The relationship of Prohepcidin levels with anemia and inflammatory markers in non-diabetic uremic patients: a controlled study

Introduction: Hepcidin, a small peptide hormone synthesized in the liver, plays central role in regulation of iron metabolism. Hepcidin generation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is dependent on iron status, anemia, inflammation, and hypoxia and erythropoietin levels. In our study, the relationship between Prohepcidin levels and inflammation and iron indices in non-diabetic uremic patients was investigated. Methods: This study has a cross-sectional design which includes four groups: Non-diabetic 21 patients with stage 4 CKD (predialysis), 20 hemodialysis (HD) and 21 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and 17 healthy volunteers as the control group. Complete blood count, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, parathyroid hormone, interleukin (IL)-6 and Prohepcidin levels were recorded. Results: Serum Prohepcidin levels in the predialysis, HD, PD and the control groups were 119.6?±?45.1?ng/mL, 140.2?±?41.8?ng/mL, 148.2?±?35.0?ng/mL and 93.8?±?21.9?ng/mL, respectively (p?r?=?0.345, p?=?0.002), creatinine (r?=?0.465, p?r?=?0.253, p?=?0.025), hsCRP (r?=?0.275, p?=?0.019), duration of dialysis treatment (r?=?0.443, p?r?=?0.467, p?r?=?0.615, p?r?=??0.286, p?r?=??0.573, p?r?=??0.473, p?r?=??0.351, p?=?0.002) and hematocrit (r?=??0.342, p?=?0.002) levels. Discussion: Prohepcidin levels increase with deepening anemia and show positive correlation with inflammatory markers. Therapeutic interventions regarding Prohepcidin action on inflammatory status may play a role in the treatment of anemia due to inflammation. Functional iron deficiency is frequent in uremic patients. It may be beneficial to measure Prohepcidin level together with ferritin among these patients.     

CA 125 levels and left ventricular function in patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze associations between serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Methods: CA 125 levels, pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) and biochemical parameters were measured, and echocardiography was performed for 110 patients and 47 healthy controls. Results: The mean CA 125 level in patients, 38.78?±?35.48?U/mL, was significantly higher than that found in healthy controls (9.20?±?4.55?U/mL; p?=?0.003). Patients with elevated CA 125 levels (n?=?40) had significantly lower levels of albumin and reduced relative wall thickness, LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening but significantly higher levels of pro-BNP and a greater left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and -systolic diameter (LVESd). CA 125 levels were positively correlated with pro-BNP (r?=?0.596, p?r?=?0.439, p?r?=?0.599, p?r?=?0.750, p?r?=?0.378, p?r?=??0.513, p?r?=??0.475, p?r?=??0.878, p?β?=??1.121, p?β?=?0.247, p?=?0.035) were independent predictors of high CA 125 levels in the whole group in the multivariate-model. Conclusions: Our study is the first to demonstrate an association between serum CA 125 levels and LV systolic dysfunction via inflammation in patients on maintenance HD.     

Increased serum renalase in hemodialysis patients: is it related to left ventricular hypertrophy?

Introduction: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the most common cardiac abnormalities in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Hypertension, diabetes, increased body mass index, gender, age, anemia, and hyperparathyroidism have been described as risk factors for LVH in patients on dialysis. However, there may be other risk factors which have not been described yet. Recent studies show that renalase is associated with cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to reveal the relation between renalase, LVH in patients under hemodialysis (HD) treatment.

Methods: The study included 50?HD patients and 35 healthy controls. Serum renalase levels and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were measured in all participants and the relation between these variables was examined.

Findings: LVMI was positively correlated with dialysis vintage and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r?=?0.387, p?=?0.005 and r?=?0.597, p?r?=??0.324, p?=?0.022 and r?=??0.499, p?r?=?0.263, p?=?0.065). Serum renalase levels were significantly higher in HD patients (212?±?127?ng/mL) compared to controls (116?±?67?ng/mL) (p?r?=?0.677, p?r?=?0.625, p?Discussion: In our study, LVMI was correlated with dialysis vintage, residual diuresis, CRP, and hemoglobin. LVMI tends to correlate with renalase and this correlation may be significant in studies with more patient numbers. The main parameters affecting renalase levels are dialysis vintage and serum creatinine.     

Is hemojuvelin a possible new player in iron metabolism in hemodialysis patients?

Introduction

Hemojuvelin (HJV) is highly expressed in the liver, skeletal muscles, and heart, seems to play a role in iron absorption and release from cells, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, HJV plays an essential role in the regulation of hepcidin expression, specifically in the iron-sensing pathway. Hepcidin has emerged as a key regulator of iron homeostasis. In this study we tested for the first time the hypothesis that HJV is related to iron metabolism in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

Iron status, complete blood count, and serum creatinine, albumin, and lipids were assessed, using standard laboratory methods. Serum levels of soluble transferrin receptor (sTFR), high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6, hepcidin, and HJV were measured using commercially available kits.

Results

Serum HJV, hepcidin, ferritin, IL-6, hsCRP, and serum creatinine were significantly higher (all P?<?0.001), whereas serum iron, sTFR, transferrin, hemoglobin, and erythrocyte count were significantly lower in HD patients, compared to healthy volunteers (all P?<?0.001). In univariate analysis, HJV was strongly correlated (P?<?0.001) with ferritin, transferrin saturation, and TIBC, as well as with hsCRP, hepcidin, Kt/V (P?<?0.01) and residual renal function, the presence of diabetes, APKD, and coronary heart disease. Predictors of HJV level in multiple regression analysis were ferritin (beta value was 0.50, P?=?0.00004) and transferrin saturation (beta value was 0.47, P?=?0.0002), explaining 81% of the HJV variations.

Conclusions

Serum HJV is elevated in HD patients and related predominantly to kidney function and iron metabolism. However, HJV is probably not correlated to inflammation. HJV appears to be a new player in iron metabolism in these patients.     

Very low doses of direct intravenous iron in each session as maintenance therapy in hemodialysis patients

Background: Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation is widely used in hemodialysis (HD) patients to treat their periodic losses. However, the ideal dose and frequency is unknown. The goal of the study is to see if a 20?mg dose of iron IV at the end of each session of HD as iron maintenance is better than the iron prior therapy. We analyze the erythropoiesis activity (EA) and functional iron (FI) after four weeks of treatment.

Methods: In 36 patients, we measure reticulocyte count and content of hemoglobin reticulocyte (CHr) as EA and FI markers, respectively, before and after the treatment. Before the study, 23 patients received another different therapy with IV iron as maintenance therapy.

Results: Reticulocyte count: 49.7?±?23.8?×?10³ before and 47.2?±?17.2?×?10³ after the treatment (p=?0.51). The CHr: 34.8?±?3.7?pg and 34.4?±?3.5?pg, respectively, (p=?0.35), showing an excellent correlation with the other FI markers (serum iron r?=?0.6; p?=?0.001; saturation transferrin r?=?0.49; p?=?0.004); that is not shown with the serum ferritin (r?=?0.23; p?=?0.192) or the hepcidin levels (r?=?0.22; p?=?0.251). There was not a correlation between the C-Reactive Protein, reticulocyte count, and CHr. The 13 patients who did not receive the iron prior to the study showed high FI levels, but not an increased of the serum ferritin or the serum hepcidin levels.

Conclusions: The administration of a small quantity of iron at the end of every HD session keeps the EA and the FI levels and allows reducing the iron overload administered and/or decreasing the iron stores markers in some patients.     

Ferroportin in monocytes of hemodialysis patients and its associations with hepcidin,inflammation, markers of iron status and resistance to erythropoietin

Purpose

Disturbed iron homeostasis contributes to resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Increased hepcidin, which downregulates the iron exporter ferroportin, has been incriminated. However, other factors also control ferroportin expression in mononuclear phagocyte system. Ferroportin in monocytes, as well as serum hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and common markers of iron status were measured and correlations with rHuEpo resistance index (ERI) were evaluated.

Methods

After a 4-week washout period from iron treatment, 34 HD patients and 20 healthy volunteers enrolled in the study. Ferroportin was assessed by means of western blotting, whereas hepcidin and IL-6 with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were also measured.

Results

Ferroportin in monocytes of HD patients was decreased. Serum hepcidin and IL-6 were increased, whereas serum iron and TSAT were decreased. ERI was negatively correlated with ferroportin and all the markers of iron adequacy, but not with hepcidin.

Conclusion

Decreased ferroportin in monocytes of HD patients accompanies increased hepcidin, inflammation, decreased iron availability and is correlated with resistance to rHuEpo treatment.     

Body mass index and resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Abstract

The aim of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy and body mass index (BMI) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We evaluated 191 HD patients and 25 healthy individuals. Complete blood count, reticulocyte count, and circulating levels of ferritin, transferrin, iron, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), transferrin saturation, hepcidin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), albumin, and adiponectin were measured in all patients and controls. Non-responder patients (n?=?16), as compared with responder patients (n?=?175), showed statistically significant lower BMI values, an enhanced inflammatory and higher adiponectin levels, associated with disturbances in iron metabolism. Analyzing the results according to BMI, we found that underweight patients required higher rhEPO doses than normal, overweight, and obese patients, and a higher percentage of non-responders patients were found within the underweight group of HD patients. Moreover, underweight patients presented lower levels of transferrin and higher levels of adiponectin compared to overweight and obese patients, and lower levels of iron compared with normal weight patients. Multiple regression analysis identified the sTfR, hemoglobin, BMI, and albumin as independent variables associated with rhEPO doses. In conclusion, our work showed that HD patients resistant to rhEPO therapy present a functional iron deficiency and a higher degree of inflammation, despite their lower BMI values and higher levels of adiponectin. Actually, BMI is poorly related with markers of systemic inflammation, such as IL-6 and CRP, while adiponectin works a fairly good indirect marker of adiposity within HD patients.     

Serum ferritin as an activity marker for granulamotosis with polyangiitis

Background: Serum ferritin correlates well with the activities of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis, but it has not been previously studied in patients with vasculitis.

Methods: Medical records of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener’s granulomatosis) patients with at least six months of regular follow-up were evaluated. The activity of GPA was assessed with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener’s Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG). Serum ferritin and other acute phase markers were measured at initial presentation.

Results: Serum ferritin levels were found to be the highest in GPA patients with alveolar hemorrhage, median (IQR) 1041 (1281) μg/L. Patients with renal disease also had high levels of ferritin and it was correlated with concurrent glomerular filtration rate (r?=??0.65, p?r?=?0.79, p?Conclusions: Measurement of serum ferritin might help in assessing disease activity of GPA.     

Circulating irisin levels reflect visceral adiposity in non-diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis

Background: Recent evidence suggests that increased visceral adiposity is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Irisin, which is a novel myokine, can play critical roles in diabetes and adiposity. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether serum irisin levels are associated with body mass index, waist circumference (WC), and total fat mass in non-diabetic patients undergoing maintenance HD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 108 non-diabetic HD patients and 40 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy subjects. Serum irisin concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Body fat composition (TBF-410 Tanita Body Composition Analyzer) was measured and calculated.

Results: Serum irisin levels did not differ between HD patients and the healthy controls (523.50?±?229.32 vs. 511.28?±?259.74, p?=?0.782). Serum irisin levels were associated with age (r?=?0.314; p?=0.006), HOMA-IR (r?=?0.472; p?=?0.003), WC (r?=?0.862; p?r?=?0.614; p?β?=?1.240, p?β?=?0.792, p?=?0.015) were the variables that were significantly associated with irisin concentrations (R^2?=^?0.684, p?Conclusions: These results suggest that serum irisin levels are related to visceral adiposity in non-diabetic HD patients.     

NGAL and NT-proBNP levels in diabetic patients with macroproteinuria

Abstract

Background: In patients with heart failure plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are correlated to urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels. We prospectively evaluated the relationship among glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), urine and serum NGAL and NT-proBNP levels in 20 type II diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria at 4-month intervals. Results: Compared with 20 age, gender-matched healthy controls, diabetic patients had higher urine and serum NGAL, serum NT-proBNP and lower eGFR. The eGFR of the patients at the baseline, the 4th and the 8th month were 29.6?±?12.0, 27.8?±?13.7 and 22.9?±?10.4?mL/min/1.73?m², respectively. No significant change in urine NGAL levels was detected (p?>?0.05), whereas there were significant increases in NT-proBNP, serum NGAL and urine ACR and significant decrease in eGFR as the study progressed (p?<?0.05). Both the baseline and the 4th month urine ACR were positively correlated to NT-proBNP levels measured at the same periods (r: 0.451; p: 0.046; r: 0.489; p: 0.029 respectively). In all measurements, urine ACR was negatively correlated to serum albumin levels measured at the same periods (r: ?0.792; p: 0.000; r: ?0.716; p: 0.000; r: ?0.531; p: 0.016 respectively). None of eGFR measurements was correlated with NT-proBNP (p?>?0.05). Neither serum NGAL nor urinary NGAL levels are associated with NT-proBNP (p?>?0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show an association between NT-proBNP and proteinuria in type II diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria but not with serum and urine NGAL.     

The Impact of Chronic Inflammation on Bone Turnover in Hemodialysis Patients

Background. Renal osteodystrophy is very common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. HD is a chronic inflammatory state. Studies in other pathological entities have shown an impact of chronic inflammation on bone metabolism. In the present study, the impact of chronic inflammation on bone turnover in HD patients was evaluated.?Patients and methods. Thirty-three anuric HD patients free of other pathological conditions or medications that affect immune system or bone metabolism and 30 healthy volunteers enrolled into the study. Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), the markers of inflammation IL-6 and CRP, as well as the markers of bone turnover osteocalcin (OCN) and beta-isomerized C-terminal cross-linked peptide of collagen type I (β-CTx) were measured in the serum.?Results. All evaluated factors were increased in HD patients. In the HD group, the serum marker of osteoblastic activity OCN was related inversely to patients' age (r?=??0.469, p?=?0.006), CRP (rho?=??0.460, p?=?0.007), and IL-6 (r?=??0.485, p?=?0.004) but positively to iPTH (r?=?0.707, p < 0.001). Similarly, the serum marker of osteoclastic activity β-CTx was related inversely to patients' age (r?=??0.383, p?=??0.028), CRP (rho?=?–0.466, p?=?0.006), and IL-6 (r?=??0.460, p?=?0.007) but positively to iPTH (r?=?0.657, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that IL-6 affects bone turnover independently of PTH and to the opposite direction.?Conclusion. Chronic inflammation has a negative impact on bone turnover in HD patients. Certainly, further research and large clinical trials are needed for definite conclusions and for clarifying the exact molecular mechanisms implicated in the interaction between the immune system and bone metabolism in HD patients.     

维持性血透患者血清NGAL水平与体内铁存储的相关性研究

目的:探讨在维持性血液透析患者,其血清NGAL(中性粒细胞明胶酶相关载脂蛋白)水平与体内铁存储的关系。方法:从2010年10月开始,我们纳入我院血液透析患者人数150例,同时纳入50例健康人为对照。收集患者及健康对照人群的人口学资料、相关的临床和生化学资料,透析前后NGAL及透析前CRP、转铁蛋白饱和度、铁蛋白、血清铁、转铁蛋白等。做透析前血清NGAL与CRP、转铁蛋白饱和度、铁蛋白、血清铁、转铁蛋白相关性分析。评估NGAL水平在判断体内铁存储的价值。结果:(1)血液透析患者其血清NGAL透析前水平为(445.45±50.34)ng/ml,透析后为(369±50.34)ng/ml,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)血液透析患者其血清NGAL水平与CRP、spKt/V、TSAT等指标均有正相关关系(P<0.05),但与铁蛋白、血清铁、转铁蛋白无明显线性关系(P>0.05)。在多元线性回归模型中,NGAL水平与CRP、spKt/V、TSAT有相关关系(P<0.05)。(3)ROC曲线表明,NGAL水平较铁蛋白更好的反映体内铁存储情况,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:在血液透析患者,血清NGAL与spKt/V、CRP、TSAT有不同程度的正相关。血清NGAL能较好的反映体内铁存储情况。     

Combination of biomarkers for diagnosis of acute kidney injury after cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

Novel acute kidney injury (AKI) biomarkers offer promise of earlier diagnosis and risk stratification, but have yet to find widespread clinical application. We measured urinary α and π glutathione S-transferases (α-GST and π-GST), urinary l-type fatty acid-binding protein (l-FABP), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), urinary hepcidin and serum cystatin c (CysC) before surgery, post-operatively and at 24?h after surgery in 93 high risk patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and assessed the ability of these biomarkers alone and in combination to predict RIFLE-R defined AKI in the first 5 post-operative days. Twenty-five patients developed AKI. π-GST (ROCAUC?=?0.75), lower urine Hepcidin:Creatine ratio at 24?h (0.77), greater urine NGAL:Cr ratio post-op (0.73) and greater serum CysC at 24?h (0.72) best predicted AKI. Linear combinations with significant improvement in AUC were: Hepcidin:Cr 24?h?+?post-operative π-GST (AUC?=?0.86, p?=?0.01), Hepcidin:Cr 24?h?+?NGAL:Cr post-op (0.84, p?=?0.03) and CysC 24?h?+?post-operative π-GST (0.83, p?=?0.03), notably these significant biomarkers combinations all involved a tubular injury and a glomerular filtration biomarker. Despite statistical significance in receiver–operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, when assessed by ability to define patients to two groups at high and low risk of AKI, combinations failed to significantly improve classification of risk compared to the best single biomarkers. In an alternative approach using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis a model involving NGAL:Cr measurement post-op followed by Hepcidin:Cr at 24?h was developed which identified high, intermediate and low risk groups for AKI. Regression tree analysis has the potential produce models with greater clinical utility than single combined scores.     

Immunohistochemical study of tubular epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells in glomerulonephritis

Background and aims: In order to assess the role played by tubular epithelial cells (TEC) and interstitial vascular endothelial cells (VEC) in interstitial fibrogenesis in human glomerulonephritis, we studied the expression of markers of activated fibroblasts (α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and vimentin (Vim)) and of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), at the level of these cells. Methods: We studied retrospectively 41 renal biopsies from patients with primary and secondary glomerulonephritis [24 males, 17 females, mean age 45.5?±?12.9?years]. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies (SMA, Vim, TGFβ) was assessed using a semiquantitative score, that was correlated with biological and histological data (quantified using a scoring system in order to assess active-inflammatory and chronic–sclerotic/fibrotic lesions). Results: The presence of SMA and Vim as markers of myofibroblasts was found in TECs and VECs. TEC Vim expression correlated with interstitial Vim expression (r?=?0.38; p?=?0.008), interstitial infiltrate (r?=?0.31; p?=?0.027), interstitial fibrosis (R?=?0.25; p?=?0.042), GFR (r?=??0.35; p?=?0.016), SMA (r?=??0.42; p?=?0.015), TGFβ (r?=?0.25; p?=?0.046), and hemoglobin (r?=??0.55; p?r?=??0.32; p?=?0.023) and interstitial fibrosis (r?=??0.34; p?=?0.017). Conclusion: Our study reflects the complexity of the involvement of VEC and mainly of TEC in fibrosis. The expression of mesenchymal markers at the tubular cell level (especially Vim) correlates with histological interstitial changes, with the decrease of renal function and more strongly with anemia.     

Increased visfatin in hemodialysis patients is associated with decreased demands for recombinant human erythropoietin

Abstract

Background: Studies detected an association between visfatin and markers of iron metabolism in patients with insulin resistance. In this study, such a relation was evaluated in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Also relations between visfatin and hepcidin, demands for recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), inflammation, and situations characterized by insulin resistance were evaluated. Methods: After a four-week washout period from iron treatment, 33 HD patients and 20 healthy volunteers enrolled in the study. Serum visfatin, hepcidin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were also measured. Results: Visfatin was markedly increased in HD patients. Visfatin levels did not differ between diabetics and non-diabetics. No relation was detected between visfatin and body mass index or IL-6 in HD patients. From the markers of iron metabolism, the hepcidin included, visfatin was related only to TSAT. A strong positive relation was revealed between visfatin and hemoglobin, whereas visfatin was inversely related to rHuEpo dose. Resistance to rHuEpo index was inversely and independently of TSAT related to visfatin. Conclusion: Visfatin is increased in HD patients and it is associated with decreased demands for rHuEpo.     

Relationship between responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and long-term outcomes in chronic hemodialysis patients: a single-center cohort study

Background

Responsiveness to erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA) may be associated with mortality risk in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between responsiveness to ESA and long-term outcome in chronic HD patients.

Methods

Patients on HD therapy for more than 6 months were enrolled in this cohort study. The first year was used to assess the longitudinal dialysis status of patients; the subsequent years were used to assess the time-dependent risk of all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios were estimated using a Cox proportional model for the association between ESA dose and hemoglobin (Hb) level and mortality, adjusting for potential confounders. The ESA resistance index (ERI) was determined as the weekly weight-adjusted dose of ESA divided by Hb concentration. Patients were divided into three groups by tertiles of ERI.

Results

Of the 320 subjects enrolled, 105 died during the follow-up period of 70.4 ± 29.0 months. When subjects were stratified by epoetin dose and Hb level into four groups, those who had low Hb despite a high dose of epoetin were associated with the highest risk of mortality among the four groups (adjusted hazard ratio 1.86; 95 % confidence interval 1.25–2.75). These highest risk subjects had older age, lower body mass index, and lower serum levels of albumin, triglyceride, and transferring saturation. The impact of serum albumin and serum ferritin on mortality risk in an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was in accordance with low Hb and higher ESA. There was no significant difference between the mortality risk and tertile of ERI.

Conclusions

High ESA dose and low Hb level were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. However, the responsiveness to ESA estimated by ERI was not related to mortality risk. These findings suggest that the responsiveness to ESA should be evaluated by different methods in HD patients.     

Whole-body single-frequency bioimpedance analysis in pediatric hemodialysis patients

Background

We hypothesized that the percent change in resistance (%RΔ) from bioimpedance analysis (BIA) measurements during hemodialysis (HD) can provide information on pediatric HD patients’ hydration status.

Methods

Whole-body single-frequency BIA measurements were obtained before HD, each hour on HD, and after HD during two HD sessions. Pre-and post-HD weights, blood pressures, Crit-Line® measurements, and intradialytic symptoms were collected on the day of the BIA measurements.

Results

One hundred and thirty BIA measurements were obtained from 14 HD patients. The group was 43 % girls, and the mean age was 13.2?±?4.4 years. Percent change in resistance was 13.5?±?10.8 % at the end of HD; %RΔ correlated with percent body weight change (%BWΔ) following HD (r?=??0.83, P?<?0.01), as well as with percent blood volume change (%BVΔ) (r?=??0.79, P?<?0.01). The %RΔ was similar between patients with and without hypertension immediately before HD and was greater in those with intradialytic symptoms (19.1?±?7.7 %) than in those without (9.9?±?11.2 %) (P?=?0.02). Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) had lower %RΔ (7.2?±?9.7 %) than those without (19.5?±?7.7 %) (P?=?0.03). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) also correlated strongly with %RΔ (r?=??0.79, P?=?0.004) and %BWΔ (r?=?0.82, P?=?0.002).

Conclusions

Our study showed that %RΔ strongly correlates with %BWΔ and %BVΔ and that %RΔ also correlated with intradialytic symptoms and LVMI.     

Magnesium excretion and hypomagnesemia in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Background: We investigated magnesium excretion and rate of hypomagnesemia in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Method: The medical records of 114 pediatric renal transplant recipients were retrospectively evaluated. After exclusion of 23 patients, 91 patients were included in the study. We recorded serum magnesium levels at the time of measurement of urine magnesium wasting. Results: Mean serum magnesium levels were 1.73?±?0.22?mg/dL and 38 of the patients (41%) had hypomagnesemia. There was a negative correlation between serum magnesium levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum tacrolimus trough level (r?=??0.215, p?=?0.040 and r?=??0.409, p?=?0.000, respectively). Also, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum magnesium levels and transplantation duration (r?=?0.249, p?=?0.017). Mean fractional magnesium excretion was 5.9?±?3.7% and 59 patients (65%) had high magnesium excretion. There was a significant negative correlation between fractional magnesium excretion and estimated glomerular filtration rate (r?=??0.432, p?=?0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between fractional magnesium excretion and serum creatinine (r?=?0.379 p?=?0.003). Conclusion: Patients with higher tacrolimus trough blood levels, lower glomerular filtration rate and at early posttransplant period had risk of hypomagnesemia.     

Butyrylcholinesterase level as an independent factor of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent resistance in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: a single-center cross-sectional study

Background

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) responsiveness is related to the nutritional status of patients on hemodialysis (HD). Serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), an alpha-glycoprotein, may decrease in case of malnutrition. We investigated whether BChE was independently related to ESA resistance in patients on HD.

Methods

The laboratory data and ESA resistance index (ERI), defined as ESA dosage per week divided by dry weight and hemoglobin, were investigated in 215 patients on HD between July and September 2017. Malnutrition was defined as Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) of <?91.2. The patients were stratified into two groups: ERI-high (ERI?≥?9.44) and ERI-low (ERI?<?9.44) groups. Variables such as patient’s background, medication, and laboratory data were compared between the two groups. The optimal cutoff value of BChE for higher ERI was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Factors independently associated with higher ERI were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The median and optimal cutoff values of ERI and BChE were 6.51 and 200 IU/L, respectively. The study included 71 (33%) and 144 (67%) patients in the ERI-high and ERI-low groups, respectively. Significant between-group differences were observed concerning age, hemoglobin, ESA dose, lipid profiles, serum albumin, body mass index, GNRI, iron metabolism markers, ferric medicines, and BChE. Multivariate analysis showed that BChE?<?200 IU/L (odds ratio 3.67; 95% confidence interval 1.73–7.77) continued to be an independent factor associated with higher ERI after adjusting for potential confounders, which was a similar odds ratio as GNRI?<?91.2.

Conclusion

BChE may be an independent indicator of ESA resistance.

     

Ergocalciferol decreases erythropoietin resistance in children with chronic kidney disease stage 5

Background

Vitamin D insufficiency is related to erythropoietin resistance in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ergocalciferol on the dose of erythrocyte-stimulating agent (ESA) administered to children with CKD stage 5 and vitamin D insufficiency.

Methods

Twenty patients aged <18 years with CKD stages 5 or 5D and vitamin D insufficiency were divided into two groups. During the 12-week study, ten patients received oral ergocalciferol (treatment) whereas the other ten patients did not (control). The ESA dosage was recorded monthly.

Results

There were no significant differences in demographic data, ESA dosages, and laboratory data, including corrected calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, hemoglobin, ferritin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D), and transferrin saturation levels, between the two groups at baseline. At the completion of the study, serum 25D levels in the treatment group were significantly increased from baseline (p?=?0.02) and were significantly higher than the serum 25D levels in the controls (p?<?0.005). The ESA dosage in the treatment group was significantly decreased when compared to baseline (p?=?0.04).

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency should be routinely detected and treated. Our results show that the administration of ergocalciferol in conjunction with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduced the dose of ESA required to treat children with CKD stages 5 and 5D and may decrease erythropoietin resistance.