Serum Ferroxidase I and II in Uremic Patients under Conservative Treatment and Maintenance Hemodialysis

Serum ferroxidase I (ceruloplasmin) and ferroxidase II activities were studied in 49 uremic patients under conservative treatment, in 79 patients undergoing hemodialysis and in 56 healthy subjects, as controls. Ferroxidase I was significantly higher in both groups of patients. Ferroxidase II was significantly elevated only in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The cause of this difference is not clear, but seems to be of considerable interest.

Studies on Cyanide and Thiocyanate in Uraemia

Cyanide and thiocyanate was measured in blood and in peritoneal lavage solution in patients with advanced or terminal renal failure. The behavior of these substances was comparable to that of normal people. Our finding does not support the hypothesis of an indirect toxicity of urea via its previous conversion to cyanate. Cyanate ion has not been implicated in the toxic status of chronic uraemia.

Combined recombinant human erythropoietin-blood letting strategy for treating anemia and iron overload in hemodialysis patients

We studied the feasibility of treating refractory anemia and post-transfusional serious hemochromatosis in a patient undergoing hemodialysis (3x4 h weekly) for fourteen years, with recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) associated with blood-letting. Blood transfusion previously received by the patient at a rate of two units of packed red cells every month for nine years was stopped and r-HuEPO (80 U/kg b.w.) was administered i.v. at the end of each hemodialysis. When Hct increased over 30%, approximately 40 ml of blood was removed per hemodialysis session in an attempt to accelerate iron loss. Excellent control of anemia and hemochromatosis was achieved after seven months of treatment. The patient's general condition and skin pigmentation were significantly improved.

Re-evaluation of ascorbic acid deficiency in hemodialysed patients

In 92 uremic patients under chronic hemodialysis without ascorbic acid supplementation, serum ascorbic acid was measured before hemodialysis and between two sessions. The results indicated a more serious ascorbic acid deficiency of patients than in previous studies. This difference might be explained by the highly specific enzymatic method applied in the present study, excluding any potential interference of various serum reducing substances.

Serum ferroxidase I and II in uremic patients under conservative treatment and maintenance hemodialysis

Serum ferroxidase I (ceruloplasmin) and ferroxidase II activities were studied in 49 uremic patients under conservative treatment, in 79 patients undergoing hemodialysis and in 56 healthy subjects, as controls. Ferroxidase I was significantly higher in both groups of patients. Ferroxidase II was significantly elevated only in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The cause of this difference is not clear, but seems to be of considerable interest.

Biotin in the management of uremic neurologic disorders

In 9 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis for 2-10 years and suffering from encephalopathy (dialysis dementia) and peripheral neuropathy, 10 mg of biotin was given daily in three doses for 1-4 years. Within 3 months there was a marked improvement in all patients in respect to disorientation, speech disorders, memory failure, myoclonic jerks, flapping tremor, restless legs, paresthesia and difficulties in walking. It is recommended to start giving biotin regularly in any patient with advanced renal failure before severe neural or muscular lesions become manifest. The correlation of biotin with uremic neurologic disorders and the possible mechanism of its therapeutic action are discussed.

Studies on cyanide and thiocyanate in uraemia

Cyanide and thiocyanate was measured in blood and in peritoneal lavage solution in patients with advanced or terminal renal failure. The behavior of these substances was comparable to that of normal people. Our finding does not support the hypothesis of an indirect toxicity of urea via its previous conversion to cyanate. Cyanate ion has not been implicated in the toxic status of chronic uraemia.