Rational: Among the alternatives to reverse chronic hemodialysis protein-energy malnutrition is the enhancement of intradialytic oral nutritional therapy. Although foods of animal origin are a source of nutrients and represent a feasible diet, there is uncertainty about their health consequences. Objectives: We assessed the relationship of intradialytic high-protein red meat snack supplementation with patient inflammatory status and protein losses (nitrogen) during this supplementation. Fourteen patients submitted to low-flux chronic hemodialysis for one month were divided into two groups receiving 2 g (group 1) and 29 g (group 2) of oral intradialytic protein during the initial phase, respectively. In the subsequent phase, group 1 was supplemented with 27 g protein (a red meat snack) for a total of 29 g per dialysis. Group 2 continued to receive 29 g protein. Nutritional status, total nitrogen losses through the dialysate and acute inflammatory phase protein (CRP) were assessed before and after dialysis. Reuse of the dialyzer was also determined on each occasion. Main findings: Red meat supplementation did not interfere with CRP, nitrogen loss through the dialysate (18 AE 7 to 19 AE 4 g in group 1, ns, and 20 AE 7 to 21 AE 4 g in group 2, ns) or with nutritional status. However, the data showed a positive correlation between pre-and post-hemodialysis CRP values (r ¼ 0.84, p50.01) in both groups, suggesting an increase of the values after ultrafiltration. Reuse of the dialyzer was not correlated with CRP values. Principle conclusions: The results suggest that snacks were not acutely correlated with increased inflammatory levels and indicated that a protein-rich red meat snack may be beneficial for chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background/Aims: Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is multifactorial; however, HD per se induces nutrient losses. The aim of the present study was to characterize the losses of total nitrogen (TN) and free amino acids (FAs) through the dialysate and to determine the relationship between this loss and PCM, food ingestion, and the characteristics of the hemodialyzer in patients on HD. Methods: In a prospective study, 21 patients submitted to low-flux HD 3 times a week were evaluated within a period of 6 months regarding nutritional status, dietary calorie and protein intake, and losses through the dialysate of TN, FA, and urea nitrogen (UN). The type, surface area and reuses (up to 12) of the dialysis membrane were determined on each occasion, and the adequacy of dialysis was estimated by Kt/V. Results: 50% of the patients were considered malnourished, although the mean protein and energy intakes were similar for the malnourished and nourished patients. Mean TN losses through the dialysate were 16 g/session (60% UN). FA losses varied from 3.8 to 4.2 g/total volume. TN and FA in the dialysate did not differ significantly between malnourished and nourished patients. There was a positive correlation between membrane (polysulfone) area and TN (p <0.05) and ultrafiltrate volume and TN (p < 0.05), and a nonsignificant correlation between reuse of the dialysis membrane and TN. Conclusions: TN and FA losses through the dialysate were similar for malnourished and non-malnourished patients on chronic HD, thus they do not act as indicators of nutritional status impairment.

No abstract

O trabalho verifica e analisa hiperuricemia em nove mulheres obesas, com índice de massa corporal (IMC) >35kg/m², sob dieta altamente restritiva (DAR, 400-600kcal/dia) durante 6 semanas. As primeiras duas semanas foram para o diagnóstico clínico e adaptação dietética. Semanalmente foram medidas cetonúria e uricemia e na 4ª. semana foi também determinada a excreção urinária de ácido úrico. A média (±dp) do IMC foi de 54±12 e 49±11kg/m², respectivamente na admissão e alta hospitalar, correspondendo a uma perda de peso de 14±2kg (p<0,05). Das pacientes, 78% apresentavam hiperuricemia assintomática, com níveis >5,7mg/dl, atingindo, durante o estudo, o valor máximo de 12mg/dl. Duas pacientes, com níveis de uricemia >10mg/dl, receberam alopurinol. A uricosúria, na 4ª. semana, foi de 770±262mg/24 hs. 33% das pacientes excretaram entre 300-700mg, considerados valores normais, e 67% excretaram mais do que 700mg. Nenhuma foi considerada hipoexcretora. Sugere-se que pacientes obesos submetidos à DAR tenham, além de uricemia, os valores de uricosúria monitorizados. Quando ocorrer hiperuricemia, a introdução de fármacos que inibem a síntese de ácido úrico estaria indicada.

Star fruit toxicity has been hugely described in patients with chronic kidney disease, either on conservative or renal replacement therapy. This is a case report of a man, without prior kidney or neurological dysfunction, who appeared to develop nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity less than 12 hours after drinking concentrated star fruit juice (approximately 20 units of the fruit). He received timely renal replacement therapy and renal function fully recovered after discharge.