Recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) is widely used for correction of anaemia in patients with chronic renal disease and its efficacy has been confirmed in numerous studies. Disturbances in carnitine metabolism may also contribute to the development of renal anaemia. Although increases in erythrocyte count (RBC) and changes in RBC metabolism during L-carnitine administration have been observed, supplementation with L-carnitine in anaemic hemodialysis patients is not routine. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of epoetin on hematological parameters and plasma carnitine profile in anaemic hemodialysis patients. 36 hemodialysis patients (22 men, 14 female, aged from 17 to 64 years, mean 43) and 30 healthy volunteers (12 men, 18 female, aged from 25 to 65 years, mean 40) were studied. Epoetin (Eprex, Janssen-Cilag) was administered subcutaneously for twelve months with the starting dose 2000 IU three times per week (range from 75 to 133, mean 102 +/- 21 IU/kg/week). The target hemoglobin (Hb) range at the time of the study was between 10-11 g/dL. Laboratory markers of hematological response, carnitine and iron status, were measured before epoetin administration and then controlled every three months. During epoetin treatment a significant increase in Hb concentration was observed (100% of patients responded to epoetin). In the third and six month of epoetin treatment, along with a significant increase in mean reticulocyte count and the highest increment of RBC count and Hb levels, probably due to increased erythropoiesis, a significant, transient decrease of mean total and free plasma carnitine levels was observed. This may suggest the utilisation of carnitine by a new RBC population. It also indicates that there is a need for L-carnitine in carnitine deficient maintenance hemodialysis patients particularily during erythropoiesis induced by epoetin treatment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/039139880302600106 | DOI Listing |
J Nephrol
January 2025
Department of Nephrology, Matsunami General Hospital, Gifu, Japan.
Background: The relationship between the psoas muscle gauge (PMG), a combined sarcopenia indicator obtained from psoas muscle index (PMI) and psoas muscle density (PMD), and adverse clinical outcomes in patients on hemodialysis remains unclear. We examined whether psoas muscle gauge could predict all-cause mortality and new cardiovascular events more accurately than psoas muscle index in these patients.
Methods: We retrospectively included 217 hemodialysis patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography.
Clin Exp Nephrol
January 2025
Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8550, Japan.
Background: Protein-energy wasting (PEW), a unique weight loss linked to nutritional and metabolic abnormalities, is common in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and associated with adverse outcomes. This study investigated whether extended-hours HD combined with a liberalized diet could overcome PEW and improve survival.
Methods: The body mass index (BMI) and survival outcomes in patients undergoing extended-hours HD were evaluated for up to 8 years using data from the LIBeralized diet Extended-houRs hemodialysis Therapy (LIBERTY) cohort.
Pediatr Nephrol
January 2025
Cardiology Department, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Background: Changes in cardiac function and structure as well as their association with the cardiac autonomic nervous system remain incompletely characterized in children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving hemodialysis (HD).
Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 40 Egyptian children with CKD on regular HD compared to 40 age- and sex-matched healthy children. All participants underwent thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations, 24-h Holter monitoring, and 2D/4D echocardiographic study (conventional and advanced modalities).
J Ren Care
March 2025
Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Background: Kidney failure is a major health issue globally, particularly in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. Nurses are centrally involved in the direct care and technical operations of managing individuals with kidney failure, and they have first-hand exposure to the complexities of kidney failure management, including haemodialysis within resource-constrained settings.
Objective: This study explored the experiences of nurses who provide care to individuals with kidney failure receiving haemodialysis in Ghana.
J Ren Care
March 2025
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Background: Globally, haemodialysis is the most frequent type of kidney replacement therapy and necessitates access to the bloodstream either through a native arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft or central venous catheter. Vascular access complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults receiving haemodialysis, and effective vascular access self-management is required.
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of educational or behavioural interventions designed to improve self-management of long-term vascular access in adults receiving haemodialysis.
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