THE ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE AND EICOSANOIDS IN LUPUS NEPHRITIS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of nitric oxide and reactive intermediate production in lupus nephritis (LN). Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived molecule found in the blood that turns on inflammation. Lupus patients produce abnormal amounts of this molecule, and it is thought that NO is at least partly responsible for turning on the inflammation that causes damage to the kidneys. Specifically, NO may increase the level of harmful and reduce the level of protective substances in the kidney called eicosanoids. What remains unclear is whether the abnormally high levels of NO in LN are ultimately responsible for the inflammation or alterations in eicosanoids in LN or whether they are merely markers for already existing inflammation. How NO causes damage in lupus or alters the levels of eicosanoids is also unclear. This study is designed to answer some of these questions by following lupus patients over one year during periods of lupus activity and inactivity to see if disease activity relates to levels of NO, reactive oxygen intermediates, and traditional markers of inflammation.