Monoamine oxidase inhibitors for IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), characterized by renal mesangial deposits of antibodies (of the IgA subtype), is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. The cause of IgAN is not known. IgAN can often lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD), and there is no known treatment proven to prevent ESRD in IgAN. Long term use of steroids or other immunosuppressant drugs carry severe toxicities and other risks. IgAN patients have high serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). Increased monoamine levels, via increased cellular cyclic AMP, can decrease TNF elaboration. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-Is) have been found effective in case studies for a number of diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, characterized by high TNF levels. Here I suggest that MAO-Is might be of utility in IgAN by decreasing TNF levels.