Functional capacity of suprarenal cortex in patients on long-term dialysis.

The authors have repeatedly examined the functional capacity of suprarenal cortex in patients on long-term dialysis by means of ACTH stimulation test. Out of 148 examinations, normal reaction was found in 111 cases, partially insufficient in 16 cases, and fully insufficient in 21 cases. Primary suprarenal insufficiency is considered for the reason of insufficient production of cortisol which develops due to enforced changes of regulatory mechanism in glucocorticoids production as a reaction on repeated long-term losses of cortisol through semipermeable membrane.

Changes in blood serotonin during hemodialysis.

Authors studied serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamin) in blood in patients with severe renal failure. Changes of serotonin in platelets and plasma in renal failure possibly play a part in clotting disorders of uremia. The authors found increased levels of serotonin in the patients, who suffered from acute and chronic renal failure.