The mitochondrial protein frataxin is downregulated in hemodialysis patients.

Background: The mitochondrial protein frataxin regulates iron metabolism for heme and iron sulfur cluster synthesis in the mitochondria and could be associated with the regulation of oxidative stress. To clarify the expression of frataxin and its association with uremia, we evaluated the mRNA and protein levels of frataxin in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) of patients on hemodialysis (HD).

Methods: Uremic patients on HD (n = 18) and healthy control subjects (n = 18) were investigated.

Amino terminal cleavage of PTH(1-84) to PTH(7-84) is regulated by serum calcium concentration via calcium-sensing receptor in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism is one of the critical complications of end-stage renal disease patients. Conventionally intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was used to assess secondary hyperparathyroidism, but this assay measures both PTH(1-84) (full-length parathyroid hormone) and PTH(7-84) (amino (N)-terminal-cleaved parathyroid hormone). PTH(7-84) is biologically inactive or antagonistic for PTH.