Treatment with N-acetylcysteine in stable renal transplantation.

The primary cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplantation is cardiovascular disease. Increased oxidative stress implies a greater degree of atherogenesis in these patients. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) which has a thiol group that is the source of l-cysteine and reduced glutathione, acts against atherosclerosis via a decrease in apoptosis, vasoconstriction, and endothelial dysfunction. Experimental models have examined the antioxidant effects of NAC during and after ischemia-reperfusion, but few studies have shown an effect in renal transplantation in human beings. In 8 months, we studied the effect of NAC treatment on oxidative stress, lipids, and renal function in 25 patients with stable renal function and no diabetes after transplantation. Data were collected on oxidative parameters: malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, lipid profile, and renal function (creatinine concentration, Cockroft-Gault formula, and Modified Diet in Renal Disease study). There were no significant differences in oxidative profile before and after treatment with NAC. The mean serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction increased after treatment and showed a significant positive correlation with glutathione peroxidase (r = 0.495). Serum creatinine concentration decreased, and Cockroft-Gault and Modified Diet in Renal Disease study estimates of renal function increased in the treatment period. In conclusion, NAC treatment in patients with stable renal function after transplantation increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and antioxidant molecules in relation to glutathione peroxidase, with a positive influence on renal function.

[Evolution of nutritional biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients during a one-year follow-up period]. / Evolución de parámetros bioquímicos nutricionales en pacientes de hemodiálisis durante un año de seguimiento.

Current high survival in hemodialysis patients (52% at 5 years) have made the chronic manifestations to emerge such as the high hyponutrition prevalence of these patients, as well as the importance of the nutritional status in their morbimortality. The reason for protein-caloric hyponutrition is multifactorial, although chronic inflammatory conditions associated to the dialysis technique are becoming more and more relevant. The variations in several nutritional biochemical parameters (total proteins, plasma albumin, transferrin, and total cholesterol) have been assessed in 73 hemodialysis patients for one year. The mean age of the patients was 53.3 +/- 18.69 years (43 males and 30 females). The average on hemodialysis program was 43 +/- 33 months, with a mean session duration of 246 +/- 24 minutes, and mean hemodialysis dose administered of 1.37 +/- 0.27 (KT/V) (second generation Daurgidas). A decrease in all the biochemical parameters assessed has been observed, with statistically significant differences: total proteins (p < 0.001), albumin (p < 0.00001), total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and transferrin (p < 0.01). The evolution of the nutritional biochemical parameters assessed showed an important nutritional deterioration of the patients remaining stable with the therapy.

[Longitudinal study on the body mass index (BMI) of dialysis patients]. / Estudio longitudinal del Indice de masa corporal (IMC) en pacientes en diálisis.

Chronic renal failure is commonly related to hyponutrition, affecting approximately on third of patients with advanced renal failure. We carried out a longitudinal study to assess nutritional evolution of 73 patients on a regular hemodialysis program, assessing changes in the anthropometrical parameter body mass index (BMI) and its correspondence to biochemical nutritional parameters such as total protein (TP) levels and serum albumin (Alb). Every three months plasma TP and albumin levels were collected and BMI was calculated by the standard formula: post-dialysis weight in kg/height in m2. For classifying by BMI categories, overweight and low weight were defined according to the WHO Expert Committee. Studied patients had a mean age of 53 years, 43 were male and 30 were female patients. BMI in women was lower than that in men (p < 0.001), as well as TP (p < 0.001) and Alb (p < 0.001) levels. Mean BMI was 29.3 kg/m2. Three point two percent of the determinations showed low weight, 12.16% overweight, and 83.97% normal BMI. TP were normal in 90.76% and decreased in 9.24%. Alb was normal in 82.2% and low in 17.78%. After the follow-up time (21.6 months, minimum 18 months, maximum 53 months), the Kruskal-Wallis test did not show a statistically significant change for BMI but it did show a change for the biochemical parameters albumin and total proteins (p < 0.05): nutritional impairment in CRF patients is manifested on biochemical parameters (TP and Alb) with no reflection on anthropometrical data.

Effect of mycophenolate mofetil regimen on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is growing evidence of the effects of immunosuppressive agents on "immune targets" in renal transplantation. Immunological monitoring could indirectly measure the suppressive effect of these drugs and guide early preventive interventions in transplant recipients. Due to the selective antiproliferative effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on lymphocytes, our goal was to determine whether MMF modulates peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets (PBLS) in kidney allograft patients. METHODS: We assessed absolute CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD19(+), CD16(+)CD3(-) PBLS counts and CD4/CD8 ratios for 12 months in three groups of kidney allograft patients stratified according to maintenance immunosuppressive regimen: group A (n = 31), which started MMF with prednisone (P) + cyclosporine A (CyA), and two control groups, B (n = 19) and C (n = 15) on P + CyA + azathioprine (Aza) and P + CyA regimens, respectively. We compared intra- and intergroup lymphocyte counts and ratios. RESULTS: Intergroup comparisons showed a significant reduction in all PBLS in group A (CD19(+) from 3 months and other subsets from 6 months), whereas there were no significant changes in PBLS in the other group analyses or comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that (1) MMF modulates all PBLS in kidney allograft patients, causing a progressive reduction occurring earlier in CD19(+), and (2) we can rule out that these changes were caused by the "natural immunological evolution" of the transplantation. These results could offer a new method for immunological monitoring of transplant patients.

[An evaluation of the nutritional status of patients with chronic kidney failure on hemodialysis via rapid-turnover proteins]. / Valoración de la situación nutricional de pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis mediante proteínas de intercambio rápido.

The evaluation of the nutritional state of patients on maintenance haemodialysis is one of the main aspects involved in the prescription of treatment, since malnutrition is frequent among these patients and is a very important risk factor. We studied the albumin levels and the levels of several rapid interchange proteins (prealbumin, transferrin, cholinesterase) in 106 patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis. The proteic catabolism rate (pcr) and total dose on normalized dialysis (KT/V) was also determined in these patients, in accordance with the kinetic urea model. Anthropometrical measurements were taken (dry weight following haemodialysis, skin fold of the triceps and muscular circumference of the arm) in 65 patients. The average levels of the proteins studied were within normal laboratory limits, except for albumin, which was slightly lower. The greater frequency of infranormal levels corresponded to albumin (57%); the protein least altered was prealbumin (14.7%), although 70.4% of patients showed lower levels of this protein compared to those considered as indicating a poor prognosis (30 mg/day). The estimated daily proteic intake, according to the proteic catabolism rate, was lower than the recommended rate in 58% of our patients, this was not correlated with any of the proteins studied, and was significantly lower in the group of patients whose dialysis dose was too low. Although the anthropomorphic parameters did not correlate with any protein, the average levels of prealbumin were significantly lower in patients with infranormal levels of dry weight and skin fold of the triceps. The albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and cholineserase levels were not affected by treatment with erithropoyetin, haemodialysis buffer bath or type of membrane used.

Evolución de parámetros bioquímicos nutricionales en pacientes de hemodiálisis durante un año de seguimiento / Evolution of nutritional biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients during a one-year follow-up period

La elevada supervivencia actual del paciente en hemodiálisis (52% hasta 5 años), ha hecho que se pongan de manifiesto complicaciones crónicas como la elevada prevalencia de malnutrición en los enfermos, así como la importancia de la situación nutricional en la morbi-mortalidad que presentan. La causa de desnutrición proteico-calórica es multifactorial, aunque procesos de inflamación crónica asociada a la técnica de diálisis cobran cada vez más relevancia. Se han evaluado las variaciones de distintos parámetros bioquímicos nutricionales (proteínas totales, albúmina plasmática, transferrina y colesterol total) de 73 pacientes en hemodiálisis durante un año de seguimiento. La edad media de los pacientes era de 53,3 ± 18,69 años, con 43 varones y 30 mujeres. El tiempo en programa de hemodiálisis ha sido de 43 ± 33 meses, con una duración media de la sesión de 246± 24 minutos y dosis media de hemodiálisis administrada de 1,37 ± 0,27 (KT/V) (Daurgidas 2ª generación). Se ha observado un descenso en todos los parámetros bioquímicos evaluados, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas: Proteínas totales (p < 0,001), albúmina (p < 0,00001), colesterol total (p < 0,05) y transferrina (p < 0,01). La evolución de los parámetros bioquímicos nutricionales evaluados mostró un importante deterioro nutricional de los pacientes estables con el tratamiento (AU)

Current high survival in hemodialysis patients (52% at 5 years) have made the chronic manifestations to emerge such as the high hyponutrition prevalence of these patients, as well as the importance of the nutritional status in their morbimortality. The reason for protein-caloric hyponutrition is multifactorial, although chronic inflammatory conditions associated to the dialysis technique are becoming more and more relevant. The variations in several nutritional biochemical parameters (total proteins, plasma albumin, transferrin, and total cholesterol) have been assessed in 73 hemodialysis patients for one year. The mean age of the patients was 53.3 ± 18.69 years (43 males and 30 females). The average on hemodialysis program was 43 ± 33 months, with a mean session duration of 246 ± 24 minutes, and mean hemodialysis dose administered of 1.37 ± 0.27 (KT/V) (second generation Daurgidas). A decrease in all the biochemical parameters assessed has been observed, with statistically significant differences: total proteins (p < 0.001), albumin (p < 0.00001), total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and transferrin (p < 0.01). The evolution of the nutritional biochemical parameters assessed showed an important nutritional deterioration of the patients remaining stable with the therapy (AU)

Resistencia de la hiperhomocisteinemia del paciente renal al tratamiento con dosis suprafisiológicas de ácido fólico parenteral / Resistance of hyperhomocysteinemia in renal patients to treatment with supra-physiological doses of parenteral folic acid

Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentan un aumento de homocisteína plasmática (Hcy), debido a la alteración en la metilación causada por la uremia y déficit de los cofactores necesarios (vitamina B, ácido fólico). Esto se correlaciona con un mayor desarrollo de la enfermedad vascular prematura. El tratamiento, no está consensuado, siendo escasa la respuesta a la administración oral de dosis convencionales de ácido fólico. En este trabajo valoramos la respuesta de la hiperhomocisteinemia de 73 pacientes en programa de hemodiálisis periódica tras la administración de 50 mg de ácido folínico parenteral durante 18 meses. La homocisteína plasmática de los pacientes en el momento de inicio del estudio presentaba unos valores medios de 22,67 (μmol/l). Durante el primer año de suplementación mantuvieron el valor medio de 20μmol/l. A partir del primer año de tratamiento, y hasta finalizar los 18 meses de observación, los niveles medios de homocisteína fueron de 19,58 μmol/l. Aunque con el tiempo de tratamiento encontramos una clara tendencia al descenso de sus valores plasmáticos, no existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Los valores de homocisteína no se normalizaron en ninguno de los pacientes tratados (AU)

Hemodialysis patients present an increase in plasma homocysteine (Hcy) due to methylation impairment caused by uremia and the deficiency of the co-factors needed (vitamin B, folic acid). This correlates with a more common development of premature vascular disease. There is no consensus on the therapy, with a poor response to oral administration of conventional doses of folic acid. In this work, we assessed the response of hyperhomocysteinemia in 73 regular hemodialysis patients after the administration of 50 mg of parenteral folinic acid for 18 months. Plasma homocysteine of the patients at the time of the study beginning presented mean values of 22.67 (μmol/L). During the first year of supplementation the mean value was kept at 20μmol/L. From the first year to the end of the 18-months observation period the mean homocysteine levels were 19.58μmol/L. Although we found a clear trend towards a decrease in plasma homocysteine levels during the treatment period, there were no significant differences. Homocysteine levels did not come back to normal in none of the patients treated (AU)

Estudio longitudinal del Índice de masa corporal (IMC) en pacientes en diálisis / Longitudinal study on the body mass index (bmi) of dialysis patients

La insuficiencia renal crónica está relacionada frecuentemente con la malnutrición, afectando aproximadamente a un tercio de los pacientes con enfermedad renal avanzada. Realizamos un estudio longitudinal de la evolución nutricional de 73 pacientes en programa de hemodiálisis periódica, valorando las modificaciones del parámetro antropométrico de índice de masa corporal (IMC) y su correspondencia con parámetros nutricionales bioquímicos como son proteínas totales (PT) y albúmina sérica (Alb). Trimestralmente se recogieron los niveles plasmáticos de PT y Alb, y se evaluó su IMC calculado por la fórmula Standard: peso postdiálisis en Kg / altura m2. Para la clasificación en grupos según el IMC, sobrepeso y bajo peso fueron definidos según los valores del Comité de Expertos de la OMS. Los pacientes estudiados presentan una edad media de 53 años, 43 eran varones y 30 mujeres. El IMC de las mujeres fue inferior al de los varones (p<0,001), así como los niveles de PT (p<0,001) y Alb (p<0,001). El IMC medio es de 29,3 Kg/m2. El 3,2% de las determinaciones mostraban bajo peso, 12,16% sobrepeso y el 83,97 % un IMC normal. Las PT eran normales en el 90,76% y disminuidas en el 9,24%, la Alb normal en el 82,2% y baja en el 17,78%. Tras el tiempo de seguimiento (21,6 meses, con mínimo de 18 meses y máximo de 53) el Test de Kruskal-Wallis no mostró variación estadísticamente significativa en IMC y sí en los parámetros bioquímicos albúmina y proteínas totales (p<0,05): el deterioro nutricional de los pacientes con IRC en programa de diálisis se manifiesta en los parámetros bioquímicos (PT y Alb) sin que se refleje en los datos antropométricos (AU)

Chronic renal failure is commonly related to hyponutrition, affecting approximately on third of patients with advanced renal failure. We carried out a longitudinal study to assess nutritional evolution of 73 patients on a regular hemodialysis program, assessing changes in the anthropometrical parameter body mass index (BMI) and its correspondence to biochemical nutritional parameters such as total protein (TP) levels and serum albumin (Alb). Every three months plasma TP and albumin levels were collected and BMI was calculated by the standard formula: post-dialysis weight in kg/height in m2. For classifying by BMI categories, overweight and low weight were defined according to the WHO Expert Committee. Studied patients had a mean age of 53 years,43 were male and 30 were female patients. BMI in women was lower than that in men (p < 0.001), as well as TP (p < 0.001) and Alb (p < 0.001) levels. Mean BMI was 29.3 kg/m2. Three point two percent of the determinations showed low weight, 12.16% overweight, and 83.97% normal BMI. TP were normal in 90.76% and decreased in 9.24%. Alb was normal in 82.2% and low in 17.78%. After the follow-up time (21.6 months, minimum 18 months, maximum 53 months), the Kruskal-Wallis test did not show a statistically significant change for BMI but it did show a change for the biochemical parameters albumin and total proteins (p < 0.05): nutritional impairment in CRF patients is manifested on biochemical parameters (TP and Alb) with no reflection on anthropometrical data (AU)

Efecto hipolipemiante de Sevelamer en el paciente urémico / Hypolipidemic effect of sevelamer in the uremic patient

Antecedentes. Sevelarmer es un quelante de fósforo indicado en el tratamiento de la hiperfosforemia urémica. Estudios recientes reportan un efecto hipolipemiante que añade un valor adicional a esta molécula. Con este estudio pretendemos evaluar el efecto de sevelamer sobre el perfil lipídico y su seguridad. Métodos. Estudiamos de manera retrospectiva pacientes urémicos estables en hemodiálisis. Cada paciente participó con uno o más registros, clasificados en tres grupos según el tratamiento recibido: grupo 1, registro de pacientes tratados con sevelamer durante más de 3 meses; grupo 2, registro de pacientes no tratados con estatina ni sevelamer, y aquellos registro procedentes de pacientes antes de iniciar tratamiento con sevelamer; y grupo 3, registros de pacientes tratados con alguna estatina durante más de 3 meses. Recogimos los efectos adversos achacables a sevelamer. Trimestralmente registramos datos relativos al tratamiento fosfo-cálcico, perfil lipídico sérico, y un amplio perfil de seguridad de laboratorio. Resultados. Los valores medios de colesterol total y colesterol LDL séricos fueron significativamente inferiores en el grupo 1 respecto a los grupos 2 y3. El nivel sérico medio de triglicéridos fue semejante en los tres grupos y la variación en valor absoluto de colesterol HDL medio resultó pequeña. No registramos efectos adversos por sevelamer. El perfil de seguridad de laboratorio fue favorable y semejante en los tres grupos, si bien el valor medio de proteína C reactiva sérica en el grupo 1 fue significativamente inferior respecto a los otros. Conclusiones. Este estudio confirma el valor hipolipemiante de sevelamer en pacientes urémicos y sugiere un perfil pleiotrópico de efectos beneficiosos sobre la enfermedad arteriosclerótica de los pacientes en diálisis

Background. Sevelamer is a phosphorus binder indicated in the treatment of uremic hyperphosphoremia. Recent studies report a hypolipidemic effect adding futher value to this molecule. With this study, we aim to assess the effect of sevelamer on the lipid profile and its safety. Methods. We retrospectively studied stable uremic patients in hemodialysis. Each patient participated with one or more record entries, classified in three groups according to the treatment received: group 1, record entries of patients treated with sevelamer for more than 3 months; group 2, record entries of patients not treated with statin or sevelamer, and those record entries of patients prior to beginning treatment with sevelamer; and group 3, record entries of patients treated with any statin for more than 3 months. Adverse effects attributable to sevelamer were collected. On a quarterly basis, data relating to phosphocalcium treatment, serum lipid profile, and a broad laboratory safety profile were recorded. Results. Mean serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol values were significantly lower in group 1 with regard to groups 2 and 3. The mean serum triglyceride level was similar in the three groups, and the change in the mean HDL cholesterol absolute value was minute. No adverse effects due to sevelamer were recorded. The laboratory safety profile was favorable and similar in the three groups, although the mean serum C-reactive protein in group 1 was significantly lower with regard to the other groups. Conclusions. This study confirms the hypolipidemic value of sevelamer in uremic patients and suggests a pleiotropic profile of beneficial effects on arteriosclerotic diseases of patients in dialysis