How to apply and adapt international guidelines on bone metabolism and disease to the management of Japanese dialysis patients.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Tadao Akizawa.
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A 71-year-old woman was admitted to the Wakayama Medical University Hospital with dizziness and loss of body balance. She had started hemodialysis at the age of 70. During the 33 days before admission, she received oral tizanidine hydrochloride at 3 mg/day for leg cramps. An admission electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated sinus bradycardia of 47 bpm. A 24-h ECG showed a total number of heartbeats of 68,779 and an average heart rate of 48 bpm. The maximum RR interval was 3720 msec. The electrophysiology test demonstrated slight sinus node dysfunction. There was no major organic heart disease. We suspected that tizanidine was the cause of bradycardia and stopped administration of this drug. After discontinuation symptoms gradually disappeared. The serum concentration of the tizanidine showed a higher trough of 1.78 ng/mL. In conclusion, because there was a disappearance of symptoms and a lightening of bradycardia due to the discontinuation of this medication, tizanidine was strongly suspected as the cause of severe bradycardia.
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The mechanism through which calcimimetic compounds suppress parathyroid cell growth has not been fully elucidated. We investigated the effect of the calcimimetic compound (NPS R-568:R568) on the parathyroid cell growth in vitro. Whole parathyroid glands of subtotally nephrectomized rats fed high phosphorus diet for 8 weeks were used in this study. Fresh rat parathyroid glands were incubated in a media (phosphorus concentration is 1.0 mM and calcium is 1.25 mM) with R-568 (10-4 M) or calcitriol (10-7 M) or vehicle for 6 hours. Medium PTH level was significantly decreased in both R568-treated group and calcitriol-treated group compared with either vehicle-treated group, or no-treated group. While TUNEL-positive cells were similar in calcitriol-treated group compared with both vehicle-treated and no-treated groups, they were significantly increased in R568-treated group compared with other three groups. These results suggest that calcimimetic compounds, NPS R-568 reduces PTH secretion and induces apoptosis of hyperfunctional parathyroid cell in vitro.
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It was reported that the parathyroid gland hyperplasia correlated with enhanced co-expression of TGF-alpha and its receptor EGFR at early stages of renal failure. This time, we investigated the time course for EGFR and its ligands, TGF-alpha, and EFG expression, and the influence of high-phosphorus (P) diet to EGFR and EGF expression, and the effect of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (Gefitinib, [IRESSA; AstraZeneca]; TKI) in rat PTGs with established stage of renal failure. The levels of EGFR, EGF, TGF-alpha mRNA in rat PTGs were increased for the time periods. The serum intact PTH levels, and EGFR, EGFmRNA in rat PTGs were suppressed in normal-P diet group. Nuclei positive cells for PCNA in TKI group were suppressed. The levels of p21mRNA were increased in TKI group. These results suggested that the enhanced expression of EGFR, TGF-alpha and EGF participate in the cell proliferation of hyperplastic PTGs in established stage of renal failure.
The most important etiological factors of resistance to medical treatments for secondary hyperparathyroidism are the decreased contents of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and Ca-sensing receptor (CaSR) in parathyroid cells and a severely swollen parathyroid gland (PTG) as a result of hyperplasia. The effects of direct maxacalcitol (OCT) injection into PTG in terms of these factors were investigated in this study. The PTG of Sprague-Dawley rats that were 5/6 nephrectomized and fed a high-phosphate diet were treated by a direct injection of OCT (DI-OCT) or vehicle (DI-vehicle). The changes in serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca(2+), and phosphorus levels, in VDR and CaSR expression levels in parathyroid cells, and in Ca(2+)-PTH curves were examined. Apoptosis was analyzed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling method and DNA electrophoresis for PTG. DI-OCT markedly decreased serum intact PTH level, and a significant difference in this level between DI-OCT and DI-vehicle was observed. However, serum Ca(2+) and phosphorus levels did not changed markedly in both groups. The upregulations of both VDR and CaSR, the clear shift to the left downward in the Ca(2+)-PTH curve, and the induction of apoptosis after DI-OCT were observed. These findings were not observed in the DI-vehicle-treated rats. Moreover, these effects of DI-OCT were confirmed by the DI-OCT into one PTG and DI-vehicle alone into another PTG in the same rat. DI-OCT may introduce simultaneous VDR and CaSR upregulations and the regression of hyperplastic PTG, and these effects may provide a strategy for strongly suppressing PTH levels in very severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Activation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a seminal event in the initiation and progression of the atherosclerotic lesion and may contribute to atherosclerotic plaque instability with plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Tissue factor (TF), a prothrombotic molecule expressed by various cell types within atherosclerotic plaques, is thought to play a major role in thrombus formation after plaque rupture. This study examined intracellular signaling pathways leading to TF expression and Egr-1 activation, a key element in tissue factor transcription, by PDGF-BB in rat SMCs. PDGF-BB induced TF mRNA and protein expression in a time-dependent manner. Early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) binding activity was also induced by PDGF-BB, as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. PDGF-BB-induced Egr-1 activation was suppressed by inhibitors of 2 upstream activators of Egr-1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Src family kinases, whereas antioxidants, phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase, and p38 MAPK inhibitors had no effect. PDGF-BB-stimulated expression of the transcriptional co-repressor NAB2 was time-dependent. Furthermore, transient transfections of SMCs with wild-type and mutated TF promoter constructs showed that the Egr-1 binding region is an important transcriptional regulator of PDGF-BB-induced TF expression. Taken together, the results suggest that PDGF-BB induces TF expression and activity in SMC by a Src family kinases/ERK/Egr-1 signaling pathway and may therefore contribute to thrombus formation in advanced atherosclerosis and restenosis.
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BACKGROUND: Optimal waiting time before first use of vascular access is not known. METHODS: Two practices-first cannulation time for fistulae and grafts, and blood flow rate-were examined as potential predictors of vascular access failure in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Access failure (defined as time to first failure or first salvage intervention) was modelled using Cox regression. RESULTS: Among 309 haemodialysis facilities, 2730 grafts and 2154 fistulae were studied. For grafts, first cannulation typically occurred within 2-4 weeks at 62% of US, 61% of European and 42% of Japanese facilities. For fistulae, first cannulation occurred <2 months after placement in 36% of US, 79% of European and 98% of Japanese facilities. Overall, the relative risk (RR) of graft failure in Europe was lower compared with the USA (RR = 0.69, P = 0.04). The RR of graft failure (reference group = first cannulation at 2-3 weeks) was 0.84 with first cannulation at <2 weeks (P = 0.11), 0.94 with first cannulation at 3-4 weeks (P = 0.48) and 0.93 with first cannulation at >4 weeks (P = 0.48). The RR of fistula failure was 0.72 with first cannulation at <4 weeks (P = 0.08), 0.91 at 2-3 months (P = 0.43) and 0.87 at >3 months (P = 0.31) (reference group = first cannulation at 1-2 months). Facility median blood flow rate was not a significant predictor of access failure. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier cannulation of a newly placed vascular access at the haemodialysis facility level was not associated with increased risk of vascular access failure. Potential for confounding due to selection bias cannot be excluded, implying the importance of clinical judgement in determining time to first use of vascular access.
BACKGROUND: Anemia is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Data collected from nationally representative samples of HD patients (n = 11,041) in 2002 to 2003 were used to describe current anemia management for long-term HD patients at 309 dialysis units in 12 countries. Analyses of associations and outcomes were adjusted for demographics, 15 comorbid classes, laboratory values, country, and facility clustering. RESULTS: For patients on dialysis therapy for longer than 180 days, 23% to 77% had a hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration less than 11 g/dL (<110 g/L), depending on country; 83% to 94% were administered erythropoietin (EPO). Mean Hgb levels were 12 g/dL (120 g/L) in Sweden; 11.6 to 11.7 g/dL (116 to 117 g/L) in the United States, Spain, Belgium, and Canada; 11.1 to 11.5 g/dL (111 to 115 g/L) in Australia/New Zealand, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France; and 10.1 g/dL (101 g/L) in Japan. Hgb levels were substantially lower for new patients with end-stage renal disease, and EPO use before ESRD ranged from 27% (United States) to 65% (Sweden). By patient, EPO use significantly declined with greater Hgb concentration (adjusted odds ratio, 0.61 per 1-g/dL [10-g/L] greater Hgb level; P < 0.0001), as did EPO dosage. Case-mix-adjusted mortality and hospitalization risk declined by 5% and 6% per 1-g/dL greater patient baseline Hgb level (P < or = 0.003 each), respectively. Furthermore, patient mortality and hospitalization risks were 10% to 12% lower for every 1-g/dL greater facility mean Hgb level. Patients were significantly more likely to have Hgb levels of 11 g/dL or greater (> or =110 g/L) if they were older; were men; had polycystic kidney disease; had greater albumin, transferrin saturation, or calcium levels; were not dialyzing with a catheter; or had lower ferritin levels. Facilities with greater intravenous iron use showed significantly greater facility mean Hgb concentrations. Mean EPO dose varied from 5,297 (Japan) to 17,360 U/wk (United States). Greater country mean EPO doses were significantly associated with greater country mean Hgb concentrations. Several patient characteristics were associated with greater EPO doses. Even in some countries with high intravenous iron use, 35% to 40% of patients had a transferrin saturation less than 20% (below guidelines). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate large international variations in anemia management, with significant improvements during the last 5 years, although many patients remain below current anemia guidelines, suggesting large and specific opportunities for improvement.
BACKGROUND: After recombinant human erythropoietin was introduced into routine nephrologic practice, specific clinical guidelines were developed to optimize the quality of anemia management for patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS: The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), an international investigation providing patient- and facility-level data on hemodialysis practice, was developed to provide information on various aspects of current practices in hemodialysis management, including treatment of renal anemia. RESULTS: Hemoglobin concentration is strongly associated with both morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Although some improvements can be documented in anemia management practices in the years after the publication of international guidelines, wide variations in anemia management are still observed among countries. CONCLUSION: Many efforts are still needed to allow a greater proportion of patients to reach the recommended hemoglobin concentrations. Significantly improved outcomes may therefore be expected by a more widespread reaching of the recommended hemoglobin levels. The results of the DOPPS point to the difficulties in implementing clinical guidelines in the everyday management of individual patients. In specific circumstances, a well-designed observational study may offer credible information and serve as a basic instrument for monitoring the implementation of clinical guidelines in typical clinical practice.
The reduced expression level of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is attributed to the hyposensitivity of parathyroid cells to extracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]o, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients and rats with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). Calcimimetic compounds have been demonstrated to improve the decreased sensitivity of CaR to extracellular calcium concentration and to suppress both parathyroid hormone (PTH) oversecretion and parathyroid cell proliferation. However, the effect of calcimimetics on the reduced CaR expression level in parathyroid cells in CRI remains unclarified. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of the calcimimetic compound NSP R-568 (R-568) on the CaR expression in the parathyroid cells of rats with experimental CRI. Subtotally nephrectomized rats were fed a high-phosphorus diet for 8 (n = 12; Nx-8 group) or 9 wk (n = 11; Nx-9 group) to induce severe SHPT. Another group of uremic rats were fed a high-phosphorus diet for 8 wk and then orally administered R-568 (100 micromol/kg body wt) once a day for 7 d (n = 11; Nx+R-568 group). Sham-operated rats that were fed a standard diet for 9 wk were used as controls (n = 8). R-568 treatment induced a significant reduction in plasma PTH level with significant decrease in serum calcium and without change in serum phosphorus concentration. Serum 1,25(OH)2D3 level was not affected by R-568 administration. CaR mRNA and protein levels in the Nx-8 and Nx-9 groups significantly decreased compared with those in the controls; however, no significant difference in these parameters was observed between the Nx-8 and Nx-9 groups. In the Nx+R-568 group, CaR mRNA and protein levels significantly increased compared with those in either the Nx-8 or Nx-9 group. R-568 was effective in reducing the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells along with parathyroid gland growth suppression in the Nx+R-568 group compared with that in the Nx-9 group. The results suggest that the calcimimetic compound R-568 upregulates decreased CaR expression, and the upregulation possibly has an enhancement effect on PTH secretion and parathyroid cell hyperplasia through the improved sensitivity of CaR to [Ca2+]o.
AIMS: Treatment with vitamin D sterols can lower plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism; however, hypercalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia, or both, often develop. Calcimimetic agents, employed in alternative therapeutic approaches, directly inhibit PTH secretion by activating the calcium-sensing receptor in the parathyroid glands. METHODS: In this study, patients were given orally 25, 50, and 100 mg doses of the calcimimetic agent KRN 1493 each on two occasions, on the day of haemodialysis and on the day without haemodialysis. RESULTS: In the pharmacokinetic results, because the clearance of KRN 1493 by haemodialysis was much smaller than the systemic clearance, the influence of haemodialysis was not remarkable. In the pharmacodynamic study, on both the days with or without haemodialysis, plasma PTH concentrations decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Serum calcium concentrations decreased in association with the decrease in plasma PTH concentrations. Mild dose-dependent adverse effects (mainly nausea) were seen after the administration of KRN 1493 on both the day of haemodialysis and the day without haemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the pharmacokinetics of KRN 1493 after a single administration were similar on the day of haemodialysis and the day without haemodialysis. KRN 1493 is safe and effective in suppressing PTH secretion and serum calcium concentrations on the day of haemodialysis and on the day without haemodialysis in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Large-scale clinical trials have shown that the oral adsorbent AST-120 improves renal function and delays the initiation of dialysis in chronic renal failure (CRF) secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis. If renal failure progresses via common mechanisms, then the same effects can be expected in diabetic nephropathy. However, no study on diabetic nephropathy has been reported. Thus, we enrolled patients with statistically significant progression of CRF secondary to diabetic nephropathy, and analyzed the changes in renal function after AST-120 therapy, and the clinical factors associated with response to therapy. We enrolled 276 patients with diabetic nephropathy, whose serum creatinine (Scr) had increased from 3.4 to 4.5 mg/dL during the 4.5 +/- 3.7 months prior to the study. These patients took AST-120 at a dose of 5.0 +/- 1.4 g/day for 6 months. The clinical data were analyzed by dividing the patients into three groups based on the changes in Scr after AST-120 therapy, with responders showing a decrease (N = 82), partial responders showing <1.5-fold increase (N = 144), and non-responders showing >/=1.5-fold increase (N = 50). AST-120 significantly lowered the slope of 1/Scr-time line, suggesting that AST-120 suppressed the progression of renal impairment. No responders required dialysis, whereas 24.3% of the partial responders and 36.0% of the non-responders started dialysis therapy. In responders, the 1/Scr-time slope showed a negative-to-positive shift and serum urea nitrogen decreased significantly, whereas the improvement was moderate in partial responders and minimal in non-responders. Among responders, AST-120 therapy significantly improved renal function despite the presence of hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, anemia or hypertension in many patients. The beneficial effect of AST-120 was significantly more marked in patients with blood pressure controlled within the normal ranges and hematocrit maintained at 30% or above. AST-120 reversed renal dysfunction or delayed the initiation of dialysis therapy in patients with progressive aggravation of CRF secondary to diabetic nephropathy, independent of hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, anemia and hypertension. Active use of AST-120 may be recommended in patients with good control of blood pressure and hematocrit above 30%.
Previous studies reported that dialysis with albumin dialysate (AD) was effective in removing albumin-binding toxins (ABT), and the Molecular Adsorption Recycling System (MARS) and Continuous Albumin Purification System (CAPS) have been developed. These blood purification therapies were categorized into the concept of extracorporeal albumin dialysis (ECAD). ECAD is defined as extracorporeal therapies using AD for the removal of not only water-soluble but also ABT. It was reported that symmetric as well as asymmetric membrane dialyzers had the effect of the removal of bilirubin by AD. The larger pore size membrane can remove more bilirubin. In the greater albumin concentration in AD, the removal capacity for bilirubin by AD increased. Bilirubin in AD could be removed by a charcoal and a bilirubin adsorption column, and its concentration in AD remained approximately constant. In clinical performance of CAPS, cellulose triacetate membrane, 5% AD, bilirubin adsorber columns, and charcoal adsorber columns were used. This system was applied continuously for 24 h for treatment. CAPS could control not only renal but also liver function during the 24 h, without any adverse effect. MARS removes many toxic substances including ABT, and has beneficial effect on brain, liver, renal, and cardiovascular functions, and improvement of 30-day survival were reported. ECAD may become a possible therapeutic tool in patients with the disease state of ABT accumulation as an artificial kidney and liver. However, several attempts such as the application of recombinant human albumin and acetate free dialysate, should be required.
The dose-response relationships and the safety of administering 22-oxacalcitriol (OCT) to patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) under regular three-times-weekly hemodialysis (HD) were evaluated by double-blind parallel group design. A total of 203 patients with 2HPT were randomly allocated into four groups, and 5 microg (Group L), 10 microg (Group M), or 15 microg (Group H) OCT, or placebo (Group P) was administrated at the end of every HD for 12 weeks. Reductions of intact-parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentration greater than 30% from baseline were observed in 7.7% of Group P as compared to 77.3% of the pooled OCT groups after 12 weeks of treatment (Mantel test: P < 0.001). Time-trends (slopes) of log-iPTH concentration calculated by least-squares line fitting to each patient's data during treatment differed between Group P and the pooled OCT groups (t-test: P < 0.001) and these iPTH slopes decreased dose-dependently (linear trend by t-test: P < 0.001). Slopes of serum calcium corrected for albumin (corrected-sCa) concentrations also differed between Group P and the pooled OCT groups (t-test: P < 0.001), and increased dose-dependently (linear trend by t-test: P < 0.0001). Serum phosphorus and Ca x P product increased significantly only in high dose groups. Slopes of log(iPTH) and corrected-sCa concentrations were reciprocally related. Most adverse events were hypercalcemia and dose-related, but occasionally comprised pruritus or increased serum creatinine phosphokinase. These results indicate that OCT produced a strong and dose-dependent suppression of PTH and an increase of corrected-sCa concentration in patients with 2HPT. The recommended initial dosages of OCT would appear to be 5 microg when pretreatment iPTH concentrations are less than 500 pg/mL, and 10 microg when greater than 500 pg/mL for safe and effective treatment. As in the case of PTH, calcium and phosphorus showed dose-dependent increases. It is therefore essential to take precautions as to possible increases in calcium and phosphorus.
The guideline committee of Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT), chaired by Professor F. Gejyo of Niigata University, now publishes an original Japanese guideline entitled 'Guidelines for Renal Anemia in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients'. It includes the re-evaluation of the usage of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) with the medical and economical arguments regarding the prognosis and the quality of life of Japanese hemodialysis patients. This guideline consists of 7 sections. The first section comprises the general definition and the differential diagnosis of anemia. The hemoglobin (Hb) level of the Japanese population seemed to be low when compared with that of the European and American populations. The second section describes the target Hb level in hemodialysis patients. Multivariate analysis of the data that were collected from dialysis institutions throughout the country showed that an Hb level of 10-11 g/dL (Ht level 30-33%) at the first dialysis session in a week is the ideal range for chronic hemodialysis patients in terms of the 3-5 year survival rate. The supine position at blood sampling and the sampling timing at the first dialysis session in a week might affect the lower setting of target Hb hematocrit (Ht), compared to that of European and American guidelines. However, we particularly recommended that an Hb level of 11-12 g/dL (Ht level from 33 to 36%) at the first dialysis session in a week is desirable in relatively young patients. In the third section, the markers of iron deficiency are discussed. The Transferin saturation test (TSAT) and serum ferritin were emphasized as the standard markers. The routes of administration of rHuEPO and its dosages are written in the fourth section. The subcutaneous route was associated with the occurrence of secondary red cell aplasia due to anti-rHuEPO antibodies; however, secondary red cell aplasia was seldom observed in the venous injection. From this fact we recommend venous injection for chronic hemodialysis patients. We advocate an initial dosage of 1500 U three times per week. The fifth section deals with the factors refractory to treatment with rHuEPO. If the patient shows an inadequate response to the usage of 9000 U per week, this condition defines the inadequate response to rHuEPO in Japan. Blood transfusion must be avoided where possible. The reasons for this and the adverse effects are interpreted in section six. In the final section, the adverse effects of rHuEPO are listed. Among them, hypertension, thrombotic events and secondary red cell aplasia were emphasized as the major complications.