeneration process. In addition, a number of studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), present in bone marrow, adipose tissue, and blood, also help repair damaged kidney tissue.

Scientists continue to study stem cells, but there is already evidence that has helped to determine the possible mechanisms of their therapeutic action in glomerulonephritis:

• Differentiation of MSCs into renal cells. Apparently, stem cells can transform and replace damaged kidney cells.
• Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action. MSCs have a pronounced immunosuppressive activity, which helps protect the kidneys from damage in autoimmune forms of glomerulonephritis.
• Antifibrotic action. A study on the use of cell therapy in diseases of the lungs and heart has shown that it can be effective in preventing tissue scarring.
• Antiapoptosis. The development of chronic renal failure is largely associated with the death of podocytes – glomerular cells responsible for their filtration function. Scientific experiments have proven. that MSCs significantly increase the viability of podocytes and limit their apoptosis (death).
• Inhibition of oxidative stress. There is evidence that the introduction of MSCs can counteract tissue damage by free radicals.

When using the patient’s own cells, regenerative therapy is easily tolerated and does not cause side effects. Stem cells are extracted from the patient’s bone marrow, adipose tissue, or blood, then multiplied in the laboratory and reintroduced into the bloodstream.

Best glomerulonephritis treatment clinics

MedTour company cooperates with the best medical centers for the treatment of kidney diseases around the world. We currently offer a unique opportunity for stem cell therapy for glomerulonephritis. If you are interested in innovative treatment, call one of the phones listed on the site or fill out the feedback form. The medical coordinator will contact you as soon as possible and select the clinic that best suits your individual needs.

The best specialists in the treatment of glomerulonephritis

Andriy Kovalchuk, biotechnologist, candidate of medical sciences, director of the stem cell bank of TOV “Genome”, head of the bank of umbilical cord blood, tissues and human cells on the basis of the Gorbachevsky National Medical University, spoke about the latest achievements and features of regenerative medicine.

To learn more about the possibilities of cell therapy for kidney diseases, get a free consultation from a MedTour coordinating doctor.

Frequently asked Questions

Can a damaged kidney recover?
The kidney is an organ with a relatively low cellular regenerative potential. However, new methods of regenerative therapy have shown promising results, proving that stem cells are actively involved in the process of regeneration of damaged kidney tissue.

How to define chronic glomerulonephritis?

The chronic form differs from the acute form by a slow, asymptomatic onset. The patient usually does not have symptoms such as back pain and fever. Instead, he may feel weak, tired, and notice swelling and decreased urine output. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by an experienced nephrologist.

How to overcome glomerulonephritis?

In recent years, new alternative therapies have emerged that can help manage the disease. One of them is regenerative stem cell therapy. Potentially, it stimulates the repair of kidney tissues damaged by inflammation.

How to treat autoimmune glomerulonephritis?

Standard therapy involves taking corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. But there are also alternative methods. In the course of research, cell therapy showed a pronounced immunomodulatory effect. Stem cells help protect the kidneys from misguided attack by the immune system.

Published: 10.04.2023

Updated: 08.06.2024

Medical author, Medical editor:

Olena Kursabaieva

Medical author, Medical editor:

Natalia Segen

Information on this webpage verified by the medical expert

Medical Doctor, oncologist, PHD student

Kateryna Maliarchuk