Prealbumin-retinol-binding-protein-retinol complex in hemodialysis patients.

In hemodialysis (HD) patients, serum prealbumin (TBPA) is correlated to nutritional status and outcome despite usually elevated serum levels. The purpose of this work was to study the role of TBPA-retinol-binding-protein (RBP)-retinol complex changes in the elevation of serum TBPA in HD patients. Serum TBPA, RBP, and retinol were measured in 30 otherwise healthy HD patients (15 men, 15 women) and in 30 healthy volunteers (15 men, 15 women).