Platelet adenylyl cyclase signaling remains unaltered in children undergoing hemodialysis treatment

Abstract

Patients with chronic renal failure exhibit multiple endocrine, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular abnormalities, many of which may be explained by alterations of adenylyl cyclase (AC) responsiveness and/or G-protein expression. Since such alterations were previously reported, e.g., for platelets of adult chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment (HD), we have investigated whether children with chronic renal failure undergoing HD exhibit similar alterations. Eleven uremic children undergoing HD were compared with 11 age-matched healthy controls. Platelet AC activity was determined in the absence (basal) and presence of a receptor agonist, direct G-protein activators and direct AC stimulators. G-protein alpha-subunits were measured by quantitative immunoblotting. Basal and stimulated platelet AC and immunoreactivity for platelet G-protein alpha-subunits did not significantly differ between HD and control children. We conclude that HD in children is associated with much smaller, if any, abnormalities of blood cell signal transduction than in adult patients. We speculate that quality of dialysis, age, and underlying disease might differentially influence blood cell signal transduction cascades.