It is currently accepted that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is crucial in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. Therefore, we developed a prospective study to assess the prevalence of Hp infection by the ¹³C Urea Breath Test (¹³C UBT) in 52 hemodialysis patients, and we evaluated the efficacy of two consecutive eradication regimens in 23 positive patients with dyspepsia and/or on a transplantation list. The correlation between anti-Hp serology and ¹³C UBT results was also analyzed in 34 patients who were followed up during 18 months. The Hp prevalence by ¹³C UBT was 63.5% (33/52). The eradication rate after the first cycle of therapy (amoxicillin 500 mg/8 h and omeprazole 20 mg/12 h, 14 days) was 60.8% (14/23). After the second cycle (clarithromycin 500 mg/ 12 h plus omeprazole 20 mg/12 h, 14 days), the eradication rate reached 82.6% (19/23). The serological procedure showed a good correlation with ¹³C UBT (about 80% sensitive and specific) when very restrictive diagnostic and eradication criteria were adopted. We conclude that an eradication rate higher than 80% can be reached after two consecutive cycles of dual therapy in hemodialysis patients. Anti-Hp serological tests must be cautiously interpreted in these patients.

Fibrosis is a general complication in many diseases. It is the main complication during peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment, a therapy for renal failure disease. Local inflammation and mesothelial to mesenchymal transition (MMT) are well known key phenomena in peritoneal damage during PD. New data suggest that, in the peritoneal cavity, inflammatory changes may be regulated at least in part by a delicate balance between T helper 17 and regulatory T cells. This paper briefly reviews the implication of the Th17/Treg-axis in fibrotic diseases. Moreover, it compares current evidences described in PD animal experimental models, indicating a loss of Th17/Treg balance (Th17 predominance) leading to peritoneal damage during PD. In addition, considering the new clinical and animal experimental data, new therapeutic strategies to reduce the Th17 response and increase the regulatory T response are proposed. Thus, future goals should be to develop new clinical biomarkers to reverse this immune misbalance and reduce peritoneal fibrosis in PD.

Reinfusion of ultrafiltrate through an uncoated charcoal cartridge proved to be a safe, well-tolerated and simple technique. Further potential benefits of regenerated ultrafiltrate may also include the maintenance of acid-base balance with reinfusion of endogenous bicarbonate.

Objective Physiological bicarbonate/lactate-based solutions may correct acidosis in a better way than standard lactate-based solutions. In this study, a new 25 mmol/L bicarbonate/10 mmol/L lactate peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution was compared with a standard 35 mmol/L lactate solution. Design This was a prospective open label study. All patients had a 2-week baseline period using the standard lactate solution, followed by 8 weeks on the bicarbonate/lactate solution and 2 weeks on the lactate-basedsolution. Setting Four Danish and four Spanish nephrology centers. Patients 40 well-dialyzed (creatinine clearance > 55 L/week/1.73 m2 body surface area) patients on continuous ambulatory PD. Interventions Blood samples were taken for biochemistry (including venous blood gases) at week –2, day 1, weeks 2, 4, and 8, and at follow-up. A physical examination, a peritoneal equilibration test (PET), and quality of life (K/DQOL), ultrafiltration, and adequacy assessments were performed at baseline and at week 8. Vital signs and other safety parameters were followed at each visit. Extraneal (Baxter Healthcare, Castlebar, Ireland) was used by all patients for the long dwell. Main Outcome Measure Effect on the venous plasma bicarbonate level. Results Venous plasma bicarbonate levels rose from 24.4 mmol/L when patients were on the pure lactate to 26.1 mmol/L when using the bicarbonate/lactate solution ( p < 0.001). When patients were using the bicarbonate/lactate solution, 66% of values were maintained within the venous normal range of 24 – 30 mmol/L, versus 46.2% when patients were on the pure lactate solution ( p < 0.001). There were no adverse findings with respect to clinical symptoms, vital signs, or physical examination. The PET and adequacy, ultrafiltration, and K/DQOL assessment results were unchanged. Conclusions The new 25 mmol/L bicarbonate/10 mmol/L lactate solution provided better correction of acidosis than an equivalent 35 mmol/L standard lactate solution, without any safety issues.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a form of renal replacement treatment, which employs the peritoneal membrane (PM) to eliminate toxins that cannot be removed by the kidney. The procedure itself, however, contributes to the loss of the PM ultrafiltration capacity (UFC), leading consequently to the technique malfunction. β-blockers have been considered deleterious for PM due to their association with loss of UFC and induction of fibrosis. Herein we analyzed the effects of Nebivolol, a new generation of β1-blocker, on PM alterations induced by PD fluids (PDF).In vitro: We found that mesothelial cells (MCs) express β1-adrenergic receptor. MCs were treated with TGF-β to induce mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) and co-treated with Nebivolol. Nebivolol reversed the TGF-β effects, decreasing extracellular matrix synthesis, and improved the fibrinolytic capacity, decreasing plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and increasing tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) supernatant levels. Moreover, Nebivolol partially inhibited MMT and decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-6 levels in supernatants.In vivo: Twenty-one C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups. Control group carried a catheter without PDF infusion. Study group received intraperitoneally PDF and oral Nebivolol during 30 days. PDF group received PDF alone. Nebivolol maintained the UFC and reduced PM thickness, MMT and angiogenesis promoted by PDF. It also improved the fibrinolytic capacity in PD effluents decreasing PAI-1 and IL-8 and increased tPA levels.Conclusion: Nebivolol protects PM from PDF-induced damage, promoting anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrinolytic effects.