Gender-related determinants of advanced subclinical atherosclerosis in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Background: Cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We evaluated the potential association of cardiovascular risk factors including asymmetric dimethyl L-arginine (ADMA) and the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) with preclinical atherosclerosis in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Patients And Methods: In 92 males and 47 females undergoing the first cadaveric renal transplantation, ADMA, sRAGE and common risk factors including lipid parameters were evaluated as potential predictors of preclinical atherosclerosis defined as the Belcaro score (focused on advanced atherosclerotic changes) measured by ultrasound.

Reduction of plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine in obese patients with chronic kidney disease after three years of a low-protein diet supplemented with keto-amino acids: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Levels of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may contribute to vascular complications. In this study we tested the hypothesis that elevated ADMA can be reduced in obese CKD patients by long-term administration of a low-protein diet supplemented with keto-amino acids.

Patients And Methods: In a long-term prospective double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial, we evaluated for a period of 36 months a total of 111 CKD patients (54 men, 57 women) aged 22-76 years with obesity (BMI >or= 30 kg/m(2)) and an inulin clearance rate (C(in)) of 22-40 ml/min/1.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate based on the modification of diet in renal disease equation in patients with chronic renal failure.

The list of indications for initiating regular dialysis treatment includes residual glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Under the current European Best Practice Guidelines for Hemodialysis, residual GFR (and the presence of one or more symptoms of uremia) should not decrease below 15 ml/min. The present article seeks to determine to what extent the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation enables the detection of this decrease in GFR.