Erythropoietin Resistance Development in Hemodialysis Patients: The Role of Oxidative Stress.

Oxidative stress (OS) is considered a significant risk factor for the development of anemia in patients treated by regular hemodialysis (HD). Moreover, OS represents a risk factor for the development of erythropoietin (EPO) resistance in these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the role of OS regarding EPO resistance development in patients treated by regular HD.

Cardiovascular Outcome of Pediatric Patients With Bi-Allelic (Homozygous) Familial Hypercholesterolemia Before and After Initiation of Multimodal Lipid Lowering Therapy Including Lipoprotein Apheresis.

Twenty-four patients with bi-allelic familial hypercholesterolemia commencing chronic lipoprotein apheresis (LA) at a mean age of 8.5 ± 3.1 years were analysed retrospectively and in part prospectively with a mean follow-up of 17.

Real-world study: Escalating targeted lipid-lowering treatment with PCSK9-inhibitors and lipoprotein apheresis.

Introduction: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition with monoclonal antibodies has complemented the armamentarium of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) before the final step of commencing chronic lipoprotein apheresis (LA). Data are scarce on patients who, after escalation of LLT with PCSK9 antibodies, have commenced chronic LA or PCSK9 antibody treatment during ongoing long-term LA.

Patients And Methods: In this study, a cohort of 110 patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) due to hypercholesterolemia or concomitant lipoprotein(a)-hyperlipoproteinemia, who received PCSK9 antibodies for the first time during routine care, were consecutively identified.

Multimodal lipid-lowering treatment in pediatric patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia-target attainment requires further increase of intensity.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) causes premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is recommended as first-line lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) for homozygous (ho) FH.

Methods: Efficacy of multimodal LLT including lifestyle counseling, drug treatment, and LA was analyzed in 17 pediatric hoFH or compound heterozygous (c-het) FH patients, who commenced chronic LA in Germany before the age of 18.

Impact of food and herbal medication on calcineurin inhibitor dose in renal transplant patients: a cross-sectional study.

The incidence and severity of interactions of herbal products with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) metabolism in renal transplant recipients have not been systematically investigated. These patients have a high rate of herbal product consumption, including products interfering with CNI metabolism. The study aimed at identifying an impact of herbs and foods on CNI metabolism in a cohort of renal transplant recipients by conducting dietary interviews (1) in patients with very low and high CNI maintenance dose requirements and (2) by retrospective analysis of unexplained marked deviations from CNI baseline trough levels.

Complementary and alternative medications consumed by renal patients in southern Germany.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used in the general population, yet scant data are available regarding the prevalence of these medications in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Objective: To survey patients with ESRD regarding their use of CAM and health foods.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated with dialysis or renal transplantation for ESRD were approached by nephrologists of 5 renal centers to report their usage of and knowledge on CAM and health foods by answering a questionnaire.

Herb-drug interactions in nephrology: documented and theoretical.

Renal patients consuming herbal drugs are at risk for herb-drug interactions by various mechanisms. In transplant recipients, toxicity and underdosage of calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression have been linked to phytochemically triggered activity changes of cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme CYP3A4 metabolism and drug transport proteins. This type of interaction might be triggered by many other plant products besides grapefruit juice and St.

Review article: cytochrome P450 enzyme, and transport protein mediated herb-drug interactions in renal transplant patients: grapefruit juice, St John's Wort - and beyond!

Aim: To survey the evidence for plant-products to modify cytochrome P450 enzyme, and transport protein mediated drug metabolism in renal transplant patients.

Methods: A literature search was performed to identify "in vitro" and "in vivo" research on plant-products that might cause overdosage or loss of efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs in transplant patients by the interaction mechanisms already characterized for grapefruit juice and St. John's Wort.

[Guidelines on water and solutions for dialysis. Italian Society of Nephrology].

The National Society of Nephrology has promoted the development of specific Italian Guidelines for dialysis fluids. Two previous national inquiries showed a wide variety in the type and frequency of both microbiological and chemical controls concerning dialysis water, reinforcing the need for specific standards and recommendations. An optimal water treatment system should include tap water pre-treatment and a double reverse osmosis process.