Effect of danazol on solubilization of immune deposits in patients with IgA nephropathy

A study on the solubilization of glomerular immune deposits by administration of danazol in patients with IgA nephropathy is described. A clinical trial on danazol was performed in seven patient with IgA nephropathy. Administration of danazol was effective in improving proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy. In vitro effects of patients' sera on solubilization of glomerular immune deposits were examined in parallel studies. Renal biopsy specimens obtained from IgA nephropathy were incubated with fresh patients' sera before and after administration of danazol at 37 degrees C for one hour in plastic test tubes. The sections were stained with FITC-labeled heavy chain-specific anti-human IgA antiserum and then examined with a fluorescent microscope. It was shown that the solubilization of glomerular immune deposits by sera after administration of danazol from patients with IgA nephropathy was significantly higher than that by sera before such treatment.