Currently available TBW equations overestimate TBW in both Korean normal control subjects and HD patients. Among them, the Watson formula appears to be the closest to TBW and to have the least bias. Based on this analysis, it is reasonable to use the Watson formula for the calculation of TBW in Korean adult control and HD subjects until an Asian-based TBW equation is available.

SummaryThe interaction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and caveolin in the cultured mouse mesangial cells (MMC) was investigated. In normal MMCs, high levels of caveolin-2 and low level of caveolin-1 at mRNA and protein level were observed without any detectable expression of caveolin-3. Upon treating the MMCs either with cadmium (Cd) or spermine NONOate (SPER/NO), expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein was increased. Caveolae rich membranous fractions from the MMCs treated with Cd or SPER/NO contained both HO-1 and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2. The experiments of immuno-precipitation showed complex formation between the HO-1 and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2 in the Cd treated MMCs. Confocal microscopic results also support co-localization of HO-1 and caveolin-1 or caveolin-2 at the plasma membrane. Co-localization of caveolins with HO-1 in caveolae suggested that caveolin could also play an important role in regulating the function of HO-1. IUBMB Life, 55: 525-532, 2003

Objective To evaluate actual risk of complications and 1-year catheter survival of immediate full-volume 2000-mL dialysate exchange after peritoneal catheter implantation. Design and Setting A prospective randomized comparative study in a university hospital kidney center. Patients The study included 59 end-stage renal disease patients entering into a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis program between January 1996 and December 1997. Interventions In group 1 ( n = 21), exchange volume was gradually increased from 500 mL per 3 hours to full-volume exchange over 13 days. In group 2 ( n = 38), full-volume exchange per 6 hours was performed from the day of catheter implantation. Bed rest with minimal activity was recommended for the first 3 days in both groups. Main Outcome Measures Occurrence of catheter-related complications such as dialysate leakage, drainage failure, malposition, infectious complications, and, ultimately, catheter loss were observed for 1 year. Results After straight Tenckhoff catheter implantation, pericatheter dialysate leaks occurred in 9.5% of group 1 and in 10.5% of group 2 patients (no significance, NS). Within 1 month of implantation, the incidences of tunnel or exit-site infection, catheter malposition, and outflow failure were not significantly different between the two groups. Abdominal discomfort was noted in 2 patients from group 2. Peritonitis occurred in 9.5% and 5.3% (NS) within 2 weeks of catheter implantation, and in 14.3% and 10.5% (NS) after more than 2 weeks in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Early catheter loss within 1 month occurred in 4.8% of patients in group 1 and 5.3% in group 2 (NS). The causes of loss were persistent leakage in group 1, and persistent leakage combined with tunnel infection and outflow failure in group 2. The duration of hospitalization from the day of catheter insertion to discharge was definitely shorter in group 2 compared to group 1 (9.9 ± 0.6 days vs 15.0 ± 0.8 days, p < 0.001). For 1-year follow-up, the frequencies of peritonitis were 0.062 ± 0.015/patient-month in group 1 and 0.076 ± 0.018/patient-month in group 2 (NS). The actual 1-year catheter survival was 85.7% in group 1 and 84.2% in group 2 (NS). Conclusions One-year catheter survival after immediate full-volume peritoneal dialysis exchange was 84.2%. This study did not show any evidence that immediate full-volume exchange causes more short- or long-term complications compared to the stepwise volume increment method.

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Bartter's syndrome is a renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, increased urinary excretion of potassium and prostaglandins, a relative vascular resistance to the pressor effects of exogenous angiotensin II, and hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. In most patients, the glomerular filtration rate is normal and chronic renal failure does not develop. We report here on a case of living-related kidney transplantation in Bartter's syndrome, in which a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is suspected to be the cause of the end-stage renal disease.