Abstract
It is suggested that minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is an immunomodulatory disorder, primarily involving peripheral blood lymphocytes. Most MCNS patients respond excellently to steroid therapy, while some patients show steroid resistance. The steroids act on target cells through the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR), exerting its biological effects, such as immunomodulation. Thus, we evaluated intra-nuclear GCR of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by electrophoretic mobility shift assay in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) to study if GCR may play a role in the pathogenesis of INS or steroid resistance. There was no marked difference in the intensity of GCR bands between INS patients and control group. On the other hand, increased intensity of GCR bands was observed after steroid therapy in INS patients. The increased intra-nuclear GCR after steroid therapy may play a role in the remission of INS.
