Cardiovascular diseases and endothelial disfunction are major causes of mortality in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).
Treatment strategies like continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis (HD) have different effects on different parameters. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor and it has been reported to be a novel marker for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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MATERIAL AND METHODS
PatientsThis study was performed on 44 (23M, 21F) CAPD patients (four exchanges of 2 L dialysate / day containing varying glucose concentrations to obtain adequate ultrafiltration) at least 6 months under dialysis, aged 38-65 years, 26 (13M,13F) HD patients at least 6 months under dialysis, aged 35-68 years and 29 (15M, 14F) healthy control subjects, aged 35-64 years. HD session duration was approximately four hours and it was applied three times a week using unfractionated heparin for anticoagulation. Exclusion criteria for the study included malignant disease, chronic liver disease, infectious disease, chronic respiratory insufficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, alcohol and smoking habit. All patients maintained the usual dialysis diet. Control subjects were on a free mediterranean diet. All anthropometric measurements were made with participants wearing light clothing and no shoes. Body mass index (BMI) was measured in all participants. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Meram Medical School, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey. All patients were informed of the details of the study and the written consent of each patient was received.
Laboratory investigationsBlood samples were taken immediately before the first dialysis session of the week. Venous blood samples were obtained in the morning after a 12 h fasting. Serum samples were obtained after centrifugation (4000 rpm for 10 min at 4 oC) and samples were stored frozen at -80 oC until ADMA, arginine, homocysteine analysis. Serum lipids and CRP levels were measured immediately.