Effect of high-normal compared with low-normal arterial pH on protein balances in automated peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Although the protein catabolic effects of metabolic acidosis are well established, it is unclear whether the entire reference range of arterial pH (7.37-7.44) is equivalent for protein balance.

Dietary protein requirements and dialysate protein losses in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Recommended dietary protein allowances for chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are approximately 60% higher than the dietary protein allowances for healthy adults. The relative contribution of dialysate protein and amino acid losses to these high protein requirements or total nitrogen losses is uncertain.

Methods: Following a peritoneal equilibration test, two 24-hour dialysate collections (24-1 and 24-2) were performed in 9 stable patients undergoing automated PD [4 males, 3 diabetics, age 43 +/- 5 years (mean +/- SEM), dialysis vintage 42 +/- 6 months, dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine 0.