A study on limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) reactive material derived from dialyzers

The amebocytes of horseshoe crab (Limulus) hemolymph contain a coagulation system highly sensitive to bacterial endotoxins. Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) reactive material derived from cuproammonium rayon membranes, however, is not an endotoxin and acts upon the alternative pathway in the coagulation cascade found in Limulus amebocyte lysate. This study confirmed these facts by using the coagulation system of Limulus without factor G, which is a substrate of the alternative pathway. LAL reactive material lingered in the circulation for a relatively long time. In acute hemodialysis, its plasma concentration increased by an average of 100 pg/ml with each dialysis and eventually reached a plateau of approximately 300 pg/ml. In patients with chronic renal failure under regular hemodialysis, the mean level of LAL reactive material was 330.0±8.0 pg/ml before hemodialysis which increased by 70.6±20.7 pg/ml after four hours of hemodialysis.     

Antibiotic activity in peritoneal dialysate

There are few studies investigating whether antibiotics added to 30% glucose concentrate preserve their activity in the delivered dialysate. Using a Drake-Willock proportioning system, samples were obtained from the "to" patient path at ten minutes after starting and at four hours. Samples were tested for minimal inhibitory dilution (MID) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics evaluated included amikacin, tobramycin, gentamicin, cephalothin, cefamandole, moxalactam, ampicillin, penicillin, carbenicillin, and vancomycin. In all antibiotics studied, similar MIDs were obtained at the ten-minute and four-hour samples. Compared to saline, dialysate significantly impaired the antibiotic activity (a difference of two or more tube dilutions) of all antimicrobial agents except amikacin and vancomycin.     

低钙透析液用于血液透析的临床观察

目的 探讨低钙透析液用于血液透析的有效性及安全性.方法 采用稀释后浓度为1.25 mmol/L碳酸低钙透析液,常规透析治疗24例高钙血症血液透析患者的规律.观察高钙血症血液透析患者在应用碳酸低钙透析液3、6个月后血钙、钙磷乘积、全段甲状旁腺激素的指标变化及不良反应.结果 经治疗后发现血钙下降水平与低钙透析液使用前比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);钙磷乘积比较差异也有统计学意义(P＜0.05);血磷与全段甲状旁腺激素比较差异无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).结论 高钙血症的血液透析患者在使用低钙透析液后,血钙下降明显、可有效降低钙磷乘积,可能有益于减轻血液透析患者骨外转移性钙化的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of low-calcium dialysate in the treatment of the hypercalcemia of hemodialysis patients. Methords Low-calcium dialysate ( 1.25mmol/L) was used in 24hemodialysis patients of Hypercalcemia. Results There were significant difference between low-calcium dialysate was used before and after three months and six months in blood calcium( P ＜ 0.05), and there were also significant difference in Ca × iP ( P ＜ 0.05). There were no singnificant difference in blood phosphorus ( P ＞ 0.05) and in iPTH ( P ＞ 0.05) Conclusion There were significant difference between low-calcium dialysate was used before and used after three months and six months in blood calcium with hypercalcemia. It is effect to reduced calcium transfer from body's bone to other body's organs.     

Comparison of dialysis adequacy at two dialysate potassium concentrations

SUMMARY: It has been suggested that haemodialysis adequacy is greater dialysing against a 3 mmol/L potassium dialysate concentration than against a 1 mmol/L potassium concentration. As most dialysis patients dialyse against 1 or 2 mmol/L potassium, the dialysis adequacy at these two potassium concentrations was compared. Ten stable haemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to dialyse against 1 mmol/L potassium dialysate (K1) followed by 2 mmol/L potassium dialysate (K2) or vice versa. All other dialysis parameters were held stable. The mean urea reduction ratio was 68.3 ± 6.2 using K1 and 69.5 ± 6.4 using K2 ( P < 0.05 using Wilcoxon for paired data). The Kt / V , however, did not differ (1.39 ± 0.23 for K1 and 1.41 ± 0.23 for K2). The urea rebound was also not different between K1 and K2, with a trend to higher rebound using K2. The percentage rebound in urea was 6.0 ± 2.5 for K1 and 7.1 ± 2.8% for K2. In this setting, K2 dialysate offered no advantage in terms of urea rebound or Kt/V. Based on previously published data, a dialysate potassium concentration of 3 mmol/L may be required to achieve significant benefit in terms of dialysis adequacy.     

Evaluation of an in-line dialysate urea monitor including assessment of 'V'

Summary: Dialysate based assessment of the delivered dose of dialysis offers several advantages over blood sampling methods as it remains accurate in the face of fistula recirculation, urea rebound, variable blood flow and incorrect treatment time. Kr/V is calculated from the slope of the decline in urea concentration in the dialysate over the course of the treatment. By equilibrating dialysate with blood at the initiation of the treatment an estimate of pre-dialysis blood urea and the volume of distribution for urea (V) can be obtained. We performed Kt/V assessments on 20 in-centre haemodialysis patients using the Baxter Biostat 1000® dialysate urea monitor and compared the results with urea reduction ratios and Kt/V calculated by the formula of Basile. In addition, in 11 of these patients, V and pre-dialysis urea was derived and compared to total body water estimates using D₂O. the mean Kt/V by Biostat was 1.11 ± 0.23 and by formula was 1.23 ± 0.16 ( P < 0.005, Student's paired t -test). the lab pre-dialysis urea was 24.4 ± 6.2 mmol/L compared to the Biostat result of 23.9 ± 5.9 (when corrected for plasma water), with the mean difference of the techniques being −0.53 mmol/L. (95% CI −0.36–1.42). For V, the D₂O result was 36.7 ± 9.7 litres, compared to the Biostat result of 37.9 ± 9.6. the mean difference of the techniques by Bland and Altman analysis (or bias of the Biostat) was 1.2 L (95% CI −0.9–3.3) and the limits of agreement were −5.2–7.6L. Thus the Biostat provides easy access to dialysis adequacy data and gives a reasonable assessment of V, tending to overestimate this value.     

Effect of cool temperature dialysate on the quality and patients' perception of haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The effects of cool dialysate on the urea reduction ratio (URR) in high efficiency haemodialysis have not been completely studied. After reviewing the literature, it appeared that patients' perceptions of cool dialysis have not been studied. Since patients' perception have an impact on patient satisfaction, this motivated the authors to research this area of practice. METHODS: This study was designed to determine whether a high URR and haemodynamic stability could be achieved by using cool dialysate in two groups of patients. The first group of five patients were known to have hypotension episodes during dialysis, and the second group of five patients were documented as having stable blood pressure (BP) during and after dialysis, after excluding vascular access recirculation and any other problems. Each patient was dialysed for three sessions using cool dialysate (35 degrees C) followed by another three sessions using a standard dialysate temperature (36.5 degrees C). All other dialysis session parameters were maintained. RESULTS: The results show that the dialysate cooling resulted in an increased ultrafiltration in the low BP group (P = 0.05). Cool dialysis had neither an adverse nor a beneficial effect on urea removal in the two groups (P = NS). The mean arterial pressure post- and intra-dialysis was significantly higher in dialysis with cool dialysate in the low BP group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.007, respectively). The mean arterial pressure in the stable BP group remained unchanged when cool dialysate was used (P = NS). The intra-dialytic pulse rates in the low and stable BP groups were similar. A total of seven episodes of symptomatic hypotension were observed in the low BP group, but none in the stable BP group (P < 0.0001). Patients' perceptions about cool dialysate were measured by a questionnaire which showed that 80% of them felt more energetic after dialysis and requested to be always dialysed with cool dialysate. CONCLUSION: Cool dialysate improves tolerance for dialysis in hypotensive patients and helps increase ultrafiltration while maintaining haemodynamic stability during and after dialysis. Patients' perceptions were positive, as most of the selected sample felt more energetic and generally well during and after dialysis, and this had a positive impact on their activities of daily living.     

The faster potassium-lowering effect of high dialysate bicarbonate concentrations in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalaemia is common in patients with advanced renal disease. In this double-blind, randomized, three-sequence, crossover study, we compared the effect of three dialysate bicarbonate concentrations ([HCO3-]) on the kinetics of serum potassium (K+) reduction during a conventional haemodialysis (HD) session in chronic HD patients. METHODS: We studied eight stable HD patients. The choice of dialysate [HCO3-] followed a previously assigned treatment protocol and the [HCO3-] used were low bicarbonate (LB; 27 mmol/l), standard bicarbonate (SB; 35 mmol/l) and high bicarbonate (HB; 39 mmol/l). Polysulphone dialysers and automated machines provided blood flow rates of 300 ml/min and dialysis flow rates of 500 ml/min for each HD session. Blood samples were drawn at 0 (baseline), 15, 30, 60 and 240 min from the arterial extracorporeal line to assess blood gases and serum electrolytes. In three of the eight patients, we measured serum K+ 1 h post-dialysis as well as K+ removal by the dialysis. The same procedures were followed until the completion of the three arms of the study, with a 1 week interval between each experimental arm. RESULTS: Serum K+ decreased from 5.4+/-0.26 (baseline) to 4.96+/-0.20, 4.90+/-0.19, 4.68+/-0.13 and 4.24+/-0.15 mmol/l at 15, 30, 60 and 240 min, respectively, with LB; from 5.38+/-0.21 to 5.01+/-0.23, 4.70+/-0.25, 4.3+/-0.15 and 3.8+/-0.19 mmol/l, respectively, with SB; and from 5.45+/-0.25 to 4.79+/-0.17, 4.48+/-0.17, 3.86+/-0.16 and 3.34+/-0.11 mmol/l, respectively, with HB (P<0.05 for high vs standard and low [HCO3-] at 60 and 240 min). The decrease in serum K+ correlated with the rise in serum [HCO3-] in all but LB (P<0.05). Potassium rebound was 3.9+/-10.2%, 5.2+/-6.6% and 8.9+/-4.9% for LB, SB and HB dialysates, respectively (P=NS), while total K+ removal (mmol/dialysis) was 116.4+/-21.6 for LB, 73.2+/-12.8 for SB and 80.9+/-15.4 for HB (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: High dialysate [HCO3-] was associated with a faster decrease in serum K+. Our results strongly suggest that this reduction was due to the enhanced shifting of K+ from the extracellular to the intracellular fluid compartment rather than its removal by dialysis. This finding could have an impact for those patients with life-threatening pre-HD hyperkalaemia.     

Serum and dialysate concentrations of cephalexin following repeated dosing in CAPD patients

Oral cephalexin, 1 to 2 g daily for 3 days, was given to six stable, noninfected patients receiving maintenance continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The peak serum concentration after a 2 g initial dose was between 73 and 123 mg/L. On the second and third day in five patients who received a 2 g daily oral dose, the serum concentrations were between 35 and 118 mg/L in serum obtained 1 to 1.5 hours after the dosing. Similar serum concentrations were seen in one patient who only received a 1 g oral dose on the second and third day. Cephalexin concentrations in the peritoneal dialysate reached a peak on the first day between 4 to 14 hours after the dose and were between 31 to 78 mg/L. During the second and third day, the highest cephalexin concentration was 118 mg/L and the lowest was 12 mg/L. The data are consistent with the feasibility of oral cephalexin for treatment of CAPD-associated peritonitis with microorganisms that are sensitive to these levels of cephalexin.     

Amelioration of hemodialysis-associated hypotension by the use of cool dialysate

The effect of a reduction in dialysate temperature on BP during hemodialysis was studied in seven patients with end-stage renal disease suffering frequently from intradialytic hypotension. Each patient received six dialyses using 34.4 degrees C dialysate. These treatments were preceded (six dialyses) and also followed (six dialyses) by control periods using a 36.7 degrees C bath. Symptomatic hypotension was defined as systolic BP below 100 mm Hg associated with typical symptoms of hypotension requiring treatment with intravenous (IV) fluid. Cool dialysate reduced the frequency of symptomatic hypotension from 0.58 to 0.05 episodes per dialysis (P = less than 0.016). In addition, the rate of fall of mean BP during treatment was substantially slowed with the reduction in dialysate temperature (P = 0.002). Cool dialysate (34.4 degrees C) substantially ameliorates hemodialysis-associated hypotension.     

低钙透析液对血液透析患者生活质量的影响

目的探讨低钙透析液（LCD）对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者生活质量（OOL）的影响。方法将30例血清矫正钙≥2．37mmol／L的MHD患者依据血甲状旁腺激素（iPTH）水平分为3组,均使用LCD透析3个月,比较3组患者使用LCD透析前后SF-36问卷评分值及血清钙、磷、钙磷乘积、iFrrH、骨钙素（BGP）水平。结果①透析后与透析前相比,Ⅰ组患者SF-36总分、生理健康总分（PCS）、生理功能、躯体职能（RP）、躯体疼痛（BP）及情感状况评分增高（P〈0．05）,总体健康、生命活力、社会功能及精神健康无差异;Ⅱ组患者PCS、RP和BP评分降低（P〈0．05）,余指标无差异;Ⅲ组各指标评分均无差异（P〉0．05）。②与透析前相比,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组患者透析后血清钙和钙磷乘积均降低（P〈0．05）,iPTH和BGP水平均升高（P〈0．05）;Ⅲ组无变化。结论LCD短期应用能显著提高无动力型骨病患者生活质量,尤其减轻躯体疼痛,长期使用可能影响患者生理健康从而对QOL产生负影响,LCD对MHD患者心理健康无明显改善。     

Removal of limulus reactivity and cytokine-inducing capacity from bicarbonate dialysis fluids by ultrafiltration

Bicarbonate-based dialysate solutions support the rapid growthof bacteria. The long-term (360-h) efficacy of ultrafiltrationby two polysulphone ultrafilters in removing not only endotoxinbut also the cytokine(IL-l, TNF)-inducing capacity was evaluatedusing an experimental circuit contaminated with Pseudomonasaeruginosa filtrates. One of the polysulphone ultrafilters wassubmitted to a standard sanitization procedure every 12 h (hypochlorite1.2% solution for 5 min and rinsing for 20 min). Endotoxin wasdetected by the kinetic quantitative chromogenic limulus amoebocytelysate (LAL) assay. Immunoreactive IL-1 and TNF were evaluatedin the lysates of peripheral blood mononuclear cells containing5x10⁵ human monocytes. The results of the present studies showthat although LAL-reactive bacterial products were significantlyremoved in post-ultrafilter samples, they remained detectable,albeit below the upper limit accepted by the present Europeanpharmacopeias (<0.125 EU/ml). The removal of cytokine-inducing capacity was time-dependentand correlated with time of use in the case of the sanitizedultrafilter. Beyond the time of use, two other factors emergedas possibly capable of reducing the efficacy of the ultrafilterin removing LAL-reactive bacterial components, namely the pressureand the cytokine-inducing activity in pre-ultrafilter samples. Preincubation with polymyxin B, an agent that irreversibly bindslipid A and blocks lipid A-induced biological activities, didnot abrogate the cytokine-inducing capacity in all post-ultrafiltersamples; this suggests that either low-molecular-weight endotoxinsubunits or lipid A-unrelated components may be responsiblefor the residual biological activity in post-ultrafilter samples.This study underlines the sensitivity of the ‘cytokinetest’ in detecting LAL-unreactive bacterial components,and emphasizes the need for further investigations towards improvingthe biocompatibility of dialysate fluids.     

The effectiveness of oral essential aminoacids and aminoacids containing dialysate in peritoneal dialysis

Background/Aim: Oral essential amino acids (AAs) containing supplements (EAS) and AA containing dialysate (ACD) are frequently used in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with malnutrition. The present study was conducted to investigate two strategies and compare their effects on the malnutrition status of PD patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 31 EAS, 14 ACD patients were enrolled in this study. Serum albumin levels were lower than 3.5?g/dL in all subjects. EAS group patients took five pills containing AAs three times a day with meals. In the other, 2.000?cc of 1.1% ACD was given to patients daily during the study. Demographic and laboratory parameters were analyzed and compared at baseline and 6th month. Results: Significant increases in BMI, albumin, and protein in both groups. Mean albumin levels increased significantly by 0.54?g/dL in ACD group (p?0.005) and 0.49?g/dL in EAS group (p?0.001) following 6 months. Mean albumin and delta albumin levels did not differ between two groups. Conclusion: These strategies may play an important role in increasing albumin levels and improving the nutritional status of PD patients.     

低钙透析液对腹膜透析患者钙磷代谢的影响

目的横断面研究腹膜透析患者使用低钙透析液的安全性及其影响因素。方法选择西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院肾脏内科腹膜透析超过6个月的患者共39例，其中男24例，女15例，年龄56．49±19．31岁，其中使用常规（ca 1．75mmol／L）透析液8例，低钙（ca 1．25mmol／L）透析液31例，比较两组血清钙、磷、甲状旁腺激素、血压以及使用碳酸钙的情况。结果两组血钙无明显差异；常规透析液组血磷和钙磷乘积高于低钙组，两组iPTH无明显差异。低钙组服用碳酸钙剂量明显高于常规透析液组。低钙组服用碳酸钙与未服用碳酸钙血钙无明显差异，服用碳酸钙组血磷控制较为理想、钙磷乘积更接近正常，未服用碳酸钙组血PTH明显升高。结论腹膜透析患者使用低钙透析液有利于控制血磷和血压，有效预防钙磷乘积升高。提高对碳酸钙的依从性是预防使用低钙透析液后引起继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进的关键。     

低钙透析液对血液透析患者钙磷代谢及骨质重塑的影响

目的比较低钙透析液对长期血液透析患者钙磷代谢及骨重塑的影响。方法45例血清矫正钙≥9.5mgdl且iPTH≤150pgml患者随机分为透析液钙浓度1.25、1.5及1.75mmolL3组透析治疗3个月,观察3组患者血清Ca、P、Ca×P、iPTH、BGP、IGF1及IGFBP3水平差异。结果观察结束时,DCa1.5与DCa1.75组,血清Ca×P水平DCa1.5组无变化、DCa1.75组升高(P<0.05),IGF1水平2组均保持稳定;iPTH及BGP水平DCa1.5组升高(P<0.05)及DCa1.75组降低(P<0.05)。DCa1.25组血清Ca×P及IGF1水平明显降低(P<0.01),iPTH及BGP水平有显著升高(P<0.01)。透析前血清iPTH及BGP水平呈正相关(r=0.155,P<0.05)。结论低钙透析液可在有限时间内有效降低钙负荷及改善骨代谢。长期应用低钙透析液很可能通过增加iPTH、BGP水平及降低IGF1水平引发骨质疏松。     

Enhanced clearance of highly protein-bound drugs by albumin-supplemented dialysate during modeled continuous hemodialysis

Background. In 2006, there were 16 796 toxic exposures attributedto valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT)reported to the US Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Of these,30% (5046) were treated in a health care facility with 12 casesresulting in death. These drugs are highly protein bound andpoorly dialyzable; however, it has been suggested that albumin-supplementeddialysate may enhance dialytic clearance. We investigated whetherthe addition of albumin to dialysate affects dialytic clearanceof VPA, CBZ and PHT. Methods. VPA, CBZ and PHT were added to a bovine blood-basedin vitro continuous hemodialysis circuit, which included a polysulfoneor an AN69 hemodialyzer. VPA, CBZ and PHT clearances were calculatedfrom spent dialysate and pre-dialyzer plasma concentrations.VPA, CBZ and PHT clearances with control (albumin-free) dialysatewere compared to clearances achieved with 2.5% or 5% human albumin-containingdialysate. The influences of blood flow (180 and 270 mL/min)and dialysate flow (1, 2 and 4 L/h) on dialysis clearance werealso assessed. Results. The addition of 2.5% albumin to dialysate significantlyenhanced dialytic clearance of VPA and CBZ, but not PHT. Useof 5% albumin dialysate further increased VPA and CBZ clearance.Overall, drug clearance was related directly to dialysate flowbut independent of blood flow. Conclusion. Continuous hemodialysis with albumin-supplementeddialysate significantly enhanced VPA and CBZ, but not PHT, clearancecompared to control dialysate. Continuous hemodialysis withalbumin-supplemented dialysate may be a promising therapy toenhance dialytic clearance of selected highly protein-bounddrugs.     

腹膜透析液诱导结缔组织生长因子在大鼠腹膜间皮细胞表达

目的 研究应用不同腹膜透析液对大鼠腹膜间皮细胞(RPMCs)结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)合成的影响。方法 分离培养的RPMC分为6组，分别以不同腹膜透析液[1.5% Dextrose(低糖组)、2.5% Dextrose(中糖组)、4.25% Dextrose(高糖组)、7.5% Icodextrin(糊精组) ]进行刺激培养，而无血清DMEM为阴性对照(对照组)， TGF-β1(2.5 ng/ml)为阳性对照(阳性对照组)。刺激培养24 h后，RT-PCR法检测RPMCs的CTGF mRNA、胶原Ⅰ mRNA、α-SMA mRNA表达。Western印迹法检测RPMCs的CTGF、胶原Ⅰ、α-SMA蛋白表达以及培养上清中的CTGF蛋白表达。结果 各组均见CTGF mRNA表达，高糖组、阳性对照组CTGF mRNA 表达水平显著高于中糖组、低糖组及对照组(P < 0.05)；中糖组与糊精组CTGF mRNA 表达亦显著上调(P < 0.05)。各组细胞均检测到CTGF蛋白质表达，为相对分子质量38 000及 25 000的2种亚型，与RT-PCR结果一致。高糖组、阳性对照组CTGF 蛋白表达水平显著高于糊精组、中糖组、低糖组及对照组(P < 0.05)。RPMCs培养上清液中检测出CTGF 38 000亚型的表达，其表达强弱趋势与CTGF在细胞中表达一致。高糖组、阳性对照组胶原I mRNA、蛋白质的表达水平显著高于对照组(P < 0.05)，其余各组间无显著性差异。各组α-SMA mRNA、蛋白质表达未见显著性差异(P > 0.05)。结论 正常培养的RPMCs表达低水平的CTGF。腹膜透析液、尤其是高浓度葡萄糖透析液，能明显上调CTGF表达的水平，这可能是导致长期腹膜透析过程中腹膜结构改变的机制之一。糊精腹膜透析液生物相容性可能优于高浓度葡萄糖透析液。     

Body composition measurements using bioimpedance analysis in peritoneal dialysis patients are affected by the presence of dialysate

The presence of peritoneal dialysate when performing bioimpedance analysis may affect body composition measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dialysate on body composition measurements in Asians. Forty‐one patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis in our hospital peritoneal dialysis unit were included in this study. Dialysate was drained from the abdomen prior to measurement, and bioimpedance analysis was performed using multi‐frequency bioimpedance analysis, with each subject in a standing position (D‐). Dialysate was then administered and the measurement was repeated (D+). The presence of peritoneal dialysate led to an increase in intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), and total body water (D‐: 20.33 ± 3.72 L for ICW and 13.53 ± 2.54 L for ECW; D+: 20.96 ± 3.78 L for ICW and 14.10 ± 2.59 L for ECW; P < 0.001 for both variables). Total and trunk oedema indices were higher in the presence of peritoneal dialysate. In addition, the presence of peritoneal dialysate led to an overestimation of mineral content and free fat mass (FFM) for the total body; but led to an underestimation of body fat (D‐: 45.80 ± 8.26 kg for FFM and 19.30 ± 6.27 kg for body fat; D+: 47.51 ± 8.38 kg for FFM and 17.59 ± 6.47 kg for body fat; P < 0.001 for both variables). Our results demonstrate that the presence of peritoneal dialysate leads to an overestimation of FFM and an underestimation of fat mass. An empty abdomen is recommended when evaluating body composition using bioimpedance analysis.     

Quantitative endotoxin determination in blood--chromogenic modification of the limulus amebocyte lysate test

A newly developed modification of the limulus amebocyte lysate test for quantification of endotoxin levels in blood is described. The chromogenic peptide carbobenzoxy-Gly-Gly-Arg-4-methyl-cumarinyl-7-amid proved to be most suitable. The liberated fluorescent dye is diazotized with N(1-naphtyl-)-ethylen-diamin-dihydrochloride. Using this statistically proved reliable and sensitive test, endotoxin serum levels of healthy persons and patients undergoing major surgical treatment were compared. In the postoperative phase endotoxin serum levels up to 0.5 ng/ml can be detected without clinical signs of septicemia. Healthy persons show endotoxin serum levels up to 0.08 ng/ml. In rats no difference of endotoxin serum levels was detected in the portal vein, and in arterial and venous blood. So a physiological endotoxin resorption from the intestine followed by a clearance during the liver passage seems to be doubtful in this species.     

Low vs standard calcium dialysate in peritoneal dialysis: differences in treatment, biochemistry and bone histomorphometry. A randomized multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), low-calcium dialysate (LCD) has been proposed as the first choice for a better control of renal osteodystrophy. Our aim was to compare the effects on bone metabolism of LCD (calcium: 1.25 mmol/l) with that of a standard calcium dialysate (SCD; calcium: 1.75 mmol/l). METHODS: Forty-four PD patients were randomized to receive LCD or continue on SCD for a period of 12 months. Bone biopsies were taken at baseline and at 12 months. Biochemical data and treatment were evaluated every 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients completed the study. In the SCD group (n = 10), nine out of the 10 patients were initially diagnosed with adynamic bone lesion (ABL). After 1 year, six continued having ABL and three patients moved to high-turnover bone lesion (HTBL). The other patient, initially diagnosed with HTBL, changed to ABL. In the LCD group (n = 14), 10 patients were initially diagnosed with ABL. At 1 year, six of them continued having ABL and four patients changed to HTBL. Four patients were initially diagnosed with HTBL and did not change. Comparison between LCD and SCD groups showed an increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels starting at month 3 and a higher intake of calcium salts in the former group (P<0.01). Serum calcium, phosphate levels and bone histological outcome did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: LCD use for 1 year was associated with an increase in PTH levels, but did not lead to histological changes different from those observed in SCD group. The LCD solution allowed a higher oral intake of calcium salts with a satisfactory control of the serum Calcium-Phosphorus product.