Introduction The Statement from the American Heart Association has emphasized a need for novel strategies that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Taking a dog for a walk forces its owner to take physical activity. Several studies have explored the relationship between pet ownership and CVD and most reported benefits. This issue has not been investigated in dialysis patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of pet ownership on health and physical activity in hemodialysis patients. Methods 270 chronic hemodialysis patients (172 male, 98 female, mean age 62.7 ± 14.0 years, hemodialysis vintage 4 ± 5 years) took part in the survey focused on their general health and physical activity. Findings Two hundred nineteen (81%) patients were mobile. One hundred sixteen participants had dog at home (43%). An additional physical activity was reported by 46 dog owners (40%) compared with 34 (23%) of nonowners (P = 0.002). Patients who often go for a walk were more often pet owners 49 (57%) than nonowners (n = 37, 43%; P = 0.004). Pet owners were younger (58.3 ± 13.6 vs. 66 ± 13.5 years). Body mass index (BMI) was similar. Patients with BMI from upper tertile (>27.5 kg/m(2) ) and from lower (<23.9) were more often dog owners than from the middle (52.9%, 43.7%, and 31.4%). Dog owners were on dialysis for longer time (5.0 ± 6.5 vs. 3.5 ± 3.7 years; P = 0.02). Discussion Dog ownership appears to positively influence the level of physical activity. Age but not time on dialysis seems to be the most important factor that influences a decision to own a pet and undertake physical activity.

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Objectives: Although immunosuppressive drugs have been recognized as leading causes of gastrointestinal symptoms after kidney transplant, other widely used medications such as proton-pump inhibitors recently have been implicated. Our aim was to study the effects of chronic proton-pump inhibitor therapy on gastrointestinal symptoms in clinically stable patients late after kidney transplant. Materials and Methods:The study comprised 100 kidney transplant recipients (66 men and 34 women, mean age of 49 ± 12 y, mean time after transplant of 56 ± 46 mo). All patients completed the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale and the Quality of Life Questionnaire SF-8 surveys. Results:The most commonly reported symptoms included borborygmus (27%), flatulence (23%), abdominal distension (18%), urgent need of defecation (17%), and heartburn, acid reflux, and eructation (13%). Proton-pump inhibitors were chronically used by 50% of patients and sporadically by 33%. Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale scores were higher in patients who used proton-pump inhibitors (mean score of 7.8 ± 5.5 vs 4.6 ± 3.0; P = .013). Total score of items representing diarrhea in the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (increased passage of stools, loose stools, urgent need of defecation, incomplete evacuation) was higher in patients treated with proton-pump inhibitors than in those not treated (2.3 ± 2.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.9; P = .04). Conclusions: Chronic use of proton-pump inhibitors may increase the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly diarrhea, in patients late after kidney transplant.

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Background and Aims Chronic hemodialysis patients show decreased muscle mass, low physical activity and chronic weakness. Hemodialysis treatments results in increased risk of inflammation, which impairs physical activity. The calcium-phosphate and bone metabolism, as well as muscle mass, are regulated by a range of factors like FGF-23 and its co-factor Klotho protein, myostatin, follistatin and sclerostin. Complex interactions between these cytokines and inflammation have been described. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of inflammation on plasma concentrations of factors that regulate muscle and bone-mineral metabolism Method 55 hemodialysis patients were divided into study group (32 patients) and the reference group (23 patients). The former were the patients who had inflammation confirmed by plasma CRP &gt;50 mg /L. Blood was collected before and after hemodialysis during the inflammation, and before hemodialysis after the resolution of inflammation Results Mean CRP in study group was 105.9±73.9 mg/l. The mean period between blood sampling during inflammation and resolution of inflammation was 15±7.9 days. Statistically significant increase of plasma cFGF-23 concentration was observed after hemodialysis. Its median concentration increased from 1992.8 RU/ml; IQR = [1350; 4320 RU/ml] before hemodialysis to 2421.3 RU/ml IQR = [1351; 7348 RU/ml] after HD (p = 0.001). Significant increase of sclerostin was observed after hemodialysis. Serum sclerostin increased from 1346.2 pg/ml IQR = [1034; 2243 pg/ml] before HD to 1583.8 pg/ml IQR = [1198; 2559 pg/ml] after HD (p = 0.002). Follistatin concentration increased from 2669 pg/ml IQR = [2129; 5702 pg/ml] before HD to 4220.5 pg/ml IQR = [2583; 6727 pg/ml] (p = 0.009). Hemodialysis had no significant effect on plasma Klotho protein, iFGF-23, FGF-21, and myostatin. After the resolution of inflammation there was statistically significant decrease in FGF-21 from 3591.4 pg/ml. IQR = [1174.3; 6,537.3 pg/ml] to 2454 pg/ml IQR = [1221.1; 3448.4 pg/ml] p = 0.006). There were significant changes of the concentration of Klotho protein, cFGF-23, iFGF-23, sclerostin, myostatin, follistatin after the resolution of inflammation vs. baseline. Conclusion Hemodialysis modulates the concentration of factors involved in regulation of calcium-phosphate metabolism, bone turnover and muscle growth and strength. The resolution of inflammation in hemodialysis patients leads to the decrease of plasma FGF-21 concentration.