BackgroundSome previous observations suggest that insulin resistance and glucose metabolism disturbances are frequent complications of chronic kidney disease. However, there are no conclusive studies on other indices of the effectiveness of insulin action in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, including chronically hemodialysed (HD) ones.Material/MethodsThe groups comprised 33 non-diabetic ESRD hemodialysed patients and 33 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). In both groups, HOMA-%B, HOMA-%S, HOMA-IR indices, and DI were calculated using HOMA1 and HOMA2 as measures of insulin resistance. The indices were also assessed in subgroups divided according to BMI.ResultsMean fasting plasma glucose concentrations were lower in ESRD patients than in healthy persons (82.4±10.4 vs. 93.9±11.6, p=0.001). Fasting serum insulin concentrations were similar in both groups (median 6.8 vs. 6.0 mU/l, p=0.698). HOMA1-%B values were higher in ESRD patients than controls (median 137.1 vs. 81.6, p=0.002). HOMA1-%S (median 75.6 vs. 71.5) and HOMA1-IR (median 1.3 vs. 1.4) values were not significantly different (p=0.264 and p=0.189, respectively). DI1 levels were higher for HD patients than for healthy subjects (median 1.16 vs. 0.53, p<0.001). In subgroup analysis, all statistically significant differences were restricted mainly to persons with BMI <25 kg/m2. Similar results as for the HOMA1 model were obtained for HOMA2.Conclusions1. HOMA beta-cell function is strongly correlated with HOMA insulin resistance in HD patients. 2. In non-diabetic ESRD hemodialysed patients, the HOMA indices and DI may be useful and important models in interpretation of glucose metabolism disturbances.

The contact of chronic hemodialysis patients' blood with components of extracorporeal circulation leads to mobilization of several systemic reactions. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of transforming growth factor (TGF-beta1) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in serum of patients on long-term hemodialysis program and to compare these results with ones obtained in healthy volunteers. Twenty-five patients on dialysis carried out on polysulfone membrane dialyzer, and 16 patients on dialysis with the used of cuprophan membrane dialyzer on long-term hemodialysis program participated in the study. TGF-beta1 level in serum of healthy volunteers (12.06 +/- 7.56 ng/mL) was lower than in serum of patients dialyzed on polysulfone membrane dialyzers (26.56 +/- 14.83 ng/mL). Differences in PDGF concentrations in serum of control group and hemodialyzed patients were not statistically significant. The strong correlation between TGF-beta1 and PDGF in serum of both studied groups of patients was demonstrated.

Objective: Testosterone deficiency is a common disorder among men treated with hemodialysis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between free testosterone levels and body composition, biochemical markers of nutritional status, and inflammation in men on hemodialysis.Design: Prospective analysis of men treated with hemodialysis for more than 3 months in one hemodialysis center. Subjects: A total of 56 men-41 men undergoing hemodialysis treatment thrice-weekly over a period of at least 3 months (HD group) and 15 men without kidney disease, with estimated glomerular filtration rate .60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (C group)-were included. Serum levels of free testosterone, creatinine, protein, albumin, prealbumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 and body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were measured.Intervention: None, observational study. Main Outcome Measure: Free testosterone level.Results: The mean free testosterone level was significantly lower in the HD group than that in the C group and positively correlated with lean tissue index (LTI, r 5 0.51, P 5 .001) and body cell mass (BCM, r 5 0.57, P , .001). Significant, negative correlations were observed between free testosterone level and age (r 5 20.4, P 5 .004) as well as fat tissue index (r 5 20.36, P 5 .018). In a subgroup of men on hemodialysis who have low testosterone levels (,9.4 pg/mL), we observed a lower LTI and BCM and higher age, fat tissue index, and loginterleukin-6. In our receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, LTI and BCM were shown to be good predictors of a low testosterone level with cutoff points of 13.3 kg/m 2 and 22.3 kg, respectively, meaning that men on hemodialysis with LTI ,13.3 kg/ m 2 were 26 times more likely to have free testosterone levels below 9.4 pg/mL (odds ratio, 26.7; 95% confidence interval: 3.0-236.6).

BackgroundLowered testosterone level in CRF patients is associated with elevated risk of death due to cardiovascular reasons, and is influenced by many factors, including acid-base balance disorders. Aims: evaluation of testosterone concentration (TT) and free testosterone concentration (fT) in pre-dialysis and dialysis patients; assessment of TT and fT relationships with biochemical parameters; evaluation of prognostic importance of TT and fT in predicting patient survival.Material/Methods4 groups of men: 14 – on hemodialysis (HD), 13 – on peritoneal dialysis (PD), 9 – with chronic renal failure (CRF) and 8 – healthy (CG), aged 56±17, 53±15, 68±12, 43±10 years, respectively. TT and biochemical parameters were measured; fT was calculated.ResultsThe lowest TT and fT were observed in HD and CRF, the highest – in CG (p=0.035 for TT; p=0.007 for fT). fT in CRF and CG were different (p=0.031). TT and age was associated in HD (p=0.026). Age and fT was strongly associated in PD (p<0.001). After adjustment for age, TT was negatively associated with BMI (p=0.013) and fT was positively associated with HCO3 level (p=0.007). fT was lower in those who died during 5 years of observation than in survivors (p=0.009). We have found that, opposite to TT, fT appeared to be a better predictor of 5-year survival than age. After combining pH and HCO3 levels into a single variable – no acidosis, acidosis with HCO3 normal serum level, acidosis with low concentrations of HCO3 and adjustment for age and the study group – a trend toward the lowest values of free testosterone in decompensated acidosis was observed (ptrend=0.027). Such a trend was not seen for testosterone concentrations (ptrend=0.107).ConclusionsTotal and free testosterone levels were lower in HD and pre-dialysis than in healthy patients. Free testosterone level may predict long-term survival better than age. Total and free testosterone levels are lower in metabolic acidosis and total and free testosterone levels were positively associated with HCO3 level.

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