Our pilot study provides preliminary evidence that ERT with agalsidase beta, 1 mg/kg every 2 weeks, is safe and often effective against extra-renal manifestations in kidney transplant patients with Fabry disease. Studies with longer courses of this and higher doses of ERT are merited in this population.
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by nephelometry in 30 healthy subjects (controls) and in 99 patients with uncomplicated terminal uremia on conservative therapy (group 1, n = 30) or chronic hemodialysis (group 2, n = 69). Whereas there was no difference between controls and group 1, both the mean concentration of CRP and the incidence of elevated levels were significantly higher in group 2 in comparison with both controls and group 1. Moreover, the degree of increase in these patients was directly correlated with the duration of hemodialysis. The abnormality, therefore, is somehow related to chronic hemodialysis per se. From a practical standpoint, we concluded that this test cannot be recommended as an acute-phase reactant in this clinical setting.
It is possible to rely on a few variables typically accessible in routine clinical practice to stratify patients with a different CKD progression rate. Stratification can be used to guide decisions about the follow-up schedule, treatments to slow progression of kidney disease, prevent its complications and to begin planning for dialysis and transplantation.
The effects of synthetic salmon CT, administered subcutaneously and intermittently (1 MRC U/kg/day for 15 days/month over 6 months) were investigated in 15 uremic patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT), all presenting various degrees of osteodystrophy. Clinically, osteoarticular pain disappeared in 8 out of 10 cases; 1 patient with rib fractures had a rapid calcification of the bone fracture repair tissue. No significant changes were found in serum calcium and PTH levels. Phosphotemia showed a significant decrease within the first 20 days. The varying individual hypophosphatemic response proved to be related to the initial level of phosphatemia. The alkaline phosphatase, when increased, showed a decrease to the normal range. A significant decrease in osteoclastic hyperactivity (active resorption surface, osteoclast index) and a slight increase in osteoblastic pool (active osteoid surface) were documented. No change was noted when osteomalacia predominated. Side effects included: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, face flushing. Our data suggest that salmon CT may be usefully employed in chronic uremic patients on RDT, when secondary hyperparathyroidism predominates.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.