Energy balance in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients assessed by a 7-day weighed food diary and a portable armband device.

BACKGROUND: Energy balance (EB) is important when assessing nutritional status. EB has never been assessed in haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The present study aimed to assess weekly EB in these patients. METHODS: This clinical cross-sectional study was conducted for 7 days in eight HD and eight PD patients. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis and biochemical markers. Energy intake (EI per day) and total energy expenditure (TEE per day) were determined by a 7-day weighed food diary and a portable armband device, respectively. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, body mass index, fat free mass (FFM), parathyroid hormone were found between the two groups. EB was calculated by subtracting TEE per day from EI per day. EB was negative in HD {-1347 (1276) kJ day(-1) [-322 (305) kcal day(-1) ]}, as well as in PD patients {-427 (5338) kJ day(-1) [-102 (395) kcal day(-1) ]}. TEE per day was positively correlated with EI per day, prealbumin, FFM. EI per day was positively correlated with prealbumin. C-reactive protein was negatively correlated with TEE and FFM (P < 0.05). EB showed a positive correlation with EI per day (P = 0.012) and a negative trend with TEE. CONCLUSIONS: HD and PD patients have a negative EB and are at risk of malnutrition. Inflammatory status determines a lower EI per day and a reduction in TEE per day. The most important parameter in determining EB in HD and PD patients is EI per day. This topic deserves further investigation to better understand the mechanisms of impaired EB with respect to preserving patients' nutritional status.

Trace element levels in adult patients with proteinuria.

AIM: Trace elements are involved in many metabolic processes. They circulate prevalently bound to protein. In literature few studies deal with metal metabolism in adult patients with proteinuria, so we decided to further investigate metal metabolism in proteinuric patients. METHODS: We studied 27 patients (14 male, 13 female), mean age 61.6+/-17 years with different degrees of renal function, serum albumin and proteinuria. Metal concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and aluminum (Al) were measured in serum and urine. No patient had environmental exposure to these metals. RESULTS: The serum Zn level was below the normal range in 11 patients. The serum Cu level was reduced in 5 patients. The Al serum level was elevated in 4 patients. Six patients had reduced and 6 patients had elevated Zn excretion. The urinary Cu excretion was elevated in 6 patients. The urinary Al excretion was elevated in 1 patient. Trace metal concentrations were related neither to renal function nor to total serum protein or albumin levels. Serum zinc was directly correlated with proteinuria and urinary zinc and negatively correlated with testosterone levels in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Adult patients with proteinuria have several modification of trace metal concentration in serum and urine. Serum concentration of metals did not depend on renal function or serum protein levels. Urinary Zn excretion was directly related to proteinuria and serum Zn levels. A negative correlation between serum Zn levels and testosterone was found in both sexes. Renal failure reduced urinary excretion of Cu and Al.

[Pregnancy in chronic dialysis. A case report and a review of the literature]. / La gravidanza in dialisi cronica: esperienza personale e revisione della letteratura.

A case report of a pregnancy in a patient with end-stage renal disease on chronic dialysis is presented. The epidemiological data regarding this rare event and the factors influencing and limiting fertility in uremic women are discussed. The outcomes of pregnancy in dialysis as reported in national registries and literature series are analyzed. For the management of pregnancy in dialysis several practical problems have to be dealt with: the type of dialysis, sterilization of dialysis materials, dialysis dose, dialysis bath composition, extracorporeal circuit anticoagulation, and the diet of the pregnant woman. All these issues are discussed, with special attention to solutions facilitating the best outcome of pregnancy. Finally, the main complications of both normal and uremic pregnancies, anemia and hypertension, are discussed together with the solutions proposed in this particular condition.

A crossover trial of oxdralazine in hypertension.

Twenty-nine moderate and severe essential hypertensive patients completed a crossover study aimed at evaluating efficacy and tolerability of a double combination (chlorthalidone plus propranolol) and of a triple combination (chlorthalidone plus oxdralazine plus propranolol). After one month on 25 mg/day chlorthalidone, which caused nonsignificant reduction in blood pressure of 7/4 mm Hg, patients were randomized to receive either the double or triple regimen for a three-month period. Then, after another month on chlorthalidone alone at the same dose of 25 mg/day, treatments were crossed over and the study continued for another three-month period. The double regimen caused a drop in pressure of 16/11 mm Hg after one month (daily doses 25 mg chlorthalidone, 103 +/- 25 mg propranolol), and this reduction did not change at the third month in spite of dosage increases (daily doses 25 mg chlorthalidone, 222 +/- 77 mg propranolol). The triple regimen reduced blood pressure 35/15 mm Hg after one month (daily doses 25 mg chlorthalidone, 20 mg oxdralazine, 40 mg propranolol), and further increase in dosages caused a reduction of 45/24 mm Hg at the third month (daily doses 25 mg chlorthalidone, 56 +/- 20 mg oxdralazine, 112 +/- 40 mg propranolol). Both treatments were well tolerated; in particular, at the end of the third month of each treatment period, 25 patients on the triple regimen achieved a stable diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or less, as compared to 10 patients on the double regimen (P less than 0.01).

Pressure and humoral changes induced by atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride, alone and in free combination. A comparative between-patient study.

The authors have performed a between-patient study in 76 patients with mild or moderate essential arterial hypertension, with the aim of comparing the results of atenolol 100 mg daily, hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg + amiloride 5 mg 1 tablet daily, and the combination of the above two agents at the same daily doses. Thirty-one patients received the free combination diuretic-beta-blocker throughout the study period; 26 patients non-responders to atenolol 100 mg daily (supine diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg) after a one-month treatment period received the above combination for a further four months; and 19 patients non-responders to hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg + amiloride 5 mg, 1 tablet daily, after a one-month treatment period received the above combination for a further four months. In the patients who were non-responders to either atenolol or the diuretic, supine and upright blood pressure showed a further and clinically consistent decrease as a result of the combination therapy. A similar consistent decrease was seen in the patients receiving the combination therapy throughout the study. Plasma levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and uric acid were not modified either by the single agents or during administration of the combination therapy. In particular, plasma potassium concentration did not show any statistical or clinical changes. Any side-effects were of little clinical importance and never required discontinuation of therapy. In conclusion, atenolol combined with hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride (100 mg + 50 mg + 5 mg) provides an effective and well tolerated blood pressure control in most patients with mild or moderate arterial hypertension, including non-responders to diuretic or beta-blocker alone.

Acid-base balance and respiratory response during biofiltration with polyacrylonitrile membrane.

To further elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the hypoxemia we studied ventilation, pulmonary gas exchanges, blood gas pressures and exchanges of CO2-T, CO2-D and HCO-3 in six patients during AD and BD on 1 m2 cuprophan filter and during BF on 1.2 m2 polyacrylonitrile filter. Blood passing through the dialyzer lost 172.8 mM/h of CO2-T in AD, 149.2 mM/h in BF and gained 25.6 mM/h in BD. In AD VE, VA and PaO2 decreased significantly after 30 and 60 min., in BF for the whole duration of dialysis. PoO2 showed a significant decrease both in AD and BF after 60 min. In AD PaCO2 was significantly reduced after 120 and 180 min. All the above parameters remained unchanged in BD. VCO2 remained unchanged in all. VCO2 and R decreased both in AD and BF. However, when VCO2 was corrected for CO2 loss across the dialyzer, overall CO2 loss (ventilated plus filtered) and R returned to basal values. In AD, HCO-3 and pH fell in the first 120 min., while in BD and BF they increased from the beginning of dialysis. In AD hypoventilation, hypoxemia and inadequate correction of acid-base balance were due to the loss of HCO-3 across the filter. In BF also hypoventilation and hypoxemia were due to the loss of HCO-3 across the filter but the acid-base balance was adequately corrected by HCO-3 reinfusion. In BD, there was HCO-3 gain across the filter which induced a gradual correction of acid-base balance without impairment of ventilation.

Long-term study of oxdralazine in hypertensive patients.

56 moderate and severe hypertensive patients entered an open long-term trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of a combined treatment consisting of 3-hydrazino-6-[N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]pyridazine (oxdralazine, L 6150), propranolol and chlorthalidone. The mean basal blood pressure was 186.9/111.8 mmHg: after one month of treatment, the mean value was 149.7/95.5 mmHg (p less than 0.01). The heart rate was practically unaffected by treatment, the mean value changing from 75.4 b.p.m. (basal) to 73.3 b.p.m. (one month). The significant reduction in the blood pressure observed at the end of the first month remained unchanged in the following months of therapy, and only minor variations occurred. The combined treatment was well tolerated. Five patients were withdrawn from the trial during the first month; three of them because of side-effects and two of them for personal reasons.

A comparative trial of timolol and flutonidin as antihypertensive agents.

In a double-blind cross-over clinical trial, flutonidin (2-4 mg daily) was compared with timolol (20-40 mg daily) in the treatment of mildly or moderately hypertensive patients who concomitantly received fixed diuretic treatment. Each drug was administered for 1 month, with an interval of 2 weeks between the two monthly periods. During administration of flutonidin, blood pressure initially fell but returned to baseline values at the end of treatment. Heart rate was not affected by the drug. Timolol significantly reduced both blood pressure and heart rate. Its effect becomes evident during the 1st week and increases throughout the treatment period. Side effects were more frequent during flutonidin administration than during timolol administration. No significant modifications of the laboratory findings were observed during either flutonidin or timolol treatment.

Renal replacement therapy in cryoglobulinaemic nephritis.

Seventeen patients with nephritis due to mixed cryoglobulinaemia were submitted to regular haemodialysis in 11 and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in six after 145 +/- 55 months from the onset of the disease. Four patients with very poor clinical conditions died within 6 months from the beginning of dialysis. The other 13 patients were followed for a mean period of 78.7 +/- 41.6 months. The actuarial survival rate was 65% at 5 years. Both clinical and immunological signs of mixed cryoglobulinaemia reduced during dialysis but a long-lasting burn out was observed only in one patient. Two patients received a kidney graft. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia nephritis recurred in both of them respectively 5 and 10 months after transplantation. One patient lost his graft 13 months after transplantation because of chronic rejection. The other one still has a functioning kidney 48 months after renal transplantation. The life expectancy with dialysis for mixed cryoglobulinaemia patients is similar to that of patients with standard primary renal disease but some few patients with severe disease at the beginning of dialysis have a poor prognosis. Nephritis may recur after renal transplantation but this does not preclude per se a favourable course in the long term.

Comparative study of oxdralazine and dihydralazine in essential hypertension.

Thirty-one patients with moderate and severe essential hypertension completed a comparative study of oxdralazine and dihydralazine. Treatments were administered for a 6-month period. The therapeutic regimen also included diuretic and a beta-blocking agent given at a constant daily dose. After a 4-week run-in period on diuretic plus beta blocker, which caused a mean blood pressure reduction of 17/7 mmHg, the administration of the vasodilators produced a further, more marked decrease of pressure values. After 1-month treatment mean blood pressure reductions were 26/18 mmHg on oxdralazine and 16/11 mmHg on dihydralazine. After 6 months, 10/15 patients on oxdralazine and 7/16 patients on dihydralazine had achieved a stabile diastolic pressure below 95 mmHg. These results were confirmed by an additional phase of the study, in which 21 patients had the vasodilator cross-over and were observed for a second 6-mont period. Oxdralazine and dihydralazine therapy were well tolerated: only a few patients complained of side effects that were of mild intensity and never required any change in treatment. At the first visit after the cross-over, those patients changing from oxdralazine to dihydralazine complained of side effects with a higher frequency than the patients changing from dihydralazine to oxdralazine. In one patient from the former group it was necessary to stop dihydralazine treatment.

Cadralazine, a new vasodilator, in addition to a beta-blocker for long-term treatment of hypertension.

51 hypertensive outpatients, whose diastolic blood pressure exceeded 100 mmHg after a 2-week period on atenolol alone (100 mg once daily) participated in this long-term study. They received, in addition to atenolol, the vasodilator cadralazine (ISF 2469; 10 to 30 mg once daily) for a standard period of 24 weeks, according to an open design. Cadralazine caused a progressive and important decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, from 173/111 mmHg (end of atenolol alone) to 154/99 mmHg (12th week, p less than 0.01/p less than 0.01; mean dose, 24.5 mg/day). At this time a diuretic was added as a third-step drug in 15/51 initial patients (29%), and final blood pressure in all patients was 150/96 mmHg (p less than 0.01/p less than 0.01), with positive results in 88% of the cases. During cadralazine treatment, heart rate was always significantly lower than before atenolol alone; the most common side effects, many of which were already present during treatment with atenolol alone, included headache, asthenia, dizziness, palpitation and flushing, and tended to disappear spontaneously as therapy progressed. Routine laboratory tests did not show important changes; sodium excretion was not reduced. In conclusion, the therapeutic efficacy of cadralazine, its low or absent salt and water retention effects, its good tolerability, and the high compliance obtained with once daily administration allowed the use of this vasodilator as a second-step drug for long-term treatment of hypertension.

Effects of ibopamine in combination with furosemide on renal function in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.

The effects of ibopamine and furosemide on renal function given alone and in combination at single doses were studied in 6 men and 6 women aged 45 to 73 years with chronic congestive heart failure of NYHA class II. After 3 days of dietary stabilization, the patients received either ibopamine 200 mg, furosemide 40 mg, or furosemide 40 mg plus ibopamine 200 mg with 2-day washout between treatments, according to a double-blind, balanced three-way crossover design using all possible treatment sequences. On each treatment day urine collections were performed at 2-hourly intervals from 2 h before to 6 h after dosing, and urine volume and Na+, K+, Cl-, and creatinine concentrations were measured for every period. The patients received a standardized breakfast 3 h before treatment and then were allowed 250 ml tap water to drink before starting each urine collection period. Venous blood samples were taken before breakfast and midway between each urine collection period for analysis of serum Na+, K+, Cl-, creatinine, and glucose. Heart rate, blood pressure, and physical signs were recorded 2, 1 h, immediately before, and then 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h after treatment. At the same times the patients were asked for any symptoms. The time course of the diuretic effect of furosemide 40 mg was consistent with the data reported by other authors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recombinant human erythropoietin reduces free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels in patients on chronic dialysis.

We studied the significance of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) in relation to iron status, aluminum levels and anemia in uremic patients on chronic dialysis. All but 1 patient showed high FEP values closely related to the degree of anemia. Increased FEP levels are due to a defective heme synthesis, not related to iron deficiency or aluminum overload. Treatment of anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin reduced FEP values. We therefore hypothesize that recombinant human erythropoietin ameliorates an enzymatic defect in heme synthesis.

Pharmacokinetics of nicorandil in patients with normal and impaired renal function.

The pharmacokinetics of oral nicorandil 20 mg 12 hourly for 9 doses was evaluated in 21 hospitalized patients with angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease and with normal and impaired renal function. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on creatinine clearance (CLCr): GROUP I (n = 6) greater than 80 ml/min, GROUP II (n = 8) 20-80 ml/min, and GROUP III (n = 7) less than 20 ml/min. After the first dose, the total clearance of nicorandil (CL) value did not change with increasing renal failure and so was not dependent on creatine clearance. After the last dose CL was 51 l.h-1 in Group I, 44 l.h-1 in Group II and 56 l.h-1 in Group III, and it was not related to creatinine clearance. The percentage of the dose excreted in the urine was 0.4%. No significant difference was noted in any of the other pharmacokinetic parameters examined in the three groups, not even on comparing values obtained on the first and last days of treatment. The findings suggest that there is no need to change the dose of nicorandil in subjects with different degrees of renal failure.

Altered muscle energy metabolism in post-absorptive patients with chronic renal failure.

Skeletal muscle biopsies were performed on 12 healthy sedentary subjects and on 22 non-dyalized chronic renal failure patients (CRF) on a free diet and after overnight fasting. Parathormone, glucagon and insulin were determined at the same time of biopsies. CRF patients showed significantly low ATP and creatine phosphate levels. Regarding enzyme activities, a high hexokinase Vmax was found, while the pyruvate kinase activity was lower than in the control group. For the tricarboxylic acid cycle, citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities were higher; total NADH cytochrome c reductase activity was also high, while cytochrome oxidase activity was slightly lower. Both alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were considerably high in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, our study revealed a hypermetabolic TCA cycle, but impaired oxidative phosphorylation, which partly explained the reduced ATP concentration. Excessive protein intake and hormonal derangements may play a role in these metabolic changes.