Studies on cell water and electrolytes in chronic renal failure.

Studies were carried out in 10 normal subjects and in 16 patients with moderately severe chronic renal failure (CRF) to determine the quantities of potassium (K), sodium (Na) and water in muscle tissue obtained by needle biopsy and in white cells (WBC) from peripheral venous blood. Depletion of intracellular K with high levels of Na and normal water were found in patients with CRF. Therefore, the cellular electrolyte pattern was not substantially different from that reported by others in patients with advanced uremia although there was no increase in intracellular water (as can occur in end-stage CRF).

[Thienylic acid, a new drug with saluretic and uricosuric activity. Preliminary data].

The effects of ticrynafen (250-500 mg) on salt-water and uric acid metabolism have been studied in 18 patients with no haemodinamic abnormalities or salt-water repletion (cardiac failure, oedema). The main results are: -- an effective natriuresis is observed in the first days and is attenuated thereafter. In subjects with a reduced GFR, a negative salt balance is obtained altough the volume of diuresis is not significantly increased.

Studies on bicarbonate reabsorption in chronic renal failure.

The role of nephron loss, extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) expansion and body potassium stores on bicarbonate reabsorption in chronic renal failure (CRF) was evaluated. In 17 CRF and 3 control subjects, tubular HCO3 reabsorption was studied by HCO3 1M titration technique; ECFV (22Na space at 4th hour) and cell K content (muscle biopsy) were also determined. Nephron loss per se does not cause any change of HCO3 reabsorption rate per unit GFR.

[Aspects of glycolipid metabolism in chronic renal insufficiency: interference of oral glucose administration during and after dialysis with changes induced by short dialyses with glucose free dialysate].

As part of some research into certain aspects of glycolipidic metabolism in chronic renal insufficiency, a study has been made of alterations in glycaemia, insulinaemia, free fatty acids and triglycerides during and following brief periods of dialysis by glucose-free bath in 26 subjects: within this group, 50 g of glucose were administered to 8 patients at the 2nd hour of dialysis and 100 g to another 8 at the end of therapy. The following findings were made during glucose-free dialysis: marked hypoglycaemia starting from the first hour until the end, marked increase in FFA and marked fall in TG upon the lipolytic action of heparin. In the post-dialysis period, immediate normalization in glycaemia, steady diminution in FFA and notable increase in TG as early as the 1st hour.

[Acid-base modifications induced by treatment with concentration-reinfusion of ascitis fluid in cyrrhosis (author's transl)].

In 9 cyrrhotic patients with ascites we have studied the acid base status and the renal acidogenic capacity (urinary titrable acidity, ammonia) before, during and after reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid. Acid-base parameters have been evaluated also in the ascitic fluid and in the concentrated reinfusion fluid. The treatment does not determine any significant variation of acid base equilibrium in the cyrrhotic patients, while there is a remarkable loosing of CO2 with lowering of pCO2 in the concentrated ascitic fluid.