维持性血液透析患者血清中性粒细胞明胶酶相关载脂蛋白水平与透析充分性、铁代谢及微炎性反应状态的相关性

目的 研究维持性血液透析(MHD)患者血清中性粒细胞明胶酶相关载脂蛋白(NGAL)水平与透析充分性、微炎性反应状态及铁代谢的关系;探讨NGAL对判断透析充分性的价值.方法 从2010年10月开始,纳入我院MHD患者150例为对象,同时以50例健康人为对照.收集MHD患者的人口学资料、临床表现及检测参试者血清NGAL、C反应蛋白( CRP)、转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)、铁蛋白等水平.根据单室尿素清除指数(spKt/V)值将MHD 患者分为透析充分组和不充分组,比较组间血清NGAL差异.用Pearson相关法、多元线性回归模型和受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析NAGL与Kt/V、炎性因子和铁代谢指标等相关性.患者随访3个月,对比两组随访前后NAGL、Kt/V及炎性因子变化,进一步评估血清NGAL与透析充分性、炎性指标的关系.结果 MHD患者血清NGAL为(445.45±50.34) μg/L,显著高于健康对照的(50.02±6.45) μg/L(P＜0.01).150例MHD患者中,95例为充分组,55例为不充分组.充分组与不充分组NGAL分别为(589.14±56.34) μg/L和(360.13±46.23)μg/L,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).MHD患者血清NGAL与spKt/V、CRP、TSAT呈正相关(r=0.652、0.825、0.785,均P＜0.05).多元线性回归模型结果显示,NGAL与CRP、spKt/V、TSAT有相关关系.ROC曲线下面积(AUC)表明,NGAL水平能较好地反映透析充分性.随诊后结果显示,所有充分组患者均维持透析充分状态;经干预后,不充分组中38例达透析充分,另17例仍未达到透析充分.在这38例中,未达充分和达充分时的NGAL分别为(368.14±56.21) μg/L和( 360.56±46.23) μg/L,差异无统计学意义.CRP水平达充分后有所下降,但差异无统计学意义.结论 MHD透析充分患者血清NGAL显著高于不充分患者.MHD患者血清NGAL与spKt/V、CRP及TSAT均呈正相关.血清NGAL能较好地反映透析充分性.     

腹膜透析患者血清铁蛋白水平与微炎症及透析效果相关性分析

目的分析腹膜透析患者血清铁蛋白与C反应蛋白(CRP)之间的相关性,探讨血清铁蛋白对腹膜透析效果的影响。 方法回顾性分析2009年6月至2015年7月在广西医科大学第一附属医院腹膜透析中心规律随诊的腹膜透析患者120例,根据血清铁蛋白浓度将其分成三组,Ⅰ组：男性患者血清铁蛋白≤200 μg/L或女性患者血清铁蛋白≤150 μg/L;Ⅱ组：男性患者血清铁蛋白浓度为200～500 μg/L或女性患者150～500 μg/L;Ⅲ组：血清铁蛋白≥500 μg/L,将三组的临床资料进行分析。根据CRP值,将120例患者分为A组(CRP ≤8 mg/L)和B组(CRP > 8 mg/L),比较两组间血清铁、转铁蛋白饱和度、总铁结合力和血红蛋白水平差异。血清铁蛋白与各相应临床指标进行相关性分析。采用SPSS 16.0统计学软件进行数据分析。 结果(1)与Ⅰ组及Ⅱ组比较,Ⅲ组C反应蛋白水平显著升高,血红蛋白及Kt/V值均低于Ⅰ组及Ⅱ组(P<0.05),Ⅰ组与Ⅱ组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。(2)Ⅰ组总铁结合力明显高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组(P<0.05),Ⅱ组与Ⅲ组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。(3)相关性分析提示血清铁蛋白与血红蛋白及总铁蛋白结合力呈负相关(r＝－0.194,r＝－0.298;P<0.05),与血尿素氮、年龄及C反应蛋白呈正相关(r＝0.234,r＝0.238,r＝0.203;P<0.05)。(4)与A组比较,B组患者血清铁蛋白水平显著升高(t＝2.271, P<0.05),两组间总铁结合力、转铁蛋白饱和度及血红蛋白无显著性差异(t＝0.391,t＝0.371, t＝0.835; P>0.05)。 结论腹膜透析患者血清铁蛋白水平受微炎症状态的影响,高浓度的血清铁蛋白可影响腹膜透析患者的透析充分性,应该联合年龄、转铁蛋白饱和度、血红蛋白及CRP等指标,正确的判断患者缺铁情况。     

基于药学监护下不同补铁方式对维持性血液透析患者贫血相关指标及微炎症指标的影响

目的探究基于药学监护下不同补铁方式对维持性血液透析患者贫血相关指标及微炎症指标的影响。方法选取我院肾病风湿科2018年7月至2020年7月期间收治的127例维持性血液透析(MHD)患者, 根据数字表法随机分组。口服组63例给予口服多糖铁复合物胶囊进行补铁, 静脉组64例在透析时给予静脉注射蔗糖铁进行补铁。对比两组患者红细胞数量(RBC)、血红蛋白(Hb)、红细胞比容(Hct)、血清铁蛋白(SF)、转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)以及药物安全性。结果治疗后静脉组RBC、Hb、Hct、SF、TSAT均高于口服组, 差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者治疗前、后IL-6、IL-8、CRP、GSH-Px、MDA、SOD水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。静脉组不良反应发生率低于口服组, 但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论口服补铁和静脉补铁均不能明显改善MHD患者的微炎症状态和氧化应激反应, 静脉注射蔗糖铁可有效...     

维持性血液透析患者血清转铁蛋白饱和度与透析导管相关性感染及预后的相关性分析

目的 检测维持性血液透析(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)患者血清转铁蛋白饱和度(transferin saturation,TSAT)水平,探讨TSAT与透析导管相关性感染及预后的相关性.方法 选取2017年9月至2019年9月陕西省人民医院收治的行静脉置管血液透析治疗的肾衰竭患者183例作...     

夜间血液透析改善血液透析患者贫血治疗

目的比较夜间血液透析(nocturnal hemodialysis,NHD)相对于传统血液透析(conventional hemodialysis,CHD)对血液透析患者贫血治疗的影响。方法收集自2009年2月至2017年12月在海军军医大学附属长征医院透析的26例NHD患者,其中21例由CHD更改为NHD,匹配患者性别、年龄、初始血红蛋白水平等标准,按照时间先后顺序选出60例CHD患者作为对照组,比较两组透析患者的一般情况、铁蛋白、转铁蛋白饱和度、C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)等指标及透析间促红细胞生成素(erythropoieth,EPO)用量、铁剂用量、输血事件发生率等差异。结果 NHD与CHD组在入选时基线状态的CRP、铁蛋白与转铁蛋白饱和度均无显著差异(P0.05),NHD组随访末次的EPO用量低于CHD组(103.4±53.6 IU·kg~(-1)·w~(-1)vs 126.34±54.9 IU·kg~(-1)·w~(-1),P0.05),NHD组随访末次的血红蛋白高于CHD组,且NHD组静脉铁剂使用率低于CHD组,两组间CRP、铁蛋白、转铁蛋白饱和度无显著性差异。更换透析模式治疗的21例患者,随访末次血红蛋白水平高于基线值血红蛋白水平(P0.05),铁蛋白、转铁蛋白饱和度、CRP无显著性差异(P0.05),平均EPO用量与更换模式治疗前1年比较未见明显差异(106±34.6 IU·kg~(-1)·w~(-1)vs 110±30.9 IU·kg~(-1)·w~(-1))。结论夜间透析与传统血液透析相比,减少患者EPO及静脉铁剂的剂量,对透析患者的贫血控制效果更加完善。     

蔗糖铁在血液透析肾性贫血患者中的疗效观测

目的:观察蔗糖铁在治疗血液透析(HD)患者肾性贫血时的有效性及安全性。方法:选择2009～2011年期间符合铁剂治疗入选标准的维持性血液透析(MHD)患者48例,将蔗糖铁与重组人促红细胞生成素(rHuEPO)联合使用,观察用药前后血红蛋白(HB)、血细胞比容(HCT)、血清铁蛋白(SF)和转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)的变化及患者有无不良反应。结果:48例患者于用药4～8周后其HB、HCT、RBC、SF、TSAT的数值比用药前都得到明显升高,差异有显著性(P<0.05),且无不良反应。结论:静脉补充铁剂及应用rHuEPO可以明显改善贫血症状,疗效明确,可靠性高,方便可行。     

血液透析红细胞生成素抵抗患者pro-hepcidin与炎性反应和铁代谢的关系

目的 研究维持性血液透析(MHD)红细胞生成素(EPO)抵抗患者pro-hepcidin与炎性反应和铁代谢的关系.方法 40例MHD患者为研究对象,其中20例EPO低反应和20例EPO正常反应.20例健康体检者为对照组.检测参试者的血红细胞计数(RBC)、血红蛋白(Hb)、网织红细胞计数(Ret)、红细胞比容(Hct)、血清铁蛋白(SF)、转铁蛋白(TF)、血清铁和总铁结合力、转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)(TSAT=血清铁/总铁结合力)、血清pro-hepcidin、血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP),并比较组间差异.Pearson相关法分析pro-hepcidin的影响因素.ROC曲线预测pro-hepcidin对EPO抵抗的价值.结果 MHD患者SF、血清pro-hepcidin、hs-CRP显著高于健康对照者(P＜0.01),TF显著低于健康对照者(P＜0.05).EPO抵抗患者血清铁蛋白、血清pro-hepcidin、hs-CRP明显高于反应正常的患者(P＜0.01).Pearson相关分析显示MHD EPO抵抗患者血清pro-hepcidin水平与血清铁蛋白(r=0.843,P=0.000)和hs-CRP(r=0.695,P=0.001)呈正相关.预测EPO抵抗的ROC曲线显示,pro-hepcidin、SF、hs-CRP曲线下面积分别为0.713、0.769和0.958.结论 EPO抵抗与炎性反应和铁代谢相关.血清pro-hepcidin、SF、hs-CRP有可能成为EPO抵抗的标志.     

血液透析患者肾性贫血的维持性补铁方式研究

目的比较不同方式补铁治疗对血液透析患者在肾性贫血得以纠正达标后长期维持治疗期间的疗效和安全性,从而选择更佳的维持性治疗方式。方法选择2014年9月至2016年3月在湖北省中医院血液净化中心行维持性血液透析的患者40例,经规范治疗肾性贫血相关指标达标后,随机分为静脉组和口服组,每组20例。静脉组患者每周第一次透析时给予静脉注射蔗糖铁100mg,口服组患者口服多糖铁复合物胶囊150 mg,每日一次。2组患者均合并使用促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)治疗,剂量为10 000 U/10d。观察12周后2组患者红细胞数量(red blood cell,RBC)、血红蛋白(hemoglobin,Hb)、红细胞比容(hematocrit,Hct)、血清铁蛋白(serum ferritin,SF)、转铁蛋白饱和度(transferin saturation,TSAT)、C反应蛋白(C reaction protein,CRP)等指标的变化及不良反应。结果治疗前静脉组和口服组患者在Hb、RBC、SF、TSAT和Hct等方面无明显差异(P0.05)。2组患者分别经过12周治疗后,Hb、RBC、SF等水平有下降趋势,口服组患者下降幅度更为明显。静脉组患者无明显不良反应。结论血液透析患者在肾性贫血得以纠正达标后仍维持性补充铁剂是有必要的。维持性静脉注射蔗糖铁与口服多糖铁复合物胶囊联合EPO治疗都能用于稳定大多数患者相关铁参数和Hb水平,但静脉注射蔗糖铁更为安全、有效,且依从性更高。     

血液透析充分性的影响因素分析

目的探讨维持性血液透析(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)患者单次血液透析充分性的影响因素。方法选取2019年3月在航空总医院血液净化中心行规律血液透析的109例患者,观察记录患者的临床资料,包括性别、年龄、体质量指数、原发病、血管通路及单次血液透析中患者的透析前后尿素氮、透析时间、超滤量、血流量、干体质量和超滤率等。根据单室尿素清除率(single-pool Kt/V,spKt/V)结果分为达标组(spKt/V≥1.2)与未达标组(spKt/V1.2),分析探讨MHD患者单次血液透析充分性与临床数据的关系。结果单因素分析显示性别、透析相关性凝血、泵控血流量、动静脉内瘘、干体质量共5个因素与spKt/V相关(P0.05),二元Logistic回归分析显示性别(OR=4.345,95%CI 1.240～15.070,P0.05)、透析相关性凝血(OR=5.497,95%CI 1.213～27.125,P0.05)、动静脉内瘘作为血管通路(OR=0.105,95%CI 0.012～0.889,P0.05)和泵控血流量(OR=0.984,95%CI 0.969～0.998,P0.05)是单次血液透析spKt/V的独立影响因素。结论 MHD患者单次血液透析充分性与患者性别、透析相关性凝血、泵控血流量及使用动静脉内瘘作为血管通路密切相关。     

血清铁调素-25与维持性血液透析患者生存预后的关系研究

目的铁调素在铁代谢中起重要调节作用,抑制肠道铁吸收、肝细胞和巨噬细胞铁释放,但其临床应用价值尚不清楚。本研究旨在研究铁调素-25与维持性血液透析(MHD)患者生存预后的关系。 方法本研究为前瞻性观察性队列研究,选取2016年1月至2020年12月在徐州市中心医院血液净化中心的160例MHD患者,根据患者基线血清铁调素-25水平分为低水平组(<30.9 ng/ml)和高水平组(≥30.9 ng/ml),随访5年。采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线、多因素Cox比例风险模型及基于限制性立方样条的Cox比例风险回归模型分析铁调素-25与死亡风险的关系。 结果与低水平组相比,高水平组患者的基线血清铁、铁蛋白、转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平较高,透析前的血肌酐、白蛋白和前白蛋白水平较低。高水平组患者生存预后较差,透析龄较短(P＝0.0011),随访期死亡率较高(P＝0.0023)。血清铁调素-25增加10 ng/mL时,MHD患者全因死亡风险比为1.206(95%CI: 1.100~1.323, P<0.001)。MHD患者的全因死亡风险比在血清铁调素-25<30.9 ng/mL时相对稳定,在血清铁调素-25水平超过30.9 ng/mL之后,随着铁调素水平增加而显著升高。 结论血清铁调素-25水平可作为MHD患者全因死亡事件的独立预测因子,监测血清铁调素-25水平有助于预测MHD患者的生存预后。     

Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is associated with iron status in anemic patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Background

Iron deficiency anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a biomarker of acute kidney injury, is known to be associated with iron metabolism. We investigated whether plasma NGAL level is associated with iron status in pre-dialysis CKD patients with anemia.

Methods

This study included 419 patients who had anemia. The subjects were into categorized into a pre-dialysis group (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 288) and a non-CKD group (eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 131). The associations between plasma NGAL and iron status (serum ferritin and transferrin saturation [TSAT]), eGFR, albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol, calcium, phosphate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed.

Results

In non-CKD group, plasma NGAL was not associated with any baseline variables including iron indices (TSAT and serum ferritin). In pre-dialysis group, univariate analysis showed plasma NGAL correlated with eGFR, CRP, TSAT, and serum ferritin. In multivariate analysis, plasma NGAL was independently associated with TSAT. However, serum ferritin lost its association with plasma NGAL. In ROC analysis for identifying iron deficiency, the plasma NGAL (best cut-off value ≤394 ng/ml) was superior to the serum ferritin (suggested cut-off value ≤500 ng/ml) in both sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Plasma NGAL is associated with iron status in anemic patients with pre-dialysis CKD. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the role of plasma NGAL in assessing the iron deficiency and in guiding the iron therapy for pre-dialysis CKD patients.

     

Low-dose continuous iron therapy leads to a positive iron balance and decreased serum transferrin levels in chronic haemodialysis patients

Background. Iron balance is critical for adequate erythropoiesis,but its optimal therapeutic regimen remains to be defined. Continuousmaintenance therapy with iron has been proposed for dialysispatients on recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in thehope that the regimen is adequate and safe. Methods. We determined serum ferritin, transferrin, transferrinsaturation (TSAT), serum transferrin receptors, albumin andC-reactive protein (CRP) in a 3-year prospective study in 30chronic haemodialysis patients on dialysis treatment for 132±111months (18 males, 12 females; mean age 56±14 years).Beginning in the year 2000, they regularly received low-dosemaintenance iron supplementation (i.v. iron gluconate 31.25mg/week) for 12 months (Period 1 or first treatment phase),followed by a 6-month withdrawal (Period 2 or stop phase) andthen by continuous maintenance iron therapy (i.v. iron gluconate31.25 mg/week) for another 9 months (Period 3 or re-challengephase). Results. A significant increase in serum ferritin and TSAT wasobserved, with values exceeding 500 ng/ml and 50% in 10/30 (33%)and 7/30 (23%) of subjects, respectively, in Period 1, and in11 and 5% in Period 3. A significant decrease in serum transferrinwas documented during Period 1, followed by an increase in Period2 and a decrease in Period 3. Serum albumin remained stable.Serum transferrin was always negatively correlated with ferritin(r = –0.41, P<0.001) and weakly correlated with serumtransferrin receptors (r = 0.178, P<0.05), but was not correlatedwith serum albumin or CRP. Regression equations based on pre-treatmentserum ferritin values were developed for predicting the valueof serum ferritin at any time following the beginning of continuousiron supplementation. They fitted a linear relationship formales (y = 81 + 21.5 x time) and for females (y = 65 + 22 xtime). Percentile charts for quantitative tracking of serumferritin increases and decreases in patients have also beendeveloped from values measured at different times. These chartsshow box-plot distributions of expected ferritin against time. Conclusions. Even continuous low-dose maintenance iron therapy,with only 31.25 mg weekly over 1 year, cannot prevent the riskof iron overload in patients with moderate anaemia. Furthermore,this treatment is responsible for decreases in serum transferrin,unrelated to changes in serum albumin, possibly of concern forhypo-transferrinaemia as an independent risk factor for irontoxicity.     

Melatonin corrects reticuloendothelial blockade and iron status in haemodialysed patients

AIM: Treatment of anaemia in haemodialysed patients in the setting of inflammation usually displays high levels of serum ferritin (>800 ng/mL) and low transferrin saturation (TSAT) (<20%) despite i.v. iron supplementation, thus proving iron trapping in the reticuloendothelial system. Melatonin has been reported to reduce cytokine production and, in dialysis patients, to prevent oxidative stress resulting from iron and erythropoietin treatment. METHOD: In this study, we evaluated a group of 10 patients undergoing haemodialysis who displayed elevated serum ferritin (981 +/- 44.6 ng/mL) and TSAT <20% (15.6 +/- 3.8%) after having received 1.2 g of i.v. iron dextran over a period of 8 weeks. These patients received oral melatonin, 6 mg/day at night for 30 days. RESULTS: After this treatment, all of them markedly increased TSAT values, reaching 35.5 +/- 6.7% (P < 0.0001 vs basal values). In addition, ferritin values decreased to 754.4 +/- 263.7 ng/mL (P < 0.05), and serum iron dramatically increased in all of the patients under study (42.4 +/- 9.4 vs 109.7 +/- 24.3 microg/dL; P < 0.0001). Values for haematocrit (28.6 +/- 2.7 vs 31.9 +/- 3.57%; P < 0.05) and haemoglobin (9.19 +/- 0.97 vs 10.04 +/- 1.29 g/dL; P < 0.05) were also improved. Measurements were then repeated 2 weeks after melatonin withdrawal, showing an impressive decrease in TSAT (16.4 +/- 5.3%; P < 0.00001) and serum iron (48 +/- 14.7 microg/dL; P < 0.0001) values and an almost significant increase in ferritin values (954.4 +/- 86 ng/mL; P < 0.054). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that melatonin may strongly correct the reticuloendothelial blockade seen in dialysis patients under an inflammatory status, thus allowing a better management of iron derangements and renal anaemia.     

Effect of intravenous ascorbic acid medication on serum levels of soluble transferrin receptor in hemodialysis patients

Intravenous ascorbic acid (IVAA) medication has been shown to facilitate iron release from inert depots and subsequently circumvent the defective iron utilization in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients who are treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). This study focuses on the effects of IVAA supplementation on serum concentrations of soluble transferrin receptors (TfR) on the basis of the hypothesis that an increase of labile iron in the cytosol will lead to inhibition of TfR expression. First, 138 HD patients were studied to evaluate the interrelation between serum TfR and iron status. In a stepwise multivariate analysis, serum EPO and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were the two independent predictors for serum TfR in HD patients (r(2) = 0.510, P < 0.001). Further analyses showed that the lower the serum EPO and the higher the TSAT, the lower the serum TfR in HD patients who are on maintenance rHuEPO treatment. Second, 36 HD patients were recruited in a randomized, controlled study to receive IVAA (total dose of 2000 mg) or normal saline (placebo) medication. Serum levels of TfR, EPO, and ferritin and TSAT were measured at baseline and within 7 d after starting IVAA or placebo. There were no significant changes in serum EPO and ferritin levels in patients who received either IVAA (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18). Serum TfR levels (P < 0.001) significantly declined with a parallel rise in TSAT (P < 0.05) as compared with presupplemental values within 7 d in IVAA patients before any apparent alteration in hematocrit values, but the changes were not observed in the placebo group. The trend of decreased serum TfR and increased TSAT was similar in IVAA patients with ferritin of <500 microg/L or >500 microg/L. It is concluded that ascorbic acid status can significantly decrease serum TfR concentrations and increase percentage of TSAT, probably through alterations in intracellular iron metabolism.     

生血宁治疗慢性肾脏病患者贫血的疗效观察

目的观察生血宁治疗慢性肾脏病(CKD)3～4期患者肾性贫血的疗效。 方法收集2012年1月至2014年12月在无锡市锡山人民医院肾内科住院治疗的CKD患者的临床资料,根据其使用治疗贫血药物不同将其分为A、B两组,A组予生血宁片口服,B组予右旋糖酐铁片口服,两组同时接受重组人促红细胞生成素(rhEPO)的治疗,疗程12周(随访至12周)。观察治疗前后患者血红蛋白(Hb)、血清铁蛋白(SF)、转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)的变化及重组人促红素(rhEPO)的用量,并观察基础指标血清白蛋白(ALB)、尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(SCr)、C反应蛋白(CRP)的变化。采用SPSS 17.0软件包进行统计学分析。 结果治疗后两组患者的贫血均有改善。A组Hb、SF、TSAT上升的幅度高于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组rhEPO用量少于B组,差异有统计学意义(Z＝3.058, P<0.05)。治疗后两组肾功能和CRP均无明显变化(P>0.05),A组ALB水平较治疗前明显升高,差异有统计学意义(t＝2.811, P<0.05),A组未见明显不良反应。 结论生血宁可改善铁代谢,治疗CKD患者肾性贫血安全有效,并可以减少rhEPO的用量。     

Determinants of circulating soluble transferrin receptor level in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the factors determining the circulating soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentrations in haemodialysis (HD) patients on maintenance recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) treatment. METHODS: In a prospective cross-sectional study, 91 chronic HD patients and 18 anaemic controls with normal renal function were recruited. For each subject, blood samples were measured for complete blood count, reticulocyte count, percentage of hypochromic red cells (% HRC), serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation (TS), serum erythropoietin (sEpo), C-reactive protein (CRP), and sTfR. HD patients received constant rHuEpo doses and basal sEpo was measured > or = 86 h after the last injection. The age, gender, dialysis vintage, and the above-mentioned parameters were used as independent variables and logarithmic sTfR (log(10)sTfR) as a dependent variable in the forward stepwise multiple regression model. RESULTS: HD patients were similar to controls regarding haematocrit, serum ferritin, TS, and % HRC, but had significantly lower sTfR, sEpo, and reticulocyte index. Univariate analyses showed that the sTfR level strongly correlated with sEpo (r=0.60, P<0.001) and % HRC (r=0.60, P<0.001), and significantly with serum ferritin (r=-0.29, P<0.01), TS (r=-0.27, P<0.05), and dose of rHuEpo administered (r=0.27, P<0.05) in HD patients. sTfR also had a positive correlation with haematocrit (r=0.26, P<0.05), red blood cell (RBC) count (r=0.23, P<0.05), and reticulocyte count (r=0.24, P<0.05), but not with CRP (r=0.16, P>0.05). Multivariate regression analysis disclosed that sEpo, HRC, and serum ferritin were the independent predictors of sTfR level. Overall, the model explained 58.8% of the variability in sTfR (R(2)=0.588, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating sTfR is a good index of marrow erythropoietic activity in HD patients during rHuEpo treatment. Its level is also independently up-regulated by functional iron deficiency in the process of enhanced erythropoiesis. Our study showed that sTfR levels quantitatively reflect the integrated effects of iron availability, iron reserves, and erythropoietic stimulation.