Six-month prospective cross-over study to determine the effects of 1.1% amino acid dialysate on lipid metabolism in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 1.1% amino acid dialysate (AAD) (Nutrineal, Baxter, Castlebar, Ireland) on lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Design: Patients were alternately assigned to receive AAD in the first (group A), or the second (group B), 6 months of a prospective cross-over study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Patients: Eighteen stable CAPD patients with a serum cholesterol 5.5 mmol/L or greater.

Interventions: One post prandial exchange of AAD during a 24-hour period for 6 months.

Main Outcome Measures: A significant change in serum lipid levels.

Results: Patients in group A (n = 10) received a single daily exchange of AAD in place of their post prandial dextrose exchange for the first 6 months, and then crossed over to the dextrose phase. Patients in group B (n = 8) continued their usual dextrose dialysis for the first 6 months and then crossed over to receive AAD in the latter 6 months. Measurements of serum lipids and lipoproteins along with other biochemical parameters were made at regular intervals. Although a downward trend in mean serum total cholesterol was seen on AAD in group A, no significant change in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in any group. Mean serum triglycerides fell on AAD in both groups, but were not statistically significant. Serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and apolipoprotein B were elevated in both groups but did not change on AAD or with time. No change was observed in serum apoprotein A1 levels. Serum Lp(a) was not correlated to dialysate protein excretion. No change in mean serum albumin was observed, in either group, on AAD. KT/V urea, total weekly creatinine clearance, net ultrafiltration, and dialysate protein excretion remained unchanged on AAD.

Conclusions: The use of AAD, although clinically safe and without side effects, had no effect on the dyslipidemia in our group of CAPD patients.