European Training Centres

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the CNR Unit
(National Research Council)

Laboratory of Pathology of Renal Disease and
Hypertension and Molecular Genetics of the CNR Unit

RESEARCH ACTIVITY AND RESULTS

Research Programs:

Cardiovascular risk in End Stage Renal Diseases
Cardiovascular risk is exceedingly high in patients with chronic renal failure and such high risk is incompletely accounted for by traditional (Framingham) risk factors. In the last two years, studies performed in our Laboratory have identified new cardiovascular risk factors (both environmental and genetic) in the uremic population (see Ref 3, 4-11, 12-16, 19-22, 24, 28-32, 34-35). These studies are part of an ongoing multicentre prospective study organised and headed by our laboratory, the CREED study (Cardiovascular Risk Extended Evaluation in Dialysis patients).
Of particular relevance are recent studies on endogenous inhibitors of NO synthase in uremia which have been published in the Lancet and other high impact journals (24,9,20) and studies on the relationship between sympathetic overactivity and cardiovascular risk published on Circulation (7,15). Furthermore our laboratory has been the first to link nocturnal hypoexemia to cardiovascular mortality in end stage renal disease (17,23,25, 36,37)

National collaborations
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Hypertension University "Vita e Salute", San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
- Institute of Internal Medicine of University of Catania, Italy
- Clinical Pathology Unit and Nephrology Chair, University of Messina, Italy
- Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy,

International collaborations
- Department of Internal Medicine & Molecular Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BHF Laboratories, University College London, London, United Kingdom

Progression of Renal Diseases
Research projects in this area are mainly organised based on the structure of a national clinical trial which was completed in 2000 (the REIN Study) and another ongoing study coordinated by the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research (REIN 2). Our laboratory has organised and maintains the DNA data base of this study and has ongoing projects aimed at studying genetic and hemodynamic determinants of renal disease progression.
A series of sub-projects will soon begin in the research frame of the ESPLANADE study, a trial aimed at minimising renal disease progression by the use of ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists and a statin. We will look at the relationship between cardiovascular damage and renal function and at the role of hemodynamic and genetic factors in the progression of cardiac and renal damage.

Collaborations
Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research

The salt sensitivity in hypertension
This is a large study of the Salt Sensitivity Working Group of the Italian Society of Hypertension aimed at assessing the hemodynamic and biochemical response to salt intake in patients with essential hypertension. Our laboratory has leaded several sub-projects of this working group.

Peer Reviewed Publications in International Journals (only English) 2001-2004

European Fellows programme

Short (1-2 month) well focused training programs either clinically or laboratory oriented: Yes

Long (at least 1 year) research fellowships: Yes

Specify corresponding availability of grants: Yes

Specify if the Unit may provide help for accommodation: Arrangements can be made

Prerequisites for Fellowship

Language: Italian and English

Work/Research experience: To be discussed

HEAD OF THE UNIT	Prof. Carmine Zoccali
CLINICAL STAFF	Filippo Bartolomeo, MD Maurizio Ciccarelli, MD Giuseppe Curatola, MD Diego Delfino, MD Giuseppe Enia, MD Pietro Finocchiaro, MD Francesca Mallamaci, MD Carmela Martorano, MD Vincenzo Panuccio, MD Maurizio Postorino, MD Paolo Scudo, MD
RESEARCH AND LABORATORY	Adalgisa Curatola, Techn., Biology Dr Daniela Leonardis, Res., MD Giuliana Pagnotta, Techn., Biology Dr Filippa Salnitro, Res., Dr in Chemistry Belinda Spoto, Res., Biology Dr Alessandra Testa, Res., Biology Dr Sebastiano Cutrupi, Tech. Carmen Marino, Tech. Rosa Maria Parlongo, Tech. Patrizia Pizzini, Tech. Giovanni Luigi Tripepi, Tech. Rocco Tripepi, Tech. Antonio Vilasi, Tech.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:	Dr Paolo Arico’, Dr Mariella Verduci
OTHER (GRANTS)	Francesco Cambareri, MD Anna Pisano, Biology Dr

CONTACT INFORMATION
E-MAIL	carmine.zoccali@tin.it
PHONE:	+39 0965 397002
FAX:	+39 0965 397000
FULL POSTAL ADDRESS	Via Vallone Petrara, 89123 Reggio Calabria, ITALY

CLINICAL FACILITIES
NEPHROLOGY BEDS N°	24
HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS N°	80
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS N°	35
RENAL TRANSPLANTS /YEAR (2003) N°	17