[Examination of activated charcoal preparations in chronic kidney disease: comparing Kremezin (K) and Merckmezin (M)].

Background: Two activated charcoal preparations, Kremezin (K) and Merckmezin (M), are both available in Japan and derived from similar materials. However, their microstructures are distincty different, and possibly reflect differences in their properties of absorbance. To evaluate the difference between K and M, we investigated the effects of K and M on the clinical parameters related to uremia in pre-dialysis patients.

[Kidney disease improvement plan avoids dialysis for life].

Initially, chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases with no progression or remission are reported, those are experienced in our hospital and have a possibility relates to prevent dialysis through life. Considering the roadmap for treatment of CKD, misgivings of "clinical practice guidebook for diagnosis and treatment of CKD" are firstly noticed. In this guidebook, 24 hour urine collection method is almost ignored.

Pseudoaldosteronism caused by combined administration of cilostazol and glycyrrhizin.

We report a case of obvious pseudoaldosteronism which occurred after the additional administration of cilostazol against arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) for bilateral legs in a 65 year-old man patient who had safely received glycyrrhizin for the previous ten years. Serum potassium level of the patient had been kept above 4 mEq/L until initiating cilostazol in November, 2006, then gradually decreased to 2.5 mEq/L for the following seven months.