BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and inflammation are common findings in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and they are directly related to the increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which is the major cause of death in these patients, particularly for those undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Strength physical exercise is a new therapeutic approach to reduce these complications in CKD patients. Following this, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of acute intradialytic strength physical exercise on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in HD patients. METHODS: Sixteen HD patients were studied (11 women; 44.4+/-14.6 years; body mass index 23.3+/-4.9 kg/m2; 61.6+/-43.1 months of dialysis) and served as their own controls. Acute (single session) intradialytic physical exercise were performed at 60% of the one-repetition maximum test for three sets of 10 repetitions for four exercise categories in both lower limbs during 30 minutes. Blood samples were collected on two different days at exactly the same time (30 minutes and 60 minutes after initiating the dialysis-with and without exercise). Antioxidant enzymes activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase], lipid peroxidation marker levels (malondialdehyde), and inflammatory marker levels (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) were determined. RESULTS: SOD plasma levels were significantly reduced after acute physical exercise from 244.8+/-40.7 U/mL to 222.4+/-28.9 U/mL (P=0.03) and, by contrast, increased on the day without exercise (218.2+/-26.5 U/mL to 239.4+/-38.6 U/mL, P=0.02). There was no alteration in plasma catalase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in on either day (with or without exercise). Additionally, there was no association between these markers and clinical, anthropometric, or biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that acute intradialytic strength physical exercise was unable to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and in addition, it seems to reduce plasma SOD levels, which could exacerbate the oxidative stress in HD patients.
Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Catalase ; Cause of Death ; Exercise* ; Female ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lower Extremity ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress* ; Plasma ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is a recently recognized complication of chronic kidney disease. In this study, we investigated the association between PHT, peripheral vascular calcifications (VCs), and major cardiovascular events. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included 172 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing dialysis [hemodialysis (HD)=84, peritoneal dialysis=88]. PHT was defined as an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure >37 mmHg using echocardiography. The Simple Vascular Calcification Score (SVCS) was measured using plain radiographic films of the hands and pelvis. RESULTS: The prevalence of PHT was significantly higher in HD patients (51.2% vs. 22.7%). Dialysis patients with PHT had a significantly higher prevalence of severe VCs (SVCS> or =3). In multivariate analysis, the presence of severe VCs [odds ratio (OR), 2.68], mitral valve disease (OR, 7.79), HD (OR, 3.35), and larger left atrial diameter (OR, 11.39) were independent risk factors for PHT. In addition to the presence of anemia, severe VCs, or older age, the presence of PHT was an independent predictor of major cardiovascular events in ESRD patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PHT was higher in HD patients and was associated with higher rates of major cardiovascular events. Severe VCs are thought to be an independent risk factor for predicting PHT in ESRD patients. Therefore, in dialysis patients with PHT, careful attention should be paid to the presence of VCs and the occurrence of major cardiovascular events.
Anemia ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Dialysis* ; Echocardiography ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mitral Valve ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pelvis ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Artery ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Calcification* ; X-Ray Film

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a major risk factor that contributes to mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. There is controversy over the optimal hemoglobin (Hb) target in these patients. This study investigated the association between Hb level and mortality in a cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Korea. METHODS: This study was a multicenter prospective observational study of maintenance HD patients that was performed for 5 years in western Seoul, Korea. Three hundred and sixty-two participants were enrolled. Laboratory values and mortality were accessed every 6 months. Repeated measures of laboratory values in each interval were averaged to obtain one semiannual mean value. The Hb values were divided into six groups: (1) Hb<9 g/dL; (2) 9 g/dL< or =Hb<10 g/dL; (3) 10 g/dL< or =Hb<11 g/dL; (4) 11 g/dL< or =Hb<12 g/dL; (5) 12 g/dL< or =Hb<13 g/dL; and (6) Hb> or =13 g/dL. We analyzed the odds ratio for all-cause mortality, based on the Hb group, and adjusted for demographics and various laboratory values. Statistics were performed with SAS, version 9.1 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: Mortality odds ratios relative to the reference group (10-11 g/dL) in the fully adjusted model were 3.61 for<9 g/dL; 3.17 for 9-10 g/dL*; 4.65 for 11-12 g/dL*; 5.50 for 12-13 g/dL*; and 2.05 for> or =13 g/dL (* indicates P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, a Hb level of 10-11 g/dL was associated with the lowest mortality among the groups with Hb level<13 g/dL. Larger interventional trials are warranted to determine the optimal Hb target for Korean HD patients.
Anemia* ; Cohort Studies* ; Demography ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Observational Study ; Odds Ratio ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: It was previously known that anuric acute kidney injury (AKI) is uncommon and its occurrence suggests complete ureteral obstruction, shock, or a major vascular event. As the epidemiology of AKI has significantly changed over the past decade, it is possible that the incidence, etiology, or clinical characteristics of anuric AKI have also changed. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted that included all patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) for AKI during a 2-year period in a tertiary hospital. Patients were classified as having anuric, oliguric, or nonoliguric AKI based on their volume of urine when RRT started using the modified Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. RESULTS: Of the 203 patients included in the study, 21.2% met the criteria for anuric AKI. Septic and postoperative AKI were the main causes of anuric AKI, with 60.5% of incidences occurring in hospital. Anuric AKI was associated with a younger age, a lower prevalence of pre-morbid chronic kidney disease and diabetes, more frequent continuous RRT requirement, and multi-organ dysfunction. In addition, patients with anuric AKI had a higher rate of in-hospital mortality and long-term dependence on RRT than patients with nonanuric AKI. CONCLUSION: Anuric AKI is common, with sepsis as the main etiological insult, and is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with AKI who require RRT.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Anuria* ; Cohort Studies ; Epidemiology ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Oliguria ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Sepsis ; Shock ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Ureteral Obstruction

For Korean dialysis patients, chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder is a serious burden because of cardiovascular calcification and mortality. However, recent epidemiologic data have demonstrated that many patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis are out of the target ranges of serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone. Thus, we felt the necessity for the development of practical recommendations to treat abnormal serum phosphorus, calcium, and iPTH in dialysis patients. In this paper, we briefly comment on the measurement of serum calcium, phosphorus, iPTH, dialysate calcium concentration, dietary phosphorus restriction, use of phosphate binders, and medical and surgical options to correct secondary hyperparathyroidism. In particular, for the optimal management of secondary hyperparathyroidism, we suggest a simplified medication adjustment according to certain ranges of serum phosphorus and calcium. Large-scale, well-designed clinical studies are required to support our strategies to control chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder in this country. Based on such data, our practice guidelines could be established and better long-term outcomes should be anticipated in our dialysis patients.
Calcium ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Kidney* ; Mortality ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Phosphorus ; Phosphorus, Dietary ; Renal Dialysis

No abstract available.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress* ; Renal Dialysis*

No abstract available.
Anemia ; Down Syndrome* ; Hematuria

We report the first case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) diagnosed after kidney transplantation in Korea. RHS is a disease caused by latent varicella-zoster characterized to involve geniculate ganglion of the seventh cranial nerve. Patients who have undergone kidney transplantation can be easily affected by viral infections because of their immune-compromised status. A 35-year-old man with hypertensive end-stage renal disease underwent kidney transplantation. Two months after surgery, the recipient was diagnosed with RHS and treated with antivirals and steroids. However, after using the antiviral agents for the recommended duration, facial paralysis occurred as a new presentation and he required further treatment. Otalgia and periauricular vesicles improved, but the facial palsy remained.
Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; Earache ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Geniculate Ganglion ; Herpes Zoster Oticus* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Steroids

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare complication of gemcitabine treatment. A 55-year-old man with a history of urothelial cancer underwent right ureteronephrectomy and palliative chemotherapy. The patient presented with dyspnea, generalized edema with foamy urine, and new-onset hypertension with acute kidney injury (AKI). Although AKI with oliguria was evident, thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia were not overt. To determine the cause of rapidly progressive azotemia, kidney biopsy was performed despite a single kidney and revealed chronic TMA. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia developed after renal biopsy. Diagnosed as gemcitabine-induced TMA, gemcitabine cessation and active treatment including steroids, plasmapheresis, and rituximab were carried out, but the patients condition progressed to a dialysis-dependent state. Gemcitabine-induced TMA is often difficult to diagnose because of its variable clinical course. Therefore, heightened awareness of this potentially lethal complication of gemcitabine is essential; renal biopsy may be helpful.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Azotemia ; Biopsy ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney* ; Middle Aged ; Oliguria ; Plasmapheresis ; Steroids ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies* ; Rituximab

Mushroom-related poisoning can cause acute kidney injury. Here we report a case of acute kidney injury after ingestion of Amanita punctata, which is considered an edible mushroom. Gastrointestinal symptoms occurred within 24 hours from the mushroom intake and were followed by an asymptomatic period, acute kidney injury, and elevation of liver and pancreatic enzymes. Kidney function recovered with supportive care. Nephrotoxic mushroom poisoning should be considered as a cause of acute kidney injury.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Agaricales ; Amanita* ; Eating ; Kidney ; Liver ; Mushroom Poisoning ; Poisoning*