Relationship between gastric emptying and clinical and biochemical factors in chronic haemodialysis patients.

Background: Gastroparesis is an important side-effect of end-stage renal disease because of its influence on nutritional status.

Methods: In this study, 56 equilibrated haemodialysis patients were evaluated by radioisotopic examination for gastric emptying time. These data were correlated to anthropometrical as well as biochemical parameters.

Heparin-induced release of protein-bound solutes during hemodialysis is an in vitro artifact.

Background: Several studies have pointed to a release of drugs or protein-bound solutes from their binding sites during heparinization. The effect is attributed to the metabolism of triglycerides to free fatty acids (FFAs), which compete with drugs for protein binding sites. This study evaluated the impact of intradialytic heparin on the free concentration of the uremic toxin p-cresol and on FFAS:

Methods: Blood samples from hemodialysis (HD) patients, before and during HD, were collected with selected anticoagulation strategies.

Intradialytic removal of protein-bound uraemic toxins: role of solute characteristics and of dialyser membrane.

Background: The efficiency of dialysis membranes is generally evaluated by assessing their capacity to remove small, water-soluble and non-protein-bound reference markers such as urea or creatinine. However, recent data suggest that protein-bound and/or lipophilic substances might be responsible for biochemical alterations characterizing the uraemic syndrome.

Methods: In the present study, the total concentrations of four uraemic retention compounds (indoxyl sulphate, hippuric acid, 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (CMPF) and p-cresol) and of tryptophan, the only protein-bound amino acid and a precursor of indoxyl sulphate, were compared with those of urea and creatinine in pre- and post-dialysis serum and in dialysate of 10 patients; two high-flux (HF) membranes (cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polysulphone (PS)) and a low-flux polysulphone (LFPS) membrane were compared in a crossover design, using HPLC.

Intradialytic parenteral nutrition in malnourished hemodialysis patients: a prospective long-term study.

Background: Malnutrition is a frequent problem of patients on intermittent hemodialysis and substantially contributes to their morbidity and mortality.

Methods: In 26 hemodialysis patients who, despite dietary advice and oral nutritional supplements, still had malnutrition, the feasibility and effects of a specific intradialytic parenteral nutritional (IPN) regimen were evaluated during a 9-month study period. An IPN solution consisting of 250 mL glucose 50%, 250 mL lipids 20%, and 250 mL amino acids 7% was infused i.

The haematopoietic effect of recombinant human erythropoietin in haemodialysis is independent of the mode of administration (i.v. or s.c.).

Background: Previous studies comparing intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.