Oxidative and nitrosative stress markers in patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments on oxidative and nitrosative stress markers comparatively. METHODS: Twenty HD and 20 PD patients as well as 20 healthy individuals were included in this study. Plasma advanced oxidation protein products, myeloperoxidase, thiol group and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: Plasma advanced oxidation protein products and myeloperoxidase levels were elevated by HD and PD treatments when compared to the control group. Conversely, plasma thiol group levels were decreased in HD and PD patients. 3-NT levels were increased by HD treatment only. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated plasma 3-NT levels in pre-HD and post-HD patients suggest that those patients have a considerably increased risk for nitrosative tissue injury. However, similar 3-NT levels of the control and PD groups support the advantage of PD therapy in terms of nitrosative tissue injury.

Left atrial volume predicts mortality in low-risk dialysis population on long-term low-salt diet.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography provides insight to the management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and might be valuable in assessing the prognosis. We evaluated the predictive value of echocardiography along with clinical findings in a low-risk hemodialysis (HD) population who had been treated with strict salt restriction strategy for blood pressure control. METHODS: Study population consisted of a cohort of 555 ESRD patients from 8 HD centers where the same strict volume control strategy applied for blood pressure control. Clinical findings and echocardiography were examined as predictors of mortality for a mean follow-up period of 3 years (29.6 +/- 11.6 months). RESULTS: During the follow-up, 89 patients (16%) died. Left atrium (LA) volume index was the only independent echocardiographic predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 1.025, 95% CI 1.001-1.050, P = .042). The other predictors of mortality were age, pulse pressure, diabetes mellitus, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. However, when we added interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) ratio to the Cox model, it also appeared as an independent predictor of mortality, whereas LA volume index no longer was. CONCLUSIONS: Increased LA volume index emerged as the only independent echocardiographic determinant of mortality in low-risk dialysis patients treated by strict volume control. Close relationship with IDWG ratio indicates the intermittent stretching of atrium between dialysis sessions leading to atrial remodeling. This index is not the result of a single factor such as age, hypervolemia, or left ventricular hypertrophy but reflects the combination of these contributing causes. Therefore, it might be considered as an overall echocardiographic sign of mortality in ESRD.

High-dose immunoglobulin therapy in renal transplant recipients with hemophagocytic histiocytic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hemophagocytic histiocytic syndrome (HHS) generally occurs in immunocompromised patients and often has a rapidly fatal course. HHS may be cured by treatment of the underlying disorder, especially when it is triggered by an infection. If no cause has been found, no therapy is known and outcome is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course and response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in renal transplant patients diagnosed with HHS. METHODS: Thirteen patients who were diagnosed with HHS between 1995 and 2003 were retrospectively assessed. The mean age of HHS patients was 38.6 +/- 10 years (5 women, 8 men). RESULTS: Median time to onset of symptoms after renal transplantation was 15.1 +/- 12.1 months (range 0.5-30 months). The first 2 patients in whom no etiologic factor was found were seen before 1998 and died due to multiorgan failure. HHS was related to an infectious etiology in 6 of 13 patients: tuberculosis (n=3), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (n=2), Escherichia coli (E. coli)-associated septicemia (n=1), but HHS was cured by antimicrobial therapy in only 2 of them (1 with tuberculosis, the other with E. coli-associated septicemia). After June 1998, high-dose immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy was used in 6 patients. HHS was related to an infectious etiology in 2 patients unresponsive to antimicrobial treatment, and of unknown etiology in 4 patients. All of them completely recovered. Before 1998, 2 patients unresponsive to antimicrobial therapy (1 with tuberculosis, the other with CMV) died. They were not given IVIg. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that when HHS does not respond to treatment of the underlying infection, or is of unknown etiology in immunocompromised patients, high-dose IVIg therapy should be administered.

Patients with failed renal transplant may be suitable for peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: It has been claimed that patients with late transplant failure returning to peritoneal dialysis have lower patient and technique survival. PURPOSE: In this retrospective study, we aimed to clarify this issue in a large PD population. METHODS: Thirty-four PD patients with a failed renal transplant (FTx) and 82 PD patients who had never received a kidney transplant (Non-Tx) or HD treatment were investigated. All fTx patients were using only steroids (5-10 mg/day) for first 3 months of peritoneal dialysis. The groups were similar regarding to age, sex, residual renal function and KT/V; none of them was diabetic. RESULTS: Ftx group had a higher number of peritonitis attack than Non-Tx group (2.42 +/- 0.41 v 1.61 +/- 0.15, attack per patient, p = 0.013). PET status was not different. One, 3 and 5 year patient survival calculated with the Kaplan Meier method were 93%; 93%; 93% respectively in Ftx and 97%; 89%; 82% respectively in Non-Tx patients. Technique survival was 83%; 77%; 60% in Ftx and 91%; 64%; 48% in Non-Tx patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PD appears to be a good option for fTx patients. A previous renal transplantation does not adversely affect patient and technique survival. Although the somewhat higher infection risk is of some concern, we did not observe earlier loss of peritoneal functions (high transporter) in the post transplant patients.