Conventional and complementary alternative medicine therapies for renal anemia: a literature review.

Renal anemia stems mainly from chronic inflammation with elevated hepcidin levels, iron deficiency, and reduced red blood cell lifespan. Inadequate erythropoietin (EPO) production, worsened kidney function, leads to symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, and impaired physical function, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. We conducted a comprehensive search across electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Airiti library, and Wanfang, to compile recent clinical trials and pilot studies on conventional and complementary alternative medicine approaches for renal anemia.

Therapeutic potential of -based Eefooton in patients with chronic kidney disease: from clinical to bench study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern, and recent clinical evidence suggests the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to slow CKD progression. This offers alternative strategies for CKD patients, mitigating risks related to polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions. Our self-controlled, prospective study aims to assess the impact of Eefooton (EFT), a TCM-based regimen, on kidney health in stage 3-5 CKD patients.

AST-120 improved uremic pruritus by lowering indoxyl sulfate and inflammatory cytokines in hemodialysis patients.

Background And Hypothesis: Pruritus is a common and distressing symptom that affects patients with chronic kidney disease. The concentration of protein bounded uremic toxin was associated with the uremic pruritus. The aim is to assess the efficacy of AST-120 for uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

Dissecting the risk factors for hyperuricemia in vegetarians in Taiwan.

Background: Vegetarian diets have been shown to lower the risks of hyperuricemia and gout. Little is known about the risk factors of hyperuricemia in vegetarians.

Methods: This community-based retrospective case-control study was conducted to establish prediction models for hyperuricemia.

Association of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate with adverse outcomes in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Phthalate exposure is widespread and has a global impact. Growing evidence shows that mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) exposure has a negative impact on human health. However, whether MEHP exposure is associated with mortality and other adverse outcomes in hemodialysis patients remains unknown.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Improves Endothelial Progenitor Cell-Mediated Neovascularization in Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a pivotal role. We examined the impact of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on EPC function in response to tissue ischemia. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J male mice were divided into sham operation and subtotal nephrectomy (SNx) groups, received hindlimb ischemic operation after seven weeks, then randomly received G-CSF or PBS intervention for four weeks with weekly follow-ups.

Using artificial intelligence algorithms to predict the overall survival of hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are a vulnerable population at high risk for severe complications from COVID-19. The impact of partial COVID-19 vaccination on the survival of HD patients remains uncertain. This prospective cohort study was designed to use artificial intelligence algorithms to predict the survival impact of partial COVID-19 vaccination in HD patients.

Leukocyte 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as an oxidative stress marker to predict cardiovascular events and death in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis patients have a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress plays a pathogenic role in the progression of atherosclerosis and CV disease among chronic hemodialysis patients. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content in leukocyte deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been shown as a sensitive and well-known biomarker of oxidant-induced DNA damage in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Theranostic Role of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle for Treating Renal Anemia: Evidence of Efficacy and Significance by MRI, Histology and Biomarkers.

(1) Background: Increasing attention has been given to applying nanosized iron oxide nanoparticles (IOPs) to treat iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who suffer from IDA often need long-term iron supplements. We aim to evaluate the safety and therapeutic effect of MPB-1523, a novel IOPs, in anemic CKD mice and to monitor iron storage by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Risks of Topical Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors in Glaucoma Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Purpose: To investigate the risks of metabolic acidosis and renal outcomes after topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) use in patients with both primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design: Nationwide, population-based cohort study.

Methods: This study was conducted with population data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) Research Database between January 2000 and June 2009.

Folic Acid Ameliorates Renal Injury in Experimental Obstructive Nephropathy: Role of Glycine N-Methyltransferase.

Folic acid exerts both anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT), the major folic acid-binding protein in the liver, is a crucial enzyme that regulates the cellular methylation process by maintaining S-adenosylmethionine levels. However, as yet neither the therapeutic effects of folic acid in renal fibrosis nor whether GNMT is involved in these folic acid-associated mechanisms has been investigated.

Vegan Diet Is Associated with a Lower Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia is a well-known risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little is known about whether a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of CKD in patients with hyperuricemia. From 5 September 2005, to 31 December 2016, we retrospectively included clinically stable patients with hyperuricemia who received health check-ups at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Limits the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Simvastatin by Promoting Protein Degradation of Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor: Role of PPARγ-PCSK9 and LXRα-IDOL Signaling Pathways.

Dialysis prevents death from uremia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Nevertheless, during hemodialysis, circulating levels of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are increased due to phthalates leaching from medical tubes. Statins are an effective therapy for reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic kidney disease; however, the mechanism by which statins fail to reduce cardiovascular events in hemodialysis ESRD patients remains unclear.

Omega-3 fatty acids for uremic pruritus: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Uremic pruritus (UP) is common in the late stages of chronic kidney disease. Currently, there is a lack of effective treatment for UP. Limited evidence exists on the therapeutic effect of omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA).

Indoxyl Sulfate Alters the Humoral Response of the ChAdOx1 COVID-19 Vaccine in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background and aims: Vaccination for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) is strongly recommended. The efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for patients with end-stage renal disease is low. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a representative protein bound uremic toxin arousing immune dysfunction in CKD patients.

Vegetarian Diet Was Associated With a Lower Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Diabetic Patients.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a pathological hyperglycemic state related to the dysregulation of insulin. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common chronic complication in diabetic patients. A vegetarian diet could be one of the preventive strategies for the occurrence of CKD in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Association of anemia and iron parameters with mortality among prevalent peritoneal dialysis patients in Taiwan: the AIM-PD study.

In 1996, the National Health Insurance Administration of Taiwan applied a restrictive reimbursement criteria for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) use in patients with chronic kidney disease. The maximal ESAs dosage allowed by insurance is capped at 20,000 U of epoetin per month. Nephrologists avoided the use of high ESA dosages to achieve a hemoglobin level of 10-11 g/dL using iron supplementation.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Sodium Thiosulfate in the Treatment of Uremic Pruritus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Uremic pruritus is a distressful complication of chronic kidney disease and results in impaired quality of life and higher mortality rates. Intravenous sodium thiosulfate has been reported to alleviate pruritus in hemodialysis patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the efficacy of intravenous sodium thiosulfate in patients with uremic pruritus.

Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review.

Uremic pruritus (UP), also called chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), is a bothersome symptom that causes sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Pruritus often occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease. There is still no definite treatment for UP due to its unclear pathogenesis.

The Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplantation Patients: A Narrative Review.

The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic has posed a huge threat to global health because of its rapid spread and various mutant variants. Critical illness occurs in the elderly and vulnerable individuals, such as those with chronic kidney disease. The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with the severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD)and even kidney transplantation (KT) because of the chronic use of immunosuppressive agents.

The Therapeutic Strategies for Uremic Toxins Control in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Uremic toxins (UTs) are mainly produced by protein metabolized by the intestinal microbiota and converted in the liver or by mitochondria or other enzymes. The accumulation of UTs can damage the intestinal barrier integrity and cause vascular damage and progressive kidney damage. Together, these factors lead to metabolic imbalances, which in turn increase oxidative stress and inflammation and then produce uremia that affects many organs and causes diseases including renal fibrosis, vascular disease, and renal osteodystrophy.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate limits the pleiotropic effects of statins in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis and endothelial cells.

The level of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is elevated in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis. However, statins are unable to reduce the cardiovascular events in chronic dialysis patients. In this study, we investigated the effects of DEHP on statin-conferred pleiotropic effects and the underlying molecular mechanism in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and endothelial cells (ECs).

Energy Requirement of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Multiple Centers.

Background: Energy requirements must be estimated before nutritional care can be provided for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, the recommended caloric intake for patients has not been conclusively determined because of insufficiently large sample sizes.

Method: This cross-sectional observational study recruited patients undergoing long-term HD from multiple centers as well as people in the general population without chronic kidney disease.

Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver and chronic kidney disease: An analysis of 37,825 cases from health checkup center in Taiwan.

Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) share common pathogenic mechanisms and risk factors. The relationship between in NAFLD and CKD remains controversial. We aim to assess the association between NAFLD and CKD.

Indoxyl sulfate impairs valsartan-induced neovascularization.

Studies revealed that the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonism is not associated with a statistically significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with that in the general population. We tested the hypothesis that indoxyl sulfate (IS) can interfere with the protective effect of valsartan-mediated on endothelial function in vitro and neovascularization in mice underwent subtotal nephrectomy. In human aortic endothelial cells, we first demonstrated that IS impaired the valsartan-mediated phosphorylation of eNOS, nitric oxide production and tube formation via NADPH oxidase (NOX) and protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation, but this effect was suppressed by cotreatment with apocynin and calphostin C.