Comparison of homologous and heterologous inactivated and mRNA vaccination programme against SARS-CoV-2 in dialysis patients.

AIM: To evaluate the vaccine response and the effect of the booster dose on COVID-19 positivity in haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients who received and did not receive BNT162b2 as a booster dose after two doses of CoronaVac. METHODS: The study included 80 PD and 163 HD patients, who had been administered two doses of the CoronaVac. Antibody levels were measured on Days 42 and 90 after the first dose. Measurements were repeated on Day 181 after the first dose in the patients that received two vaccine doses and on Day 28 after the third dose in those that also received the booster dose. Antibody levels below 50 AU/mL were considered negative. RESULTS: The seropositivity rate was similar in the HD and PD group on Days 42 and 90 (p = 0.212 and 0.720). All patients were seropositive in the booster group. The antibody level was lower in the patients that received CoronaVac as the booster compared to those administered BNT162b2 in HD and PD groups (p < 0.001 and 0.002). COVID-19 positivity was detected in 11 patients (7 = had not received the booster dose, 4 = had received third dose of CoronaVac). The multivariate analysis revealed that as age increased, COVID-19 positivity also increased (OR: 1.080, 95% CI: 1.017 - 1.146, p = 0.012), while booster dose administration decreased this positivity (OR: 0.113, 95% CI: 0.028 - 0.457, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our results may indicate the need for additional vaccination doses in patients with HD and PD. Our findings indicate a higher antibody response in dialysis patients with heterologous BNT162b2 as a booster dose after two doses of CoronaVac compared to homologous CoronaVac.

The prevalence of Fabry disease in a Turkish population with chronic kidney patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease with various clinical symptoms due to a deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A. The likelihood of nephropathy increases with age and the severity of the mutation in Fabry patients. Fabry disease is difficult to diagnose. The exact incidence and prevalence of Fabry disease are unknown due to its atypical or oligosymptomatic forms. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: GLA gene mutations were examined in patients over the age of 18 who were followed up on with a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and who had or did not receive renal replacement therapy from October 2017 to December 2019. RESULTS: A total of 18 sites in 8 locations around Turkey volunteered to participate in the study, including people aged 18 and older with stages 1-5 of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or getting renal replacement therapy. 1904 patients were screened in total. In 13 cases, a D313Y pseudo mutation in the GLA gene was discovered. GLA gene mutations were found and pathologically assessed in four of the tested cases. CONCLUSIONS: The range of clinical symptoms of Fabry disease, as well as the frequent delays in diagnosis, result in treatment being too late. We believe that screening chronic renal patients at high risk for Fabry disease is warranted.

Surveillance of hemodialysis related infections: a prospective multicenter study.

As in many countries, there is neither a surveillance system nor a study to reveal the hemodialysis (HD) related infection rates in Turkey. We aimed to investigate the infection rate among HD outpatients and implement CDC's surveillance system. A multicenter prospective surveillance study is performed to investigate the infection rate among HD patients. CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) dialysis event (DE) protocol is adopted for definitions and reporting. During April 2016-April 2018, 9 centers reported data. A total of 199 DEs reported in 10,035 patient-months, and the overall DE rate was 1.98 per 100 patient-months. Risk of blood culture positivity is found to be 17.6 times higher when hemodialysis was through a tunneled catheter than through an arteriovenous fistula. DE rate was significantly lower in patients educated about the care of their vascular access site. Staphylococcus aureus was the most causative microorganism among mortal patients. Outcomes of DEs were hospitalization (73%), loss of vascular access (18.2%), and death (7.7%). This first surveillance study revealed the baseline status of HD related infections in Turkey and showed that CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) DE surveillance system can be easily implemented even in a high workload dialysis unit and be adopted as a nationwide DE surveillance program.

The relationship between apelin and carotid intima media thickness, and the presence of plaque in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Apelin is a peptide that has important effects on the cardiovascular system due to its anti-atherogenic properties and regulating blood pressure. There is not enough research evaluating the effects of apelin levels on the cardiovascular system in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients concurrently. The aim of this study was to determine apelin levels in dialysis, and control groups and to investigate the relationship between apelin and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty three HD patients, 35 PD patients, and 15 healthy individuals were included in the study. All laboratory data, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), IL-6, and apelin-13 levels were analyzed. To prevent interobserver errors in CIMT measurement, the analyses were performed by a single radiologist. RESULT: CIMT, presence of plaque, apelin, NT-proBNP, IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher in dialysis patients. There was a relationship between apelin and CIMT, and between apelin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in PD patients. Age, apelin, HDL, parathormone (PTH), glucose, and smoking were found to affect the presence of plaque in dialysis patients. CONCLUSION: Apelin levels were high in dialysis patients. Especially in PD patients, there was a negative correlation between apelin and CIMT, and between apelin and HDL. Therefore, apelin may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in PD patients.

Trends of primary glomerular disease in Turkey: TSN-GOLD registry report.

BACKGROUND: Although several renal biopsy registry reports have been published worldwide, there are no data on primary glomerular disease trends in Turkey. METHODS: Three thousand eight-hundred fifty-eight native kidney biopsy records were assessed in the Turkish Society of Nephrology Primary Glomerulopathy Working Group (TSN-GOLD) Registry. Secondary disease and transplant biopsies were not recorded in the registry. These records were divided into four periods, before 2009, 2009 to 2013, 2013-2017, and 2017-current. RESULTS: A total of 3858 patients (43.6% female, 6.8% elderly) were examined. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication in all periods (58.6%, 53%, 44.1%, 51.6%, respectively). In the whole cohort, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (25.7%) was the most common PGN with male predominance (62.7%), and IgAN frequency steadily increased through the periods (× 2 = 198, p < 0.001). MGN was the most common nephropathy in the elderly (> 65 years), and there was no trend in this age group. An increasing trend was seen in the frequency of overweight patients (× 2 = 37, p < 0.0001). Although the biopsy rate performed with interventional radiology gradually increased, the mean glomeruli count in the samples did not change over the periods. CONCLUSIONS: In Turkey, IgAN is the most common primary glomerulonephritis, and the frequency of this is increasing.

The effects of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil on regression of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in a rat model / Efectos del tacrolimus y el micofenolato mofetil en la regresión de la esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante en ratas

ABSTRACT Objective: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare, but potentially fatal complication of peritoneal dialysis. Currently, treatment of peritoneal fibrosis is not fully possible yet. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of tacrolimus therapy on peritoneal fibrosis and inflammation when administered alone or with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the EPS model induced in rats. Methods: Thirty six Wistar albino rats were separated into six equal groups. Group I was the control group. Group II-VI were administered intraperitoneal chlorhexidine (CH) for induced EPS model in rats. Group II, IV, V, VI were administered isotonic liquid, tacrolimus, tacrolimus and concurrently with CH, tacrolimus and MMF together, respectively. Group III was not administered any drug. All peritoneal samples were stained immunohistochemically with matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) antibody. Thickness of peritoneal fibrosis, subserosal large collagen fibers, subserosal fibroblast proliferation and subserosal fibrotic matrix deposition were evaluated. Results: Comparing the experimentally induced EPS groups, the best histopathological results and the largest staining with MMP-2 were achieved in Group VI. Furthermore, in all treatment groups (IV, V, VI) more staining with MMP-2 was detected compared to non-treatment groups (I, II, III) but no statistically significant differences were found among all groups. A statistically significant remission was observed in all histopathological parameters, primarily peritoneal thickness in rats that were administered MMF with tacrolimus, compared to rats which were administered tacrolimus only. Conclusion: Concurrent use of tacrolimus and MMF in the treatment of EPS may be a promising approach.

RESUMEN Objetivos: La esclerosis peritoneal encapsulante (EPE) es una complicación rara, peropotencialmente fatal de la diálisis peritoneal. Actualmente, el tratamiento de la fibrosis peritoneal aún no es posible. En este estudio, apuntamos a demostrar los efectos de la terapia con tacrolimus en la fibrosis peritoneal y la inflamación cuando se administran solos o con micofenolato de mofetilo (MMF) en el modelo EPE inducido en ratas. Métodos: Treinta y seis ratas Wistar albinas se separaron en seis grupos iguales. El Grupo I era el grupo de control. En los grupos II-VI se administró clorhexidina intraperitoneal (CH) para el modelo EPE inducido en ratas. En los Grupos II, IV, V, VI se administró respectivamente líquido isotónico, tacrolimus, tacrolimus y CH y finalmente tacrolimus y MMF juntos. El grupo III no recibió ningún medicamento. Todas las muestras peritoneales se tiñeron inmunohistoquímicamente con el anticuerpo Matrix Metaloproteinasa-2 (MMP- 2). Se evaluó el grosor de la fibrosis peritoneal, se evaluaron las fibras de colágeno grandes subserosas, la proliferación de fibroblastos subserosa y la deposición de la matriz fibrótica subserosa. Resultados: Comparando los grupos de EPE inducidos experimentalmente, los mejores resultados histopatológicos y la tinción con MMP- 2 más extensa se lograron en el Grupo VI. Además, en todos los grupos de tratamiento (IV, V, VI) se detectó más tinción con MMP-2 en comparación con los grupos de no tratamiento (I, II, III), pero no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre todos los grupos. Se observó una remisión estadísticamente significativa en todos los parámetros histopatológicos, principalmente el espesor peritoneal en ratas que recibieron MMF con tacrolimus, en comparación con las ratas que recibieron solo tacrolimus. Conclusión: El uso concurrente de tacrolimus y MMF en el tratamiento de EPS puede ser una aplicación prometedora.

The reliability and success of peritoneal dialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We evaluated the symptoms, changes in laboratory findings during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and the effect of depression in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This is an observational and cross-sectional study. All patients were asked to fill the clinical assessment form and Beck depression and anxiety inventory. Also, the last two laboratory evaluations during this period were examined. A total of 123 patients performing PD were included. None of the patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. In the total study population, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum albumin, phosphorus and ferritin levels significantly elevated at the end of 97 ± 31 days. PTH and phosphorus levels remained stable in remote monitoring automated PD (RM-APD) group (p = 0.4 and p = 0.5), they tended to increase in continuous ambulatory PD group and significantly increased in automated PD group (p = 0.09 and p = 0.01 for PTH and p = 0.06 and p = 0.001 for phosphorus, respectively). Moderate to severe depression was associated with dyspnoea, weight gain more than 5 kg, fatigue, palpitation and increased anxiety. PD is a reliable and successful form of dialysis and can be safely administered even if hospital access is restricted. Also, RM-APD may be a better choice because of providing more stable bone-mineral metabolism. Moreover, evaluating depression and anxiety is essential for the accurate clinical assessment.

Mortality analysis of COVID-19 infection in chronic kidney disease, haemodialysis and renal transplant patients compared with patients without kidney disease: a nationwide analysis from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and immunosuppression, such as in renal transplantation (RT), stand as one of the established potential risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case morbidity and mortality rates for any type of infection have always been much higher in CKD, haemodialysis (HD) and RT patients than in the general population. A large study comparing COVID-19 outcome in moderate to advanced CKD (Stages 3-5), HD and RT patients with a control group of patients is still lacking. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, observational study, involving hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 from 47 centres in Turkey. Patients with CKD Stages 3-5, chronic HD and RT were compared with patients who had COVID-19 but no kidney disease. Demographics, comorbidities, medications, laboratory tests, COVID-19 treatments and outcome [in-hospital mortality and combined in-hospital outcome mortality or admission to the intensive care unit (ICU)] were compared. RESULTS: A total of 1210 patients were included [median age, 61 (quartile 1-quartile 3 48-71) years, female 551 (45.5%)] composed of four groups: control (n = 450), HD (n = 390), RT (n = 81) and CKD (n = 289). The ICU admission rate was 266/1210 (22.0%). A total of 172/1210 (14.2%) patients died. The ICU admission and in-hospital mortality rates in the CKD group [114/289 (39.4%); 95% confidence interval (CI) 33.9-45.2; and 82/289 (28.4%); 95% CI 23.9-34.5)] were significantly higher than the other groups: HD = 99/390 (25.4%; 95% CI 21.3-29.9; P < 0.001) and 63/390 (16.2%; 95% CI 13.0-20.4; P < 0.001); RT = 17/81 (21.0%; 95% CI 13.2-30.8; P = 0.002) and 9/81 (11.1%; 95% CI 5.7-19.5; P = 0.001); and control = 36/450 (8.0%; 95% CI 5.8-10.8; P < 0.001) and 18/450 (4%; 95% CI 2.5-6.2; P < 0.001). Adjusted mortality and adjusted combined outcomes in CKD group and HD groups were significantly higher than the control group [hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) CKD: 2.88 (1.52-5.44); P = 0.001; 2.44 (1.35-4.40); P = 0.003; HD: 2.32 (1.21-4.46); P = 0.011; 2.25 (1.23-4.12); P = 0.008), respectively], but these were not significantly different in the RT from in the control group [HR (95% CI) 1.89 (0.76-4.72); P = 0.169; 1.87 (0.81-4.28); P = 0.138, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with CKDs, including Stages 3-5 CKD, HD and RT, have significantly higher mortality than patients without kidney disease. Stages 3-5 CKD patients have an in-hospital mortality rate as much as HD patients, which may be in part because of similar age and comorbidity burden. We were unable to assess if RT patients were or were not at increased risk for in-hospital mortality because of the relatively small sample size of the RT patients in this study.

Epidemiological features of primary glomerular disease in Turkey: a multicenter study by the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Working Group.

BACKGROUND: The largest data on the epidemiology of primary glomerular diseases (PGDs) are obtained from the databases of countries or centers. Here, we present the extended results of the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent renal biopsy and received the diagnosis of PGD were recorded in the database prepared for the study. A total of 4399 patients from 47 centers were evaluated between May 2009 and May 2019. The data obtained at the time of kidney biopsy were analyzed. After the exclusion of patients without light microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy findings, a total of 3875 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.5 ± 14.9 years. 1690 patients were female (43.6%) and 2185 (56.3%) were male. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication (51.7%). This was followed by asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (18.3%) and nephritic syndrome (17.8%). The most common PGD was IgA nephropathy (25.7%) followed by membranous nephropathy (25.6%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (21.9%). The mean total number of glomeruli per biopsy was 17 ± 10. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 20 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was 81 ± 12 mmHg. The median proteinuria, serum creatinine, estimated GFR, and mean albumin values were 3300 (IQR: 1467-6307) mg/day, 1.0 (IQR: 0.7-1.6) mg/dL, 82.9 (IQR: 47.0-113.0) mL/min and 3.2 ± 0.9 g/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of PGDs in Turkey has become similar to that in other European countries. IgA nephropathy diagnosed via renal biopsy has become more prevalent compared to membranous nephropathy.

The effect of rituximab on encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis in an experimental rat model

Background/aim: Peritoneal sclerosis may be observed in varied manifestations. However, the most serious form is the encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis. We researched the effect of rituximab on peritoneal fibrosis in an experimental rat model. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups. During weeks 0­3; group I received isotonic saline (IS) solution, group II, group III, and group IV received chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) via intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. In the next 3 weeks nothing adminestred to both group I and group II but IS solution was adminestred to group III via i.p. route and 375 mg/m2/week rituximab was applied intravenously on days 21, 28, and 35 to group IV. Fibrosis, peritoneal thickness, and inflammation were evaluated. Immunohistochemical methods used for the detection of matrix MMP-2, TGF-ß1, and VGEF expressions. Results: The rituximab (group IV) had significantly lower fibrosis and peritoneal thickness scores than the group II and III (P < 0.001). TGF-ß1 and VEGF expressions were significantly lower in the rituximab group than in the group II and III (P < 0.001). Conclusion: We found that rituximab had a significant effect on the peritoneal thickness, total fibrosis, TGF-ß1 and VGEF scores which were induced by CG.

Effect of Local Polyhexanide Application in Preventing Exit-Site Infection and Peritonitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Topical antibiotic and antiseptic agents have been documented to reduce exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis in PD. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of polyhexanide in the prevention of ESI and peritonitis. Patients were excluded if they had active infection, > 18 years of age, ESI and peritonitis within the previous 4 weeks, received PD for less than 3-months and history of allergy to either drug. All patients were followed up until catheter removal, death, switch to dialysis, transplantation or the end of the study. ESI, tunnel infection, peritonitis, catheter removal and microorganism cause of catheter-related infection were recorded prospectively during clinic follow-up. A total of 88 patients (41 povidone-iodine group; 47 polyhexanide group) were enrolled with a total follow-up duration of 480 and 555 patient-months for povidone-iodine and alternating group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the age, sex, BMI, time of PD, rate of DM, and S. aureus carriage state. A total of 8 ESI and 25 peritonitis episodes were detected during the study. ESI and peritonitis rates tended to be lower in polyhexanide group compared with the povidone-iodine group (0.06 episodes/patient-year vs. 0.12 episodes/patient-year; 0.26 episodes/patient-year vs. 0.32 episodes/patient-year, respectively), but were not significant statistically. Moreover, catheter removal was similar in both groups (0.04 / patient-year vs. 0.05 / patient-year). Polyhexanide is efficient and safe for the prevention of ESI and peritonitis and it may be used as an alternative procedure for the care of healthy exit sites.

Abatacept as a therapeutic option in the treatment of encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis: an experimental rat model.

PURPOSE: Encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) and is usually associated with mortality. Inflammation is a leading factor for developing EPS. This study aimed to investigate the effect of abatacept on peritoneal fibrosis and inflammation using the EPS rat model. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I (control group) was administered isotonic saline (IS) via the intraperitoneal (ip) route during weeks 0-3. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) ip was administered to group II (CG group) during weeks 0-3. Group III (CG + IS group) received CG for the first 21 days and IS solution for the following 3 weeks. Group IV (abatacept group) received CG during weeks 0-3, and subsequently, 50 mcg/day abatacept during weeks 4-6. Peritoneal thickness, fibrosis, and inflammation were examined using light microscopy. Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Lesser peritoneal thickness and lower inflammation score were observed in the abatacept group than in the CG and CG + IS groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the abatacept group had a lower fibrosis score than the CG + IS group (p < 0.05). MMP-2 and TGF-ß1 scores were lower in the abatacept group than in the CG + IS group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that abatacept had a histopathological beneficial effect on peritoneal fibrosis, inflammation, MMP-2, and TGF-ß1 scores, which were induced by CG. Abatacept could be a new therapeutic option for treating EPS.

Higher Pentraxin-3 Levels are Associated With Inflammation in Familial Mediterranean Fever.

BACKGROUND: Circulating levels of Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) have been shown to increase in several inflammatory conditions. However, there is no information about the levels of PTX3 in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). This study was designed to evaluate the serum PTX3 levels in patients with FMF during attack and free-attack periods. METHODS: Twenty FMF patients in attack and free-attack period, and 20 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Blood samples were obtained within the first 24 h of the attack period and between attacks, and levels of white blood cell, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Fibrinogen, high sensitive CRP, and PTX3 were determined. RESULTS: PTX3 levels during the attack period were not significantly different from those in free-attack patients (4.9 ± 4.6 ng/ml vs. 2.8 ± 1.4 ng/ml, P > 0.05). However, both attack and free-attack patients had significantly higher PTX3 levels than healthy controls (4.9 ± 4.6 ng/ml vs. 1.8 ± 0.8 ng/ml, P < 0.001; 2.8 ± 1.4 ng/ml vs. 1.8 ± 0.8 ng/ml, P < 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PTX3 levels were not markedly affected from FMF attacks, but high level of PTX3 in free-attack period of FMF patients shows ongoing subclinical inflammation. However, further studies are needed to determine its usefulness as a marker in clinical practice.

Subcutaneous C.E.R.A. for the Treatment of Chronic Renal Anemia in Predialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of once-monthly administration of C.E.R.A. in erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) naive predialysis patients with CKD for anemia treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Single arm, open label study. METHODS: A total of 75 patients (mean (SD) age was 52.8 (16.4) years, 76.0% were female) were included in this study conducted between 12 August 2008 and 30 October 2009 in 9 centers across Turkey. The mean change in Hb concentration (g/dL) between baseline (week 0) and the efficacy evaluation period (EEP) was the primary efficacy parameter evaluated in three consecutive periods including a dose titration period (DTP; with initial 1.2 µg/kg dose of C.E.R.A., subcutaneously, 28 weeks), EEP (8 weeks) and a long-term safety period (16 weeks). RESULTS: Our analysis revealed an improvement in Hb levels from baseline value of 9.4 (0.4) g/dL to time adjusted average level of 11.4 (0.7) g/dL in EEP in the per protocol (PP) population and from 9.3 (0.5) g/dL to 11.1 (1.0) g/dL in intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Mean (SD) change in Hb levels from baseline to EEP was 2.0 (0.7) g/dl in the PP population (primary endpoint) and 1.7 (1.1) g/dL in the ITT population. The percentage of patients whose Hb concentrations remained within the target range of 10.0-12.0 g/dL throughout the EEP was 43.9% (95% CI: 28.5-60.3%) in the PP population and 38.7% (95% CI: 27.6% to 50.6%) in the ITP population. A total of 206 adverse events (AE) were reported in 77.0% of patients with hypertension (20%) as the most frequent AE. CONCLUSION: Once-monthly subcutaneous C.E.R.A. administration is effective and safe in the treatment of anemia in pre-dialysis patients with CKD, who are not currently treated with ESAs.

Falsely Elevated Glucose Concentrations in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Using Icodextrin.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is used as an alternative to hemodialysis in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Icodextrin has been used as a hyperosmotic agent in PD. The aim of the study was to assess two different point-of-care testing (POCT) glucose strips, affected and not affected by icodextrin, with serum glucose concentrations of the patients using and not using icodextrin. METHODS: Fifty-two chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients using icodextrin (Extraneal®) and 20 CAPD patients using another hyperosmotic fluid (Dianeal®) were included in the study. Duplicate capillary and serum glucose concentrations were measured with two different POCT glucose strips and central laboratory hexokinase method. Assay principles of glucose strips were based on glucose dehydrogenase-pyrroloquinoline quinone (GDH-PQQ) and a mutant variant of GDH (Mut Q-GDH). The results of both strips were compared with those of hexokinase method. RESULTS: Regression equations between POCT and hexokinase methods in icodextrin group were y = 2.55x + 1.12 mmol/l and y = 1.057x + 0.16 mmol/l for the GDH-PQQ and Mut Q-GDH methods, respectively. The mean difference between the results of hexokinase and those of GDH-PQQ and Mut Q-GDH in icodextrin group was 3.41 ± 1.56 and 0.72 ± 0.64 mmol/l, respectively. However, the mean differences were found much lower in the control group; 0.64 mmol/l for GDH-PQQ and 0.52 mmol/l for Mut Q-GDH. CONCLUSION: Compared to GDH-PQQ, glucose strips of Mut Q-GDH correlated better with hexokinase method in PD patients using icodextrin.

MCP-1 and soluble TWEAK levels are independently associated with coronary artery disease severity in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: Patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a greater rate of cardiovascular mortality when compared with the general population. The soluble form of TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and monocyte chemoattractan protein 1 (MCP-1) play important roles in cellular proliferation, migration and apoptosis. The current study aimed to analyze whether soluble TWEAK (sTWEAK) and MCP-1 levels are associated with the severity of coronary arterial disease (CAD) in CKD patients. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients diagnosed with CKD stages 2-3 according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate and the presence of kidney injury were included in the study. Plasma sTWEAK and MCP-1 concentrations were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. Coronary angiographies were performed through femoral artery access using the Judkins technique. RESULTS: Correlation analysis of sTWEAK and Gensini scores showed significant association (p < 0.01, r(2) = 0.287). Also significant correlation has been found in MCP-1 levels and Gensini scores (p < 0.01, r(2) = 0.414). When patients were divided into two groups with a limit of 17 according to their Gensini score, sTWEAK levels indicated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support a relationship between sTWEAK and MCP-1 levels and CAD in CKD stages 2-3 patients.

The use of mycophenolate mofetil in experimental encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis usually associated with the inadequacy and early termination of dialysis modality. Adequate treatment of peritoneal fibrosis has not been achieved by medical intervention so far. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase reversibly and highly selectively, is the most widely used drug for maintenance immunosupression in renal transplantation. Recent studies have shown that MMF has also antifibrotic effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MMF on EPS model in rats based on antifibrotic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar albino rat have been randomly divided into four groups. Group I (control group) received isotonic saline intraperitoneally (i.p) 2 ml/day for (0-3rd weeks). Group II (chlorhexidine (CG) group) received CG 2 ml/day i.p. for (0-3rd weeks). Group III (chlorhexidine + MMF group) received CG (2 ml/day) i.p. for (0-3rd weeks) plus MMF 30 mg/kg/day peroral (4th-6th weeks). Group IV (resting group) received CG 2 ml/day) i.p. (0-3rd weeks) plus peritoneal resting without any treatment (4th-6th weeks) At the end of the sixth weeks, all of the rats were killed. All of the groups were analyzed in terms of peritoneal thickness, degree of inflammation, vasculopathy, neovascularization and fibrosis. Also, the parietal peritoneal tissue samples were evaluated for matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) by using the immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: When the CG group was compared with the MMF group, the medication resulted in a statistically significant reduction in peritoneal thickness, inflammation and fibrosis score (53.23 ± 16.24 vs. 17.22 ± 3.62, 1 ± 1.225 vs. 1 ± 0, 1.6 ± 0.548 vs. 0.2 ± 0.447, respectively, all p < 0.05). In the resting group, no beneficial effects on morphological abnormality of the peritoneum were observed as compared with MMF group. However, according to immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of MMP-2 on peritoneal samples, the highest expression of MMP-2 was observed in the MMF group. CONCLUSION: MMF was effective for the treatment of encapsulating peritoneal fibrosis in our rat model. Most recently, MMF may be first choice for EPS due to antifibrotic effect.

Once-monthly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) for haemoglobin maintenance in haemodialysis patients with chronic renal anaemia.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-monthly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) for maintenance of stable haemoglobin (Hb) levels in adult chronic renal anaemia patients on dialysis according to local clinical judgment in Turkey. METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label, single-arm, multi-centre study conducted in 20 centres in Turkey. After a 4-week screening period, eligible patients receiving conventional erythropoiesis-stimulating agents were converted to monthly intravenous CERA and entered a 16-week CERA dose-titration period (DTP) followed by an 8-week efficacy evaluation period (EEP) and a 4-week safety follow-up. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients whose Hb concentration remained stable within ±1.0 g/dL of their reference Hb and within the range of 10.0-12.0 g/dL during the EEP. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were screened, 132 entered the DTP and 84 completed the study. Thirty-nine patients [46.4% (95% confidence interval: 35.5-57.7%)] maintained stable target Hb concentrations. The mean change in time-adjusted average Hb concentration was 0.29 ± 1.08 g/dL between baseline and the EEP. The mean CERA monthly dose was 112.4 ± 76.78 µg during the EEP, and the CERA dose was adjusted in 39 patients (36.4%). Eleven patients (8.4%) reported 13 treatment-related adverse events, the most frequent adverse events being infections and infestations, gastrointestinal and vascular disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Once-monthly CERA maintains stable Hb concentrations in chronic renal anaemia patients on dialysis in Turkey. The study results confirm the known efficacy and safety profile of CERA.

Is there a relationship between small, dense LDL and lipoprotein--associated phospholipase A2 mass in dialysis patients?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to measure small, dense LDL (sdLDL) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) concentrations and to evaluate their relationship with other risk factors of atherosclerotic heart disease in dialysis patients. METHODS: Study group consisted of 30 peritoneal dialysis and 20 hemodialysis patients with 20 healthy control subjects. sdLDL was measured by homogeneous LDL assay after precipitation of Apo B containing lipoproteins with heparin-magnesium. Lp-PLA2 mass was measured by immunoturbidimetric assay. RESULTS: sdLDL concentrations in the samples collected before hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatment were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Lp-PLA2 concentrations of both pre-hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups were higher than control group (p < 0.05). There was not a significant correlation between sdLDL and Lp-PLA2. sdLDL concentrations are significantly decreased after a hemodialysis session. CONCLUSIONS: sdLDL and Lp-PLA2 concentrations are increased independently in the end stage renal failure patients who are receiving dialysis treatment.