Changes in erythrocyte calcium and potassium in patients during HD and CAPD.

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in calcium and potassium content in the red blood cells (RBC) of uremic patients during a hemodialysis (HD) session and a 6/hrs CAPD exchange. RBC calcium and potassium were determined in 20 patients on HD in three blood samples collected at 0'-HD (pre-HD), 45'-HD and 240'-HD (end-HD), in 20 patients on CAPD, in two blood samples, collected at 0' time (pre-inflow) and 120', (solution in peritoneal cavity) during a 6/hrs exchange (4 exchanges / 24 h) and in 20 normal subjects. The mean value (+/-SD) of RBC calcium in controls was 15.6+/-3.75 micromol/L, in hemodialysed patients at 0'-HD, 45'-HD and 240'-HD 51.5+/-8.5, 70.4+/-12.5 and 51.1+/-10 micromol/L respectively and CAPD patients at time 0' and 120 of an exchange 53.6+/-23.4 and 70.6+/-9.2 respectively. These values show that RBC calcium in hemodialysed patients is generally significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than in controls. The value at 45'-HD is also significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than at 0' or 240'-HD. In CAPD patients, at 0' and 120' of a 6/hrs exchange, it is significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than in controls, as is the value at 120' (p < 0.001) in comparison to 0'. The mean value (+/-SD) of RBC potassium at the aforementioned time measurements were 95.9+/-3.34, 92.5+/-4.32 and 93.85+/-3.89 mmol/L respectively for patients on HD, 95+/-3.3 and 94.6+/-5.28 mmol/L respectively for patients on CAPD and 99.1+/-3.70 mmol/L in controls. These values show that RBC potassium of hemodialysed patients is significantly lower in comparison to that of controls (0'-HD: p < 0.01, 45'-HD and 240'-HD: p < 0.001); also the value at 45'-HD and 240'-HD is significantly lower (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively) when compared to that at 0'-HD. In patients on CAPD, at 0' time and 120' during 6/hrs exchange, potassium is significant lower (p < 0.001) in comparison to that of controls. In conclusion, uremic patients present high erythrocyte calcium and low potassium with fluctuation during HD-sessions and CAPD 6/hrs exchange.

Is erythrocyte damage prevented by gardos effect in hemodialyzed uremic patients?

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes of calcium and potassium content in red blood cells (RBC) from uremic patients during a hemodialysis (HD) session. In 17 uremic patients on HD, the calcium and potassium content of RBC was determined in 3 blood samples collected at 0 min-HD (pre-HD), 45 min-HD, and 240 min-HD (end-HD) during a 4 h HD session. The calcium and potassium content of RBC also was determined in 20 normal subjects (controls). The mean values (+/-SD) of RBC calcium content in patients at 0 min-HD, 45 min-HD, and 240 min-HD were 1.95 +/- 0.34, 2.82 +/- 0.50, and 2. 05 +/- 0.4 microg/ml, respectively, and in controls 0.61 +/- 0.14 microg/ml. These values show that the RBC calcium in patients was generally significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in comparison to that of controls. The RBC calcium at 45 min-HD was significantly higher as compared to that at 0 min-HD and at 240 min-HD (p < 0.0001). The mean values (+/-SD) of RBCs' potassium in uremic patients at the previously mentioned measurements were 95.9 +/- 3.34, 92.5 +/- 4.32, and 93.85 +/- 3.89 mEq/L, respectively, and in controls 98.46 +/- 2. 30 mEq/L. These values show that RBC potassium of patients was generally significantly lower in comparison to controls (0 min-HD: p < 0.01, 45 min-HD and 240 min-HD: p < 0.001). Potassium decrease also was significantly lower at 240 min-HD (p < 0.01) and even lower at 45 min-HD (p < 0.001) compared to that at 0 min-HD. In conclusion, uremic patients during an HD session present a high calcium and a low potassium content of erythrocytes. These changes may prevent swelling of the cells (Gardos effect).

The genetic polymorphism of aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALADH) in Greece.

The distribution of phenotypic and allelic frequencies of aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALADH) in different areas of Greece is reported. The frequencies of the allele ALADH1 and ALADH2 in Greece are 0.955 and 0.0455, respectively.

Serum trypsin inhibitory capacity and alpha 1-antitrypsin levels in liver cirrhosis and hepatoma.

alpha 1-Antitrypsin levels were measured in sera of 134 patients with cirrhosis and in 64 with cirrhosis and hepatoma. S-TIC was determined in 105 patients with cirrhosis and in 54 with cirrhosis and hepatoma. The mean alpha 1-at and S-TIC values in patients with cirrhosis were 369.59 +/- 14.072 mg% and 1,808 +/- 0.05 mg/ml respectively. In patients with cirrhosis and hepatoma the mean alpha 1-at level was 406.595 +/- 17.834 mg% and the S-TIC mean values was 2.064 +/- 0.82 mg/ml. Although these values are higher than those found in the healthy controls, the differences are not statistically significant.

Increased blood lead levels in mentally retarded children in Greece.

In 60 children with mental retardation of unknown etiology, the whole blood lead, as well as the activity of the red cell delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (delta-ALAD), was measured. Thirty normal children and 30 with mental retardation of known etiology were used as controls. The lead values were found significantly higher in the study patients compared with both control groups (P less than 0.001). The delta-ALAD activity in the 14 patients with blood lead levels greater than or equal to 40 microgram/dl, was significantly reduced compared with the normal controls (P less than 0.001) and the mentally retarded controls (P less than 0.01). In more than 20% of the patients with mental retardation of unknown etiology, indications of significant exposure to lead were found. There was no difference in blood lead values between children from cities and those from rural areas. The possible role of lead in the etiology of mental retardation is discussed.