A new peritoneal dialysis fluid for Japanese patients: a randomized non-inferiority clinical trial of safety and efficacy.

Background: We report here two new peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) for Japan [BLR 250, BLR 350 (Baxter Limited, Japan)]. The PDFs use two-chamber systems, and have bicarbonate and lactate buffer to a total of 35 mmol/L. In separate trials, the new PDFs were compared to two "standard" systems [PD-4, PD-2 (Baxter Limited, Japan)].

Markers in peritoneal effluent for withdrawal from peritoneal dialysis: multicenter prospective study in Japan.

The most serious problem in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the risk of final complication by encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) because of peritoneal deterioration. Markers useful for the noninvasive evaluation ofperitoneal deterioration are therefore required. In this multicenter prospective study of stable PD patients, we compared the dialysate-to-plasma (D/P) concentration ratios of albumin, immunoglobulin G, and c2-macroglobulin, and effluent levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDPs) to clarify the relationship between inflammation, fibrinolysis markers, and permeability to large molecules.

Body fat mass in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Changes in body fat mass in a large number of hemodialysis patients is unknown.

Methods: Body fat mass and lean body mass were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 561 patients with hemodialysis duration less than 180 months (62.3 +/- 11.

Intima-media thickness of carotid artery predicts cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Previous studies showed that patients with ESRD had increased intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (CA-IMT). In the present study, we examined whether CA-IMT would predict cardiovascular mortality in patients with ESRD.

Clinical usefulness of the serum N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen as a marker of bone formation in hemodialysis patients.

Background: An intact collagen I amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) assay has been developed as a useful assay for bone formation. The present study was performed to investigate the clinical usefulness of serum PINP as a bone-formation marker in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: PINP and other bone-formation markers, ie, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and intact osteocalcin (OC), were determined in serum samples collected from 209 HD patients.

[Sibling cases of nephritis resembling membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis].

We have experienced rare cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)-like nephritis, which was seen in siblings. Both the brothers had asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria at an age before 10, 7 and 4 years old, respectively. Renal biopsy revealed proliferative glomerulonephritis, resembling MPGN type III.

Impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone, but not refractoriness of osteoblast, is a major mechanism of low bone turnover in hemodialyzed patients with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetic bone disease is characterized by low bone turnover resulting from either impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or refractoriness of osteoblasts to PTH. The present study was performed to elucidate which factor contributes more to the reduction in bone turnover by comparison between 64 hemodialyzed patients with diabetes mellitus and 106 hemodialyzed patients without diabetes mellitus. Only men were enrolled to avoid the influence of the menstrual cycle on bone metabolism.

Increasing body fat mass in the first year of hemodialysis.

Nutritional status affects well-being and survival in patients who are undergoing hemodialysis. It was examined how maintenance hemodialysis altered body fat mass. In 72 patients with chronic renal failure (age, 62 +/- 12 yr; 42 men, 30 women), body fat was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry 1 mo after initiation of maintenance hemodialysis and approximately 1 yr later (mean +/- SD, 11 +/- 2 mo).