CS can significantly reduce the severity of pruritus in HD patients, but this effect is not due to a decrease in serum tryptase level.

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The current policy for organ allocation in liver transplantation is to give priority to the sickest patients mostly using model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in ranking. However, other factors as serum sodium may be of value in predicting early mortality. In this single-center study, patients with cirrhosis over age 14 on the liver transplant wait-list from September 1998 to June 2007 were followed for six months from the time of listing to evaluate the value of hyponatremia on mortality. Of 612 listed patients, 51 were transplanted who were excluded from survival analysis and 55 died without transplantation within the first three months. The numbers of transplanted and dead patients during months 3-6 were 29 and 24, respectively. Both MELD score and serum sodium at the time of listing were independent predictors of early mortality. On bivariate analysis, serum sodium of <130 mEq/L beside MELD was a significant predictor of mortality within 90 and 180 d. Serum sodium level <135 mEq/L masked the difference in mortality between patients with refractory and non-refractory ascites. Serum sodium level of <130 mEq/L and an increased MELD score are significant predictors of early mortality in patients listed for liver transplantation.

Background: Pomegranate has antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. We questioned if pomegranate juice (PJ) benefits lipid profile and oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers of hemodialysis patients. Methods: The study had a crossover design. Hemodialysis patients (n=41) were divided into two groups: PJ-treated group who received 100 ml natural PJ immediately after their dialysis session three times a week and the control group who received the usual care. After 8 weeks, a 4-week washout period was established and afterwards the role of the groups was exchanged. Lipid profile, blood pressure, and oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers were measured before and after each sequence. Comparisons between the two conditions were performed by ANCOVA with adjustments for potential confounders. Results: Based on results of intention-to-treat analysis, triglycerides were decreased in PJ condition and increased in the control. Conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was increased in PJ and decreased in control. There was a significant between-condition difference for both triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol (P<0.001). Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol did not significantly change in either condition. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased in PJ condition and caused a significant difference between two conditions (P<0.001). Total antioxidant capacity increased in PJ condition (P<0.001) and decreased in control (P<0.001). Conversely, malondialdehyde and interleukin-6 decreased in PJ (P<0.001) and increased in the control (P≤0.001). The changes of these biomarkers were significantly different between two conditions. Conclusions: In conclusion, 8-week PJ consumption showed beneficial effects on blood pressure, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, oxidative stress, and inflammation in hemodialysis patients. The trial was registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (ID number: IRCT 2016070428797N1). Keywords: Pomegranate, hemodialysis, hypertension, oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid profile.

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