The Effect of Antihypertensive Therapy on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Bone Mineral Density in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia and osteoporosis substantially influence health and lifespan. However, the variables affecting skeletal muscle mass (SMM) or bone mineral density (BMD) remain unknown. DESIGN AND METHODS: From August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019, we conducted a single-center, observational cohort study with 291 Japanese adult patients on maintenance hemodialysis due to end-stage kidney disease, who had their femoral neck BMD measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After 1-year follow-up, we measured annual changes of BMD (ΔBMD) and SMM (ΔSMM), which were calculated through a modified creatinine index (mg/kg/day) using age, sex, serum creatinine, and single-pooled Kt/V for urea. The factors associated with ΔSMM/ΔBMD or progressive loss of SMM/BMD, defined as ΔSMM/ΔBMD < 0 per year, respectively, were analyzed with multivariable, linear regression or logistic regression models. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 66 years and 33% were female. Dialysis vintage and ß-blocker-use were inversely correlated to ΔSMM. In comparison to nonusers, ß-blockers users had 2.5-fold higher SMM loss odd ratios [95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.8]. The risk for SMM loss caused by ß-blockers was not increased in users of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The ΔBMD was negatively correlated to the usage of calcium channel blockers. The risk of developing osteosarcopenia, which was defined as annual loss of both SMM and BMD, increased in calcium channel blockers users. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ß-blockers is associated with an elevated risk of developing sarcopenia, whereas renin-angiotensin system inhibitors may minimize this effect in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Use of calcium channel blocker therapy was associated with a faster decline of BMD.

[Impaired hematopoiesis due to copper deficiency in a hemodialysis patient supplemented with zinc].

This is a case of a 75-year-old man who was on maintenance hemodialysis for 10 years due to diabetic nephropathy and was prescribed polaprezinc due to a low serum zinc level (55 µg/dl) and dysgeusia. Three months after the polaprezinc treatment was initiated, the patient developed pancytopenia, which persisted even after the serum zinc level was normalized and medication was discontinued. He was referred to our institute so that the progression of pancytopenia could be assessed. A blood biochemical examination revealed a WBC count of 1,700/µl, Hb level of 8.9 g/dl, and Plt count of 9.5×104/µl. A bone marrow aspirate smear showed slight megaloblastic changes and ringed sideroblasts in addition to an elevated WT1 mRNA level (76 copies/µg RNA) in the peripheral blood. Although these findings mimicked those of myelodysplasia, low serum copper (<2 µg/dl) and ceruloplasmin levels (3 mg/dl) were suggestive of hematopoietic abnormalities due to zinc-induced copper deficiency. Treatment with cocoa, a compound generally known to be rich in copper, gradually improved the pancytopenia and dysplastic bone marrow histology. This case indicates that clinicians should consider the risk of zinc-induced copper deficiency and its complications when zinc supplementation is administered to patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly those undergoing hemodialysis.