Intradialytic Cardiovascular Exercise Training Alters Redox Status, Reduces Inflammation and Improves Physical Performance in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Redox status (RS) perturbations and inflammation are fundamental features of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that are substantially exacerbated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of a 6-month intradialytic exercise training program on RS, inflammation and physical performance in patients with ESRD. Twenty hemodialysis (HD) patients (17 males, three females) were randomly assigned to either an intradialytic training (bedside cycling) group (TR; = 10) or a control group (CON; = 10) for 6 months.

Association of Plasma Adiponectin and Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Diabetic Nephropathy.

Aims: We sought to determine the association between levels of adiponectin and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in patients with diabetic nephropathy as well as their effect on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

Methods: Adiponectin and ox-LDL were determined in 25 diabetic patients without nephropathy and 94 patients at different stages of diabetic nephropathy including subjects on hemodialysis. cIMT was measured using real-time B-mode ultrasonography.

Validation of a new risk score to predict contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a frequent, potentially lethal complication of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). We prospectively validated the diagnostic performance of a simple CIN risk score in a large multicenter international cohort of patients who underwent PCI. About 2,882 consecutive patients treated with elective or urgent PCI were enrolled.

Vascular access for hemodialysis: postoperative evaluation and function monitoring.

Vascular access (VA) survival is a crucial issue associated with morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The development of stenosis is the major factor that leads to VA failure. Strategies for early detection of lesions within a VA system before serious complications arise are therefore crucial.

Impact of long-term cinacalcet, ibandronate or teriparatide therapy on bone mineral density of hemodialysis patients: a pilot study.

Background: Insufficient evidenced-based information is available for the treatment of osteoporosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: In 102 HD patients, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured twice 16 ± 3 months apart. In the second BMD measurement 66 of them had a femoral neck (FN) T-score <-2.

The corticotropin releasing factor system in the kidney: perspectives for novel therapeutic intervention in nephrology.

The adaptation to endogenous and exogenous stress stimuli is crucial for survival but also for the onset of various diseases in humans. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) system is the major regulator of stress response and homeostasis. The members of this family of peptides extend their actions also outside CNS to the periphery where they may affect various body systems independently, acting via vagal and/or autocrine/paracrine pathways.

Differential effect of baseline adiponectin on all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients depending on initial body mass index. Long-term follow-up data of 4.5 years.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the interaction of adiponectin levels and body mass index (BMI) for predicting all-cause mortality in a cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Design: Longitudinal, observational cohort study.

Setting: HD unit.

Development of an easily applicable risk score model for contrast-induced nephropathy prediction after percutaneous coronary intervention: a novel approach tailored to current practice.

Background: Several risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been identified. The cumulative effect of these risk factors on renal function has been assessed with the development of risk score models in a number of studies. However, concerns were raised that estimates of the risk attributable to individual factors may be unreliable.

The effect of bicarbonate peritoneal dialysis solutions on cardiac structural and functional alterations.

Background: The systemic effects of absorbed glucose degradation products (GDPs) contained within the conventional peritoneal dialysis solutions (cPDS) are largely unknown, while they appear to affect also cardiovascular function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the new bicarbonate-based less bioincompatible new peritoneal dialysis solutions ameliorate cardiac structural and functional status as well as the peritoneal net ultrafiltration (UF) and residual renal function. Patients and methods.

Metformin-related lactic acidosis in patients with acute kidney injury.

Background: Metformin is nowadays considered as first-line therapy in individuals with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Metformin-related lactic acidosis (MALA) occurs more frequently after inappropriate use especially in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, its prescription in these patients is contraindicated, while the role of dialysis is under evaluation.

Impact of C-reactive protein on absolute reticulocyte count in haemodialysis patients: the role of iron status.

Background: The exact mechanisms by which the effects of inflammation on erythropoiesis occur are still to be determined. We aimed to examine the relation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythropoiesis as quantified by the absolute reticulocyte count (RTC) and the possible effect of iron status on this relationship.

Methods: As part of a study that follows the changes of haematologic parameters after the intravenous (IV) administration of iron in 93 stable haemodialysis (HD) patients, we made a cross-sectional analysis of baseline measurements and an analysis of changes in RTC 1 week after baseline measurements and iron administration.

Comparative in vitro study of different peritoneal dialysis solutions on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background/aims: Peritoneal dialysis solutions (PDS), new and conventional, do not yet have a clinical biocompatibility profile. We aimed at a comparative laboratory profile based on the effect of PDS on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokine release.

Method: PBMCs from 19 healthy volunteers were incubated at a concentration of 10(6)/ml in fresh PDS and control medium (RPMI 1640), and stimulated or not with 10 microg/ml Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

Pivotal role of paricalcitol in the treatment of calcific uremic arteriolopathy in the presence of a parathyroid adenoma.

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy, or calciphylaxis, is a serious and life-threatening complication of end-stage renal disease. Its pathogenesis is not yet fully elucidated and treatment is controversial. In the presence of severe hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy should be considered.

Home dialysis as a first option: a new paradigm.

Traditionally, the initial choice of dialysis for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has been in-center hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Usually, the choice between these (PD vs. HD) has been based on the characteristics of the dialysis techniques.

Auditory brainstem responses in patients under treatment of hemodialysis.

This study evaluated the effects of end stage chronic renal failure (CRF) on auditory function and changes in auditory function following a single session of hemodialysis. The experimental group included 31 patients with end-stage renal failure on chronic hemodialysis. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers.

Effect of one-year oral alpha-tocopherol administration on the antioxidant defense system in hemodialysis patients.

Oxidative stress is increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients and contributes to the increased morbidity and mortality in this population. Vitamin E is an antioxidant agent. In the present study the effect of prolonged oral alpha-tocopherol administration on the antioxidant defense system was evaluated.

Efficacy of intravenous methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta administered every 2 weeks compared with epoetin administered 3 times weekly in patients treated by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis: a randomized trial.

Background: C.E.R.

Thirty-month follow-up of coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients: different roles for inflammation and abnormal calcium-phosphorous metabolism?

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is considered a marker of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAC progression and factors that influence it were evaluated during a 30-month period.