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Background/Aim Malnutrition is highly prevalent in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and is a strong predictor of increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of an egg albumin-based protein supplement on the nutritional status of CAPD patients. Methods In this randomized, open label, controlled clinical trial, 28 CAPD patients were allocated to a study ( n = 13) or a control ( n = 15) group. Both groups received conventional nutritional counseling; the study group received, additionally, an oral egg albumin-based supplement. During a 6-month follow-up, all patients had monthly clinical and biochemical evaluations and quarterly assessments of adequacy of dialysis and nutrition. Results Serum albumin levels were not different between groups; however, a significant increase (baseline vs final) was observed in the study group (2.64 ± 0.35 vs 3.05 ± 0.72 g/dL) but not in the control group (2.66 ± 0.56 vs 2.80 ± 0.54 mg/dL). Calorie and protein intake increased more in the study group (calories 1331 ± 432 vs 1872 ± 698 kcal; proteins 1.0 ± 0.3 vs 1.7 ± 0.7 g/kg) than in the control group (calories 1423 ± 410 vs 1567 ± 381 kcal; proteins 1.0 ± 0.4 vs 1.0 ± 0.3 g/kg). Similarly, non-protein nitrogen appearance rate (nPNA) increased significantly more in the study (1.00 ± 0.23 vs 1.18 ± 0.35 g/kg/day) than in the control group (0.91 ± 0.11 vs 0.97 ± 0.14 g/kg/day). Triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) and midarm muscle area (MAMA) displayed a nonsignificant trend to a greater increase in the study group (TSF 16.7 ± 8.7 vs 18.3 ± 10.7 mm; MAMA 23.8 ± 6.2 vs 25.8 ± 5.9 cm2) than in controls (TSF 16.4 ± 5.7 vs 16.9 ± 7.0 mm; MAMA 28.7 ± 7.8 vs 30.0 ± 7.9 cm2). At the end of follow-up, the frequency of patients with moderate or severe malnutrition decreased 6% in the control group and decreased 28% in the study group. At the final evaluation, the most important predictors of serum albumin were the oral egg albumin-based supplement administration and protein intake ( p < 0.05); secondary predictors ( p = 0.06) were peritoneal transport rate and MAMA. Conclusions In the study group, oral administration of the egg albumin-based supplement significantly improved serum albumin, calorie and protein intake, and nPNA, and, compared to controls, this maneuver was associated with a trend to increased anthropometric parameters and improved Subjective Global Assessment evaluation. Oral administration of the albumin supplement and protein intake were the most significant predictors of serum albumin at the end of follow-up. This oral supplement may be a safe, effective, and cheap method to improve nutritional status in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Aim. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of pentoxifylline versus placebo on serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods. This is a randomized double-blind, controlled clinical trial. HD patients without infection or drugs with anti-inflammatory effect were randomly allocated to a study (n ¼ 18, pentoxifylline 400 mg/day) or control (n ¼ 18, placebo) group; all patients had arteriovenous fistula. Besides clinical and laboratory monthly assessments, serum TNF-a and IL-6 (ELISA) and CRP (nephelometry) were measured at 0, 2 and 4 months. Conclusions. Pentoxifylline significantly decreased serum concentrations of TNF-a, IL-6 and CRP compared to placebo. Pentoxifylline could be a promising and useful strategy to reduce the systemic inflammation frequently observed in patients on HD.

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