Beneficial effects of methylprednisolone "pulse" therapy in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis.

Seven patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis were subjected to highdose intravenous methylprednisolone (pulse) therapy. Following the pulse, five patients with rapidly deteriorating ranal function improved within three days and their serum-creatinine levels returned to baseline by one month. All seven patients demonstrated reversal of severe immunological abnormalities including increased serum D.N.A binding, decreased serum C3 levels, and reduced number of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. This form of therapy may make it possible to maintain patients with lupus nephritis on lower doses of steroids than is normally feasible.